The two return to the room and everyone looks at them. Annalise stares in shock as she watches as the cages were empty.

"What... happened?" Annalise whispers.

"Sinbad! Why would you let all the slaves escape?! This is why I was against it! Making someone like him a head slave! We trusted him even though he's such a weird guy! And what has he done for us?!" People say.

"That's right! He's not fit to be a head slave! He betrayed your trust, Lady Maader! He should be give suitable punishment." Fatima says.

"Sinbad... I forgive you. Everyone fails once or twice." Maader says, "But don't let it happen again or else." Sinbad looks away as they weren't sure what happened.

"What are you saying?! This isn't something that can be forgiven!" Fatima says.

"Oh, Fatima... Are you telling me what to do?" Maader asks.

"Of... course not! I'm only thinking of you, Lady Maader." Fatima says.

"Fatima, what's wrong? You're shaking so badly. I wonder if there's some reason behind it? I don't want to see my cute little children fighting. The search for the culprit ends here. I'm going to overlook this incident." Maader says.

"Well, if Lady Maader says so..." A guy says.

Annalise and Sinbad follow after Maader to where she'd left Fatima the night before. Maader speaks to a customer that she'd left Fatima with. Annalise stares at the floor. The customer looks at Sinbad and Annalise.

"Amazing. You actually tamed a Fanalis?" The customer asks.

"Yes, you see. She's docile in fear that something will happen to Sinbad here. I keep them together because they work better. She's nowhere near ready to be working with customers personality though, so you'll have to wait." Maader says.

"Of course." The customer says and then leaves. Maader, Annalise and Sinbad head into the room.

"You were wonderful, Fatima." Maader says, "Our customer was very pleased with you. It seems he's really taken a liking to you."

"It was all for you, Lady Maader." Fatima says. Annalise's eyes widen as she realizes what happened to Fatima last night. Sinbad stared in shock as well as he realized that the customer from before had done this to Fatima.

"Yes. Thanks to you, our business negotiations went smoothly. And that Gentleman wants to hire you. It looks like you'll be leaving us, Fatima. Congratulations." Maader says.

"Huh?" Fatima asks, "Why? I've been such a good boy! So why do I have to leave your side, Lady Maader?"

"Ah, Fatima... Please don't cause me trouble. Every child has to leave the nest someday. Now is that time for you." Maader explains, "Besides, the only child I could ever serve such an important customer of ours is you, Fatima. There's no one I can entrust this to but you. I mean.. Isn't that the truth? You're my most reliable child aren't you?"

"Lady Maader, please leave this important task to me." Fatima says, "Just leave it to me, your most reliable child!"

"Wait! Fatima!" Sinbad says running over to him. Annalise stops a few feet away, "Don't you think it's strange? Letting her treat you this way, being sold off like that... why are you okay with that?"

"You're the one that's strange. Lord Zeutitus is Lady Maader's most important customer. I'll be serving him. It's an important responsibility to serve Lady Maader's most valued customer... there's nothing better than this. I'm amazing. I'm loved. Much, much more than someone like you. I was acknowledged by Lady Maader. I'm the most remarkable." Fatima says before he leaves. Annalise and Sinbad stare in shock. Annalise looks over and finds Masrur staring at them. Sinbad looks over and his eyes widen.

'Again... Those eyes are urging me to do something...' Sinbad's thoughts say, 'Pride...'

"Is that what it looks like when someone has thrown away his pride? That what about me?" Sinbad whispers.

'Have I?' His thoughts say, 'In order for Analise and I to stay alive, I completely blocked off both my feelings and my memories... I pretended not to see anything... I...I... Just what am I doing? The things I've thrown away... the things I've forgotten... I...'

"Sin." Annalise says finally saying his nickname for the first time in forever.

Sinbad remembers the last thing his mother said to him. Her words echo in his head as he held his head in pain.

'I've been such an idiot. The answer has always been right here...' Sinbad's thoughts say, 'Thanks, mother.'

"Huh?" Masrur says.

"Sin..." Annalise says as she stood beside Masrur now staring at Sinbad. His eyes return to normal as he gets a determined look in his eyes.

'Just what have I been doing? We were deceived by her plan and trapped by our investment... I lost the match... I became a slave and order to protect myself I succumbed to Maader's brainwashing and became one of her accomplices... How Deplorable. Everything went just as that woman has planned. Despite that, I still naively believed it would turn out okay somehow as long as I was protecting Annalise. My self-conceit' that's what led me here. What made me thing 'I'll build a country'? What made me think that I'm special? Now that I've fallen this far, dragging Annalise as far down... There's no way that will happen. In the end, I'll end up being treated as a possession just like Fatima... But... I can't... I can't allow Annalise to get that treatment too!' Sinbad's thoughts say as he grips his fist together.

'It's not 'it will turn out okay somehow' if I don't take action myself, we'll never escape the life of slavery.' Sinbad's thoughts say, 'I can't just rely on Jafar and the others to help me. I've got to get myself and Annalise out of here myself.'

"Um... Are you okay? Have you been feeling unwell since yesterday?" Masrur asks.

"Sin? Are you alright?" Annalise asks as she reaches for him but stops when she sees the look in Sinbad's eyes. Her eyes glimmer as they widen.

'He's... back.' Annalise's thoughts say.

"Hey... Masrur. I need to talk to you." Sinbad says.

"Welcome to the Mariadel Company." Maader says as she opens the door to find Jafar and Rurumu sitting together, "Ms. Rurumu of Sindria Trading Company. Hmm... you're the new head of the company?"

"Is something wrong?" Rurumu asks.

"No... It's just... I've never seen anything like you before. After all, I've never received anyone from Imuchakk in any of my shipments before." Maader says and both Jafar and Rurumu ignore that remark.

"This is the first time you've seen someone from Imuchakk? We are strong, giant and excellent swimmers. I'm sure if you used us as slaves, we would be certainly useful." Rurumu says, "If you haven't made any other deals considering going through our Sindria Trading Company. If you need someone to negotiate a deal with Imuchakk leave it up to me." Maader smiles at the sound of it.

"I apologize making you say something do demeaning about your own people. I was just testing you. You pass. If it's with you, Ms. Rurumu, it seems we can forget about the past and move forward to a more profitable relationship." Maader says.

"Lady Maader, that's exactly the reason we are here today. The truth is, we came here to borrow your knowledge as the head of one of the leading companies in Reim." Rurumu says.

"What nonsense. My company and yours deal in completely different types of merchandise." Maader says.

"Yes! But that's why we want your advice. Ever since we took over as the new heads of the company, we've been wanting to take on new sorts of business. In order to get an introduction to slave Trade, we though it would be bet to get help from someone knowledgeable in the area, like you, Lady Maader!" Jafar says.

"Actually... I wonder if you are telling me the truth. I just can't believe this sudden change." Maader says.

"And you shouldn't. We happen to have some information that no one else has." Rurumu says, "More of a reason not to believe you. There's no way that the Mariadel company wouldn't be the first to hear of any information regarding our line of business."

"Of course..." Jafar says, "We only know this information because our close friendship with other countries. That's the only reason we were entrusted with such a secret."

"Where's your proof?" Maader asks.

"We can't show you here." Jafar says.

"And I was thinking you had some guts. What a disappointment. Do you even want to make a deal?" Maader asks.

"Please wait." Rurumu says holding out a scroll of paper, "It's an invitation. In three days, we'll be holding an event to celebrate the rebirth of the Sindria Trading Company. At this Celebration we will be making a big announcement about our new project."

"It does not matter. There's no reason for me to attend." Maader says.

"With all due respect, let me say this once more. If what we're saying is the truth, it's a chance to do business on a scale that could change the world market. But alone, we don't have the know-how to pull it off. That's why we're asking for your help as the specialist in that area. I understand that you can't trust us. However, this is a chance for both our companies to reap an enormous profit. You can't just ignore a business opportunity like this." Rurumu says, "You can get your proof if you come to our renewal celebration. You can judge our authenticity with your own two eyes. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity. With all your wisdom, Lady Maader, what will you do? The answer is obvious, isn't it?"

"Kil." Maader says.

"Yes, ma'am!" Kil says.

"In three days, I'll be going to Napolia, so make the necessary adjustments to my schedule." Maader says, "Don't misunderstand me, Ms. Rurumu. If I find your proof lacking, I won't stick around for long. I'm a business woman above all else."

"Not a problem. We'll show you a celebration sure to gain your approval." Rurumu says.

"I'll be looking forward to it in three days." Maader says.

[LATER]

Down in the slave rooms, Annalise stands beside Sinbad. She had her arms crossed as she stared at all the little kids. She hoped that Sinbad knew what he was doing. Sinbad takes a deep breath as he looks at the kids.

"Hey,everyone thanks for coming. I've used my authority as the head slave to keepall the adults out of this room for now... Children... There's something I'd like totalk to all of you about. We must step back and re-evaluate our positions.We're 'slaves' and as slaves, we can't ever be anything more or less than that.In other words, Maader will never really love you." Sinbad says.