This was originally going to be a two-chapter story, but the writing got so long I decided to cut the chapter up. At this point, it should only be three chapters(and a potential short epilogue), unless more inspiration springs up.
I always encourage constructive criticism, especially any spelling or grammatical errors. I strive for quality, but stuff does slip through. Never hesitate to submit a suggestion!
The Arabian sun, normally a blessing on an average day, was unforgiving as the heat blazed abnormally. It only seemed to punish the Sultana, stretching through the array of windows as Jasmine struggled to focus on her task. While she worked Dalia practically skipped around the desk; chattering on about the plans she and Genie had begun to make. It appeared that their ship had already begun its commissioning and of course their wedding day was fast approaching. Occasionally, the sultana would lift her gaze to offer a smile, but the daunting number of parchments at her desk only seemed to rise; along with her stress.
"You need to take a break," Dalia finally sighed, falling into a chair nearby.
"I don't have time for a break," Jasmine replied.
"Your father offered to help with all this," the handmaiden toyed with one of the papers. "You ought to accept it before you bury yourself in parchment."
"I have to do this," she merely shook her head.
"Even your father had help as sultan," she insisted. "No one has ever expected a ruler to act alone."
Jasmine sighed in irritation, unwilling to argue with her friend. Having fought so long on her own for this chance, she knew better than allow even an inkling of weakness to show. Ignoring her friend's plea, she continued to scribble her notes. Her temper only began to rise when a hand fell over hers forcefully; halting her scribbles.
"When is the last time you spent more than an hour with your fiancé?"
At this, the sultana lifted her head. Heat rising beneath her cheeks. "What are you trying to say?"
"Do you know what he's been doing while you've been ignoring him?"
"I'm not ignoring…"
"When he's not taking lessons from Genie on dancing and proper decor, he's following your father around to learn about the palace. He has even asked me to teach him about the city's history." Dalia cut her off in an even tone. Her friend did not glare at her accusingly, instead her eyes blazed with something far worst. Disappointment. "He's trying so hard to be valuable for you."
The underlying accusations fell heavily upon her heart. A mixture of emotions brew within but before she had time to respond, her father's voice echoed just outside the room. Only a moment later, the former sultan walked through the door. Beside him, Aladdin watched carefully; receiving every word from the elder as if it were gold.
"Straighten your posture, son," the man lectured. "It represents strength and stability."
Aladdin awkwardly adjusted himself as they entered the room. Jasmine could see him flinch when made aware of her presence.
"Jasmine? A strange place to fulfil your duties," her father chuckled. "Was your office no longer suitable?"
"I found myself in need of more space," she answered with her gaze shifting between the two. Hakim followed loyally behind them before standing guard at the door.
"Yes, I see." The former sultan glanced at the mess surrounding her. "If you would reconsider my offer, my dear. I could, at minimum, help you to catch up with your work."
"Thank you, baba, but I have everything under control." She smiled, trying her best to manage her temper. The man simply smiled before taking a seat at his own desk. Aladdin moved to stand beside her, stopping at the edge of the table with a shy smile upon his face. The behavior only stirred her guilt as Dalia's words gnawed at the back of her mind. With a quick reflection upon the previous days, there was more than enough evidence to support her claim.
Swallowing against the lump in her throat, she extended her hand for him to take. He appeared surprised at the gesture, glancing nervously at her father before accepting the invitation. She wanted to sigh in aggravation at the behavior. His dark strands of hair had been cropped recently and he wore clothes that were far more formal than anything he was used to. That, mixed with a presentable posture and restrained expression, only prodded her frustration. Jasmine wanted desperately to berate her father for attempting to 'correct' every aspect of her thief. Had Hakim and her father not been present, she would have confronted him then and there.
A stroke of his thumb at her hand soothed her nerves. The small contact sent her heart racing; another reminder of the strain that the past weeks had wreaked upon the couple. When had they last been given a moment for so much as a simple touch?
"What's all this?" he gazed at the table.
"Mostly trade requests from other Kingdoms and letters from our own." She explained before reaching for her map. Squeezing his hand in excitement, she smiled while pointing to the plans she had drafted. "I would like to see workers beginning on the orphanage by next week."
"You want to build it there?" Aladdin raised his brow.
"There is an abandoned schoolhouse that would be easy to convert," she nodded. She met his eyes, prepared to bask in the excitement within them. When instead they filled with concern, she tilted her head in question. "What is it?"
"Well, there's um," he cleared his throat uncomfortably. He met her eyes cautiously, as if searching for permission to speak. When she did not scowl at the interruption he laid his finger on the map to trace the outlining district. "Guards have all but much abandoned this section of the city. It's now run by a group of bandits. They prey on orphans, offering them food for work but... it's dangerous work."
"How do you know this?" Hakim squared his shoulders as he stepped forward. Aladdin met the guard's challenging stare.
"I once had a friend who joined in desperation. He lasted a month before realizing he had no future there. One day he told me of his plans to quit. The next day…" He shifted his glance back to her; appearing to swallow before answering. "I found his body in the streets."
Jasmine flinched at the story and his eyes offered an apology before pointing to the map.
"I fear an orphanage there will simply fuel their army."
She stared hopelessly at the parchment. Not long ago she had fooled herself into believing that she understood their city; that she believed she could know what was best for their people. Every day, it seemed, she was constantly proven wrong.
"I nearly put our own people in danger," she whispered helplessly.
"But you didn't." Aladdin reminded.
"I nearly did!" Her voice raised slightly. Her face reddened as she began to rant. "Letters keep pouring in that I mustn't leave unanswered. On top of that I still have so much to learn of the city."
"My dear," the former sultan smiled from his seat. "You must balance yourself."
"How can I rest while our people suffer?" She hadn't meant to snap at her father, but the words came out harsher than intended. A part of her knew it was wrong to place blame upon the man, yet it had been him to ignore their people for so long. Creating a wealth of problems that could continue no longer. And yet, she could not help but wonder if she was any better. "It feels as if I am creating more messes than fixing them."
"Jasmine," Aladdin spoke softly. Ignoring the evading eyes around them he fell to a knee beside her, bringing his hand to cover hers. Her heart softened when he offered a smile that was both comforting and knowing. How on earth could he find positivity after the story he had just shared? "Our people are patient. They don't need you to be perfect. They just need to know you care."
He leaned forward, placing a gentle kiss at her forehead. Her eyes closed, soaking in the warmth that his lips offered, even if only for a moment. She felt a smile against her skin before he added, "And maybe free jams once in while."
The room softened with chuckles, while the world lifted just slightly from her shoulders. Twisting her hand to grasp his own, she returned his smile.
"Hakim," she met her Captain's gaze. "Would you please increase security in the outlining districts?"
"It shall be done immediately," he saluted before turning to leave.
She squeezed his hand, a small gesture of gratitude before returning the documents sprawled on the table. Dalia and her father's advice rang at the back of her mind as she finally resolved to accept a helping hand. Glancing to her thief, she smiled at her new resolution. As she sorted through the parchments, she handed one of the simple letters to the man beside her.
"Could you read through this and draft a response?" She asked.
"Me?" he startled beside her.
"Yes, you." She chuckled.
"I don't… I'm not…"
"It's nothing major. Just simple trade requests from a couple Kingdoms," she explained. It was the perfect solution to obtain each other's company once again. Aladdin however, appeared petrified at the idea. He scowled as he stared at the letter and she could have sworn that his skin turned red. Her lips had been parted, ready to ask what troubled him before Dalia stepped between them. Taking the parchment into her own hands, she placed a hand upon Aladdin's shoulder.
"Actually, I can handle this. Genie had hoped to see you. He is in the courtyard." Aladdin met the handmaiden's gaze in what appeared to be deep appreciation. Quickly after being dismissed, he hid his eyes into the floor before leaving the room in a hurry. Jasmine gazed to her friend in confusion.
"Jasmine," she sighed sadly. "There is not much available for resources in Agrabah, especially for the poor. Without parents to teach him, he never had a chance."
"It is only a trade request," she nearly shrugged. "It does not take a scholar to draft a response."
"Yes, but," the handmaiden glanced at the paper sadly. "It requires someone who can read."
She stared at her friend. Both surprised and terrified at what she had just done. The squashed pride in her thief's eyes burned into her memory. Her mind tortured her by replaying it until her heart fell deeper than it had ever been. Education had always been available to her, pushed upon her in fact. It had certainly occurred to her that others would not share the same treatment, though she had never imagined their differences could be so severe.
She reflected upon the words her friend spoke earlier. When had they last shared a moment together? She had thought it best to give him space, to wait for him to approach her when he was ready. The incoming duties had made it easy to do so, to wake early and immediately bury herself into work. It had never occurred to her that it would be her that would be the one to avoid him. Yet, she had always made certain to close the doors behind her as to not be disturbed. It had been her to limit herself to the royal offices where she knew Aladdin was too nervous to venture. The guilt tore at her and with a defeated sigh, she whispered to herself, "So much to learn."
Review Replies
Lightnote19: Thank you very much for the thorough review! It is very helpful to hear specifics about what readers enjoy about the chapters. I am glad that you enjoyed the first chapter and hope you like the rest!
Peacockgirl: Thank you very much! Glad you enjoyed the first chapter! Yes, there will be for sure 3 chapters and potentially a short fourth.
Guests: Thank you to both guests that reviewed! You were both so very kind! I will absolutely write more
IceK04: Thank you very much! Glad you enjoyed the first chapter!
Bellydancer10: I already messaged you, but wanted to thank you again for sharing your knowledge! I have updated the first chapter to exclude "lad". I appreciate the advice and thank you for reading!
