Aladdin:

I escorted the princess to dinner and I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous. I had never been to a fancy dinner before, I barely used a knife and fork! I whispered to the princess as we walked, "Um…my table manners may not be up to scratch." This caused her to grin at me and she laughed. I loved the sound of her laugh! She said kindly, "I will help you, but I'm sure you'll be just fine."

This all felt rather overwhelming. That ring alone…I couldn't help but guess how much that was worth! What with the massive red ruby in the centre and the diamonds surrounding it…it made me shake my head in wonder. Each dimond must cost thousands…let alone the ruby itself! I hated to think how much the clothes I was wearing cost!

We walked into the dining room which held a massive, wooden table, rimmed with golden edges. I shook my head in awe and the Sultan said, "Ah! Aladdin! Please do come and join us." I smiled and Jasmine led me to the head, where he was sitting. She sat opposite me and Jafar entered the room then. He really gave me the creeps that guy!

The room went silent when he walked in and the Sultan asked happily, "Jafar, will you be joining us for dinner?" Jafar shook his head and walked over to Jasmine, "No Sire. I have important business to attend to. But I'm sure you can keep the street rat entertained?" I bit my tongue and watched as he loomed over Jasmine before kissing her on the cheek, "You too, my dear. Don't miss me too much." Jafar had a bird on his shoulder than was eyeing me suspiciously.

Jasmine forced a smile, "Don't worry, Jafar. I can live a moment without you around." This caused the Sultan to chuckle and I smiled easily. The tall man then left the room slowly without another word. The Sultan looked at me, "Please forgive Jafar's insults. He's just very old-fashioned." Jasmine spat, "Old-fashioned is an understatement!" The Sultan sighed and then the first course appeared.

Jasmine:

I watched Aladdin watch me drink the soup using my spoon. Then the servants bought bread and I buttered it with my knife. It was cute how he was copying me blindly. Father asked Aladdin, "So how did you save my daughter's life?" He swallowed and shrugged, "Um…I saw this street vendor raising a knife and getting angry with her. She was just trying to give a little girl and her brother some fruit. Obviously the princess didn't realize you have to pay."

I huffed in frustration, "It's not my fault! I'm not allowed to leave the palace!" The Sultan nodded and replied, "It is the law…" I groaned and said, "Yes but being trapped in one's own home is not life. I didn't even know I had to pay." The Sultan nodded slowly and glanced up from his food, "You know you're right, Jasmine." I blinked in surprise and asked cautiously, "Really? I'm right?"

My father nodded and said seriously, "It is a little shocking that you weren't aware that you have to pay for food. And I do know that it's my fault before you try and accuse me. But…maybe Aladdin can show you around the marketplace again. You will have to go dressed in your disguise of course…" I hurried up out of my seat and squeezed my father in a tight embrace, "Father! That's so…so exciting! And I won't have the guards around?"

My father debated this as he ate some soup, "Well…I think just to be safe have some in the streets patrolling, just in case you need them. But I'll tell Razoul not to bother you." I nodded and sighed. Small steps at a time I suppose…this was better than not at all. I grinned at Aladdin hopefully and he smiled back at me. A servant appeared with some wine and offered some to Aladdin, "Sir…" they asked. He shook his head, "No thanks. Not for me." I smiled at his innocence.

Then I realized I didn't even know hold old he was! I drank some soup and asked, "Aladdin…how old are you, if you don't mind me asking?" Aladdin glanced up and stared at me curiously, "Eighteen…" I could tell he wanted to ask my age but wasn't sure. I sighed in relief. At least he wasn't much older than me. I shrugged and replied, "I'm sixteen." He paused eating and asked curiously, "You're getting married at sixteen?" I groaned and whispered, "Can we not talk about it please? It's something I prefer not to think about." Aladdin cleared his throat and said seriously, "Uh…sure."
My father interrupted then and I was relieved until he asked, "So Aladdin, dear boy, what do you do for a living?" Aladdin froze and glanced at me, feeling awkward and out of place. I cleared my throat and then he answered, "I uh…I'm a street rat, Sir. I don't have a job." My father's eyes widened in surprise and I could see him analyzing the situation, unsure. I was proud of Aladdin for telling the truth about himself. That must have been hard for him to do.

My father stared at him in contemplation, "Would you like a job here at the palace, Aladdin? I think it's the least I could do for you, considering you saved my daughter's life!" I felt excitement flood through my veins! If he got a job here…I could see him every day! Aladdin stared at the Sultan in shock, "Sir! I'd be honored! Truly!"

Father nodded happily, "It's settled then. You can be a…" He had to think about it because we had all the guards he needed. Then he clicked his fingers, "I know! You can be Jasmine's chaperone!" I tried to contain my excitement but I just couldn't. Aladdin frowned and asked, "Sorry Sir, what would that mean exactly?"

We finished our soup and the waiters bought our main dinner of chicken curry. My father said thoughtfully, "I think Jasmine does need to explore the city, get to know the people. In doing so, I need someone I can trust to guide her." I could hardly believe what I was hearing! It was like Aladdin had just opened up a whole new world in my life!

I beamed gratefully at him and Aladdin looked astounded, "You're going to pay me to take her to town? Sir, I can do that without you paying a fortune." The Sultan shook his head, "No my dear boy. This is your job, understand?" Aladdin seemed at a loss for words, "Thank you, your highness. It means the world to me." He glanced up at me with a massive grin on his face. I couldn't quite believe my luck. Not only had Aladdin saved me, he was now setting me free.

Jafar:

I couldn't believe what I was seeing! The boy…that street rat was meant to be the diamond in the rough? I looked at Iago in irritation. The bird seemed to find it highly amusing. I shook my head, "No. It must have been referring to the princess! She is a gem to be sure…" The hour glass had depicted the boy sitting across from the princess now. They were dining in the room upstairs. It must have been referring to the princess.

I chuckled and shrugged, "The princess will be easy enough to convince to do my dirty work. I'll just use my sector. It'll do the job for me." Iago sighed in frustration, "That little street rat is really worming his way into the kingdom isn't he? Maybe he'll have to go before he tries to win over the Sultan and the princess!" I nodded sourly, "Yes…he really does leave a bad taste in my mouth. Something will have to be done. But first I need the princess to trust me. I can tell she doesn't." Iago laughed as we ascended the staircase, "Maybe she's got more brains than she seems." I cackled at the comment. I grinned, "We'll just have to change that, won't we?"

Aladdin:

I had just been offered a job by the Sultan with a price tag that meant I could buy myself a new house in about a month! It was too good to be true. My only worry was Jasmine. The way she had kissed me made my heart flutter every time I thought about it. And she was already engaged. I just wanted to tell Abu all about it. It would have to wait until after dinner.

We discussed everything the Sultan wanted me to teach Jasmine about the market place. How to trade, how to associate with commoners. All of the nitty gritty details. Jasmine was going to start by going out in her old robes, and then slowly she would make it know that she was the princess, so that she could earn the trust of the people.

I felt like there was a huge responsibility on my shoulders now, but she didn't seem to care. She kept batting her eyelashes at me all through dinner. I made up my mind I would talk to her and let her know that she couldn't kiss me again and that we had to be on professional terms. I didn't want to lose my job for any misdeed.

When dinner was over, I bowed and thanked the Sultan profusely. He made me stand up and shook his head, "Dear boy, you have my trust. No need to continue with the bowing, alright? I just want you to look after my daughter at all costs and make sure she stays safe." I nodded and whispered, "I will do, sire." The Sultan beamed, "Good! Now why don't you two take a walk? It's such lovely weather after all!" I nodded eagerly, "Thank you….Sir. Have a good evening." He smiled at me and Jasmine linked her arm in mine before we exited the palace gates.

A/N: Hey! Thanks to NigthShade08 and 15 Peaches Say Hi for believing in this story! You guys are amazing. You inspired me to continue another chapter. I was debating not but since your enthusiasm is infectious…here's another chapter! Also please check out my story Symbol of the Gods if you love Hercules as much as Aladdin and let me know what you think! Peace out.