Aladdin stood frozen, as he stared at them walking in, and Jasmine greeting them.
Jasmine pulled his arm.
"What are you thinking about? Can't you see that we're the hosts."
Aladdin nodded.
"I certainly imagined the...Sultan different."said the Countess. "But I think I like the reality much better. It was really unexpected."she smiled.
"What did you expect?"asked Aladdin.
She smiled.
"What one usually sees in paintings, I guess. I'm not quite sure myself. Anything but what I'm seeing."
During dinner, Aladdin didn't say anything, contrary to the advice Iago had given him the day before, and didn't even notice the looks he was getting from Jasmine for being so rude. Genie served the dinner, and kept giving Al little notes telling him what to do and say. Iago hid and gave Al hints.
"Why don't you tell us about yourself, Your Majesty."said the Countess.
"There's nothing to know about me, Your Excellency."he said.
"Oh, I'm sure there's plenty. After all, you should let me be the judge of that, shouldn't you? I'm the one who's listening."
"Aladdin, why don't you tell the Countess about the time when-"
"I don't think she'd be interested."Aladdin interrupted.
The Countess giggled.
"Oh, you'd be surprised at the things I'd find interesting."she said, smiling.
"Oh, he's just a little shy."said Genie.
"Shy?"
"Genie!"
Genie left.
"Sorry about that."he said. "He's just very...excited."he finished nervously.
"Don't you entertain a lot?"asked the Countess.
"N-Not usually."
As soon as dinner was over, Aladdin left the dining room as soon as possible.
"Well, that was very rude."said the Countess, as she fanned herself.
"Oh, he has a lot of work."said Jasmine.
The Countess smiled, and nodded.
"Oh, they always do. I hope you won't think I'm rude,"she said. "But would you mind if I took a walk around the gardens? Alone?"
"Oh, well, of course not."
"I find it rather...enjoyable to spend the evening alone."
"Uh, go ahead."
Aladdin sat down on the divan, and put his head in his hands.
"I can't believe it!"he said.
"I couldn't believe it, either."said the Countess as she walked in.
"Veronica!"he exclaimed.