"Well, it's a good sign you didn't forget my name."she said. "I thought you did. I really couldn't believe it. I was right, you know. I did expect something else when I saw the Sultan. Because I expected just about anything but you, Aladdin."

"And I expected anyone but you. How did you ever get to marry the Count? I mean, the last time I saw you..."

"Was in your hovel. I know, I know. Well, of course, surely you remember my mother. Or rather, my adoptive mother, don't you?"

"Well, you simply disappeared!"exclaimed Aladdin.

"Now, that wasn't my fault, was it! She said she wanted to be back among her own people. Perhaps even to search for something in the New World, you know. I don't think she ever had anything against the people here, other than that they were different from herself. So, she wanted to go to Spain. And of course, I had to go with her. Does it seem like I had much of a choice!"

Aladdin didn't say anything, just listened.

"But of course, you're not of royal blood, and if you're Sultan, it can only be through one means. Am I not right? But that's just fine, Aladdin. They're very romantic, but I certainly haven't turned as romantic as they are, and I wouldn't expect you to have been waiting until I decided to come back, as one of my stepdaughter's favorite songs would say."

"But, Veronica, he's about old enough to be your father!"

"No, not about. Is. He is old enough to be my father. My stepson, his heir, is about my age, more or less. Actually,"she put down her fan. "I think he's a couple of months older than me, you know. He was the one who convinced me to marry his father. He doesn't want to marry, you see. And, my stepdaughter, well, I think the young lady has her heart set on becoming a nun."she smiled. "It's rather pleasant, you know. My only goal is to keep my husband off his son's back, and simply,"she waved her hand. "Other than that, well, we just help each other out when we need it."

"So, your stepson convinced you to marry his father?"asked Aladdin incredously.

"Well, I don't know for how long he'll live. I mean, he's still very young, of course. And...I like him, believe it or not. Not as long as I do, of course. And I shall be taken care of, then, for having made the Count as happy as I have during his last years. Although I don't think a couple of his sisters, and his aunts approve very much of me. But they're of little account. The important thing is, that the stepchildren do."she laughed. "But perhaps maybe we can return the invitation. And you could come and visit us. It's rather quite pleasant, like I said. You also seem to have a nice place here. Why don't you tell me about it."

"Oh, there's...really nothing to tell."said Aladdin.

"There must be tons to tell!"said Veronica. "Or maybe I haven't gone into enough detail on my account? Should I tell you a little more?"

"Whatever happened to Magdalena?"Aladdin asked her.

Veronica's expression changed, and hardened, at the sound of her mother's name.

"What do you suppose? She's dead, of course."

"Do you ever..."

"No! I don't like to think she is there. I may send someone every now and then, but I never go there myself. Ever."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

Veronica nodded.

"I'm sorry, too."she said, as she sat down.

"Uh, do you know how long you're planning to stay here?"asked Aladdin.

Veronica looked up.

"Well...I'm not sure. I asked that we stay a while."she said. "Although I like it there, I did miss it here."

"Maybe you'd be better going back."Aladdin told her.

"Why?"asked Veronica.

"Because..."he didn't know what to say, and just began looking around the room. "Well, you seem like you like it so much over there, and..."

"Well, I am happy."she said. "Although, he does have one rule. I really mustn't wear my hair in my face."she said as she patted her hair. "The women there never wear it like that. Although if you'd rather, I could get permission to wear it down during my stay here."she said, as she reached up.

"Uh, no!"said Aladdin firmly, and grabbed her arms to stop her.

"Oh."

Veronica looked surprised.

"I was always under the impression that you liked my hair best when it was down."she said.

"Um, uh, no, I mean, I do, I mean, no, that's not what I meant, see..."

"I can't do both!"she said. "Or, maybe I could. Should I try?"

"No! No. Um, see, what would be best, would be if everyone thought you and I didn't know each other. I don't want you to have problems."

"Oh, that wouldn't be a problem. He doesn't get jealous of anyone. And if he did, well, it wouldn't be a problem, really. I can handle it."

"I still would rather it didn't happen. Just keep your hair up. I..I've got to go!"he said, and rushed off.