Chapter 4
Ali stepped outside in time to hear his friends talk about whether he would be staying here and actually pursue a courtship with this princess. He stood off with an amused grin as he listened to them.
"4 gold coins that Ali agrees to stay here and pursue this princess." Genie said with confidence. The kids nodded their agreement with the Genie.
"You all are out of your mind. 5 gold coins we leave after he comes out." Abdullah replied with a smug look. No way Ali found someone he wanted to marry in such a big kingdom!
Abu and Carpet sided with Genie and the kids as the 2 guards sided together as they continued to argue whether or not Ali had an interest in Princess Jasmine. None of them failed to notice the prince standing near them trying not to laugh.
Well Genie, Abu and Carpet earned some money. Lucky them. Maybe they can get the kids something nice. Ali thought before speaking.
"Hey guys. What's going on." Ali said nonchalantly.
"Oh hey Al. We're just having a small debate seeing if we were going to stay here or leave." Genie said smugly. He knew he was getting those coins from Abdullah!
"Yes, Your Highness. Should I prepare the arrangements to leave?" Abdullah asked. The gold coins were going to be his!
Ali just shook his head with a smile. He looked forward to seeing Abdullah's shocked face when he finally said he would be pursuing a courtship with a princess.
"Actually no. These nice guards behind me are here to escort us to our rooms in the palace." Ali said with a smile as he gaged their reactions.
Abdullah and Ameer (second guard) had their jaws drop to the ground. While everyone else started celebrating about winning the gold coins.
"That's right Abdullah pay up!" Genie said as Abdullah begrudgingly took out the coins and gave them to Genie.
While that was going on, the kids came out of the caravan to talk to Ali.
"Does that include us too Ali?" Bulu asked.
"Yes. I wouldn't have accepted staying here unless they took you guys in too. You'll be staying here as long as I'm here too. The princess even said she wanted to meet you all as well." Ali said with a smile.
"But you kids need to behave well. Don't break anything, don't play rough, and always ask if you need something. We're guests here, so we all need to be nice." Ali said. However, he also looked at Genie, Abu and Carpet. This was their first time staying somewhere else that wasn't their own home.
"Yeah sure Al, we'll all behave well." Genie said with a mischievous look while Abu screeched and Carpet waved one of his tassels in a 'don't worry' manner. Ali stared at them for a minute before shaking his head and standing back up.
"Alright everyone let's grab all our belongings and head inside." Ali said as he grabbed his own bag of belongings. Everyone else followed his lead and started grabbing all their belongings as well. After one of the servants took the Caravan and the horses away, the servants went up to Ali and his friends to take their bags and escort them to their rooms.
"Thank you all for your help." Ali said to all the servants as they took their bags. Ali walked with his friends and they started teasing him about how smitten he was over the princess. However, Ali took it in stride and just smiled as they continued to tease him.
As they walked inside, Ali started telling them about Princess Jasmine. And how he was actually looking forward to getting to know her. He couldn't help himself from telling all his friends. He was excited for their stroll and to talk to her in the evening.
Eventually, they all made their way inside the palace and were given 3 big rooms all next to each other. Ameer and Abdullah had their own room together, and the rest of his friends got the biggest room and an animal bed for Abu. Ali took the small single room for himself despite the protests of everyone.
"Guys I'm one person. And it's pretty much a requirement that I need to stay by myself anyway since I'm a prince and all." Ali said to all of them before making his way into his room.
He started unpacking his stuff and found the best outfit he had so he could wear it for Jasmine. He made sure to wear something that covered all of his body. She didn't need to see the bruises or his ribs that were sticking out slightly more than usual. He would tell her the truth later. Right now, he just wanted to enjoy this stroll and get to know her.
He freshened up before changing into his best outfit. He didn't really like wearing the cape since he wasn't a flashy kind of guy, but he wanted to look his best. He left his room and made his way to his friends who were playing around in the next room.
"Alright you guys, I'm going for my stroll now with the Princess. Don't break anything." Ali said to everyone in the room.
"Yes, Your Highness." All his friends said with smug looks. He hated being called that by his friends and they knew it.
"Really?" Ali said with his eyebrows raised and arms crossed.
"Well you certainly look dignified like a prince now Your Highness." Ameer said to his friend.
"Yeah this is the fanciest I've ever seen you look. Especially for meeting with a princess." Genie said. Ali always half assed his meetings with all the princesses or did everything he could to send them off. This was a first for him to see as well.
"Yeah I'm really excited to talk to her. She's different from every other princess I've talked too. She seems genuine." Ali replied to them.
"When will we get to meet the princess?" Najima asked.
"I think after dinner if she's fine with it. I'll let you guys know how our stroll goes." Ali said before turning around to leave.
"Have fun Your Highness." All his friends said as Ali turned around to glare at them. It was clear they rehearsed that just to annoy him. He only saw all their smug looks and the kids trying their best not too laugh.
Ali just shook his head fondly and waved as he left.
They're such horrible friends. I love all of them. Ali thought as he left the room. He was grateful for them. And those kids too. He was already fond of them in the short time he was with them.
He made his way downstairs with a smile on his face. He was really happy with how the day went! Traveling with his friends, meeting those kids, and arriving here. The only bad part of the day was that Jafar guy. He definitely wanted to be away from him at all costs.
"What are you smiling about?"
Ali looked towards the stairs and saw Jasmine waiting for him there. She looked beautiful and dazzling to him. She also had a smile on her face as she teased Ali about his smile as well.
"Oh no reason at all. Just a little excited I guess." Ali said with a small blush. His smile widened into a grin and he made his way towards her.
Ali offered his arm towards Jasmine as they prepared to walk towards the garden. Jasmine looked at it for a second. She never accepted any prince's arm like that. She always brushed them off and avoided all contact. But she realized she wanted to be near this prince. So far, he was everything she wanted a prince to be. Kind, courteous and caring. She accepted his arm and led him to the garden.
They were quiet at first since Ali was looking at everything in the palace in awe. He had never been inside a building this big before. "Wow this place is huge. I feel like I'd get lost a few times a day." Ali said with a chuckle.
Jasmine chuckled before answering. "Yeah but you'll get used to it. It's actually a pretty simple place once you get used to it."
"I hope so. This place seems like a big maze to me." Ali replied with a smile.
They continued with the comfortable small talk for a few more minutes until they reached the garden. It was her favorite place to go too. And it was a good place to talk and get to know this mysterious prince better. Plus, she wanted to try scaring him with Raja. She liked him, but she was didn't want this all to be serious. She wanted to have some fun with him. Even if it was a little at his expense.
"What do you think Ali? This is the garden. My favorite place to go to in the palace." Jasmine said looking up at Ali.
Ali looked down at her. "It's very beautiful. I've never seen anything this beautiful before."
"Shall we go sit by the fountain then?" Jasmine asked.
Ali nodded with a smile as Jasmine led them both there. He could see why this place was her favorite. It was very pleasant. Plus there were trees around here. Maybe he could do some training here too.
They sat down as Ali continued to look around the garden. Everything was just so calming and peaceful. Like he could come here and just relax and forget his worries. His thoughts were interrupted when Jasmine spoke up.
"Did you really mean what you said back there?" Jasmine asked as her eyes started searching him for answers.
"What did I say?" Ali asked looking right back at Jasmine. He was confused. He didn't have anything to hide.
"That you didn't see me as a prize or object. That you just wanted to get to know me the person? Did you truly mean all that?" Jasmine asked as she scooted a little bit closer to Ali. She wanted to see his face and catch any traces of him lying.
He smiled down at her before speaking. "Yes. I don't see you as a prize. I see you as a person. Someone I want to get to know. I meant what I said back there. And I meant what I'm saying right now too." Ali said as he watched Jasmine observing him.
Ali looked away for a second as he waited for Jasmine to speak. He understood exactly where she was coming from. She was viewed as a prize because she was a princess, and whoever would marry her would one day be the Sultan of Agrabah. Not to mention rich. So he didn't blame her for being suspicious about him.
"I'm just tired of dealing with stuff like that." Jasmine said looking down sadly.
"I know what you mean." Ali said looking at her. He didn't like when she looked sad like that.
"I don't want to be forced into a loveless marriage. I want to be free to make my own choices and decisions." Jasmine said looking back up at Ali.
"I agree. I definitely can relate to that Jasmine." Ali replies looking down at her too.
"But why don't you tell me about yourself? Like what was it like growing up and all that." Ali asked. He wanted to get to know her properly. It would show her that he really did mean what he said before.
"Um ok. Well growing up, I was pretty much always in this palace..." Jasmine continued to talk as Ali listened. As Jasmine talked, she continued to look at Ali to see if he even cared. But she saw him genuinely listening and caring about who she was and what she went through since she was a kid. All the other suitors just nodded on and off and didn't seem to have any interest in her. He was the first one that wanted to know about Jasmine the person.
"Well thanks for telling me about yourself Jasmine. You're pretty awesome!" Ali said with a grin.
"Thanks. But why don't you tell me about yourself now? That's only fair." Jasmine said returning the grin.
"Ok what would you like to know?" Ali asked.
"Everything." Jasmine replied.
"Um alright." Ali said looking away so Jasmine wouldn't see his blush and nervousness. He never actually made it this far talking to a girl ever.
"Did I say something wrong?" Jasmine said with concern in her voice. He looked a little uncomfortable.
"No. It's just, I've never met a princess who actually cared about me as a person as well. I'm just kind of nervous is all." Ali said looking back at her.
"Well I want to get to know you as well Ali. I enjoy talking with you and spending time with you." Jasmine replied looking right back in his eyes.
"I enjoy it too. But anyways as far as my story goes..." Ali told Jasmine everything she wanted to know about his childhood and what he went through. It was pretty general though. He didn't want to reveal too much right off the bat.
"That's pretty much the general stuff. But if you want to know anything specific just ask." Ali said smiling.
Jasmine returned his smile but Ali could see the mischievous look in her eye and he knew she was up to something.
"Well Ali, there's someone I would like you to meet." Jasmine said with a smile that seemed almost too innocent as Raja walked into the garden sneaking up on them.
"Ok who?" Ali questioned playing along. But he started to sweat and get a little nervous. He didn't know what to think.
Before he knew it though, Jasmine pointed next to Ali. And Ali came face to face with Raja, who was growling at him.
Jasmine liked Ali so far, but she wasn't going to pass up the chance of messing with him a little. Plus she was curious to see how he reacted to Raja. She normally used Raja as her way of scaring off suitors that she found to be annoying and that clearly didn't care about her. This time, she wanted to see how Ali would react.
Ali stared at Raja as he came closer and closer to him. Raja had always sensed anyone's intentions with Jasmine and anyone he deemed as a threat, he would scare them off in someway.
But, when Raja stared at this Prince, he only saw a shocked, but kind expression. He couldn't sense anything bad from this man at all. He was also curious about him too. Jasmine told him many good things about him but he needed to see for himself.
Ali was still a little shocked and shook up. How did a tiger get in here? Did the princess really have a tiger as a pet? His nervousness grew as Raja walked closer and started sniffing his hand. Ali gave a small smile as Raja started licking it. He extended his hand forward for Raja.
Jasmine looked on perplexed. Raja always hated the suitors and did something to scare them off regardless of her feelings. But he seemed so comfortable with Ali. And Ali didn't mind him at all. She stayed silent as Ali smiled.
"What's his name?" Ali asked turning to Jasmine. He didn't look shocked or even surprised in the least once Raja started licking him.
"Raja. He's my pet tiger." Jasmine responded. How come Raja liked Ali already? This was a first for her to see. Raja hated everyone that he first meets.
"Raja, is it ok if I pet you?" Ali asked the tiger kindly. Raja looked at Jasmine confused. He wasn't even scared? And why was he so kind? Jasmine only have a small shrug with a smile.
Raja put his head under Ali's hand asking for scratches and Ali complied as started petting Raja everywhere on his face as Raja nuzzled into him.
"It seems he likes me." Ali said looking back at Jasmine with a kind smile.
"Yes that's kind of shocking. Raja always scares off all my other suitors in someway. He never liked anyone prior to you." Jasmine replied returning his smile.
However while they were talking, Raja pulled back and started sniffing Ali. Once he made his way to his stomach though, Raja sensed it. He felt it when he nuzzled into him earlier too. This Prince was hurting.
Raja had grown up in the jungles and had plenty of experiences of not being able to find proper food for days. He witnessed plenty of death around him. And some of it was due to starvation. Some animals never found proper food and their bodies could only last for so long without food. So if anyone knew about the pain of starving, it was Raja. He could tell right from when he felt his stomach. This prince was starving. This kind prince that his master had taken a liking too, was suffering.
He pulled back from Ali after feeling that and started whining.
"Raja what's wrong?" Jasmine came and started scratching him but for once, he didn't pay her any mind. His eyes looked right into Ali's eyes.
"He doesn't cry like this often?" Ali asked Jasmine.
"No he never does anything like this. I can't even remember the last time he cried." Jasmine answered worriedly as she started to look over Raja and see if he was hurt anywhere.
However, Raja moved forward and used his head to try to force Ali's cape up. It was in the way and he needed to feel the Prince's stomach again so his suspicions were confirmed. Ali stood up when Raja sat down again and started whining again towards him.
"D- do you want me to take off my cape?" Ali asked Raja confused. He had no idea what was going on.
Raja nodded and Jasmine looked on confusedly. Why was Raja whining towards Ali. What was going on?
Ali stood up wordlessly and took off his cape. His outfit was fully covering his body, but Raja just needed to feel his stomach again without the thick cape in the way.
He jumped up startling Jasmine as she fell to the ground as he put both his paws on Ali's stomach with a little pressure. He felt the ribs, how sunk his midsection was and his growling belly. Ali's face was contorted too. This was bad. How long did he not eat?
Raja started to whine as tears were falling down his face as he was reminded of all the countless times he saw starvation in the jungle. He never thought he'd have to see that again. And while he didn't know much about humans, he thought that anyone in a similar position to Jasmine wouldn't have to suffer like that. Why was this prince suffering?
Ali sat down grimacing while holding his stomach. He watched Raja run out of the garden as fast as he could while Jasmine looked really worried at where Raja went off too.
"He's never done anything like this!" Jasmine exclaimed.
Ali took his hand off his stomach and took a deep breath trying to will the pain away. He just wanted to enjoy this evening with the princess without worrying about this. But he had a feeling the tiger figured it out though.
"Yeah I hope I didn't scare him or anything." Ali joked weakly as he had to hold his stomach again. The pain wasn't going away.
"A-are you ok?" Jasmine asked at Ali worriedly. He was holding his stomach tightly and his face was slightly contorted.
All of it sudden it clicked. Raja never cried or whined at her unless she was hurt or in pain. He could sense those things very well. And for him to be crying that much towards Ali...
Raja came running back with something in his mouth. He went to the kitchen and taken all the food he could carry in his mouth and ran it back to Ali. He dumped all of it in his lap as he continued to cry and paw at him. He needed to eat.
Ali could only look down dumbfounded. Raja figured it out. And he was so worried about him that he ran and got all the food he could for him to eat.
"What's going on? Why did you bring all this food Raja?" Jasmine asked but she was slowly piecing it together in her head. Something was wrong with Ali.
Raja continued to cry and paw Ali into eating. But Ali put all the food to the side and had a sad smile on his face.
"You figured it out?" Ali asked Raja. And both Raja and Jasmine looked worriedly at him. He sounded so weak and hoarse.
Raja sadly nodded as Jasmine looked at his face in horror. She didn't even realize how pale he looked!
Ali grabbed his stomach as the pain got worse. But as much as he wanted to eat the food, he couldn't. He had a reason not too.
All of a sudden, after a few minutes, Jasmine came next to him and grabbed his hand in hers and held it tight. And Raja came and laid his head in his lap. They both looked at him sadly as their fears were confirmed. He was starving. And it was bad.
"Ali, why are you starving?" Jasmine asked directly. If someone was forcing this on him, she would sic Raja on them and kill them. One look at his eyes that showed his pain and misery and she was filled with anger. Even though she just met him, she wanted to destroy anything hurting him like this. Raja did too. He looked at the prince worriedly as Ali tried to look reassuring but couldn't put up that front any longer. They knew too much. He needed to tell the truth.
"Only a select few know this. Basically everyone that came with me today outside of the kids. Even though I just meet you Jasmine, I feel like I can trust you." Ali said giving her a kind smile.
He hears a small groan below him as Raja looks up at him expectantly. "Yes you too Raja." Ali laughs as he pets him.
"You can trust me Ali. I won't tell anyone." Jasmine said as she moved even closer and held his hand even tighter.
"Alright. I'll tell you. This is how it starts..."
A/N: Next chapter, the secret is revealed! I made Jasmine kinder in this story. And while Aladdin is a prince, he's still the Aladdin we know and love!