A/N – Sultan Hamed's name comes from Disney's original tale.


Chapter 3: Know Thy Enemy

"He slept on the couch?" Dalia asked in surprise.

"Yes," she answered while the handmaid helped her out of the wedding dress. Her lungs breathed a sigh of relief at the removal of the tight fabric. All fear had faded under the comfort of having her two friends back at her side, though now it had been replaced with an unhealthy distain. She hated her father, even worst, she despised the very fact that she could feel such displeasure towards the man who'd raised her. She hated Jafar, knowing all too well that it was he who planted the seed of an arranged marriage. But, most of all, she hated Ali. The man, who within the span of a single day, managed to steal any chance of life from her.

"That's good, right?" Dalia appeared confused.

"Where is he from?"

"You didn't ask him?" Her friend asked but quickly regretted it when met with Jasmine's fierce glare. Her hands flew up in mock defense before adjusting her response. "He's from Ababwa."

"Ababwa?" The princess raised her brow. "As in the myth?"

"Evidently it's not a myth anymore," she shrugged before tying the straps of the new dress.

"I don't trust him," she shook his head. "Has anyone ever seen his kingdom?"

"Not likely," she shrugged. "It is said that it is small but I hear that it is rich in minerals."

"So that's why baba chose him," she spoke in disgust. "Any chance to thicken the treasury."

"All of us were surprised to meet Ali. He had obviously not been invited and it was by coincidence that he showed up when he did. Rumor was that the King and Queen of Ababwa remained without an heir. No one even knew he existed."

"Nor did they know his country existed." Her aggravation grew. "Does no one find that strange?"

"Not particularly. If the stories are indeed true, Ababwa has kept to themselves for so long. So long that they've faded into legend."

"The legends also say that they found the secret to harbor magic," Jasmine rolled her eyes. "It's a fool's tale, Dalia."

"Well, I am certain that the story has been skewed but that does not mean the kingdom ceases to exist," she shrugged. "Who knows Ali's intentions."

"Don't be fooled," she shook her head. "Real or not, his kingdom is no different from the others. Agrabah's trades are what they are after. Along with a bride for their prize."

"Jasmine, he let you be on your wedding night," she sighed. "Perhaps you should take whatever win you can get."

Jasmine's heart swelled in disappointment. Her only friend failed to see through the prince's lies. It was all a cruel trick, she was certain of it. With a sigh, she wondered how long her husband would prolong this charade. She only hoped that she could find a way to sever the marriage before he displayed his true colors.

The princess waited in the room a bit longer after the handmaid finished, dreading her breakfast with the prince. She gripped her maps and spread them across the table. Searching for any trace of this so-called kingdom. When time ran out she folded them neatly before ordering Rajah to her side and together they stepped into the hall. The tiger bared his teeth at a pair of guards as they passed. Jasmine gathered that it had been them to force the animal into submission only a night before. She didn't even bother to tame his fury and instead let them quiver as they passed. With her confidence renewed she quickly welcomed the return of her strength. No longer would she allow them to command her. After all, it was only a matter of time before Ali would be crowned sultan. Then she would be queen. Of all the turmoil that she would be forced to endure, she would happily bare her power once it was granted to her.

Rajah's ear perked as they entered the dining hall. The great Bengal swished his tail as his eyes fell upon the prince already seated at the table. Withholding a groan, she forced herself to sit across from him at the small table he had chosen. Ali smiled, the same polite smile he had given her the day prior. What are you hiding?

"How'd you sleep?" He asked.

"I find that I don't sleep well with strangers in my quarters," she answered dryly. Ali simply nodded before a pair of servants interrupted. Jasmine was almost embarrassed when her stomach growled at the scent of food, however given the present company she decided against allowing it to be a bother. "Perhaps you can help me understand something."

Ali looked up from his plate, appearing to brace himself for her challenge.

"I was going through my maps earlier and I failed to find a single trace of your country," her brows lifted. "Care to show me?"

She expected his face to redden and his body shiver in fear of being had. She grew annoyed when instead he took his time to eat a spoonful of his breakfast. When his mouth was busied, he reached into his rucksack and pulled out a small bit of parchment. Unfolding it, he placed it on the table near her before casually taking another bite. Narrowing her gaze, she pulled the paper towards her. To her surprise, the normally blank spot of her map was filled with ink. Beneath the small drawing of a kingdom, its label was clearly written; Ababwa.

"Before me, there has been a long line of rulers who desired secrecy for our kingdom. Visitors would be turned away far before they could even see the tips of the palace." He finally met her gaze. "Made it hard for outsiders to place us on the map."

"What does Ababwa have to hide?" She challenged.

"Strange looking birds." He answered so sincerely that her brow scrunched in confusion. When he finally smirked, her face reddened in embarrassment for falling for his trick.

"Is this all a grand joke to you, Ali?"

Ali merely sighed at his failed attempt to lighten the atmosphere. "I'm no stranger to the rumors, princess. But, I assure you, Ababwa is real and we have nothing to hide."

"So I would be welcome to traverse to this kingdom then?" She retorted quickly, expecting his quick denial. However, he surprised her by smiling.

"Of course. When would you like to go?"

Jasmine recoiled. Uncertain as a rush of excitement lifted her heart. Would he truly allow her to travel? Visions of exciting new lands filled her imagination, before logic swiftly swatted the blissful thoughts away. Her father would never permit her to leave, not even with a husband's protection. Even after the prince's coronation, she had no doubt that the sultan would instill the same rules onto his predecessor. The man was simply toying with her emotions.

Ali had returned to his food when she failed to produce an answer, before the sound of footsteps caught both of their attention.

"Your majesties," the servant bowed. "Sultan Hamed requests the presence of our new prince."

"Can our meeting be delayed?" he asked.

"I am afraid not, sir. There has been unrest in the streets and it requires attention."

Jasmine's chest swelled with disgust. Only a day had passed and already this foreign prince had been elevated above her. Ali nodded and rose from the table.

"I guess I will see you later," he smiled apologetically before leaving the princess to herself. Jasmine stared after them, battling the fit of anger that threatened to burst. She wanted to race after him, to force herself into their meeting. The meeting that should welcome her experience. With a deep sigh, her head fell into her hands; doing all that she could to avoid breaking into tears of frustration.

Her heart shattered as she was forced to sit idle, watching while her dreams slithered from her grasp. Who was she fooling? Even when crowned queen, it would be silly to believe that they would allow her any freedom. She once again toyed with the notion of running. Perhaps now with a new prince the guards would relinquish their focus from her, allowing her the privacy to escape.

Her head snapped up in realization. The coronation. All eyes would be upon him during the ceremony and once more her importance to Agrabah's guards would fall. It was a fact that both enlightened and depressed the princess. However, this time she would make sure to take full advantage of her torture.

Lifting herself from the table, she stormed to the library. Gathering every map imaginable, Jasmine smiled as she took to memorize each and every street. She studied their neighboring kingdoms, searching for the best option.

The thought of losing her kingdom pained stung deeply, but the cage around only appeared to shrink each day. It would only be a matter of time before she would suffocate. With a shake of her head she returned her focus to the task. If she could not rule Agrabah, she would turn to another kingdom. Dreams of teaching children, of caring for the sick, or maybe feeding the homeless all raced through her mind. All she knew was that she would benefit far more people elsewhere. Out there she could find purpose. If she managed to reach a boat, it would be easy to sneak to Sherabad. Her heart fluttered at the thought of seeing her mother's kingdom. Perhaps there she could find a suitable life. With a conflicted and heavy heart, she plotted her escape.


Review Replies:

Angel Talon – We will learn more about who the boy from the market is and what happened to him later in the story Thanks for reading and commenting!
monica. bazinga I'm very glad to hear that you are enjoying the story, thank you for reading and commenting!
Classified Director 101 –
Oh wow, that is awesome to hear, thank you very much! I am glad that you are enjoying the story so much and I hope I don't disappoint! Thanks for reading!
PrimaImperatrix –
I love me some hate-to-love stories, this idea's been spinning around in my head shortly after the release so I am glad that you are enjoying the premise! As for the banter, I think you will be pleased with what's coming up in the next couple chapters but I don't want to give too much away. Haha I hear ya! There will be eventual fluff, but this is slow-burn so no worries there! In the mean-time, I'm going to try to tackle this in a way that remains true to the characters we were shown in the live-action, plus a tad bit of the original Thank you so much for reading and leaving your thoughts!