"Very well, now how are we supposed to find out what he's been up to?"asked Aurelio.

"I'm not sure. Maybe it won't be necessary anymore. However, I still want you to keep investigating. I'm not so sure, and the information may come in handy, just in case. I just should not underestimate my opponent's strength and intelligence. I have to be one step ahead of him."

"But I'm sure the Princess will agree to marry you."

"I'm sure, too, but still, you can never be too careful. There has to be something, someone, who knows something about this man. The earth didn't just swallow him, and just pop him back out years later. There's got to be something. Something very…useful to me, that must have kept him away all these years. I really like that theory that he ran off with another woman. That's certainly a possibility, and from the little I know about him, I wouldn't be surprised at all. But then, what happened to the other woman? I'm thinking he probably left her, just like he left this one, only to come back when his son is Sultan. He probably has other kids around. I wouldn't put it past him."

"You seem convinced."

"No, no, no. I was just sorting out my ideas."

"And where do you suppose we can get this information?"

"I don't know. Let's see. The lady said that he went to seek a better life. Hmm. Where would one go to seek a better life in those times? That must have been, what? At least, I don't know, twenty years ago, maybe fifteen? Around those lines? I'll see if I can't get something about him out of Aida, or maybe even the servants. The Good Lord knows those people would probably tell you just about anything. Especially the women. You know the women love to gossip. And now I'd like you to help me prepare a special surprise. I wan to take Aida a serenata."

"Here?"

"Yes, here."

"Do you suppose these people know what a serenata is?"

"I don't care. I want to do it."

"And where will I find a mariachi here?"

"It's not necessary to find a mariachi. The people here also play instruments, don't they? Why don't you just find someone who plays the right instruments, and we can have the outfits made."

"I guess so."

"Of course, I will do the singing myself. And, Aurelio, make sure you get the prettiest flowers you can find. The best bouquet, from the best vendor of them all. Remember we're talking about a princess, here. Literally."

"Yes."

That afternoon, when Francisco went to visit Aida, he took some time to talk to Cazeem, privately.

"Ah, so, Mister, I've been wanting to talk to you."

"About?"

"Well, noticing as how our last conversation didn't seem to have made much of an impression on you, I decided to take things into my own hands. And, mind you, I think I understand why you're after Aida a little bit."

"What do you mean?"

"It's simple. Remember that I said that everyone has something to hide. How right I was."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because, didn't you leave, the good Lord only knows where to find a better life for your family? That's a beautiful gesture. A very noble, selfless thing to do. You see, I have a source, who tells me that you had the biggest heart they knew. You only stole out of necessity. So, you were tired of watching your family starve, and you went to find a better life for them. How beautiful. There was only one problem with your sacrifice, you see. That being that you never came back. Until your son became Sultan. Now, isn't that odd? Of course, I know people who are good actors. Everyone thinks they are kind, generous, thoughtful people, when in reality, they are, perhaps, should we say, worse than the devil himself. See, my guess is this, you fooled an innocent young woman into loving you, and when you saw that this was going to take you nowhere, well, perhaps you met another one. I don't know, she was prettier, she had more money, something. You decided to tell one that you wanted a better life for her and her boy, while in reality, what you wanted was to run off with the other one, right? Years later, news reaches your ears that the same boy you abandoned is now Sultan, is living in a palace, and has tons of money, so you come back. I know that's only a theory, however, with that, I certainly hope that you will reconsider leaving Aida alone, because you know, in a certain way, you did kill Sultan Aladdin's mother. From what I know she died of heartbreak. Or starvation, perhaps. It could be argued that you left them to starve. Now, I'll still dig a little deeper, and if this is what I found on the surface, I can't wait to see what I find next. Perhaps its worth gold. I don't know how much the Sultan knows about your past, however, I'm sure he doesn't know everything. And I am determined to find everything."

"You won't find anything he doesn't already know."

"Oh, won't I? And what makes you think I won't? Even if I don't, I'll still be interested in finding what kept such a loving husband and father from his family all these years. My guess is women, but, who knows, it could be something else. Something much, much darker. Now, if you'll excuse me, I really didn't come here to discuss your past with you. I just came to tell you what I found out. And to warn you. Remember, stay away from Aida."

Francisco walked away, leaving Cazeem thinking. He didn't know how he had come across this information, but if he was going to keep digging, he could find out other things which he could use against him. Things that were much, much worse. Things like…things he would rather forget. He was right in saying that Aladdin didn't know all of his past. There were things that Cazeem didn't want him to know. Hopefully Francisco didn't go so far as to uncover that.

During the conversation, Francisco had watched Cazeem's eyes very closely. Back home, you could always tell when a person was lying by their eyes, and he didn't like the look in Cazeem's eyes. He was sure that man hid something that he hadn't wanted to share with anyone, not even his own son. Everyone did. He knew his father did. For years, and years, he had been a gambler. Francisco couldn't believe it when he found out. He had almost gambled himself and them to poverty, if it hadn't been for Francisco's uncle. He knew his father still gambled. But there was nothing to be done about it. Everyone did, however, his father always had the worse luck. Suddenly, Francisco felt guilty about investigating Cazeem's past. If he should ever find out what he wanted, he would be hurting a lot of people. He knew that it would definitely hurt Sultan Aladdin, Sultana Jasmine, and therefore, Aida. He didn't want to hurt any of them. He esteemed them, but…he had to keep that man away from Aida.

"I'm just doing what I have to do, besides, I wouldn't do anything, just…well, just keep the information handy, just in case I should ever need. Hopefully, I never will. I really don't wish to hurt anyone!"he said to himself.

Aida met him.

"Were you muttering to yourself?"she asked.

"Yes, I was sorting out my thoughts."

"What could possibly have needed to be sort out?"

"Lots of things. By the way, how old is your sister's father-in-law? How old is Sultan Aladdin?"

"Why?"

"I don't know, because I couldn't think of anything else to ask."

"I don't know."

"Anyway, so, have you thought about my proposal?"

"Well, I've only told one person. Haifa, my maid. She was telling me I should marry you."

"And tell her I agree with her. I suggest the exact same thing."

"You would!"

"Well, why not. That's two of us, who suggest you marry me."

"I don't know. What if I don't like Dznonot?"

"Oh, you will. And if you don't, well, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it."

"Maybe Father won't agree."

"What makes you say that?"

"I don't know. What if they doesn't agree."

"What reasons would he have for not agreeing? I said I would convert to Islam, and practice that as my religion, if you and your family wish me to."

"That really is very sweet of you. Francisco."

"If you're worried about life at the hacienda, it's more or less, let's say, like Palace life. Except that you don't rule such a big, big kingdom. And if I may say so, you have more freedom. I could give you everything, Aida. Everything. You have no idea how happy I would be if you became my wife."

"That seems like a big load to carry."she said. "Being responsible for all your happiness."

"Well, I think you are strong enough to carry that load. Listen, I will do anything to convince you. Just tell me what I have to do to win your heart."he said smiling. "Should I get on my knees, too?"

"No. Don't get on your knees, I couldn't stand that. I'm sick of watching people get on their knees before me. I'm just not sure. What if it doesn't work out?"

"Then I will do everything in my power to make it work out."

Aida looked at her feet. Why not, she thought, looking up at Francisco. He did seem sincere, and after all, she did like him. She did care about him.

"I accept to become your wife."she told him

Francisco smiled, took out the same ring he had presented her with the night before, and put it on her finger.

"You have made me very happy."

Far away from the Palace, where Aida was accepting to be Francisco's wife, stood a boy, looking sadly at a dress. The dress was old, torn, and filthy. He remembered the last time he had seen it worn. His eyes filled with tears at the memory.

"I'll get him. I'll make him pay, if it's the last thing I ever do!"he said to himself, holding the dress close to him.