"She accepted me, Aurlio."said Francisco happily.

"Felicidades, Patron."

"Gracias. Now, I would like everyone back home to prepare everything. I want Dzonot to be worthy of its new mistress. You are to go back right now, to give the new to my parents. I'm guessing the wedding will be held here."

"Miss Esther will not be happy to hear that."

"Miss Esther can complain all she likes, Aurelio. I am going to marry Aida. Nothing and no one can change that. Do you hear me?"

"It certainly looks like nothing or no one will."

"They most certainly won't. However, I think you shouldn't leave until we have agreed on whether the wedding will be here, or whether it will be back home."

"Very well."

"This calls for a celebration. Not a big one, but a celebration all the same. Sit down."

Aurelio looked surprised at being told to sit at the same table as Mister Francisco.

"No, I couldn't."

"Of course you can. Because it's an order. And orders are not meant to be questioned. It's a good thing I sent for the good tequila. That is just what we need. We shall toast."

"Very well. To…"

"My future bride. Salud!"

"Salud."

"Another."

At the Palace, Aida was telling Haifa that she had accepted Francisco.

"You've done just the right thing, Princess."

"Do you think so?"

"I'm so afraid that I did the wrong thing."

"No, you didn't. I would have chosen Francisco, too."

"Why?"

"For the obvious reasons, Princess. Will you be leaving?"

"I guess so. He lives in Mexico, and I guess that I'll have to go with him, if I'm to be his bride."

"How sad, Princess. You only just got back, not so long ago."

"I know, but he said that we can come visit as often as I like."

"I will miss you, Princess."

"Maybe you can come, too."

"He's going to ask Father for my hand, tomorrow."

"I'm sure you're father will accept."

"Yes, I guess he will."

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"Nail! Nail!"someone called out.

Nail sayed, and answered.

"Coming!"he called back.

"Do you know, Uncle Zia in Agrabah, told me that he wants you to go work with him. He said that he's doing very well now, and he needs you."

"Me? What for?"

"To help him with his new shop. He says that now he's making enough money that he doesn't just have a small stall. He's going to open his new stall. The new Sultan helped him do it, he said. He said the Sultana said that she was sure that he could get ahead, if they just gave him a little money, and look at him now. He'll pay the same as he would any other employee."

"I don't want to go to Agrabah."

"Why not?"

"You still ask!"

"You know, you should just forget that."

"You want me to forget?"

"Well, yes. Remembering, it seems, hasn't done you any good."

"I remember because I was there, when…"

"It's best if you just forget it. Besides, it'll do you good to go to Agrabah, if not to forget, but to do something about it."

"How?"

"Well, Agrabah's one of the biggest cities in the Seven Deserts, maybe there you'll find something that'll help you. At least give it a shot?"

"I just can't forget, and just leave things like this, you know. I have to do something about it."

"Well, I was just delivering the message as I was asked. I'll see you later."

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"Which of the two, should I ask?"asked Francisco. "The current Sultan for his sister-in-law's hand, or the former Sultan, for his daughter?"

"Oh, the former Sultan, to be sure."said Aladdin.

"Oh, what, what, oh, yes."said Aida's father, turning to look at Francisco.

"Very well, Your Majesty, I guess that I should still address you as Your Majesty, right, well, Your Majesty, I have come to ask for your daughter's hand."

"Oh, why, my, of course. Dearest, how happy I am for you. You've always made a very good impression on me, Francisco."

"I've only tried to do my best. That's all."

"Oh, but, I thought, that being a foreigner, you weren't…"

"Muslim? That's not a problem, it's all up to Aida. If she prefers a Muslim wedding, an Islamic household, and Islam for her our children, I will abide by any decision she may take. If you wish, I myself, will convert to Islam."

"Oh, why, that's wonderful!"

"I'm willing to do anything to see you're daughter happy."

"Why, of course, Francisco, and where will live? Here, in Agrabah?"

"Oh, well, you see, I'd have to go back to San Juan Dzonot, but I promise, I will bring your daughter to visit as long and as often as she likes. And who says that you can't come visit us, either."

"That would be wonderful!"cried Jasmine. "I've never been to Mexico before!"

"You'll love it, I assure you. I know I do."

"Oh, Aladdin, that would be wonderful. I do want to go so much."

"No, no, no traveling. Strictly forbidden."said Genie.

"Not right away."Francisco agreed. "But who says you can't later on."

"And when will the wedding be?"

"Whenever Aida wishes it to be."

"Oh, well, when would you like it to be celebrated, Dearest?"

"I don't know, Father."

"Well, perhaps as soon as it possibly can. It will take more time. Francisco, you would really convert to Islam?"

"Yes."

"Well, I guess we'll have to take care of that, first."

"Just tell me what I have to do."

"I don't suppose you've been to Mecca?"

"Yes, I have. Once, not as a Muslim, but I've been there. To Jerusalem, too. My grandmother took us there as children."

"Oh, very good. I guess that's something. And you shall learn the Law of Allah, and the Quran, too."

"Not a problem, reading hasn't exactly been my favorite activity, but I've read the Bible, and who says I can't read the entire Quran."

"Yes, yes."

Aida sat, staring at the pool.

"I guess I'd better start getting used to the idea of marriage."she said to herself. "Shouldn't you be with the Genie?"

"Nah, he's satisfied with our work. Now, he's after the Sultana. He's her nursemaid."said Iago.

"So, I've heard."

"So, you're to marry the foreigner."

"Don't call him a foreigner."

"Al's dad calls him that. He's never liked him. He says he should go straight back where he belongs, instead of bothering here."

"Really?"

"Yes. He's especially upset that you're marrying him."

"Well, why would he care?"

"I don't know, go ask him."

"Francisco asked me to marry him. Cassim didn't. Why should he care?"

"And just why should Cassim ask you to marry him?"

"He wouldn't."

"Right."

"Why do you say 'right'?"

"Because it would be outrageous. You're father would die of a heart attack, if one of his daughter married the leader of the Fourty Thieves."

"He's not the leader of the Fourty Thieves any longer."

"No, but he was once."

"But not anymore."

"That's just because there are no Fourty Thieves any more. We barely recover from one set of newlyweds, when we already have to put up with another pair. It's a good thing you won't be living in the Palace. Once was enough."

"I've never understood you, Iago."

Aida began to get up, and she left Iago. Why would Cassim be upset that she was marryin Francisco? She knew that they had never gotten along very well. If looks could kill, neither of them would be alive this minute.