"Did I say I'd walk with you?"asked Aladdin.

"You did."

"Uh, I can't remember. Especially not today. If only Genie wouldn't be messing, and was there to keep an eye."

"On what?"

"I don't trust that guy!"

"Why not?"

"Well, I just don't. He doesn't seem to be the kind of guy who would make Fahriha happy."

"He seems very nice to me."

"He seems. Whether or not he is is another thing. That's why Genie's going to hear me out after this! Instead of doing what I asked him to, he's going off to play with Carpet, Abu and Iago! Really!"

"Genie's always kept on eye on all the kids! Don't you think he could get a break now."

"Maybe later! Now, most definitely not! Now is when he needs to keep a close watch on things more than ever!"

"Why?"

"Just because of what I just said!"

"Aladdin, I think you're being unfair. Besides, it should be Fahriha who decides whom she wants to marry, not you!"

"Well, yeah, but you know, I could help. I mean, he could be tricking her, and we would just be...keeping an eye on things. I mean, honestly, Jasmine, how in the world could Fahriha tell a good man from-"

"She can tell just fine."interrupted Jasmine. "I promise you."

"And if she doesn't?"

"Well, who do you have in mind?"

Aladdin kept quiet for a while.

"No one."he answered.

"You see."

"That's just it. No one."

"But she has to get married someday!"

"Not for now, and not necessarily, anyway. If there's anyone who has to marry, it would be one of the boys, not her."

"She can't stay in this place all her life."

"Why not? I mean, didn't Mihrimah Sultan take the place of Valide for her brother Selim?"

"Yes, but Mihrimah was a widow! She was married when she was young. That was why she moved back to the Palace."

"Well, there you go. We certainly wouldn't want to see Fahriha as a widow, do we? I don't think I could stand looking at her in black in all the time. She's so fond of bright colors, and she looks so nice in them."

"There would be no one to see her in black. Just as no one sees her in color. That was why you insisted that she wear the dullest color there was in her wardrobe, didn't you?"

"Well, that was more to...you know, so he wouldn't judge by appearances."

"You're going too overboard."

"I'm just trying to do what's best for her."

"And that's not keeping her shut in here all her life, and now, stopping her from getting married."

"I just want to make sure she marries someone who will look after her, and with whom she will be happy. I wouldn't bet on that Prince Khalil."

"And why not?"

"He seems...too full of himself."

"Oh, no. I saw plenty of princes like that, when I was supposed to choose a husband! And believe me, he is nothing like that. I should know!"

"Well, I still don't think he would be likely to have the time to devote to such a wonderful girl as Fahriha is."

"Aladdin, you're just making excuses."

"No, I'm not. I'm just saying the truth. Besides, I think I can judge him better than you can."

"So now you think I'm impaired in some way?"

"Uh, no, I didn't mean that. I meant..."he smiled, not knowing what else to say.

Jasmine wasn't moved by that, and continued to glare at him.

"Oh, well, I am giving him a chance, aren't I?"he said.

"Well, you had better give him more of a chance."she told him. "Or else!"