~Chapter 34~
Joel
The princess heard what I had to say and listened to my story with much patience not responding until I was finished. I didn't share everything, but just key points for her to get the highlights of what I was doing here and what we were searching for. I gave her my real name because I wanted her to know that she could trust me.
"Well Joel, that's quite the story." Jasmine finally replied.
"I swear it's the truth...I know it's outlandish, but I'm helping Noella and I just knew a royal such as yourself might have some insight as to where we can find our mirror."
"The only mirror that I use is my vanity and you're welcome to try. Now this woman you described who you're meeting up with? Nobody has come inside the palace aside from potential suitors."
"Are you sure?" I pressed, "I mean she could have slipped through somewhere."
"Could she even be in Agrabah?" She asked.
"She rode a whole day ahead of me, she has to be here." I said getting agitated.
The princess kindly put her hand on my shoulder.
"Joel, she crossed a dry, hot desert and maybe she got delayed."
I paused thinking about that for a moment pondering the very idea, but I shook my head quickly.
"No, the lion escorted me here and he mentioned Noella by name. There can't be a mistake."
"I'm sorry, did you say a lion?" Jasmine asked.
"Nevermind. I just have to believe that somehow I beat her here, so now I wait."
"You know Joel, I'm kind of in a bind myself." Jasmine said changing the subject, "Maybe we can help each other."
"I'll do what I can." I shrugged.
"Once your companion gets here, I will do all that I can to help locate the mirror. Do you have any clues?" Jasmine asked.
"Noella is the only one with that information." I replied.
"Well, as we wait, I could use your help with something."
"Anything your highness." I said with a subtle nod.
"I live a sheltered life within these palace walls and my life has been decided for me since the day I was born. My father has been pushing me to find a husband to marry as part of an arranged marriage. I don't want to be forced into it and I want to marry on my terms not because of any law…" Her voice trailed off a bit. I could tell how much the situation frustrated her.
"That's a tough situation, your highness. I'm so sorry, but I'm missing the part where you need my help?" I asked raising a curious brow.
"I'll get straight to the point...would you pretend to be my chosen suitor?"
Her request surprised me because honestly, I wouldn't think people around here would believe it.
"Uh, while I don't mind helping...I don't think we could pull off a stunt like that." I reasoned.
"Sure we can. Think of it as a win-win situation. You help me and I help you and Noella once she shows her face. Please Joel, just a temporary hoax to get my father off my back for awhile."
"I'll do it your highness, but I'm struggling to see how we can possibly pull it off."
"Leave it to me." Jasmine insisted, "Come with me inside the palace, we should ditch that guard uniform and get you a change of clothes."
"Oh is that all?" I joked.
"No, then I have to introduce you formally to my father." Jasmine replied.
Quickly, she lead the way into the palace as her tiger followed behind us.
Jasmine brought me to her large, exquisite bedroom with a balcony outside overlooking the gardens below. She gave me several options for clothing attire to try on and then left me alone while I changed. I got her from the hallway where she was waiting and now the easy part was done.
"You definitely look the part." She commented on my attire.
It was an ivory colored tunic with black pants and a red belt.
"And the final touch." Jasmine commented putting a gold circlet on my head.
"What no turban?' I asked curiously.
"This works." She nodded.
Jasmine took a few steps back trying to get the complete picture and I noticed that she frowned.
"What is it?"
"Do you mind if I apply some makeup?" She asked.
"Is that completely necessary?" I whined.
"Just something to darken your skin tone. My father might be suspicious of a caucasian prince who aren't from our lands."
"I'm not from your lands anyway." I shrugged, "But do what you have to."
Jasmine applied the powder to my skin and after that she believed I was ready to meet the Sultan.
Jasmine led me down a long hallway and through two tall double doors into the throne room. There was a long red carpet leading all the way up to the throne at the north side of the room where the Sultan sat. The throne itself was upholstered with lavish embroidery, but even more extraordinary was that there was a golden elephant statue right above where he sat. Jasmine and I approached the Sultan walking down that red aisle as she clutched my arm casually.
"Father…" Jasmine announced, "I'd like to introduce you to Joel, my future husband as I have just selected him from among my potential suitors."
Jasmine and I stopped right in front of Sultan and she released my arm, so I could bow politely. Before coming here, Jasmine gave me a very brief rundown of etiquette, but I knew enough as to bow to man like a Sultan.
"Joel, is it?" The Sultan commented looking at me from head to toe, "That's quite an unusual name. Why haven't I heard talk from you before now?" He asked eyeing Jasmine.
"Oh father, I had been exchanging letters with Joel for many months now and I kept that private. I'm sorry for deceiving you, but…" Jasmine said coming up with the quick lie.
"I hope you aren't angry, your majesty." I said quickly maintaining my bow.
"Certainly not my boy, my daughter has finally chosen a suitor. I couldn't be happier."
"Wonderful, well Joel, we must be going. We're going to take a stroll through the gardens with Rajah." Jasmine said quickly pulling me by the hand.
"We'll make the official announcement in a couple days." The Sultan called out.
Jasmine led me out a different door toward the side of the throne room, which was a quicker way back to the main hallway.
"Why didn't we come that way initially?" I asked.
"Because no suitor comes to meet the Sultan from anywhere, but the main entrance."
Suddenly we heard the doors to the throne room open abruptly.
"That's weird…" Jasmine said turning around.
Sneakily, we peaked back into the throne room keeping our presence secret. The loud entrance came from a tall man with red and black robes with a black turban and a red feather sticking out at the top. He held a very serious expression as he approached the Sultan with a scroll in his hand and in the other hand, a golden staff of a snake. To my surprise, he had a large red parrot sitting on his left shoulder.
"My liege, I think I've found a solution to the suitor problem with the princess." The man said unrolling the scroll. "The law clearly states that if the princess hasn't chosen a suitor within the appointed time then she must wed the royal vizier."
Jasmine made a sound of disgust and I sympathized with those feelings.
"Good thing, it won't come to that Jafar." The Sultan replied with a nod.
The man who called himself Jafar looked stunned by the response his eyes widening in immediate anger. I didn't like the look in his eyes.
"Beg your pardon." Jafar said.
"Jasmine has chosen just today in fact. So there is no suitor problem anymore." The Sultan nodded.
Jasmine quickly put her hand on my shoulder as we turned to leave.
"Your coming was perfect timing, Joel." She smiled.
"After seeing him, I'm glad I came when I did. Who is that?" I said raising a curious brow.
"That's Jafar, the royal vizier." Jasmine replied crossing her arms.
"What is that title?" I asked curiously.
"Jafar is a glorified advisor for my father...though I wish my father would sack him and be done with it."
"Why?" I asked.
"The other day he carried out a horrible sentence against someone that I had met recently without my father's permission. I just don't trust him."
Jasmine didn't even have to tell me her opinion for me to share the same one. My first impression about people is almost always correct in determining if I do or don't trust someone. My gut has never let me down and this Jafar character is a man I definitely shouldn't trust.
As we turned to leave, music was heard blasting through the throne room doors. Curiously, Jasmine and I stuck around to see who was making such a ruckus. A procession of trumpeters flooded in announcing someone or something.
"What's going on?" Jafar demanded.
As Jafar shooed the musicians away, I noticed a shadow fly above Jafar's head. He looked up curiously as we all did as a large, purple carpet with gold tassels flew in the room and landed in the center of the room. Two people got off the carpet as they approached the Sultan. The young man wore a creme colored outfit with a navy blue feather attached to his turban. With him holding his arm, was a woman who really reminded me a lot of Noella. She wore an outfit similar to Jasmine as far as style, but purple in color. Her long brunette hair was down with a natural wave. There was a golden circlet around her head and a loose veil at her ears draping down covering her mouth. Her eyes remained uncovered.
"Your majesty. My name is Prince Ali Ababwa and I have traveled far to meet your daughter and I am also accompanied by my sister." The prince introduced as he and his sister bowed.
The Sultan got off the throne to welcome the guests, but I think he was most distracted by the floating carpet.
"Nice to meet you both...what was your name my dear?" The Sultan asked the princess.
'It's Norah." She replied nervously.
As we stood there listening in secret, I could tell Jasmine was pretty upset. Suddenly, she made herself known coming out of hiding and into the throne room.
"Father, enough of this! I have chosen a man...what more do you possibly want?" Jasmine said harshly.
Everyone looked up at her as she entered the room, but as soon as she came, she left coming toward me in a hustle with anger in her stride. I quickly followed after, but not before I looked back at the princess and I noticed an all too familiar bracelet on her right wrist.
AN: I'm not gonna lie...It's hard to picture Joel dressed as a prince XD
Anyways as always readers, I hope you're enjoying the journey and until next time...Next chapter up soon!