}Day 3{
The next morning, Amyn was again noticeably absent from breakfast. When it was over, the Sultan called over one of the maids. "Would you mind going and getting Prince Amyn?" he asked.
"Yes, Your Highness," she replied, and headed straight to his room.
Amyn was sitting on his bed. He looked up as the maid knocked and poked her head inside.
"I'm sorry to bother you, sir, but the Sultan requires your presence."
"Of course," Amyn replied. Stretching his sore muscles, he followed the maid.
Everyone was chatting aimlessly when Amyn entered the dining room.
"Ah, Amyn," the Sultan said happily when he saw the prince.
"You wanted to see me?" Amyn asked.
"Yes, I did. Sit down." Amyn obeyed, sitting beside Jasmine. Then the Sultan turned to his daughter. "Jasmine, today is your final day. You must make a choice. You and Amyn have been getting along well these past two days."
"But that doesn't mean I want to marry him," Jasmine objected.
"Jasmine, the law is the law," the Sultan insisted. "And if you do not choose Prince Amyn, then you will marry Jafar."
"Are you kidding?" Amyn spoke up. "He's at least twenty years older than her!"
"I'm afraid that can't be helped. If the princess refuses to marry a prince before the time allotted, then she must marry the royal vizier. And that is Jafar. It's the law. And Jasmine," the Sultan continued, turning back to his daughter, "Achmed has agreed to put aside your differences, and re-offer his hand." Jasmine cringed and glanced at Achmed, who was smirking. "So who do you choose? Amyn, Achmed or Jafar?"
Jasmine was trying not to cry. "I choose Prince Amyn," she stated.
Achmed sulked, but the Sultan beamed with joy. "Then you must begin your preparations at once! The wedding will be tomorrow!"
"Tomorrow?!" Amyn exclaimed. "Can't we at least have an engagement period first?"
"The law is the law," the Sultan repeated, a little impatiently. "She must be married to a prince by her next birthday, which is tomorrow. And as you have agreed to pursue her hand, and she has chosen to accept you, then the wedding will take place as planned. You will be the next sultan of Agrabah!"
"But she's too young!" Amyn objected quietly. "We both are."
"Nonsense," the King spoke up. "You are the perfect age. Unless you intend on backing out of your agreement?" He looked hard at his son, almost daring him to object again.
Amyn looked down submissively. "No. I will marry Princess Jasmine."
"Then we shall begin preparations at once," the Sultan declared joyfully. "Oh, what a happy day it shall be!"
Jasmine and Amyn looked at each other hopelessly. There was no way out now.
Soon, Jasmine and Amyn were left alone at the table. Jasmine had her head in her hands. Amyn's hands were clasped in front of him.
"I guess this is it," Amyn said quietly.
"It's not fair!" Jasmine burst out, banging her fists on the table. "It's a stupid law!"
"I know, but what choice do we have?" Amyn said. "If I don't marry you, Jafar will. Or worse, my brother."
She sighed in disgust. "I loathe them."
"I don't much care for them either," Amyn admitted. "But Achmed won't be here much longer, and Jafar is a necessary part of the court."
"But couldn't he be replaced when you become sultan?" Jasmine pressed.
"By who?" Amyn asked.
"I don't know. But surely there is someone else that can do his job."
"Do you even know what his job is?" Amyn challenged her.
"Advisor to the Sultan, I think."
Amyn was silent for a minute. "Advisor. Someone to help better the kingdom." Amyn looked at her. "I bet we could find someone, perhaps someone straight from the market, who know what the people actually need."
"What about Aladdin?" Jasmine asked.
Amyn shrugged. "It would depend. He would need to know how to read, write and count."
"Why count?" Jasmine asked.
"You can't give financial advice if you can't count the finances," he explained.
Jasmine sighed. "This is going to be a lot harder than I thought."
"No kidding," Amyn said, frustrated. "But I'm sure we'll be taught everything we need to know before we're supposed to take charge." Jasmine nodded. "For now," he continued sarcastically, "we have a happy day to plan for." She rolled her eyes, and he sighed. "Let's just get it over with. Go get fitted for your dress, I'll get fitted for a suit, and I'll see you later."
Jasmine tried to smile, but her heart wasn't in it. She felt betrayed by everyone, even Amyn, and wanted to run to her room and cry. "Ok," she gasped. "I'll see you later."
Without waiting for an answer, she jumped up and ran to her room as fast as she could. Amyn sighed and put his head in his hands. This was going to be a long day.
Right after the palace seamstress made the measurements for Amyn's suit, the King walked into the room. Nodding to the girl politely, he remained silent until she left, and the door closed behind her. Amyn watched his father nervously, anticipating the outburst that was sure to come.
"What were you thinking?!" the King asked angrily as soon as he was sure the girl was gone. "Arguing with the Sultan, nearly backing out of our agreement? Are you crazy?"
"I'm sorry," Amyn answered, a little angry himself. "But you knew from the beginning that I wasn't ready to move on. You're the one who wants this marriage, not me, not her!"
The King grabbed his son's shoulder roughly, causing Amyn to wince in pain. "We need this arrangement, and you're doing your best to ruin it!"
"We're fine without it," Amyn gasped out.
Furious, the King slammed Amyn against the wall. The prince gasped in pain. "You WILL marry the princess, and you WILL NOT give another word of objection. Are we clear?"
Amyn looked at his father fearfully. "Yes, sir."
"Good." The King let him go, and began walking toward the door, stopping with his hand on the handle. "I don't need to remind you what will happen if you cross me again?"
"No, sir."
The King smiled in success, and left his son terrified.