Genie, Abu, and Carpet had already snuck off during that time, probably doing whatever their imaginations led them to.
The tour around the palace lasted three hours.
By then, the sun had already begun to set over the horizon, casting a warm glow across the skies.
Rakim then led them to their rooms.
"While we want to spend some time in Ababwa, we won't be staying for long. We need to head back to Agrabah to prepare for the marriage ceremony," Aladdin said.
Rakim's eyes dulled for a moment before he sighed. "Since that's the case, I'll send several servants well-trained in preparing for the occasion to help you out," he responded, thinking that Agrabah lacked sufficient hands to prepare for the marriage ceremony, which was why Aladdin and Jasmine had to return.
Aladdin shook his head in response. "There's no need to do such a thing. What I meant to say is that Princess Jasmine has been preparing for this marriage ceremony all her life, so she wants to oversee every moment of it to ensure that it's perfect."
Jasmine nodded. She responded, "We aren't heading back to Agrabah immediately and might stay for the entire day."
Rakim's face lit up in understanding as he sighed in relief.
"Is there anything you want to do then? Visit the gardens? The great Ababwa rivers? The market squares..." Rakim said excitedly.
But before he could continue, Aladdin interrupted, "Can you take us to the Grand Magician's court? I'm curious about magic and would like to see how powerful the Empire of Ababwa's magical capabilities are compared to the other kingdoms."
"No kingdoms across the Seven Deserts hold a candle to the magical might of the Empire of Ababwa," Rakim snorted. "Of course, right now, we are nothing but a shell compared to our former selves."
Although the Witches of the Sand were no longer active and were in decline as well, Rakim had heard of nations with powerful magicians rivalling or even surpassing theirs. While he hoped they would never encounter such forces, at least until the Empire returned to its former glory, he still had to remain cautious of individuals who thrived in chaos and created mayhem, especially since the Great Rift was still active and might have fallen into the wrong hands.
Rakim sighed internally, stabilising his emotions as he realised that he had begun overthinking.
"Although I would love to accompany you, I have matters that need to be handled quickly. I'll have someone lead you there," Rakim said, gesturing at a guard standing beside the windows with a spear in hand.
The guard swiftly arrived before them.
"Lead the Prince and the Princess to the royal magic's court library," Rakim commanded.
The soldier saluted in response.
"I'll be taking my leave, Your Highness. Please inform me whenever you want to leave the palace and head into the city, or leave for Agrabah. I would like to accompany you and see you off," Rakim said.
Aladdin nodded.
Rakim bowed respectfully, then turned around and exited through the other hallway.
"SHEEEHH! That was close!! You know how hard it was acting that serious all the time…" Genie said, removing the white scarf tied over his head as he transformed back into his Genie form. "I'm not quite cut out for this job, pal. I'm afraid I'll have to resign."
He threw the white scarf to Aladdin.
Aladdin caught it. Due to its magical properties, he would hold on to it or give it out as a gift later on to someone. Because it would be weird if Genie found out he was holding a clothing item that he had thrown away.
He didn't want to be that kind of guy.
"However, I still need to complete the last order from my superior and get you to the magic court library," Genie said.
"You've worked really hard, Genie," Jasmine said with a smile.
"Where's Abu?" Aladdin asked.
"He's probably lazing around again or has found a banana tree to latch onto. You know how he is," Genie said, massaging his temples with a soft sigh escaping his lips.
Genie placed his two index fingers in his mouth and whistled loudly.
Seconds later, Carpet soared in from the window on the other side of the hallway.
Surprisingly, another magic carpet, green and detailed with many designs and colours, followed behind him. Carpet arrived before them and pointed at the green carpet as though introducing it to them.
Aladdin and Jasmine were incredibly surprised.
Genie's eyes popped out of his sockets as though shocked before retracting back in.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, too," Jasmine was the first to break out of her astonished state and respond. Although she didn't know what Carpet was saying, she could tell from the gestures he was trying to convey.
It was amazing how an inanimate object could display such human gestures.
If she knew the makers of such masterful creations, she would've gone to meet them immediately so they could make one for her father and herself. However, since the green carpet seemed to have come from this palace, she hoped that the person who had made it was still alive.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, too," Aladdin said, shaking it as well.
Surprisingly, the green carpet shook its edges and bowed towards them, lowering itself to the floor.
"What do we have here?" Genie transformed into a woman with bright red lipstick, wearing a blue office skirt and suit, with a matching handbag hanging from her right arm, and appeared between the magic carpets and Jasmine and Aladdin.
"Who's this, Carpet? Wait a sec... is this Linda?! After we promised to remain close together forever, how could you go ahead and introduce another woman in my face!! Don't you dare lie to me?… I saw how she was following your tail lights as you two flew into the hallway together… aHHmmm!! How could you do this to me?" He turned to Carpet and spoke like a middle-aged woman who was confused, angry, and doubtful all at once.
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The chapters are a little short, but it will only be like this for a short while. I read through the comments, but unfortunately, I couldn't read all. Thank you all for the support!
I also didn't think that I would've subscribers so soon.
Thank you, again.