*Jasmine's POV*
There was a knock on the door and Rabia came in with a platter of food. It smelled delicious. "Raina had asked me to send you this." She smiled at me. Rabia placed the food on the table and took out a letter. "I have got a message for you, from uh, the servant you met earlier. Follow his instructions," she urged as she walked out of the room.
I looked at the food in front of me. Is was couscous with lamb and vegetables. My mouth watered. I stroke the folded piece of paper with my index finger and pondered if I should open it.
I took a bite and then slowly unfolded it.
Dear Jasmine,
I admire that you seek out knowledge, before anything else. If you would like, I am willing to share some of mine. Come meet me under the willow in ten minutes. And yes, Rabia will be there.
- Benjamin
I didn't know if this was such a good idea, but I could hardly decline the offer. I looked at myself in Raina's mirror, slid both pieces of paper in my bag and walked down to the palace gardens.
The palace was busy. Servants were running around with food and music instruments. Something was definitely going on. Maybe the Sultan was throwing a party of some sorts.
As I reached the big willow, and stroke my hand through its leaf's, I saw the servant and the cook sitting there. "I came," I said, not knowing what to expect. "I knew you would," the servant said carelessly.
I hesitantly stood before them. "Come, sit," the servant urged. "You work for the sultan…" I said trailing off my sentence. "Yes," he immediately beamed. "How long have you worked for him sir?" I asked still standing.
"Do you know who the members of the royal family are?" He dit not answer my question. "I have just met Raina." I fumbled a little with my dress. "She is sweet," I added. "Not much of a royalty fan then," he guessed.
"No, not really. Is that a bad thing?" I swallowed feeling insecure. "No not all. But you shouldn't call me sir, you can call me Benjamin if you want," he said flashing me a smile.
"Please sit," Benjamin urged again, his hazel eyes holding mine. "Come," Rabia encouraged. "What do you know about the Saudi history?" Benjamin asked with a hint of a smile on his lips, that reached his eyes.
I sat down and blew out sharply. I didn't expect a pop quiz. "I know that Saudi Arabia was founded somewhere around 1932," I said. "The modern-day Saudi was, but did you know that the Al Saud dynasty emerged around 1744?" I shook my head. "Well…the territory that is now called Saudi Arabia was the site over several ancient cultures and civilizations.
"Really?" I said in awe. Benjamin handed me a pen and a notebook. "Yes," he said cocking his head to the side. "Write down all the questions you have, about anything you want and give the paper to Rabia. She will give it to me," he said as he stroke his hand through his hair.
"And then what?" I asked unsure of what he was after.
"And then I will teach you in the spare time I have left this summer," he said charmingly.
"Benjamin I-" He cut me off in the middle of my sentence. "I know," Benjamin said flashing a crooked smile. "But you have to admit, I am impressing you a little, am I not?" I narrowed my eyes at him.
"Don't look at me like that, with those huge cat-like green eyes of yours," he said snickering. You have to do a better job if you want to intimidate me. He laughed out loud.
"Why do you want to do this?" I asked, still suspicious. "I have a sister," he began. "I encourage her to study, to expand her knowledge of the world and everything in it. Actually, I encourage her to even expand her knowledge beyond our world. I myself have an interest in our solar system," he said.
"I think it is good that your father has taught you to read. I have heard some things about you…" he said scrutinizing my face.
"Like what?!" I asked bewildered. "Only good things," he soothed me. "The sultan says your father has told him that you are full of questions and are very bright." Shock colored my face.
Okay, so maybe I shouldn't seek anything strange behind this. Maybe the sultan would be up to this as a favor to my father. "Okay," I finally gave in.
"I will write down my questions," I said looking at the golden pen. It was remarkable. There was an initial scribed into the pen. 'B' it said.
"Tomorrow morning at ten," he said intently looking into my eyes. "I don't know if I-" He cut me off again. "Raina will be attending several meetings. You will have some time off." How did he know all that?
"I will come to pick you up," Rabia said in a small voice.
Palming myself off on the warm grass, I tried to stand up, but clumsily fell a little. Benjamin touched my shoulder to steady me, and it felt as if an electric shock went though me. I was starlet.
He helped me up, still holding me and gazed into my eyes. "This dress looks beautiful on you," Benjamin said appraising. "Don't touch me," I warned him. He cocked his head, as in to look at me and he just simply smiled.
What was wrong with him? "I am sorry," he said not sounding sorry at all. "It's just that you look like a fairytale princess."
"Ugh…" I groaned out loud. "Is that supposed to be a compliment?" I asked a little irritated. "Is it not?" he questioned, narrowing his eyes at me.
"Not all woman dream about being a princess," I said a bit stubborn. He shook his head and laughed out loud.
"Alright, alright." He gave in. "I'll meet you tomorrow, future professor of mine," Benjamin said as he casually walked away without any notice. How rude. 'Of mine', how dare he say something like that. I was no one's possession and certainly not his.