Jasmine moved quietly through the bustling market, her delicate features hidden beneath the hood of her cloak. The lively noise of vendors and shoppers filled the air, but she kept her eyes low, not wanting to draw attention. As the princess of Agrabah, many men sought her hand, enchanted by her beauty and status, but Jasmine longed for something more—something real.

As she weaved through the crowded streets, something caught her eye. A young man, with a confident and carefree grin, sat perched casually on the ledge of a crumbling house. His dark hair was tousled by the wind, and his eyes, sharp and mischievous, sparkled in the sunlight. A small monkey sat on his shoulder, chattering playfully. They seemed to share a bond, an unspoken understanding, and Jasmine found herself smiling at the sight.

Intrigued, she moved closer, slipping between stalls and keeping her gaze fixed on him. He was clearly poor—dressed in simple, worn clothes—but there was a kind of warmth and freedom in his expression that was rare within the palace walls. She hesitated, feeling a strange flutter of excitement she hadn’t felt before.

For a moment, his gaze drifted down and met hers, catching her by surprise. Jasmine’s heart skipped a beat as a slow, knowing smile spread across his face, as if he saw right through her disguise. Embarrassed, she quickly turned away, pulling her hood lower, but she couldn’t resist one last glance.

The mysterious stranger laughed, a soft, carefree sound, and then leaned back, speaking quietly to the little monkey who perched on his shoulder. There was something about him—something untamed and alive—that made Jasmine want to know more.