Jodha woke up in her bedroom the next day, and it was quite late when her eyes opened. Kaakisaa was sitting next to her and caressing her head which was not like her. She thought something was off but then she got up and memories of last night flooded her mind. She flushed recalling it, but was unsure whether it was a dream or reality. Seeing her complexion getting flushed, kaakisaa asked whether everything was alright.

"Yes, kaakisaa. I want to ask something from you."

"About what I am doing here? Well, last night when I came here you were shivering so I checked your temperature and you were quite hot so I applied some medicine and caressed you all night and now you seem just fine."

"Kaakisaa.."

"Oh, you are concerned about the matter with Ruqqayah? Don't worry. She is just teasing you. When the emperor stops giving you attention, she'll stop bothering you too."

"And why would he not give me any attention?"

"Because that is how kings are. Don't tell me you expected him to send you flowers and keep checking on you and always be beside you."

"I..well something happened last night and I don't remember whether I dreamt about it or it was a reality."

"Well, if you mean that Shehenshah came to drop you last night in your chambers, then yes I heard some maids gossiping about it."

"Wh..hat...so is it true?"

"Yes, I believe so."

Jodha got all excited and dressed up beautifully that day. Since the day of the announcement of her marriage, she was all but happy. She asked maids to specially dress her up. After getting dressed up for no specific reason, she applied some kohl and colour on her lips too.

Her head maid brushed her hair and was happy at her Queen's happiness.

"What is the special occasion, Jodha?"

"Umm...what?"

"You are getting all dressed up. You don't like doing..."

"Who told you that I do not like dressing up? It's just that I never got the timing right, but today, I am very happy."

"That is what I am asking. What is the reason behind your happiness?"

"He called me Malika, and well we kind of, you know!"

"So that is why he accompanied you to your room yesterday."

"Well, did you see him?"

Before her maid could reply back, another maid came in.

"Your Majesty, His Majesty has asked for your presence in the diwan-i-khaas (hall of private audience), immediately."

Jodha smiled looking at her maid who smiled back and then she set out for diwan-i-khaas.

As she reached the hall, everyone was particularly silent and the throne was vacant which meant that the king had not arrived yet. She simply stepped forward and one of the maids approached her. She was seated on a royal seating but behind the purdah. She was aware of the system, but it was her first time visiting as she never had any interest in politics or stuff. All the other queens used to visit only when called but Ruqqayah would come when she wanted. Today, surprisingly only Ruqqayah was present besides her. After sitting for about six to seven minutes, a huge proclamation was made about His Majesty's arrival. He arrived and everyone stood up and greeted him and once he sat down all the others were seated too. All this was not alien to Jodha, but a little strange as this was her first time visiting as a queen. Back in Amber, her father never allowed her to visit such meetings.

"All you have to do is bear sons to Vishnu! Learning politics is a waste for you."

But her mother was especially interested in teaching her daughters whenever she had time.

"Now, Queen Ruqqayah, what is your plea?"

Jodha looked at her and it was then she realized that Jalal had not called for her. It was Ruqqayah. She wanted to make it a public affair. Her blood boiled and she was called next on Ruqqayah's plea.

She stood up and pulled her veil deeper and came out. Although they would receive strict punishments, none of the courtiers' present could draw away their eyes from her. She looked marvelous. Even Jalal seem to drift from the conversation. Seeing the situation drift away, Ruqqayah used it as an opportunity.

"Have you not heard of the prescribed rules for dressing up, Malika?" She mocked her.

Jodha did not even bother looking at her and simply bowed and greeted the king. She then turned towards Ruqqayah, and spoke

"I have never been told here on how to dress up, because I am a queen and I know what is good for me and what not. Plus, I have only applied a little kohl today. Aren't queens allowed to make over?"

"Queens, I have other important tasks too. Please put forward your plea and leave."

"Shehenshah, I know how busy you are. I am not here for wasting any of it. But don't you think that Queen Jodha should be more aware of the rules. Clearly, she didn't dress up properly for diwan-i-khaas today and earlier she touched another man, so..."

All the courtiers looked at Jodha with wide eyes. She looked down and took a step back and Ruqqayah expected her to bow down and leave but she looked up and as her eyes met the Padhshah's, all her fear seems to have drowned.

"If I am allowed to, I would like to speak my mind, Shehenshah!"

"You may."

"I did not expect Queen Ruqqayah to have stooped so down so as to bring such an intimate matter to court. But now that she has, I am not going to step back and let her humiliate me. Two days ago, Her Majesty wanted to meet me and I wasn't in a good mood so I declined her invitation, but then she sent two guards without my permission in my chambers and they came unannounced and wouldn't leave so I slapped one of them. I considered it right at the moment and I am not sorry."

"And so, I dismiss the case!" announced Jalal.

Jodha and Ruqqayah turned around but Jalal spoke again,

"With Ruqqayah as guilty and she must apologise to Queen Jodha right now or get her monthly allowance suspended for the following week."

"I would choose the latter, Your Majesty."

Later that afternoon, Jodha opened her jewels and unveiled her face as she lay on her bed and her maid applied sandalwood oil on her legs. She felt tired and when sleep came to her, she wasn't sure because when she woke up, it was not her maid but Shehenshah beside her. He was seated at a distance and she got up immediately.

"Apologies, Your Grace, I don't know when you..."

"Just now. And can I ask you for a favour?"

"Yeah, sure."

"Please don't be so formal with me when we are alone. You can just call me whatever you want to."

"I cannot and I must not. You are my husband and I have to respect you."

"Does that mean obeying me?"

"Yes."

"Then what difference will remain between a queen and a kaneez, may I ask?"

"Shehenshah!"

"Yes, call me Shehenshah. You know that's just my position, not my name. Call me Jalal, will you?"

"I.."

"I had enquired about you from your father after his proposal, and I found out that we are of the same age. In fact, you are born some fifteen days before me. So why with the formalities. I really don't like that."

"I am sorry Shehenshah. But in order to call you by your name, I think we must be...it'll take some time."

"Even after yesterday?"

She didn't meet his gaze and simply tried to look elsewhere, but her complexion spoke for her.

"You are blushing."

"I think it will take some time before I can come to terms with it."

"That's okay. We will not talk about it if you don't want to."

"Are you free sometime in the evening?"

"Well, I can be."

"I would like to go to the temple to perform a little pooja. Will you accompany me?"

"Surely."

"And Shehenshah, I might not be able to talk about it now but I must tell you that I dressed up today intentionally."

He looked at her and nodded while she smirked.

Later that evening, she changed her clothes into rather simple ones, but let the makeup be. After all the preparations were done, she got inside her palki. She reached the temple just in time and Jalal arrived few minutes later.

"I hope I didn't miss the puja."

"We are just starting. You are right on time."

They then entered the temple, where the priest welcomed them and they performed the puja. News spread fast that Shehenshah accompanied his new begam to the temple and performed the puja with her. After the puja, Jodha distributed sweets and alms to the people of the temple. The priest held a feast for the soldiers and Jodha and Jalal enjoyed a stroll together in the meantime. It was already close to dusk and cool breeze was blowing.

"So, how are your days going by?"

"Fine."

"Just fine. I don't think you are enjoying Agra."

"Depends. I haven't seen the entire palace and I wish to."

"If you'll do me the honour of showing you, I would be obliged."

"And now, aren't you talking formally."

"I suppose." He stood in front of her making her stop. He then stepped closer and held her hand in his. She quivered but didn't stop him either. He was now inches apart from her.

"What I must say is that, you are truly one Malika. Won't like to ride back on a horse?"

He was challenging her. But she was very much ready for it. She simply nodded and accompanied him, and in the return journey she rode on a horse.

"You are quite competent, Malika!"

"Thank You, Majesty."

"Shall I accompany you to your room then, too?"

She stepped forward and kissed him on his cheek.

"Maybe next time."