"I also want to visit the dargah." Jodha protested when Neela started packing her stuff.

"It is Shehenshah's orders. We can't go against him."

"Well, I can and I will."

"Jodha.... I mean, Malika, I am sorry but I think you shouldn't go against him."

"Why is he ignoring me? Is this because I shouted at him?"

"I don't know."

Jodha sat down and started weeping inconsolably. "What have I done to him? All I have ever done is love him and he treats me this way? I don't want to lose him. I love him just so much, Neela. I shouted at him because I was angry. I thought he didn't care about me. All he cared for was the heir of the empire...."

"Jodha, Jodha, look here, its fine. It's okay, it's totally okay. This is life. Everything isn't always going to be according to your plans but whatever happens, remember it happens for the best."

"Neela, I am sorry. I am so sorry." Jodha wept and Neela embraced her. She knew her kunwarisaa was going through a tough time and she would always be there for her.

"So, how is she now?"

"Just okay. She met Rajaji, and had lunch with him for a brief moment before retiring to her chamber."

"I pity the Malika and Shehenshah."

"And why?"

"You can look in Sheheshah's eyes and say that he loves her, but there is something stopping him, always. And as for Malika, she is too weak. She gets influenced by anyone and everyone."

"Maybe. Jodha was so not like this back in Amber. She was this playful little girl, who was bright and shiny and energetic but ever since she got married, that energy kind of left her."

"Let's make a vow today, Neela," Rehman spoke as they both stopped.

"What vow?"

"That we will help those two fools in love to find a way and that we will never let this happen to us." Neela smiled as a shade of crimson appeared on her face.

Rajaji had been kind and devoted. Jalal appreciated all his efforts. They had to stay for another week in Ajmer. He had gone hunting today but nothing lifted his mood. All his joy was gone. He never could have imagined she thought so low of him, that she cursed him. He had always enjoyed her presence, ever since she was wed to him but today, he didn't want to look at her even. He had been strangely attracted to her but he didn't want to name this attraction love. His heart was in pain today as he recalled all those times, he had caught a mere glimpse of her and that had made his day.

"Shehenshah?" he thought he had been dreaming and so he ignored the voice the first time he heard her. She walked closer and tapped on his shoulder. He turned around and saw Jodha standing there. Her hair was all open, and her choli was flying all around her face. Her eyes were red and her face was swollen. She had been crying.

"Jodha."

"I apologize, Your Majesty."

"Don't please. Just leave me alone."

"Shehenshah, I..." she stepped forward but hit her foot against a rock and fell. The rock hit her stomach and she rolled down as she whimpered and lost consciousness. Jalal turned around when he heard her scream and hurried to her. She was in pain. He gave her his hand, but she couldn't reach it. It all became blurry.

"JODHAAA!!!"

Jalal woke up with a start. It was a nightmare. His forehead was sweating. He had a glass of water and moved out wearing a loose robe out of the tent. There he saw Jodha, sitting near the lake with a thin shawl draped around her. He neared her but she didn't notice. It was minutes later that she saw his reflection in the lake and got up, startled.

"Shehenshah!"

"What are you doing this late?"

"I couldn't sleep."

"This stress and improper health are not good for the...." He stopped midway and looked at her. She smiled weakly.

"Maybe I am not mature enough to understand that."

"Do you not want to have the baby?"

"I don't know. I am what, nineteen? I am just....my mother had me when she was twenty-six and I probably thought that I would get time..."

"Well, this is not Rajputana and as you have already said, I am an heirless maniac."

"That's not what I meant. I just want you to enjoy life, be happy. You are only nineteen. You are capable and you should not worry for a kid now."

"And what if I die? Who will then take care of this great empire?"

"You will not die anytime soon. You have to take care of me and bid me farewell to the afterlife before that." She smirked and he chuckled. His features relaxed as he looked at her again. The woman was strange. She would make him furious one second, and light-hearted the other.

"Jodha, I am sorry. I know I have been behaving like a maniac because this may be the only chance and I want to have an heir."

"Why are you so negative?"

"I have lost, what? Three kids already and I don't think I can lose anymore. If something happens to the child in your womb, I will die."

"Don't say such things, Shehenshah. God will bless you with everything including an heir when the time is right."

"I hope so."

"I am sorry, too. I behaved like a maniac. It's just that I had a little talk with Malika e Khaas and I was upset after that. But I didn't mean anything I said. I know I've hurt you a lot. All my anger and frustration poured out on you."

He sealed her lips with his preventing her to speak any further. Then, as he looked at her and she looked down, he brushed away a stroke of her hair behind her ear. She said nothing, simply kept looking down as his lips met her cheeks. A crimson shade spread all over her face. He locked his hands with hers and kissed her forehead.

"I love you, Shehenshah!" she spoke slowly, rather whispered into his ears. A smile spread over his face. He moved his hand to the nape of her neck and the other one to her hair. She looked into his eyes for the first time and he could see a whisper of a smile in them.

"I know." He replied sensually.

She bit her lip arousing him even more, as he leaned forward and planted a kiss on her lips. She held onto his robe too tightly. He kissed on her temple, making her moan. She bit her lip to control herself as they were outside right now. Plus, her father was also in a nearby tent. They would visit Amber with him tomorrow since it was a day's journey and stay there for a few days before returning back to Agra. She was excited to be able to meet her sister and mother after so many days.

Jalal continued with his torturous kisses and it became difficult for her to control her burning desires. It had been a while since they had consummated their relationship, and she was so looking forward to it. As his hand reached her back and pulled her closer, she could feel his breath but before he could kiss her again, a soldier interrupted them already frightened for his death that may come anytime soon for disturbing the Padshah and his Malika in an intimate moment.

Jalal stood in front of Jodha, as she clutched onto his back for support. He then looked over at the intruder, anger clearly visible in his eyes as the little man performed the konish and asked for permission to speak.

"Your Majesty, Raja Bharmal wants to have an audience with you."

"Such perfect timing," Jalal whispered and Jodha smiled.

"I hope to see you in my tent, Malika!"

He left while Jodha stood there, as she saw her reflection in the pool. The lake sparkled and she could sense a living being inside her, already in formation. She touched her belly, which was not even a bit round since these were the initial days. She smiled. She could probably be carrying the future Jalaluddin Muhammad. Sure, she was only nineteen but still, if this baby would be born, she would be able to give her husband what he wanted the most and that way fulfill her duty as a wife. She was happy after a long time now, since she had conceived.

She stood there for a while before going back inside the tent. Elsewhere, Jalal was joined by Bhagwan Das.

"My sincerest apologies, Your Royal Highness!" Raja Bharmal pleaded. "I would have accompanied you for sure if this issue hadn't spiked up."

"It is okay, Raja Sahib. I totally understand. Besides, I have Bhagwan Das to accompany me. I hadn't really spent much time with him since he returned back to Amber." Jalal said patting Bhagwan's shoulder.

"It will be an honour to accompany you, Your Majesty."

"I will now take your leave." Jalal stood up and both the Raja and the Yuvraj bowed to him as he left the tent. The wind was flowing favourably when Jalal neared his tent. He heard the chiming of anklets before entering the tent. A different feeling approached him when he realised he would be spending this night with Jodha. He entered the tent and found her sitting on the sofa. She was half lying on it eating a grape. She looked surely like a Malika. Even more so than that, she appeared like a Queen Mother, and at that moment he was sure that she would be the Queen Mother. He neared and sat beside her. She seemed too much into something as she stared into oblivion. He touched her feet as he put them on his lap. She turned around and tried to stop him but he put a finger on her lips.

"Not today, Jodha. No rules. Let me have you the way I want to!" she couldn't deny it to him as she was too looking forward to being his for the night the way he wanted. She simply nodded.

He leaned more towards her. She kept staring at him as he half placed her on his lap and used his hand to move her hair aside, as he placed a series of torturous kisses on her temple and then on her nape, as she quivered. Her hands held tight to his robe as he kept placing kisses on her trembling body. He looked at her once before undressing her.

"I would love to have that grape you were having." He said sensually making her offer him one from the table nearby. "Not like this, my Malika!"

She looked at him, confused. He took that grape from her hand and asked her to eat it. Still confused, she did as he asked and the moment she put it in her mouth. The grape was half in her mouth, when he bit her lower lip with his teeth, and took half of the grape in his mouth, its juice spreading all over his lips. He licked his lips with his tongue. Jodha had lost senses as he proceeded and rolled his tongue over her neck and then her bosom, lightly biting it. It was no longer a simple first-love kind of kiss. It had more passion and it felt as though he had been hovering over her, ready to eat her any minute. The grape tasted much better than any other grapes she had ever had. He looked at her as his hands reached her breast, owning another moan from her. Her hands travelled along with his hair as he kissed her bosom. He untied his robe and let it fall as he hovered on top of her, naked. She looked at him as she felt his erection against her thighs. She couldn't control herself anymore as she tried to take control but he controlled her. Before she could protest anymore, he entered into her with a thrust making her moan a little louder than usual. On usual days, the soldiers would ask permission to get inside to save their queen, worrying she might be in some problem but today everyone knew that she was with the king so they didn't bother anymore.

Neela sat near the corner of the servant's restroom, on a rock as she heard the maids gossiping about the king and the queen.

"Yes, I was passing by the king's quarters but then one of the guards stopped me from entering. I said the queen had asked for me. You know what he said?"

"What?" the others were curious.

"He said that the queen is doing some important business with the king and that nothing is more important than that. The king will sly you with his sword and even the queen won't stop him from doing so."

"Really?"

"Yes. And as I was about to...." before she could complete whatever little information she had brought, they all heard Jodha's loud moan. They stilled for a second and then looked at each other as crimson colour spread on their faces. Neela bit her lip and so did the others. She got up and decided to leave. On seeing Jodha's head maid, all the other maids went pale. She simply smiled at them and gestured a don't worry before leaving. Neela had barely walked two steps when a strong hand grabbed her arm and pulled her into the forests. She was not worried for she knew it was Rehman.

"Seriously?" He kissed her to stop her from speaking. She looked at him as he broke the kiss.

"So, the Padshah and the Malika made up?"

"I don't know. Jodha will tell me tomorrow."

"C'mon everyone knows."

"Rehman!"

"Shehenshah must be ecstatic today."

"I don't know. And is that all you want to talk about?"

"No, my darling. I wanted to talk about more."

"What more?"

"You know I have spent most of my time in battlefields so I know very little of how to do such things but.... I want to marry you, Neela. Is this good enough for a proposal?" he asked, offering her a red rose. Tears flooded her eyes and she threw her arms around him.

"I would surely marry you, but I need kunwarisaa's permission."

"And I am sure she will say yes." He said as he kissed her cheek and embraced her.