Throughout their journey back home, Shahzain was very caring towards Seher. Whenever they stopped to take a rest he would make sure she was well fed. He always slept, taking her in his embrace. Rabia and Utbah thought that Shazain gave up on his revenge and started falling for Seher.

Najma Begum came to know that Shahzain had finally married Nur Jahan's daughter. She was not elated to hear the news. She wanted to test Shahzain. She called all the maids of the palace.

"I want all this palace to be decorated like a bride", she ordered. They all worked day and night and the palace by the sea was dazzling.

When they were closer to the palace, Seher could hear unfamiliar sounds of murmuring waves and the briny smell of the water coming from outside. As the cool breeze of the sea touched her face she wanted to look out and see what land it is but got scared looking at the man sitting next to her. She did not want to offend him.

"What is this sound ?" She asked politely.

"Have you ever been to the sea?"

She shook her head in No.

" why?"

" The farthest I went was to Samarkhand, our capital. That too, when I was a kid"

" so you are grown up now?" He raised his brows.

She blushed at his gaze. The carriage became unsteady as if it was going along a rocky path. Seher was scared. Shahzain pulled her in his tight embrace.

"Don't worry, we are crossing the bridge leading to our castle" He lovingly kissed her head, inhaling her sweet fragrance. Suddenly, the carriage stopped and Shazain went off.

When Seher stepped out of the carriage, she was stunned, looking at the breathtaking palace. The castle was on the edge of a large cliff. The only road connecting the castle to the land was a steep bridge.

Oh, this is the bridge he was talking about.

Shahzain saw Seher looking at the bridge. He came near her giving a sardonic smile.

" Dear Wife, this bridge is the only way out and it is heavily guarded, so no means to escape"

"Why would I escape? If I ever leave, then I will announce my departure. I am not a coward to Escape Sultan"

"Let me see how brave you are and how well your mom taught you."

She used to live in the mountains and this was the first time she had seen the sea. The blue sea was looking so calm and peaceful. She was lost in the beauty of the ocean.

After his mother's death, it was difficult for Shahzain to live in the palace. His parents' memories haunted him. So he shifted to this castle near the black sea. It was a fairytale castle built by his ancestors on the cliff overlooking the sea.

The noise of the trumpet startled Seher. She Saw is an old lady standing at the entrance with an army of maids behind. There was a large gash on her face as if someone cut her face. She emitted a strong aura.

This might be his grandmother. Seher thought and was suddenly sacred and hid behind Shahzain.

Shahzain was taken back, looking at the decorations. He then saw his grandmother at the palace gates welcoming him.

" Grandmother, what is all this?"

" A warm welcome to your new bride", she looked at Seher who was behind Shazain. She signaled her to come in front of her.

Seher greeted her and kissed her hand out of respect. She reminded Najma of the time when Nur Jahan entered the old palace along with Shahzeb, but Seher was nothing like Nur Jahan in her demeanor. She looked very shy and scared like a little lamb. Seher looked like someone who could be easily brought under control. Whereas Nur was bold and untamable.

" Whose wife, what marriage? What are you talking about, grandmother?

I just brought a new personal maid to the palace and since when did you start welcoming maids?"

" I thought you brought your Malika along."

"There will be a time when you will greet my wife as the true Malika of this land. This girl here is nothing but my maid."

Seher was hurt by her husband's bitter words. Tears threatened to fall from her eyes.

" I thought you forgot your mission, but I am happy now" Najma Begum, spewing her venom.

" I am a tired grandmother. I need rest and please ask the head maid to take this girl to the servant's quarter next to my chamber " Shazain walked away with his grandmother without giving Seher a single glance, leaving a heartbroken Seher behind.

She wiped her eyes. He is a Psychopath for sure and I know there is no point in crying. I already anticipated this kind of behavior from him. I promised my Ummi that I would not cry, especially in front of you, my psycho husband. She recalled her mother's words.

"Seher, you and I both know very well that life won't be easy along with Shahzain and his grandmother, but never show him that you are weak. When it comes to your honor, reply back. A person who quietly bears all the atrocities is more sinner than one who does. Never cry in front of him and remember we are always there for you"

Rabia and Utbah were shocked to see Shahzain's sudden change of behavior. They felt pity for the little girl but they were helpless.

A maid came near her. "I am Gulab the head maid. Please follow me"

Seher saw the woman who was maybe a similar age as his mother. She greeted her and followed. Everyone was bewildered looking at the little girl. She did not look like any Maid or a captured Slave. She was the epitome of beauty and an enchantress. Everyone stood in their place looking at her and admiring her beauty.

Shazain saw one of the guards giving a lustful gaze at his wife. He quickly came and punched him in the face.

"Never dare to raise your eyes at my woman. No man should enter my chambers beyond this point. Utbah, Utbah" he screamed.

"Yes, my sultan ", Utbah came running.

"Remove all young guards from here and appoint only a handful of trusted old men here. Make sure that they never go beyond this point."

Fool. He will never admit his feelings, looks like he has fallen for his wife Seher. He did not want anyone looking at her. Utbah thought

Seher was looking at the palace amazed. She thought their palace in Samarkhand was the most beautiful palace, but God! this place was on another level. Tall flamboyant stained-glass windows stood everywhere revealing the history of this enchanting castle. This was a sight to behold. Gulab saw Seher had been left behind.

"Girl, come quickly. Our Queen does not like lazy people"

Seher followed her quietly. She was taken to a cold room covered with dust and a tiny old bed. But it had a beautiful bay window facing the sea.

"This is your room. The connecting room is the Sultan's private chambers. Look at that bell on the wall there, it is a call bell. Go and see Sultan as soon as it rings ", she was explaining things to Seher.

"Aunty, why is this room covered in dust?" Seher asked the maid politely.

Gulab was stunned listening to her melodious voice. She turned and carefully observed the girl.

No No, it can't be. She mumbled loudly

"Are you by any chance related to Queen Nur Jahan?"

"She is my mother. I am the daughter of King Fakhruddin and Queen Nur Jahan"

Gulab rushed to her and placed a hand on her mouth.

"Shhh. Princess pardon me, don't take your parents' names here. I was your Mother's chambermaid years back. How is my Queen Nur Jahan? How did you end up as Sultan's maid? "

"I am not his maid, I am his wife" Gulab was stunned to hear the revelation.

Seher told her about the whole marriage saga. Gulab placed a hand on her heart.

God save you from Najma begum, my child. I hope Shazain won't lose you in his ignorance. She prayed for Seher.

"Don't tell anyone that I know about your origin, both of us will be in trouble." She kissed Seher's cheeks.

"You are my Queen's Daughter, my princess."

"Aunty, you did not reply. Why is this place so dirty?"

" Sultan Shazain hardly stayed here he is always away and busy with his work and battles. He never had any maids here. Don't worry princess, I will help you clean it"

"Call me Seher"

"Yes, my dear, but when alone I will call you princess."

"Aunty, I don't need luxurious bedding, I just need a clean bed. I can not stand dirt and dust"

Gulab brought cleaning supplies and clean sheets.

Just as she was about to clean, Shahzain and Najma Begum entered the Chambers. Startling Gulab and Seher. Gulab's heart was beating fast.

"I don't want anyone helping this new maid here. She can do her work herself. You may leave", he ordered Gulab.

Gulab left the room in silence. Najma Begum turned towards Seher.

"Listen Girl, you are going to do all the work here. Clean this room and Shazain's room in an hour. I will come back to inspect and don't wear these flashing clothes. You are no longer a princess, just a personal maid. I will send you regular outfits."

Seher just nodded. She looked at Shahzain. He was just standing like a statue without any emotions. She cursed him from inside.

"Grandmother, make sure you train her quickly and explain the work as a personal maid. I don't want the shadow of another maid here except her."

He went near Seher and whispered," be a chamber maid in the daytime and in the night you will be my wife in bed". Seher gave him a disgusted stare. He smirked and took off.

Najma Begum and Shazain did not want anyone else to know how Seher was being treated or who she was. They confined her to these chambers. They were afraid that if news leaked she was his wife it wouldn't be helpful.

Seher quickly looked around. She was used to doing work at her house, but it was just tidying up or cooking for her father. Even when cooking, everything was ready for her to use, maids did all the cutting and washing.

Seher tied a cloth covering her mouth and nose and started cleaning. The room was tiny and in no time the room was sparkling. She quickly rushed to Shazain's Chamber. It was in decent condition and just needed a quick tidying up. Seher quickly finished her work. Seher looked around for Bath and there was a luxurious bath connected to Shazains Chambers. Coal heaters were already heating the water. She had a relaxing dip in warm water, soothing her aching muscles. She then washed and changed into the clothes Najma begum provided. They were plain ordinary clothes but clean Seher was drying her hair when Najma Begum entered.

"What is this girl? Servants don't have the privilege to use royal bathing chambers. She was holding Seher's hair in a tight grip. She winced in pain.

"This was my last warning. You can use the bathroom in that corner of your room. I don't want any mistakes again."

Seher just nodded with tears flowing down her cheek. No one ever raised a voice towards her. This was her first time seeing cruel people she heard about in Fairytales.

After Najma Begum left, Seher looked at the bathroom in the corner. It was a boxed place with a small bucket filled with cold water.

Soon a maid entered with a small plate of food and a pitcher of water.

"Girl, Sultan has sent you food to eat and rest."

"Seher looked at the food. It was some stew with flatbread. As soon as Seher put a morsel in her mouth, her tongue burned. She left the food and ate a few pieces of flatbread. Tears were flowing down her eyes, recalling her family.

"Fakhr, you and Seher are the same, why can't you tolerate a little heat?"They were invited to Fakhr's old friend's house for dinner in Samarkhand. Everyone ate it but both father and daughter did not even touch it. Seher turned red just by taking a bite. On the way back, Seher slept.

After reaching home, Fakhr woke up Sleeping Seher " Baba's princess. Wake up. It is not good to sleep on an empty stomach. He was feeding his sleepy daughter and wiping her face afterward."

She was her Baba's princess but luck threw her here. she was not sure if she could survive she did her night prayer and hit her hard bed. Tears were rolling down her cheek and hitting the pillow. She did not know when sleep engulfed her.

Shahzain entered Seher's room. He got angry as his eyes fell on his sleeping wife and untouched food.