" Shazain, I doubt King Christo's intentions?"

"Not again! We have been through this grandmother. I know you don't like him. But Ariana, she is good. She is polite and obedient. "

"Do you love her, Shazain?"

Shazain stood there for a while."I don't believe in love, grandmother. You very well know what loving someone did to my father and mother. It makes a person weak and foolish and I am not foolish."

Najma Begum never liked that man, King Christos. She could not believe that he was the one who helped Shazain and princess Araina never gave her any good vibes. Last year she came to this palace to spend her summer here and the way she dressed and tried talking politely looked like an act to Najma Begum. Her old eyes have witnessed many changing seasons.

"Does your wife know about Ariana?"

Shazain was taken back.

"Seher has nothing to do with this matter."

"Shazain, you and me calling her a maid does not mean that she becomes one. A woman can be tolerant to an extent, but there is a limit and I think Seher will never tolerate Ariana's presence."

"Are you taking Seher's side now? a girl you called filthy a few moments back?"

"Me calling her any name won't change the fact that she is your legally wedded wife. Shazain, I warned you before to drop the idea of marrying Nur Jahan's daughter, but you were stubborn."

"Seher can never be my queen Grandmother and, which king does not have multiple wives? I am sure she will keep quiet like every other girl."

"Dear Grandson, She is the daughter of King Fakhruddin and Nur Jahan. She does not know the concept of cowives, Her parents, grandparents no one had multiple partners and you expect that she will be quiet?

Even if she is quiet, do you think her family, especially her hot-headed brothers, will keep quiet?"

"Grandmother, I don't like beating around the bush. Tell me exactly what you want me to do"

"Shazain, you are not getting young every passing day. Don't forget that you are the only heir to the throne. There is a lot of pressure from ministers of the royal court for your marriage. Minister Ahmed fears that if you don't get married soon there will be a high chance of revolt. Your uncle Jafar has had an eye on the throne for a long time. You just have two options.

Either you disclose to everyone that Seher is your wife. King Fakhruddin and his powerful sons are already famous. Sultan Salahuddin, the name is enough to create terror among enemies. Everyone will know your power, everyone will fear going against you."

" Grandmother, do you mean to say I am spineless and will need to be associated with those people?"

" Shazain, I am just reminding you of your options. You are wise enough. I showed you pictures of eligible girls yesterday. Then marry one of them. They won't have problems with polygamy and, about Seher, just divorce her."

Shazain froze listening to his grandmother's words and then roared in anger " I am never going to divorce her ever. She is mine. Her family has no say in my personal affairs. Even if I don't love her or never give her the rights of a wife, she is still mine, Shazain's property". He left there in anger.

**********************************************************************

Shazain was sitting on the rocks watching the sea from afar deep in his thoughts.

The thought of Seher going away strangulated my soul. I feel unknown pain. What if she really leaves? Come on Shahzain, her leaving and going shouldn't bother you. Yes, she became my personal property the moment I married her. I will keep her as a showpiece but will never let her go.

My Grandmother is right. She might attempt to leave me, but I know what will keep her bound to me and unwillingly she will be forced to stay with me.

Something evil erupted in his mind and he smiled at himself.

*******************************************************************

Shahzain called Utbah, Ahmed, and a few of his trusted ministers for an urgent meeting. Ahmed was his father's trusted aide and also his Uncle. He always stood by his side protecting him when Shazain was growing up.

"Shahzain, I spoke to Queen Najma Begum yesterday. Your Grandmother has been guarding this throne and kingdom till now, but we are getting older. People are anxious about the future. Your step-uncle Jafar is the most disliked man in the kingdom and there is news that he is planning to assassinate you and take over. He is instigating a few ministers. Please, you have to get married now. People need to see an heir soon. " Ahmed tried explaining Shahzain.

"Uncle Ahmed, you don't worry about that. This kingdom will have a successor soon."

"What do you mean by that? Are you nominating someone as second in line to the throne? "

"I am married to Princess Seher, daughter of King Fakhruddin"

Everyone present there was flabbergasted by the news except Utbah.

"Congratulations, We should declare this to the public soon. Jafer's face will be worth watching.ShukrAllah, this is big news", Khizer, one of the ministers, was screaming with joy.

"No need to disclose this to anyone"

"But why? one of the ministers asked?"

"Two reasons, one for her safety, another. She is not going to be the queen"

"What do you mean by that?" anger flashed in Ahmed's eyes.

"Ariana will be my queen. I know people will never accept the next successor born through her. Seher will be the mother of my children, my future heirs". He said those words with ease, but those words did not go down well with Utbah and Ahmed.

"Sultan, there has been a rebellion near our border with the French. We tried negotiating with them but we think someone other than Jafar is instigating them. I think you need to personally visit the place without any delay, " One of the Ministers suggested.

Everyone left the meeting room, including Shahzain except Utbah and Ahmed, who were left behind.

Ahmed was very furious at Utbah for not informing him about Shazain's marriage. His anger knew no bounds when he came to know how Shazain married Seher.

"Utbah, why did you not feel it necessary to inform me? I may be living in Shahmahal, but it does mean I should be ignored. I have given you the responsibility of Shahzain. You don't even have an idea what mistake he made."

"Shahzain made me promise that I would not disclose this. He wanted to marry Queen Nur Jahan's daughter for a long time"

"How is he treating Seher?"

"Wel... He said that she was nothing more than his personal maid. and..." hesitant Utbah, narrated every ordeal.

"Did she not retaliate?"

"No, Uncle Ahmed, she is very calm and quiet and obeys Shazain and Najma begum."

"Idiot, he is going to repeat the same mistake that his father made years back. Nur Jahan was his father's only love, obsession, whatever you call it. "

"Uncle, he thinks Queen Nur Jahan purposely left his father for King Fakhruddin."

"You don't know how Sultan Shazaeb lost Nur Jahan forever and regretted it till he died. Nur Jahan did not leave him but he threw her out.

He is doing the same thing now. That princess Ariana is cunning and soon it will be Seher who will leave him for good. I feel sorry for my friend Shazeb. His soul must be restless seeing his son repeating his mistakes."

"What can we do now, Uncle? Shahzain does not listen to anything against Christos and Ariana."

"What can we do? Just wait for his impending doom. I saw his father's miseries and now you will see your friend going through the same. Try to knock some sense into Shazain before it's too late."

************************************************************

Ahmed told Asmara everything about what Shazain did and how Najma begum poisoned him. Asmara was shocked. Seher was her niece. Even though she did not have much interaction with her sister because of their ugly past, she still respected and admired Nur and Fakhr.

They were indebted to the late king Shahzeb as he was the man who made it possible for Asmara and Ahmed to unite. Asmara wanted to knock some sense into Najma begum, but due to her pregnancy, she was unable to travel.

************************************************************************

Shahzain was away trying to sort out things with the rebels. He was a blessed ruler, a great orator. It was hard for people not to get convinced by him. He negotiated with the leader of the rebels and made him join his team.

There was a big feast arranged by the people of that province in honor of their King Shahzain, who accepted it. Rebel Leader Babrak hosted the event at his place and welcomed Shazain with open arms.

"Sultan Shazain, hopes our friendship lasts for a long time"

"Babrak, our goal is the same: prosperity and happiness for our people. We have to have direct talk rather than fighting. I am giving you responsibility for this whole region and I will appoint you governor of this province."

Everyone was overjoyed but the unknown enemies had an eye on them.

*********************************************************************

Somewhere in an old castle.

"Master, Sultan Shazain has struck a deal with Babrak and now he is the new governor of this province."

" Hmmm......... do one thing, send a sharp Archer to assassinate Babrak at the festival that is ongoing. Make sure that the arrow is laced with poison and later blame Shahzain. He has planted this. It will be easy to manipulate people. Babrak is their favorite leader."

********************************************************************

Shahzain was walking alongside Babrak and meeting the locals. Huge crowds were gathered to see their leaders.

"Sultan, this is our local market and we mainly trade silk and silver. We are sad to know that you sanctioned restrictions on our trade"

" I would never do that, Babrak, there was definitely some misunderstanding created by our enemies. You have to investigate that."

In the middle of the conversation, Shazain noticed the archer and an arrow pointing towards Babrak. Shahzain pushed him down and the arrow hit him in his shoulder blade. Babrak ran to catch the archer but the person committed suicide.

There was chaos in the market. Shahzain ordered everyone to calm down.

"Sultan Shazain, I promise you that I will get to the root of this matter. Thank you for risking your life" as Babrak was talking he noticed Shazain's lips turning blue.

"Sultan, the arrow was poisoned." Shahzain slumped to the ground. Barak rushed Shzain to his house.

"The poison used was very strong. I would suggest you call his family here."

"What do you mean, Doctor?" Babrak was mad.

"He came here as a guest. It is our duty to save him."

"Emir, I will call for one of the famous doctors I know, I am trying my best" the doctor assured him.

"Seher..." That was the only name that came out of Shazain's lips.

Babrak went outside and strictly requested people not to leak this news as Shazain already had many hidden enemies. He sent his younger brother to get Seher, whoever she was, but he knew that she was someone important to Shahzain.

****************************************************

Back in the palace, Najma Begum was furious to find out that Shahzain had called for Seher immediately.

"Why did he call for her? Did he not think it was necessary to ask my permission?" She was angry at her grandson.

Shahzain's condition was kept a secret. nobody in the Palace knew what was going on, including Najma Begum.

She marched into Seher's room and pushed her down.

"You and your mother know all the tricks to lure a man. First, your mother made my son her puppet. Now you are doing the same. Go pack up, enjoy yourself with Shahzain, but listen carefully, you will be thrown out just like your mother."

Seher, who was unaware of everything, looked at her with a blank face.

"I don't know what you are talking about. I have not seen Shahzain for the past 2 months, Queen mother"

"Stop this innocent act, go pack your stuff. Shahzain called you and please take Utbah and Gulab along with you."

Gulab came and packed Seher's belongings.

"Aunty, what happened? Where am I going?"

" The Sultan has sent a message for you to join him on the tour of the French border. I think he wants to spend some time with you"

Seher would never believe Shahzain would call her for a vacation. She knew him very well.

That monster was up to something, she thought.

†

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