" Sister Bahar will have become a doctor by now. When are you returning to your home? Everyone might be missing you all"

Seher wanted to ask about Murad but was hesitant. He was her. She might not have loved him, but there was a kind of attachment.

" I want to go back soon Seher, Abi Murad is not ready yet."

"I am sorry". Seher always felt that she was responsible for Murad's condition. She knew how much her Aunty Shireen missed her only son Murad when he went to Hind (India)and vowed never to send him far away again, but just because of her he had to leave his home.

"Seher, can I ask you something?"

"Yes, why are you hesitating? No matter what, you will always be my sister"

"Does that Shazain keep you happy?"

"One day he might." There was sadness in Seher's demeanor.

"Do you know anything about Ariana the Greek princess"? Bahar heard rumors that Shahzain was engaged to Ariana from the people in Athens. She did not say anything to Murad as she did not want her brother to be in more distress, thinking that Seher might not be happy.

"Who is she? " Unaware of this, Seher asked innocently.

"Have you heard anything about her in your palace?" Bahar was trying to read Seher's face.

"No, I heard the name for the first time. Is she one of Shazain's enemies?"

"No No, I heard that she was a famous princess and was friends with Shahzain."

"Oh! This must be wrong because aunty Gulab told me Shazain had never looked at girls before and I was the first girl in his life" She felt proud knowing this fact. She hoped that one day or the other he would love her the same way her Baba loved her Ummi.

Bahar knew how naive Seher was. She ignored the topic as she did not want her young cousin to be stressed or broken-hearted. Maybe it was all a rumor.

She felt sorry for Seher and her brother. She was witness to the pain her brother went through. He made so many plans for his future with Seher. She still remembers that day clearly when Murad's marriage date was fixed with Seher.

He lifted their mother in his arms, turning her around in happiness.

"Enough Murad, you have become my niece's puppet. I don't think you will remember us after marriage". Shireen teased her son.

"Ummi is right, Abi."

"I don't think any other woman can in my wife and daughter-in-law of this house. Ummi, do you think Seher will keep me away from you guys?"I fear that I have to drag her away from you all"

Someone cast an evil eye on her brother's love.

"Sister Bahar, where are you lost?"

" Do you love Shazain?" Bahar asked her.

"He is my husband and, yes, I love him as a wife should love her husband."

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

Murad finished treating Shahzain and gave him some medication to continue. He hated Shazain with every fiber in his heart.

"Continue these till your wound is healed, Shahzain. I am dressing it now but keep it open once you get to your home."

"When are you getting married, Murad?" Shahzain asked out of the blue.

"The day you get a divorce" Murad replied swiftly.

Shazain felt that this was a clear indication that he still loved Seher. He wanted to strangulate Murad.

"So sad, I am not getting divorced in this life. She loves me, not you. You know my wife never resisted our marriage. I think she was waiting to get rid of you"

Murad, who was dressing Shazain's wound, pressed it hard, causing Shazain to scream in pain.

"Shahzain, I think you are trying to soothe yourself by these words. My character is not as low as yours to think about a married woman. I saw love for you in her eyes. Trust me, if you lose that you will be a dead man."

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

Najma Begum left for Shahmahal as a sign to show that she was upset with Shahzain. He called for Seher without seeking her permission.

"Mother, I am surprised that you came here. I was planning to visit you and Shahzain " Seema was surprised to see her mother-in-law.

"Shahzain married that witch Nur Jahan's daughter", Najma Begum replied in anger.

Seema was very happy to hear that. "Why did nobody inform me, mother, is it Seher?"

"Yes"

"That is such lovely news. Seher is a polite, beautiful, and young girl". Seema was very happy for her stepson.

"You should have brought her here. Shahzeb's soul will be at peace, knowing NurJahan's daughter and his son are together."

"What are you saying, Seema? I will never accept that filthy girl as my daughter-in-law. Moreover, Shahzain plans to marry Ariana. He married Seher for revenge."

Seema was very angry listening to this.

"Mother, really why are you so cold-hearted? Did you not see the pain that Shahzeb went through when he lost Nur? I kept quiet when you instigated Shazain against Nur. Come here with me ". She dragged Najma begum to Nur Mahal.

It was like a time capsule. Seema maintained what was left of her late husband's memories.

"Look around, mother. These walls are witnesses of Shazeb's pain for his beloved. I came in between his love and to this day I feel guilty. OK, Nur was not to your liking because of her outspoken character, but why do you hate Seher? You have turned Shazain into a cold-hearted person. I kept quiet because I never doubted your judgment. You stood like a rock protecting this kingdom.

You married Kulsum far away in Hind(India). I kept quiet. You married Nur Ul Ain to that widowed Sultan Taimur. I kept quiet knowing you are doing the best for them, but why are you doing this to Shahzain? Deep down you know he is wrong. Ariana is the worst choice for this kingdom and its people.

Why do you hate Nur Jahan so much, mother?" Seema was screaming in pain and anger.

Najma begum was frozen . She looked around and recalled Shahzeb. Shazeb's pain and madness, nothing was hidden from her. Seher's innocent face came in front of her eyes.

" Mother, please correct your mistake before it's too late," Seema pleaded.

Just then, Ahmed rushed and informed them that Shahzain was injured and now he was safe and returning home soon.

Seema and Najma begum hurried back to the sea castle.

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

Utbah and Shahzain' were having a conversation in private.

" How are you feeling, Shahzain?"

" A lot better Utbah"

" Do you know who was behind the attack?"

"No, Shahzain, the attack was not aimed at you, I think someone wants to uproot you from the throne."

"I have doubts about someone but I need to be sure before I make allegations", Shahzain was in deep thoughts.

"Shahzain, you know you were constantly calling for your wife in an unconscious state. It is a saying that a person remembers the only person he loves the most in the cosmic state"

" I think you got it all wrong. Seher is my wife but Ariana will be my queen. You know the purpose of Seher is to give me heirs."

" Shahzain, don't do this. She loves you. I saw her, how she cried and cared for you"

" I know, I have dropped the idea of revenge. That's why I chose her to bear my children. She will be bound to me and will never leave me for the sake of our children."

" You will regret Shahzain. Seher is very young and Ariana is a possessive woman. I don't think Seher will understand."

"She is my wife and I would prefer you call her sister-in-law. "

"She is just like my little sister Shahzain. Stop being a jerk. Think again about Ariana's decision."

"I can't leave Ariana. You know the reason, Utbah?"

"Then leave Seher Shazain. She deserves a happy life. You forcefully uprooted her from her people"

"Utbah, it is your love towards that woman Bahar speaking. Don't think that I am unaware of that, the way you are perusing her.

One thing that goes between me and my wife is my personal matters. I don't want anyone to interfere. Seher is mine and I know how to tame my women. She will be with me."

"Everything has a limit, Shahzain."

"Enough Utbah, now go and make arrangements for our return tomorrow early in the morning. I have been too far away from the palace. People might get the wrong message."

Shazain silcened Utbah.

Bahar, who came to meet Seher, heard everything. If it had been in her hands she would have killed Shahzain. He was a low life who did not deserve Seher. She was not sure whether to tell this to Seher.

Why does fate have to be so cruel? Seher and Murad were perfect for each other in every way. Why did this devil have to enter their lives? She decided to send a message to Salahuddin.

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

Emir Babrak's wife Lena and Seher were in the local market when they saw a battered, beaten woman sitting near a cart and selling some cakes.

"Salma, what happened dear? Did he beat you again?" Lena asked the woman.

The woman just nodded"Please can you ask the Emir to talk to him. He just listens to his second wife and gets influenced by her, otherwise, he is a good man."

Seher was just listening to their conversation and came to know that the woman, Salma, was the first wife of a man and his second wife treated her badly.

"Why don't you leave him " Seher questioned the woman.

"Who will feed me and my children then? It is not easy to leave your husband"

"I will ask the Sultan to provide for you and your children. I don't think it is healthy for kids to live in such a toxic environment," Seher said.

"Who are you ?" The woman asked Seher.

"I am Princess Seher."

"You are a princess. It is easy for you, you are born with a golden spoon, but I don't have support like you. My old parents will not be able to feed me and my kids. I love my husband. He was a good man but things changed when he married. I still love him."

" You love your husband, but your dignity and self-respect come first. A man who hits his wife, especially another one, is the worst."

"Princess, we women do not have a say. A woman left by her husband is looked down on in this society. Men are like vultures waiting to eat venerable women. You are too young to understand this."

Seher was in tears listening to her words. She took out a golden bangle that she was wearing.

"Take this as a gift from me and don't worry, I will personally request the Emir to knock some sense into your husband's brain and force him to provide a separate house for you and your kids."

The woman thanked Seher and blessed her.

Lena was looking at the little girl who was speaking with so much confidence. She was impressed by Seher.

"Where are you from, Princess?" Lena asked Seher.

"I am from the neighboring kingdom. I am the sister of Sultan Salahuddin"

Lena was surprised."You are queen Nur Jahan's daughter."

" Yes, do you know my Mother?"

"Who doesn't know her, she is an inspiration for many women and you know people here bless the newly married couples to have a love like Nur and Fakhr. " Seher was very happy listening to this.

As soon as Seher returned with Lena, Shahzain announced that they would be departing tomorrow early in the morning. Seher asked permission to meet her cousin but Shzain refused it.

"I will call for her. You need not go."

He did not want Murad to even get a glimpse of his wife.

Bahar came to meet Seher and saw her sad face. She now had a very bad impression of Shahzain.

"What happened to you, Seher? are you upset?"

"I just came to know that some men are born Bastards, it's useless to waste time and energy on them. When a woman loves she gives her heart to the relationship, but when she gives up she will not turn back."

"You are talking like a mature woman, not a teenager."

Seher laughed."Seher, did Shazain do anything?"

" No," Seher told her about the woman she met earlier.

"Seher have you thought about having children?"

"What can I say? It's god's will."

"Sweet Seher Children represent the love between husband and wife and I pray that if you get offspring, it will be born out of love"

Seher was shy listening to this.

"Look, Seher, I brought something for you " Bahar,, gave her a small chest of medicine.

"I have written all the instructions. Use them when deemed necessary. Remember all your family is with you".

Bahar knew the real Shahzain and his evil intentions. She wanted to warn Seher but was afraid that she might not believe her.

" Keep this box safe, Seher, and do not tell anyone about this." Bahar hugged and bid goodbye to her sweet little cousin.

Utbah tried talking to Bahar but she ignored him.

"I don't think there can be any association between us, Utbah, because you are standing on the wrong side and I will always choose the right path."

Ubah knew she was talking about Sultan Shazain.

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

In Greece, Ariana was having her evening tea when Adrian, her cousin, came.

" Greetings cousin"

"Adrian, after a long time?"

"I was just checking on you. Rumor mills have brought some news. I thought that you might be interested."

" What rumor, Adrian? Better be something juicy"

"I feel sorry for you, it took so many years for you to fool Shahzain, but a little birdie told me that Shahzain had married a girl, very beautiful and very young."

"What nonsense are you talking about? Look at this rare blue diamond he sent me for my 22nd birthday."

" Well, I told you what I heard, it is up to you to verify."

" He promised me that I would be his ultimate queen. Adrian and Kings do have flings. She must be his play toy. I will discard her when I go there."

"If you have nothing to say, get lost you jerk."

"Promise, you say, that is a joke. He promised to marry the daughter of the man who saved him, and you and I both know the truth. What if he comes to know the truth?"

Ariana got tense. It took her so much effort to make Shazain believe that it was her father who helped him and that Adrian could not ruin it.

"What do you want, Adrian? Come straight to the point."

"You know I am running out of cash. Ask your father to remove restrictions on my monthly allowance "

"Adrain, you know we are already in debt. Shahzain is pumping money into our treasury to keep us surviving"

"That's not my problem. You can figure it out and maybe ask Shazain to send more money. Also, I am bored of these old maids. you could arrange for a young girl for a few nights."

Ariana went straight to her father, King Christos.

" Father Adrian is blackmailing again. Why can't you get rid of him?"

"Ariana Adrian is next in line to the throne. Killing him will raise suspicion and I am afraid our secrets will be out. Leave him to me. I will use him when needed"

"Father, he said that Shazain married some girl."

"Don't worry, he just got attracted to some maid and is keeping her as his mistress. He promised that you would be his queen. Ariana, send him a message that you will be visiting him for his birthday next month. You should visit him to keep reminding his promise."

Just then Helena entered.

"Christos, why don't you force Shahzain to marry Ariana? She is already 24?"

Ariana was delighted to hear that.

"Yes, father, I think I should marry him now."

"Wait for a year at least. If I married Ariana to him years back, Shahzain would not have fallen into our trap. He would have married Ariana and left us with nothing. His grandmother is a very cunning old Hag. She would have stopped the money that Shazain sends us.

I kept on saying that Ariana is still too young and Naive is not ready for marriage. That's why he has supported us till now."

"Christos, you are very good at planning for the future". Helena was proud of her husband.

"Helena, it took a lot of effort to convince Shahzain that I was the one who saved him. Now, please don't spoil our plan. Teach Ariana some seductive moves to lure Shahzain. "

Helena nodded and asked Ariana to get ready to visit Shahzain.

"Ariana, just go there and make sure that the mistress knows that you are the real queen."

†"""