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Najma Begum saw Seher and Shahzain entering the palace. She felt as if she was reliving the past. Their happy faces reminded her of young Nur and Shazeb. Shahzeb's happiness knew no bounds, he personally looked into decoration to welcome his ladylove. tears brimmed in her eyes, recalling her son.

Her only son who she subjected to so much torment for what, her hatred for a woman who was long dead. Tears rolled down her eyes.

How am I going to face Shazain and tell him the truth that it was me, responsible for his father's agony? He will hate me just like Shazeb did, years back. No, I cannot take that risk. I can't lose my only grandson but it looks like he started loving this girl. I will accept and support her. Yes, this will be my redemption.

Najma Begum wiped her tears and welcomed Seher and Shahzain.

"Welcome home, my children, Shazain. Look, your Ummi has come along too", She pointed at Seema.

Shahzain greeted her but he did not have any close attachment to Seema. He respected her, looked after her, and she had the same position when his dad was alive. In general, he considered Seema his responsibility.

Seher was astounded when Najma begum hugged her and gave her a peck on her forehead. She smiled at her. She asked Seher and Shazain to touch a few trays of coins to be distributed to the poor later as charity.

Seher was happy to see Seema as she was her aunt as well.

"You are very beautiful aunty Seema. Just like my Ummi described," Seema took Seher inside along with her.

"What happened, grandmother, since when did you start to like Nur Jahan's daughter?" Shahzain asked Najma when alone.

"She is your wife now and she is soo sweet. I am not that coldhearted to not fall for her. Looks like she has worked her magic on your heart too."

"Grandmother, She is good, but love is not in my dictionary. I gave her the honor to be the mother of the future kings of this kingdom and that is all I can provide her with."

Najma Begum was taken back by his words. It was all her poison that she fed him that was coming out of his mouth.

"Shahzain, can you not start a happy life with her? Let us forget all the bitter memories of the past. Let us announce to the public about your marriage and make her your Queen "

"I am living a normal life, Grandmother. I am happy with her, but making her Queen is not possible. I made a promise to someone else and I cannot break it and I promise you I will be fair with her."

"Shahzain, she is way younger than you. It is not necessary for you to follow in your Grandfather and father's footsteps. Live happily with her. I want to see you happy with a lot of children before I die."

She tried to make him understand, but alas, she was reaping what she sowed. Hatred!

"Grandmother, you are getting old. I think you should just leave my personal matters to me. I don't like any interference."

"Shahzain, did you forget how to respect elders?"

"I know my boundaries and please don't cross them. Don't force me to be disrespectful."

Shahzain had left from there, leaving a shocked Najma begum. She thought she had full control over Shahzain, but the way he spoke showed the flaws of her upbringing.

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Seher was surprised to see that the old cold room where she was sleeping was locked and her wardrobe was set in Shazain's room. She was confused.

"Aunty Seema, did you keep this here? The queen-mother will be very upset. I am not allowed to enter this room."

"Seher, she herself shifted your things here" Seher was paralyzed listening to her words.

" Seher, now quickly go fresh and change, your grandmother has personally taken out the dress and jewelry. wear it and come to her chamber. I will be joining you there later on ". Seema ordered the maids to help Seher and left the room.

The maids arranged for a rose bath for Seher. Seher did not even lift a finger and everything was being done for her. She saw the emerald green dress the maids were holding with matching jewelry. She was completely decked like a bride.

"Oh my God! Princess, you look like a fairy. I am sure Sultan won't be able to take his eyes away from you", One of the maids who was doing her hair said in excitement.

Seher was very hesitant to enter Najma Begum's chambers. The same Chambers where she many times humiliated Seher. She found it difficult to believe that Najma begum could change,

"Queen mother may I come in?" Seher asked for permission to enter.

Najma Begum was awestruck looking at the girl in front of her.

"MashAllah, Shahzain is blessed to have you" she called Seher and hugged her.

"Grandmother," Najma begum repeated twice.

Seher blinked her eyes, not understanding anything.

" From now on, Grandmother Seher"

Najma Begum signaled the maids to leave them alone.

"Seher, can you please forgive this old lady for once", Najma Begum, folding her palms.

Seher quickly held her hands."You are my elder, please don't do this. "

"Seher I did many sins in the past I am not sure if God will forgive me but I want to start with asking forgiveness from you"

" I never held any grudges against you, grandmother, and God forgives those who sincerely repent." Najma smiled when she heard Seher calling her grandmother.

"You know, Seher, I saw my late son in my dream. He was very upset with me for treating you badly. If alive, Shahzeb would have been very happy to see you as his daughter-in-law. He cared for your mother and father a lot."

" I know grandmother about everything, my parents do a lot of charity on Baba Shahzeb's death anniversary. My baba is alive just because of his sacrifice. He told me once that I would not be here if he did not save my baba". Seher realized what she had said.

"Sorry this was supposed to be a secret". Najma begum noticed that Seher talks too much when nervous.

"Your secret is safe with me " The couple who she hated always cared about her son. Tears were flowing freely down her cheeks.

How many years did I waste harboring this unwanted hatred and jealousy? I took away my son's happiness. I was responsible for his doom. I never realized this sweet girl was exactly like the daughter-in-law I dreamed of for my hot-headed Shahzain.

The announcement of Shahzain and Seema broke her trail of thoughts. She quickly wiped her tears.

"I wanted to have a family dinner together, princess", Najma Begum explained to Seher.

When Shahzain entered his grandmother's room, he was surprised to see his wife all decked up sitting next to his grandmother. He was unable to take his eyes off her. Her dark dress was giving a beautiful contrast to her white skin. A few strands of her golden hair were playing with her rosy cheeks. She looked innocent and pure and undid Shazain in a way impossible to explain.

"Shazain, you can admire your wife later. First, let us have a family meal", Najma Begum ordered, and all of them followed her to the dining room.

Najma Begum addressed Shazain."Did you know who was behind the attack? I think it is your cunning uncle Jafar. "

"No grandmother Jaffar is planning internally. I think it is someone else but very close to us"

Seher had no idea what they were talking about.

"Jaffar is Shazain's uncle, a son born to my husband's second wife," Najma Begum was explaining to Seher.

" Keep her away from these things, grandmother, she need not get involved ", Shazain spoke harshly.

"Shazain, she is your wife and a member of our family, it is her right to know about everyone" This time Seema interfered.

She told about Kulsum, nur ul ain, Amira, and her children.

"Abasi came to the palace last month. Have you not met him?" Seema asked Seher.

"My wife will meet people who I find worthy of meeting her and Ummi Seema Abbasi does not fall in that category."

Shazain's mood turned sour when hearing about Abasi. He was his younger brother, but Shazain hated his ways. To him, Abasi was a complete womanizer.

The dinner then went quiet and everyone retired to their rooms.

"Seher, I will be back after prayers. Wait for me" Shazain turned and ordered Seher.

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Seher was standing near the window and looking at the stars. The cool breeze of the sea touched her face. She was thinking about her family, her baba, Ummi. Her ummi also likes watching the night sky.

Ummi, I miss you all so much. Looks like you have all forgotten me.

She never understood why women have to leave their parents. She was very happy that Najma begum accepted her. She wanted to send a message to her family as she felt they must be worried.

She did not realize it when Shahzain entered and stood next to her. He blew air on her neck. Seher jumped in shock.

"Why do you always do that? My heart almost stopped ". She complained to Shahzain.

"You know you should not stand near the window alone, who knows a djinn might be roaming around"

"I am captured by one, I don't think another would dare."

"You are talking too much nowadays, don't you think? old man, monster... what more titles did you award me with?"

Seher just kept quiet. Her heart was beating fast with their proximity. Shahzain pulled her closer and started nibbling her beautiful swan-like neck. His hands grabbed her most delicate part. She trembled at his touch.

"Are you scared of me, wife? Do you not like this?" he was slowly stripping her.

Psycho, how can one say that? Oh, like being striped and stared at. It was very embarrassing for Seher. She closed her eyes.

Shazain stared at her beautiful face and dipped his head to taste her sweetness. As his tongue touched her lips, coaxing her to open her mouth, she gave in to her desire and a feeble moan came out of her lips. She rested her hands on his bare chest. Her touch awakened his desires.

The dark night witnessed the union of these two souls. Seher was the first one to wake up and found her in the tight embrace of Shahzain. She slowly detangled her and when she was about to get up he pulled her back.

She saw desire in his eyes, whenever Shazain was lustful, he just fulfilled his wishes, not caring about her feelings and her body shamelessly reacted to his touch. When he finished, Shazain left the room to freshen up.

"You just lie down Seher, let me get ready first."

Seher's body was still very sore. She dragged herself to the bath and stayed in warm water to soothe her muscles.

Her maids had already taken out fresh clothes. Since Najma begum accepted Seher. She did not even lift a finger, everything was done for her. There were even dishes on the table to her liking.

After morning prayers, when Shazain returned there was a letter in his hands.

"Seher, your parents have sent a message to you. Give them a reply as the messenger wants to leave soon"

"What should I write?... I mean where should I write?"

"write that your husband can't get enough of you, they might become grandparents soon and there is an inkpot and paper in my study. Please write it quickly "

Seher was just dumbfounded by his answer.

Seher was very happy to receive a letter from her Ummi and baba. They were missing her a lot and worried about her. They again reminded her to send them a message if anything was wrong. She came to know that her brother Shujaudddin would be staying closer to the border to be closer to her.

Seher knew that her parents might be restless. She wrote to them that she was happy and Najma Begum was very nice to her. She told them not to worry about her and might visit them later.

As she ended her writing, Seher's eyes fell on a stack of papers labeled Ariana. The name sounded familiar before. Before she touched it, Shazain called her.

"Seher come quickly"

She hurried and handed over her message to the maid to pass it on to the messenger waiting outside.

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Shahzain was back to his old rude self. Seher noticed one thing. He was not just rude to her, but to everyone. Aunty Seema returned to her old palace after a few days. She requested Shazain to spend Ramadhan there with them. Her relationship with Najma begum improved with every passing day.

They were at the breakfast table when a maid came with a letter in her hand.

"Sultan, there is a message for you?"

Shahzain looked at her."Can't you see I am eating? It has to be important that you dared interrupt my meal."

"Pardon me, your Highness, It is from princess Ariana."

Shazain left his food and got up. He took the letter from his hands and read it.

Whoever Ariana was, she must be important, Seher thought.

Najma Begum was looking at Seher. She guessed that Seher must be unaware of her.

"Shazain," She called, but her grandson was lost reading the letter.

"Shahzain " She was loud this time.

"Yes Grandmother"

"Meet me after breakfast"

Seher was thinking again and again about where she had heard the name Ariana. Then she recalled Bahar telling me about some Greek princess.

She wanted to ask her grandmother about her and walked towards her room. Her steps halted when she heard her name and Najma Begum screaming at Shahzain.

"How can you be so heartless, Shahzain, Seher is a child in front of you. I will not let you do this to her."

"Ariana is all I want, "Shazain's voice echoed.

Seher was frozen in her spot.