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Nur and Fakhr were very worried about their beloved daughter. Nur Jahan wanted to visit Seher but was stopped by Fakhr.

"Hayath, give her some time to adjust to the new environment. I am equally worried. You going there might not go well with Shahzain."

"You won't understand, Fakhr, the conspiracies that go on in those palaces. Seher is very innocent. Why did God have to test us in this way? I always prayed for my daughter to get a loving husband just like you". Nur was crying now

"Sweetheart, Shuja is near the border and won't hesitate to bring Seher back. You know Abasi is also there inside the palace from time to time. He is keeping an eye on her. Seher's letter has brought little peace."

" Fakhr, what if she was forced to write that letter?"

"Hayate, Abasi confirmed that Najma Begum has taken a liking to Seher and she is now under her wings. She even introduced her as the next queen. I saw love for Seher in Shazain's eyes. "

Fakhr hugged Nur and wiped her tears."Everything will be fine. Seher is the light that Shazain needs in his life. Now give me a smile. I hate your tears."

Just then, Shireen knocked on their door. "Shireen, please come in. You have stopped visiting us", Fakhr complained to his sister.

"Abi, this place reminds me of Seher." They all went quiet.

"Abi, Bahar sent me a message. She met Seher. Do you know Shazain was shot? Murad treated him."

"What did she say about Seher? Was she happy?" Nur wanted to know about her daughter. Shahzain's safety did not matter to her.

"She wrote that Seher was content. "

" Shireen, is my daughter not happy?"

" Sister Nur, stop worrying. Seher is fine, you. You have not had a moment of peace since she left."

" What do I do, Shireen? Seher is too young. I regret not training her to be strong. "

Shireen, when is Murad returning?" Fakhr asked.

"Abi, I asked him many times."

"Fakhr and I will personally go and get him back. Shireen we should start looking for girls for him. I think it will be good if we tie him down soon."Nur suggested to her sister-in-law.

" Where will we find another Seher for him?"

" We will find someone better than Seher", Nur consoled, crying Shireen.

"Shireen Murad is our baby, we love him the same as our children. There is no difference. We are not happy with what happened," Fakhr said.

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

Abasi was biting his palm to stop his laughter. Seher really cracked Shahzain. His face was all red with anger. He was unable to correct Seher in front of Ariana. She had just come and he couldn't give her a shock by introducing Seher as his wife.

Najma Begum held Seher's hand as reassurance that what she said was right.

"Sweety, what is your name?" Ariana asked Seher.

"Seher", she replied.

"I am going to call you sweety because you are so sweet."

She then turned to Najma Begum." Grandmother, I will see you at dinner. I bought gifts for you"

Najma Begum did not bother to reply. Her face showed how much she detested Ariana. Najma Begum left along with Seher, leaving a fuming Shahxain behind.

Ariana turned to Shahzain. "Xain, why are you angry? Is it because of grandmother's behavior?"Shahzain nodded.

how can I say that it was not my grandmother, but my little wife's behavior? I need to keep control of her. I have to tighten my reins on her. Seher, I will have to teach you obedience.

"Oh Xain, I cant understand why she does not like me? " Ariana had fake tears in her eyes.

"Ariana, you are my love, she will accept it sooner or later. Don't think too much, tell me how you are doing?" He held Ariana's hand and took her to the seating area where Seher and his grandmother were previously seated.

The open terrace of the palace was specifically designed for relaxation. The beautiful view of the blue sea and the crashing waves on the shore gave it was like a peaceful sanctuary.

"You must be tired, Ariana. Would you like to have something, perhaps a cup of tea?" Shahzain was very polite towards Ariana.

"Xain, whatever you prefer, you know very well I will never refuse you for anything."

This was the thing Shazain liked about Ariana. She never says No to his wishes, whereas Seher never masked her feeling of dislike. Shahzain looked at Ariana and unwantedly his mind drifted towards Seher. He could clearly see the pain which she masked seeing Ariana. He can never imagine his life without Seher in it. He did not even want to think that there was a possibility of life without her.

"Xain, where are you lost?" Ariana waved her hand in front of him.

"Nothing, Ariana. "

"Xain, can I ask you something?"

"Come on Ariana, only you can ask me anything,"

"Xain I heard that you have a mistress? is that true?"

Mistress, Seher was his wife, not mistress, but how would I say that to Ariana? How can I say that I broke my promise and married another woman?

"Ariana, promise me you won't be upset."

"Is that true, Xain? You know I trust you with my life."

Ariana was fuming in anger but had to keep the facade.

" You will be my queen, never have a doubt about that. I told you before that my people would not accept you so easily and you were not ready to settle down either. I will need a woman who can give me children"

" So the woman is just like a surrogate?"

Seher was his wife. What if she heard this and would be upset? Shazhain was stuck in Limbo. He wanted children with Seher because that was the only way to bind her to him, but Ariana was equally important to him.

"Something like that. You don't have to worry about her. You will always be superior."

"Is she poor?"

King Fakhruddin was very famous. He was more wealthy than Shahzain. Shazain thought Ariana would be upset to know that his wife was Fakhruddin's daughter. He did not want Ariana to feel insecure. He thought it was better not to disclose Seher's identity.

"Something like that. I told you she is not important. "

"Xain can I meet her? Is she more beautiful than me?"

How can he say that the girl she met was his wife? And no doubt Seher was the epitome of beauty. Just looking at her stirred all his desires.

"Ariana, please don't be insecure and forget about the woman. I don't want to stress yourself"

"Xain, please never stop loving", she came and hugged Shahzain.

He was taken back but he knew that Ariana needed his assurance.

"Ariana, I am so lucky that you are so understanding, that makes you stand out in the crowd" he was patting her back.

Martha, who was standing at a distance, heard everything clearly.

How can this man be such a fool? Understanding my foot, he will cry his entire life when he sees her true nature. I feel pity for the woman who is his mistress. Seems like she is poor like us, otherwise who would be in this messy relationship? I think this Idiot deserves Ariana.

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Back in Najma begums Chamber, Abasi was rolling down in laughter.

"What did you do to the little lamb, grandmother? Is she the same Seher who was sitting in your chambers with tears in her eyes?"

"Sister in law, Abasi. Call her sister-in-law". Najma Begum gave him a sharp look.

"Grandmother, She is a child and I can't imagine myself calling her sister-in-law. " Najma Begum knew it was useless to argue with Abasi.

"Keep in mind Shazain will skin you alive". Najma Begum knew that Abasi would never cross his line.

"Haha, Uncle might be in shock with his aunty". He laughed again. Najma and Seher smiled, looking at him.

"Seher, What is grandmother making you eat?"

"What do you mean by that?" Seher asked.

"In 16 years, your parents never taught you to be brave and my grandmother did that in just a couple of days?"

" I was protected by my father and brothers all the time and there was no reason for me to fight. I never thought I would be in this situation". Seher had tears in her eyes.

"Seher, you will make your own identity, you need not need the name of your father or husband. Just like me. You are staying here because of me, then you must listen to me. Take control, and never show your tears to anyone, especially Shazain. Don't give him the satisfaction that you are crying for him.

Did you see that redhead Bimbo? That woman has no comparison with you. She cannot match you in anything, nor beauty nor brain."

Ariana was average-looking. Her red hair stood out. She had green eyes. She wore tight corsets and gowns with deep necks. her valley always-on display.

"Grandmother, since when did you become this sweet?" Abasi teased her again.

" Don't worry, I will teach your wife the same thing."

"Grandmother, find me a wife like Seher," Najma Begum glared at him.

"So that she can also call me uncle". He started laughing again.

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

The arrival of Ariana created a stir among residents of the palace. Gossip mongers were busy. They all felt sorry for Seher. Nobody knew that she was the daughter of Nur and Fakhruddin except a few people who wouldn't dare to open their mouths. Seher was passing by when she heard maids gossiping.

"Why do you think Sultan married that little girl when he is all over that redhead witch?"

" Maybe because she is very young and beautiful and perfect for giving him children."

" Do you think she is from a poor background?"

"No, she is Uzbek, isn't it? Do you think she is related to sultan Salahuddin?"

"I didn't hear that properly. However, my heart accepted her as our queen"

" Sultan Shazain is always so rude and arrogant, but around Ariana, he is something different. He treats her so politely. I heard that the little girl is staying on Queen mothers request."

"It is because Sultan is blind, he is after a coal leaving a diamond behind."

"You know my mother said that the girl reminds her of Queen Nur Jahan."

This gave Seher a determination that she would be like her mother, loved by all, and would have her own identity, as Najma Begum said.

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

Shazain gave all his time to Ariana. Seher did not feel like looking at his face. She was talking to the maids, answering their questions, who were very keen to know her more. Even back home, her parents never forced authority on maids. They were treated like family members. Her mother and father mostly did their own work. Their talk was interrupted when Najma begum called Seher for dinner in the dining hall.

Seher saw Shazain sitting next to Ariana. Her mood turned sour but she sat beside Najma Begum. Shahzain did not give Seher a single glance. His way of showing that Ariana was more important to him and he was upset with the little stunt she pulled in the evening.

"Look Ariana, the Chefs have prepared everything to your liking". He was serving Ariana with so much love.

Najma Begum was angry. She kept her hand over Seher's to give her strength. Seher looked at her. Najma begum blinked her eyes as if telling Seher to ignore them,

"Xain, you are so caring." Ariana was very happy. Shahzain was giving her extra attention that he had never given before.

I think he is feeling guilty for taking a mistress, but now I know that he only loves me. Ariana thought.

"Xain, how much I wish that you could feed me with your hands?"

Seher's heart skipped a beat. This was too much for her to witness before Shazain could feed Ariana. Najma begum interrupted.

"Ariana, this is not Greece, we have some table manners and one of them is to respect elders" before Ariana could reply, Shazain covered for her.

"Grandmother, she will learn, just give her some time". Seher recalled how Shazain never stood for her when Najma Begum was harsh towards her and here he straight away defended Ariana.

Just then, Abbasi entered the dining room and sat next to Seher, greeting Ariana.

" Hello Ariana, you look beautiful as always"

"Thank you" Ariana smiled.

Shahzain saw all red when he saw Abasi sitting next to his wife, but there was little he could do in front of Ariana. If Ariana had not been there he would have kicked him out. He looked at Najma Begum, who completely ignored Shazain as he did a few minutes back.

Seher saw that Shahzain, who was not giving her a single glance a few moments back, was now just looking at her, ignoring what Ariana was talking about.

"Ariana looks like the dinner is just for you" Abasi replied to Ariana.

" Do you not like it?" She tried talking to him politely.

"I prefer local cuisine. Seher, have you eaten Pilaf made by our Chef?" He turned to Seher and asked. Seher shook her head.

"You must try it. I asked the chef to make it in the afternoon."

He turned towards the maid."Please can you get it from the kitchen?"

"I will be right back my prince ", She rushed out.

Shahzain's heart was burning with jealousy, while Seher's heart was at peace seeing him frustrated.

Abasi served Seher with so much love the same way Shahzain did with Ariana. This was getting unbearable for Shahzain. He could swallow Seher alive in anger. Seher was full when Ababsi took a spoon to dish out on her plate.

"I have had enough, Abasi," she whispered.

" You know if it was Shuja we would have a fight for this Pilaf. Once we even licked the bowl."

Seher started laughing, imagining her brother licking the bowl.

"Abasi, your niece is sweet", Ariana commented.

"Oh, Ariana, she is brother Neice, not mine" Abasi went a little overboard.

This was it for Shahzain. The metal glass in his hand was deformed by his tight grip. He threw the glass and stood up.

"Looks like your Uncle got angry" Abasi whispered to Seher. Seher ignored Shahzain as if he did not exist. She was thankful to Abasi for diverting her attention.

"I think Ariana is very tired and it is time to retire", he stood up and held Ariana's hand.

"Seher, go to your room. I think you had enough food today". Seher was intimidated by his voice.