If you spend too long holding on to the one who treats you like an option.

You miss finding the one who treats you as a priority.

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

"Xain, I am hungry can we eat something?" Ariana called Shazain who was busy gawking at his wife.

Shazain felt very proud looking at his Seher, Her glorious golden hairs were kissing her pink cheeks. her beautiful brown eyes were fixed on the crashing waves. her pink dress blended with her beautiful face. Shazain's heart was thumping. his eyes went on her puffy heart-shaped lips. Just in the afternoon, he tasted her melon sweet lips. he could never get enough of her.

"Xain? where are you lost" Ariana called again?. Shazain was lost in admiring his wife. Ariana shook him which broke his trance.

"sorry Ariana"

" Shazain, I think I am no more important to you. You have changed"

The best thing was to make Shazain feel guilty.

" No Ariana why do think in that way"

" I think with the time you forgot your promise which you made to my father. All these years I just loved you but now it looks likes you have fallen out" she was crying.

"Ariana I did not forget my promise. Remember I wanted us to spend time alone but you dragged Seher along"

" Shazain, can't you see my sacrifice I have to share the man who I love. it is not easy for me to hear that my fiancee married a young and beautiful girl, I am dying every minute but just because I love you I am making an effort and compromising. Shazain, tell me who is more important to you Me or her"

" It will always be you. Never doubt that"

She hugged him and out of the blue gave him a peck on his cheek. Ariana purposely kissed shazain to Show Seher.

Shazain was surprised by Arianas boldness. He looked around to see if Seher was looking but she was seeing somewhere else. He thanked his stars he did not know why he was not liking Arianas closeness.

Seher was seeing everything and she averted her gaze. It felt as if a knife pierced her heart. She was just an object of pleasure for shazain. It was her who was to be blamed. why was she not strong like her mother or her sister?

What a hypocrite you are Shazain. Is it not a sin to touch any woman without marrying her. She knew Ariana wanted to make her feel low. She was not upset with her but angry with Shazain, equality he was talking about but even if he was equal why should she bear this. It was not her choice and never will be. Just in the afternoon, he forced her to confess her feelings and now made her feel unworthy and insignificant.

Only if she was brave enough to fight Shazain and not get scared. she would have been married to Murad and lived happily with her family. She was thinking about her life. If only she knew about Ariana she would never have married Shazain. She recalled her aunty Shireen and Murad's saddened face. I am responsible for breaking his heart and now I am being punished. Seher how happy your life would have been. Murad was baba's choice which would have been the best and Ummi said that he loved me. Did Murad love me the same way Shazain loves Ariana?.

What a fool I was, I never acknowledged his love. Life would have been so easy with him. I might have not lived in a palace but at least I would have been content in my life. I would never have witnessed this kind of sorrow and loneliness. This was the first time Seher thought about Murad. Shazian did push her to think about another man.

"Seher is it?" Ariana came and sat next to her.

"Yes"

"These clothes, this luxury might be new for you isn't it?"

"What?" Seher was confused by Ariana's words.

"Common the poor background you are from, you must just have dreamed of wearing these kinds of clothes and jewellery"

Seher just kept quiet. Ariana saw Shazain walking towards she changed her tone.

"Why are you sitting so quietly? You should join us for a walk" Ariana's tone was very polite. her maids in the palace would faint hearing her talking softly.

Seher ignored them she thought if she kept quiet they might leave her alone. Shazain would care a little about her feelings and maybe leave her in peace. but how wrong she was.

"Xain darling, why is she ignoring me. Tell me Seher did I do anything wrong"

"Seher" Shazain called.

What should she say she enjoyed seeing him intimate with another woman. why does he have to be so heartless Seher thought.

"Seher, Ariana is talking to you"

" I have nothing to talk, you both are elder and I find It is better to keep quiet when you don't have a like-minded companion"

" Seher, stop being difficult try to mould yourself, Ariana is making an effort, appreciate it, integrate with us."

" yes, I am seeing both of your efforts." She just walked away.

Shazain knew that Seher was not the scared Lamb anymore. she was very disobedient now. He never thought that she would behave so rudely.

"Xain, how can she talk to you so rudely. What did you marry into? I would never ever dare to talk to you in that manner. Shazain you need to control her" Ariana grabbed his hands.

shazam took his hands back.

"Leave her alone Ariana. She is still very young and will learn with time"

Ariana dreaded that Shazain might be falling for her.

"Shazain will you throw me out for her?" Ariana again started sobbing. Shazain was already disturbed by Seher's sad face.

He Hugged her "Ariana I won't repeat it, again and again, have faith in me I will not leave you, You are my saviour's daughter"

Seher looked back at the two hugging figures. Tears started pooling down her eyes. This was it for her. Shazain showed her value. She was cursing herself for loving a not-worthy person.

Are you the daughter of Nur Jahan who is an inspiration for so many women? She was determined that she will go back to her parents. She would apologize to Najma Begum but she will never stay here. Shazain was not worthy of her love. I will never be in a polygamous marriage, this is my choice. he can't force me.

She started walking back to the palace. She had enough of the show of these two cartoons.

Ariana was angry from inside. she had a diffrent plan in mind. She wanted to show Seher that she was worthless in eyes of Shazain.

But that low-class idiot girl spoiled my plan by ignoring and walking away. She definitely knew all the tricks to lure Shazain. but I am Ariana I promise that I will throw you away soon.

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

Salahuddin was on the borders of China there were few clashes with the Chinese army to resolve this he arranged a meeting with the Chinese emperor. Salahuddin was more sensible among his brothers. He was more calm but ruthless than Shamsuddin.

He received the message from his cousin Bahar just in the morning. She informed him about Shazain and a greek woman Ariana. He became restless. Seher was his beloved sister. This was not an issue that he can straight away discuss with his family. Bahar said that she doubted Shazain's intentions but was not sure.

Salah Thought that if he asked Shams to check on Seher he would quickly get angry and spoil the atmosphere. There was a possibility that this was all a rumour and he did not want his sister's married life to be disturbed. Since Seher got married to Shazain his Ummi was not keeping well, no matter how much baba tried cheering her up she was not back to herself. Salah did not understand why his baba supported Shazain. Shazain was no doubt a skilled warrior but for Salah he was a headless chicken.

He sent Shuja to the western border just for Seher. Abasi assured him but still, he can't keep quiet.

Once I finish this I will personally visit Seher. In meanwhile I will send one of my commanders in disguise as a messenger and send a few gifts for Seher. He will also assess her situation.

I hope my princess is safe another wise I will not hesitate to kill that Shazain.

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

Shazain anticipated that Seher would not be happy once Ariana comes. He thought he can easily manage the situation between the three of them but now it felt like everything was a mess. Seher's confession gave him inner peace, he was delighted to hear that she loved him. the only problem was that she was not accepting Ariana.

why Seher why can't you be submissive and polite like Ariana. Why can't you understand Seher we can live happily only if you bend a little. My life has become so complicated now.

"Xain, Xain" he heard Ariana screaming.

Shazain ran to her. " Jelly Fish stung me"

S

he was screaming in pain. Shazain put her in the carriage and himself drew that horses.

Seher who was walking saw him speeding away. He did not even bother to look for her Now she was more determined to break this false association. She was thanking Bahar because of her suggestion she was not pregnant otherwise things would have been complicated.

Shazain lifted Ariana and ran to Rabia's Quaters.

" Aunty Rabia quickly address her. She is stung by a jelly fish"

"calm down Sultan it is just a jelly fish nothing dangerous. She removed the tentacles from Ariana's foot. It will hurt for a while. I have applied this cooling paste. You will be better by morning." Arabia explained.

Shazain remembered Seher. He was about to go out when Ariana called him again.

" Xain I can't endure it. It's hurting a lot. Please stay with me"

"Ariana I will drop you to your room, Rabia will stay with you"

Shazain dropped Ariana to her room. She knew very well that Shazain was Rushing to pick up Seher which she did not want to happen. her pain subsided a little but she again started sobbing.

"Xain I feel like I am going to die"

"Ariana you are brave," he held her hands and turned towards Rabia

"Aunty Rabia when will this get better?"

"It should have been a little better by now" Rabia suggest.

"Do you mean to say I am lying?" Ariana screamed.

"Ariana I am not going anywhere, I will be back in a minute" Shazain calmed her down.

he quickly went out and called for Utbah.

"Utbah, Seher is on the beach can you go and get her. Please tell her that Ariana is stung by jellyfish that's why I rushed back."

"Ok, Sultan" Utbah did not argue with Shazain even though he was not happy with the situation. he quickly rushed to get back the rightful queen.

Ariana was very happy to see Shazain back. That low life girl will now know that she can never compete with me.

"Xain, just hold my hand please" She whined

Rabia knew very well that Ariana was faking it. she was treating people for a long time and knew when they faked the pain. Ariana was the daughter of the man who saved Shazain so there was no way he would listen to anything against her. He always ignored her unruly behaviour. No one ever dared to defy her even though she was mostly rude in absence of their Sultan.

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

It was almost dark and Utbah was searching for Seher but couldn't find her.

"Princess Seher," He was screaming for her. hours went by there was no sign of her.

He went back and came with a small troop to look for Seher.

"Minster Utbah, how can Sultan be so careless regarding his wife, we have been searching for almost two hours and there is no sign of princess"

"Mind your business and keep looking for her. " Ubah glared at the soldier.

Utbah Feared that if something happened to Seher Then her brothers will uproot the foundations of this kingdom.

"It is very dark now and there is no point in looking, The water level is rising and it is not safe for us. we can start our search tomorrow, one of the old soldiers suggested.

Utbah was reluctant to go but the old man was right was not safe to carry on the search.

Utbah thought that Shazain would be worried for Seher but when the maid informed that Sultan was having dinner with Princess Ariana, he felt very disappointed.

Utbah knocked the door.

" Sultan, can I come in?" He asked permission.

Utbah saw shazain sitting on the chair and the maid feeding Ariana.

" Sorry, I disturbed your meal but something requires your urgent attention."

"Ariana, you finish your meal and take rest, I will see you in the morning"

Shaxain left the room and Utbah followed.

* Penelope quickly go outside and listen to what that Utbah is telling" Ariana ordered her maid.

" what happened Utbah, you look worried? Is Seher very angry with me?"

"Do you really care shazain?"

" what do you mean"

" We were searching for her for past 3 hours not once did you bother to know about her"

" What happened Utbah"

" We couldn't find the princess"

" What do mean you couldn't find her"

" she was not there on the beach and we had to come back, the water level was rising"

Shazains felt as if someone sucked his soul.

" Why did you not inform me?"

"Did you have time for her, you were busy elsewhere. Shazain, she is just 16 years old literally a kid in front of you. I am sure you are aware that if something happens to her, Uzbeik's will not spare us, even if they hear that you left her all alone for your beloved her brothers will not waste a single second to take her away"

"Noone will dare to do that" he started walking fast almost running. Utbah followed him.

"Fool yourself, do you think Salahuddin forgot his sister. I heard her brother Shujauddin is living near the eastern borders, to take her back if anything goes wrong"

Fear engulfed shazain. He rushed outside took an oil torch and mounted his horse and ran out.

He regretted forcing her to join them on the beach.

" Seher, Seher " he was screaming on top of his lungs all along the way.