"I don't love her, I will never love her Utbah because I lost everyone I loved dearly, "

Utbah was stunned hearing Shazain's confession. He always knew that Shazain loved Seher.

" Shazain, you will not lose her but if you continue with your stupid behaviour you will lose her forever."

"You don't understand Utbah, I made a promise to marry Ariana, I can't break it, my life is too complicated."

"Shazain, you never made a promise to marry Ariana, you made a promise to take care of her."

"Utbah it implies the same I cannot go back on my words, Seher understands me, she loves me, I am sure she will support me if I talk to her politely "

"What about the promise you made to Seher while signing the Nikah (marriage contract). You promised to take care of her, be with her in sickness and in health and here you were shouting at her for another woman"

"Utbah I know I did wrong by screaming at Seher, I will sort that out before I leave"

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

Seher was folding her clothes when she saw Shazain coming she just averted her gaze and continued with her work.

" Are you angry with me?" He asked

She did not answer and continued with her work. for her, he did not exist.

He came closer to her " I am sorry". His sorry did not hold any importance to her. She knew it was mere words for him.

"I speak nonsense when I am angry. Look I did not mean to scream at you"

" I will make your life easy Shazain, you will not have to make choices or apologies to me in the future"

"Seher, I knew Ariana is wrong but the thing is I cannot leave her. I gave my word to marry her"

"I promise I will tell you everything when I come back" he tried hugging her but she moved back.

"Thank God I did not make any promise to stay with you" Seher replied.

"Why Seher, why do you always try to make me angry. I am trying to talk to you in a polite way" he helped her with her clothes.

"The best way to be polite to me is not talking to me" Shazain Grabbed her and pulled her, she fell into his arms. Seher looked up "Just leave me alone"

he pulled her chin up and his lips were close to hers" You are my wife Seher, the only woman I desire"

She did not push him

"It is not me who you love, you clearly showed who you prefer and I am just an object for you. so please leave me alone I don't want to be the source of your beloved's unhappiness and don't want to be killed because of it."

Shazain saw the pain in her eyes" Those words don't mean anything, I blurted out in anger. your happiness does matter to me" he kissed her, she tried breaking it and he held firmly. Shazain use to think physical intimacy is the solution for every marital problem. He thought that it displays his love but for Seher she felt like she is a toy where he can play whenever he wanted.

Then suddenly Ariana's irritating voice from outside interrupted them.

"Xain "

If it was not for Ariana calling he would never have let her go.

"Xain please can I come in"

Shazain looked at Seher and walked out. "Take care Seher"

"What is it Ariana" he came out of his room

"I am not feeling well Xain,"

"I will ask the maid to drop you at Rabia's quarters, I have to leave now I am already late"

"I will walk with you Xain"

Shazain did not object and walked along with her, Seher watched everything from behind. She now was clear that Ariana was the only woman he cared about and she does not stand a chance in his life. Shazain lost his credibility in her eyes.

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

Warning" some scenes are violent and unpleasant to read for a few of you. skip this part if you wish

Shazain went back to Shahmahal after a long time. Things were not good in the palace. He left the palace for many reasons, there were multiple assassination attempts on his grandmother, Shazain had eight step uncles from his grandfather's wives and concubines who all still resided in this palace. After his father's untimely death the kingdom was in chaos and Zafar his eldest step-uncle tried to take over but was cleverly overthrown by Najma Begum. She with the support of her loyal ministers overthrew the Rebel. Zafar was exiled from the kingdom. Shazain was announced as the next king at the mere age of 10, just 2 years of his father's death.

Najma Begum survived 3 assassination attempts and when Shazain was 13 years he was abducted by Zafar and tortured.

Zafar took out all his hatred towards Shazeb and Najma begum on the little boy. His Nails were plucked from his fingers he was made to lie down on the bed of ice. Shazain still remembered the words his uncle uttered before he was rescued

"Your grandmother will regret the day she gave birth to your Father. I will not kill you so easily but set an example to the whole world especially your grandmother what it is to go against me. I will Castrate you, but before that, I will let you taste what you are going to lose."

Shazain was stripped naked and a few naked women and men surrounded him. Touching him inappropriately.

"The boy is all yours and I want a great show" His uncle roared.

Shazain was praying for his death when a masked man followed by a bunch of men entered the ruined place where he was kept and started killing the men inside.

"I am sorry son, I am late" He cut through Shazain's chains and wrapped him with his cloak, and kissed him on his forehead. Shazain was semi-conscious all he saw was the man killed the nude people and women were screaming, blood-splattered around.

In a daze, Shazain saw his uncle hanging upside down in chains.

"Shazain, son wake up" his Saviour was trying to wake him up.

"King, I think the boy is very weak"

"Bring something to drink, I will feed him" The man took Shazain in his arms.

"I want fingers of Zafar cut one by one. Burn his private parts with these iron rods" This was all Shazain could hear followed by he heard the horrifying screams of his uncle. Shazain passed out, he did not know how long but when he regained consciousness

Shazain was dressed and taken out.

"The boy is still weak my king and is semi-conscious"

"I know but he is out of danger, he will be fully conscious soon, his grandmother is on her way. we need to leave now"

The man then tried walking Up Shazain

" Listen Shazain, you killed your uncle, remember you killed your uncle" Shazain opened his eyes "Who are you?"

"Your guardian".

"King we need to leave, his grandmother is near" The man kissed his forehead. "Put this incident behind and be brave, young king"

"Wait " Shazain shouted but his voice was low due to a lack of energy. He grabbed the man's sword to stop him but only the Scabbard was left in his hand.

I will find you and repay your one day, this is a debt on me. Shazain promised himself.

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

Shazain, was later declared a hero who killed his kidnapper. His uncles started fearing him. Those who had planned to rebel against him were killed in mysterious circumstances. Out of 8 uncles, only four survived. for his grandmother's safety Shazain moved to the sea castle. Seema and Amira wanted to stay with the family and stayed back.

His uncle Jafar was eviler than Zafar, he always spoke in favour of Shazain but planned against him behind his back. Zafar and Jafar felt that they were rightful heirs of the throne because their mother was the favourite wife of King Shameer Afdali (Shazain's grandfather). Jafar played a safe game he slowly gained the confidence of ministers when Shazain was busy expanding the lands. The only problem with Shazain was he was very short-tempered and became violent when angry. Shazain with help of Utbah and Ahmed slowly eliminated the rebel ministers but the problem was deep-rooted. Jafar convinced the people that Shazain was impotent and had no plans for marriage He also spread the rumour that Ariana was just the cover-up. Shazain knew Jafar was the one but his hands were tied as there was no proof against him.

Shazain kept his and Seher's marriage a secret because of these reasons, He wanted to disclose it after Seher was pregnant. The ministers who were trusted knew about Seher and were relaxed. Jafar started to instigate people and slowly started a rebellion in the regions where Shazain's hold was not strong. He also tried to instigate Abasi against Shazain but was unsuccessful.

Shazin walked through the palace. Recalling all his childhood memories with his father. he stepped into Nur Mahal his father's abode. Seema preserved everything there as it was during Shzaeb's reign.

Shazain stood near the big bay window of the room. Seher's beautiful face flashed in front of him. The first time he saw her glowing in the bright moonlight. He treated her as his property, he thought that he can control her by being firm and once she has kids she will never think of leaving him.

He was going through his father's things when his eyes caught the box that his father gave him before he went on the war.

"Shazain your baba loves you very much". Take this He gave the box to Shazain

"Why are you giving these Anklets to me Baba"

"It is for your beloved, Give it to the only woman you love You will understand it when you are old enough.

I never got a chance to give this back to her, May God bless you with a life partner who will fill your life with happiness and loves you unconditionally. "

Shazain vaguely remembered the conversation.

"Shazain open this letter when you are old enough and when you feel like talking to your Baba. Keep this safe my son"

Shazain touched the Anklets and opened the letter. Tears were flowing down his eyes.

"I miss you baba, I miss you very much"

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

Later on Utbah arranged meeting with all the Ministers, there were 13 cabinet ministers who were all influential and a few of them served the kingdom since the rule of Shameer Afdali. Jafar was one of them.

"Shazain, My son I am so happy to see you in the palace" Jafar spoke with him politely. Everyone present in the room knew how much love they shared.

"I think It is time that we have to name a successor Sultan Shazain" One of the ministers replied.

"You are always busy in wars and there should be someone who can run this palace. If you were married then there would have been a hope" this was one of minion of Jafar.

"Abasi is there" Shazain added

"Abasi's legitimacy is in question" Jafar replied.

"I can say the same about you?" Shazain roared in anger.

Ahmed did not want this to escalate.

"Jafar you should not worry about Shazain's heir. he is already married" Ahmed disclosed.

"our people are not in favour of that greek princess and we can not let our kingdom slips into the hands of greeks" one of the old ministers replied.

"My wife is not of a Greek origin she comes from a strong lineage " Shazain announced proudly.

"Then why is she a secret?"

"I was afraid few of you may lose your sleep if you know about her origin, " Shazain looked intently at Jafar and spoke loud and clear.

"My wife is the daughter of King Fakhruddin and Queen Nur Jahan"

Jafar went pale and his jaw dropped. It was the same with his minions.

Utbah and Ahmed were shocked as well because they thought Shazain wanted to keep Seher a secret for a little while.

Few of the old ministers screamed in happiness.

"Why did you hide it Sultan Shazain" one of the oldest ministers questioned Shazain.

"honorableness, My wife is very young and she does not understand the politics that run here. I just want her to keep her away from this chaos for a little while" Shazain explained politely.

"What about your promise to that greek princess" Jafar quickly questioned Shazain.

"Uncle, you had a problem with her being my queen and why are you so suddenly concerned about her?"

"You gave your word to king Christos and Afdali's don't go back on their word"

"What I promised is my concern you please don't worry about it and to remind you you are the product of my grandfather and french woman"

"," Jafar roared

"Enough about my marriage I heard about the rebellion happening around our borders and I know someone close to us is instigating them, I sorted out with Babrak in the north. I swear that the day I know about the traitor he will be punished more severely than Zafar" Shazain was looking at Jafar all the time.

"I have selected a few people who will be replacing the current governors serving those areas, does anyone have any objection?" Shazain addressed everyone present.

Jafar wanted to object but looked around his minions were scared. All unanimously agreed to Shazain's proposal.

"Uncle Ahmed you please hand over the duties" Shazain requested.

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

" Shazain what is going on in your mind?" Ahmed questioned him.

"I have a doubt that someone else is funding Jafar but who?"

"I am keeping a close eye on him but I am not talking about that" Ahmed questioned.

"I know you want to ask about my wife, Well uncle she is my legal wedded wife, not any dirty secret. I thought this was the right time" .

Shazain just walked away from there leaving no room for further discussion.

"Utbah what is going in his mind?" Ahmed asked Utbah.

"Uncle, He is afraid of losing His wife but god knows what goes in his mind. That Greek princess is still in the palace"

"He is up to something" Utbah murmured.