Ariana was happy to see Seher retreating back and heard how loud her door was closed. She learned one thing that it is easy to manipulate Seher than Shazain,as she was young and Naive. She hoped that with little play Seher might leave Shazain forever.

Shazain placed Ariana on her bed and called for Rabia. Rabia checked her Ankle She applied some paste on it.

"it is not a big deal princess Ariana, it does not that bad as you sounded, you will be up in a few minutes"

"what do mean I am lying, It is hurting like hell" Rabia knew Ariana was acting, she wanted to give her an earful but Shazain always was sensitive towards her that's why she kept quiet.

"I mean to say that with this paste and a few minutes of cold compress you will be fine, Please take a rest" She left them alone.

"Xain can you please apply some more paste" She pulled her robe displaying her legs seductively.

She saw Shazain was not paying her any attention is mind was somewhere else. he was thinking about Seher. Shazain wanted to have a straight talk with Ariana, he did not want to make things worse for him and Seher. He wanted to free Ariana from her illusion and find her real happiness with someone else. He loved her only her, like his father who love his first wife or maybe more than him.

"Ariana we need to talk"

"I am all ears Shazain"

"I love her"

"Xain, what do you mean?"

Shazain wanted to have a straight talk.

"I had doubts but now I am confident that I Love Seher from the moment I laid my eyes on her"

"Tell me it's a joke. how can you do that to me Shazain? how can you love a woman whose purpose was only to give you a child?"

"Ariana, She was never just a child-bearer for me she meant more, I was the one who forcefully married her, Forcefully slept with her, forced her to obey me...in short I forced myself on her. I thought being her husband I had all rights on her but in fact, that was all my love for her. "

"Idiot man, you could have done all those things with me, I was willing to offer myself to you"

"You don't understand Ariana, Never once have I had any lustful thoughts about you because I don't love you in a way that a man loves his woman. what I have a sense of responsibility because of your father"

"How can you say that Shazain, why did you lead me on then, gave me a false hope?"

"Ariana, remember when I first met you I clearly told you that I don't believe in love and our relationship will just be a compromise. I did offer you to choose someone else if you want but it was you who forced yourself on me "

Shazain's words were like a slap on Ariana's face. her face became pale. Her beautiful face turned into a grotesque mask that displayed her inner evil. all her father's planning and hard work were turning to ashes.

"you can't leave me Shazain, not when my father is planning our wedding"

"I will apologize to your father, Please adjust to this new reality. It won't be hard for you once you accept it. I will always be your friend and trust me I will always care for you "

"Shazain, you don't know what it is like to make love with me. I can offer you more pleasure than Seher. We can make love right now if you want, I will show you that I am far better than that Seher"

Shazain was horrified at her words "Ariana if wanted you I would have been with you a long time back, You really don't know me then. I am not a man who lusts after women and honestly, you don't turn me on. I am trying to make you understand that you can never have me. I will never remarry you or anyone else, you and I are something which will never happen"

Ariana held him tightly" You want to say that Seher overnight became important to you?. I will never let go of you Shazain"

"Ariana, Seher did not come overnight she was always there. She was mine even before she was born"

"What do you mean? you are talking nonsense. I doubt that Seher put a spell on you."

Ariana came ver closer to him she wanted to kiss him. Shazain jerked her hand and pushed her away.

"I think I cleared my stand and it is time for me to leave. Think with a cool mind. You will find someone who will love you. you just need to look around"

Ariana felt as if she lost everything, she let down her father. How hard her father worked to convince Shazain that it was him who saved Shazain. He had to build a web of lies to trap Shazain, All Ariana had to do was seduce him but she failed. She even became naked and Shazain did not even look at her. She needed time to make things right. She cant let everything slip away from her hands. She needed to use her brains.

"Wait Shazain, I am sorry for my behaviour. I just need time. Please can I request you something"

"Ariana, I will always be a loyal friend to you. tell me what do you want."

"Please Xain, don't tell my father that you broke our alliance. I will tell him later"

"No problem Ariana"

"Xain, please can I stay here for a few more days. Departing suddenly before your birthday ... I will become a laughing stock in my kingdom. I will leave after your birthday. Please don't kick me out"

"Nobody will kick you out Ariana, you can stay here as long as you want"

"Seher might not like my presence"

"Seher is my wife, She won't say anything. you are our guest "

Shazain left he was happy that he cleared things with Ariana. his biggest problem was Seher now. because of his past behaviour, Seher has trust issues. She did not trust him enough.

he walked to her chambers for dinner like always but her door was locked.

"Seher," he knocked

"Your highness, Queen Seher had her dinner and she requested to inform you that she is tired and will see you later"

"Thank you, Please leave "

the maids vacated the place. They knew that the queen was upset with her king.

"Seher please open the door. I know you are awake"

Seher heard the knock and knew it was Shazain this time. she ignored him.

Shazain knew she was angry seeing him with Ariana.

"Seher, my love please talk to me once. I am hungry since morning and I won't eat anything till I see you"

"Go have your dinner with the one who was in your arms" Seher's voice echoed from the other side.

"Fine Seher I will stand here whole night "

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

Seher kept quiet she was thinking about Gulab's words.

Gulab saw the whole incident with Ariana and he also witnessed Seher. It was her Sultan's bad luck that his pretty wife misunderstood. Gulab went after Seher. She knocked on her door.

Seher opened her door.

She was surprised and disappointed to see Gulab.

"I know you were expecting Sultan"

"You are mistaken, it was just I did not expect you"

"Why are you crying then?"

"I am crying on my foolishness because I trusted the wrong person"

"Do you want something to eat or drink"

"No" Seher replied.

"The chef makes very good tea. Please have a cup with me. I know this maid should be in her limit"

"Aunty I never treated you or anyone as maids, I will have tea with you"

Gulab ordered a maid to bring tea for them.

"Seher I heard that your parents trust each other very much, do you know there was a time when a woman tried to come between them? what was her name... I forgot"

"Neilofer I know " Seher replied

"Ariana is just like Neilofer here. You misunderstood Shazain today. I was there"

"Shazain is different my Baba is different. there is no comparison. My baba never promised any other woman that he will marry her, he never insulted my mother"

"Shazain did not have a childhood like yours, he doesn't know the meaning of husband and wife. try to understand my point. Seher, I love Shazain but never doubt my intentions towards you. Your mother was once my beloved queen. I want happiness for you and Shazain.

Ariana does not mean anything to him. I doubt that It was King Christos who saved Shazain but there was evidence. That man cleverly forced Ariana on Shazain. Trust him, communicate with him"

" you think Shazain truly loves me?"

" Yes he does, everyone knows that. the way he cares for you, you know when you were unconscious he was on his toes. "

" well he has a unique way showing it"

Gulab tried to make her understand but at the same time knew that Ariana will try to ruin their marriage. she can only pray that Shazain should see Ariana's true face.

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

Lost in her thoughts Seher Forgot about Shazain , she thought he might have left slowly she opened the door and Shazain hugged her, Seher was flabbergasted.

"I knew it," Shazain told her

"No, I was not looking for you" Seher swiftly replied.

"hmm, so my love you were looking for me. I would have stood here the whole night"

"don't build high hopes"

"Listen, sweetheart, Arina tripped that's why I lifted her"

"I don't care what goes between you and her"

"Seher I told you to have patience, I told Ariana clearly that I have only one wife for this life and that is you"

Seher gave a faint smile it was not easy for her to trust him as on many occasions he preferred Ariana over her. She decided to give her a hundred per cent effort for the last time.

"Love, I am very hungry please feed me, I know you have not eaten your dinner"

"I had mine, you go and have yours"

"My wife I know you will never eat without me" he kissed her.

" you promised not to get closer till you sort out things, come let us go to the dining hall and eat there"

"Why,? we can ask maids to bring dinner here"

"I have decided that you shouldn't enter my room " Shazain smiled at her childish antics.

you will be in my bed tonight dear wife, Shazain had a wicked plan in his mind.

They were feeding each other engrossed in themselves. Ariana who came to meet her maid saw them.

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

Ariana's blood was boiling seeing them so cosy with each other. The way that Seher was feeding him and that idiotic Shazain was sucking her fingers seductively.

She had to do something, till she was in the palace she would try everything to break them apart. She had to utilize Shazains anger and impulsive behaviour and Sehers naive and doubtful nature.

She thought of a most vicious plan, first, she needed to call her father. He was a mastermind in planning. He cleverly extorted a huge amount of money from Shazain. not once but twice Shazain bailed him out. Their palace was running smoothly because of the funds shazain provided. This was all based on a lie. Ariana feared that Seher and Shazain's closeness might sow seeds of doubt in Shazain's mind about her father being his saviour and once he digs the past he might know the truth. It was not impossible but with sincere effort, Shazain could track down his original saviour.

Ariana remembered her cousin Adrian. She hysterically laughed. Seher can be his perfect play toy. If she ruined Seher, Shazain would throw her out because a queen has to be flawless. Once her father arrives Shazain would feel guilty for not marrying his daughter. They will utilize this.

Seher has to go out of Shazain's life by hook or crook. Even if it means her death.

Ariana looked at the inkpot and took out the paper to pen down every detail of her current scenario to her father and ask him and Adrain to come and do the damage control.

Adrian, I provided you with young captive maids to bed but the beauty which I chose for you will rock your mind.

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

Unknown to all the cruel planning going around in their palace Seher and Shazain we're sleeping peacefully in each other embrace. Seher was a heavy sleeper it was rare for her to see dreams but at this moment she was in dreamland.

She saw that she was in a cold wilderness shivering but suddenly a bear stood in front of her instead of getting afraid she hugged the bear tightly to get warmth emitting from his soft fur. The bear hugged her back locking her in his arms but suddenly he tightened his grip, it was turning difficult for Seher to breathe. In seconds, she was gasping for air.

Seher opened her eyes as she felt the heaviness around her tummy. She turned to the left and was horrified to See shirtless Shazain. She was in his tight embrace. Seher suddenly got up with a jolt waking up Shazain.

" What time is it?" He rubbed his eyes. He looked surprised to see her.

" Sultan, what are you doing in my room?"

Shazain looked surprised.

" I am in my room, when did you come? We're you missing me?"

He pulled Seher on top of him.

Confused Seher looked around and she was in his room. She felt very embarrassed.

Did I sleepwalk to his bedroom? Shazain might think I am desperate for him. How confidently I shut and locked my bedroom door on his face.

Shazain was controlling his laugh seeing her confused state. He smiled at her.

" Seher I am all yours no need to be embarrassed, it's too early to get up sleep now"

" No need I am going back to my room,"

She quickly got up and ran to her room.

She remembered locking her door last night. She recalled the time when Abi Salah woke her up near the kitchen door, she sleepwalked as she wanted to be the first one to make breakfast for baba. Her brother said that people sleepwalk to places when they desperately want to go.

There was no doubt that she missed Shazains presence beside her but was embarrassed that she was desperate to be with him so walked to his room.

She did not sleep the whole night fearing that she might go back. The next night she carefully locked her door before sleeping but yet again by morning she was back in Shazain's room in his arms.

The third night she again locked her room and for precaution, she added an extra lock and kept the key on the fireplace but yet again she ended up in Shazain's bed.

********************************.