Ariana, Christos, and Adrian were staring at Seher with their mouths wide open. Ariana almost choked hearing this news. She had always taunted Seher being a low class but she was more Superior than her.

"Are you really the daughter of King Fakhruddin?" Adrian asked.

"I must be that is what my parents have told me" Seher tried to lighten the atmosphere.

King Christos was taken back by this revelation. Shazain turned out to be more clever than he anticipated. Seher's identity was very unexpected for him. He lost the ability to think anything further,

Ariana's situation was no different from her father's. she was clenching her fist if given a chance she would beat the pulp out of Seher. How can this weak duckling be the daughter of fearless Queen Nur Jahan? From what she heard about Sultan Salahuddin and his powerful siblings, Seher's demeanor was completely opposite. No one would have guessed in a million years that this little girl had an army of brave men at her feet.

Adrian's reaction was very comical, he was elated to hear that Seher was a weak princess of powerful parents, Initially, when his cousin and uncle made a plan to kill Seher he thought of ravishing her before her end but now he desperately wanted to make this girl fall in love with him. Once she is completely blinded by his charms he can permanently shift to her kingdom and easily live a lavish life without any hard work.

"How can you do this Shazain, you are an ungrateful person, did you forget how I saved you, did you forget your promise? let me remind you. you promised to look after my daughter for a lifetime ."

"I did not forget my promise King Christos I am ready to look after your daughter as a friend nothing more. I can give you any compensation you desire"

Hearing the word compensation king Christos's eyes shined with greed but this was not what he was after. For him, Shazain was like a hen that laid golden eggs. He cannot kill it for one big compensation which will finish soon.

"Shazain, Do you take me as a vagrant?, I never had any objection to you taking other wives, I don't mind Ariana being cowife of this girl. All it mattered to me is my Daughter's happiness."

"Sorry king Christos I gave my word I cannot have any woman other than Seher"

Ariana was Crying profusely. Christos turned towards Ariana.

"Don't cry for this worthless man Ariana, he cannot even keep his word. Shazain, don't you value at least an ounce of love that my daughter has for you"

Shazain was speechless he was drowning in guilt. This was exactly what King Christos wanted to make him feel.

"Come Ariana there is no point of staying here"

"Father please don't be angry at my Xain, it was our mutual decision to end this engagement"

"Ariana , please don't stoop so low come with me" He started Dragging Ariana out who was screaming and crying"

"Please father don't take me away from my Xain, I promise I will be back just after spending a few more days"

Christos kept on dragging her.

"Please Shazain, I don't want to leave you, I love you, please let me stay for a few days.

Shazain followed them outside.

"Please King Christos, do not drag Ariana away, Let her be my guest "

Christos and Ariana breathed a sigh of relief. Both were hoping that Shazain would stop Ariana. Shazain still cared for Ariana that means they still had hope.

"I am not in a mood to argue Shazain, I love you like my son. , let me cool my mind"

"KIng Christos please stay, I will arrange for your stay"

Ariana hugged Shazain"thank you Xain I love you".

Seher was a mute spectator. Did he really break his promise for me? Am I really important to him? The way he ran after Ariana showed he cared for her? Even though he did not hug her back but he made no effort to push her away when she was clinging to him, Seher was all confused.

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

There was not a day that Fakhr did not miss his beloved daughter. She was born after a lot of prayers. The news of all Shazain's activities did reach him from time to time His Hayath condition was no better than him, three times she was all set to bring her back. She was more vocal than him.

Shazeb's, lifeless body soaked in blood. His dying wish ... the promise he made to the dying man was refrained him from taking any action against him. how difficult was him to stop his Hayath.

"Fakhr you made the promise but I am not bound, I will get my daughter back and won't hesitate to kill that bastard.

You made a promise to protect and support him not a promise to sacrifice my daughter to that beast"

" Hyatah, he is your daughter's husband. Give him some time, please for my sake. Think about Seher, she gets attached to people quickly and the man in question is her husband."

"What about that woman Ariana, you are a man you don't understand how difficult it must be for my daughter."

"Hayate, she is your daughter have some faith in her. Abasi confirmed that Shazain announced Seher as his queen and confessed that he loves her dearly and also the spy sent a message that he is treating her like a most precious treasure. Just give them some time. Seher knows we are there for her, her one signal, our entire army will be there for her"

They both decided to travel to Shujas palace near Shazain's border so that they can meet Seher when convenient. Their plans were temporarily halted with Salahuddin's arrival.

Salahuddin unexpectedly announced his travel to meet Seher and Shazain. Nur got cautious hearing the news.

"Salah, you just returned and now rushing to meet Seher. Is my daughter alright? don't you and your father dar hide things from me"

"My dear Ummi, You are getting hyper for no reason. I was planning the visit for a long time. The rift at the Chinese border delayed it.

Ummi, Seher is very happy. I don't want you and baba to come along at this moment for two reasons.

I completely trust but Ummi, he is very impulsive and he makes decisions in haste and with the current crisis in the south we cannot leave everything, Baba's presence is needed here, and also I don't want Shazain to feel threatened, he is understanding Seher slowly.

The french Price Louis is throwing a grand celebration and sent a special invitation. I am sure Seher and Shazain are invited as well. I will visit them on my way. You know nothing can escape my eyes. "

Salah was reassuring his mother " Salah I will accompany you"

"Ummi, Do one thing start your journey after 3 months I will be back on my way and you and baba can meet her.

Ummi baba is trying to be brave but deep inside he is worried more than us. you can meet her together"

Nur Jahan agreed. Her son Salahuddin was a legend. At a young age, he proved himself enemies feared him, he emerged victorious in every battle. Nur and Fakhr always agreed to his suggestions.

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

Back in King guest quarters Adrian, King Christos, and Ariana were planning. A dangerous plan which will finish Seher forever.

"Father, I plead you. Please do something Kill that Seher. Sooner or later Shazain will know that it was King Fakhruddin who saved him. I heard that bitch was trying to convince Xain to dig into his past. what if he comes to know that it was not you ?"

"I don't understand how did that Idiot Shazain ended up marrying mountain king's daughter as far I know Salahuddin and him were sworn, enemies. Don't speak about this topic ever again. I convinced Shazain that I am the one he saved. he will Never doubt that unless Fakhruddin himself agrees but we will finish their relationship before they meet again."

Araiana kissed her father."You are a genius father. Poor Seher will lose her life and Uzbeks will be Shazain's worst enemies."

Adrian who heard everything finally spoke

"It is not necessary that Seher should be killed"

"Just because you lust for her doesn't mean she lives. you can have your way with her Adrian. As your cousin, I will give you this advantage" Ariana spewed her venom

"Ariana, what if I make her fall in love with me and we go away"

"Seher in love with you... Father did you listen. This is the biggest joke I heard"

Christos and Ariana started laughing.

"Adrian, son come out of your dreamland. She will never love you no matter how much you try. I will give you time till King Louis ball make her agree if not we will execute our plan."

"Uncle Christos, what if she is tarnished Shazain will never accept her back. Slight change of Plans. At King Louis's party, we will drug Seher and I will take her to the room, You and Ariana make noise and come along with everyone. ....."

"Father this will be so much fun, First let us try this way if not we will nail the coffin without the deadliest strike"

"Ok, But Ariana, Shazain is feeling guilty and he will give us more attention, try to take advantage of the situation, and sow the seed of doubts in Seher's mind "

Their vicious planning went on.

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

foolish Shazain straight away flew into Their trap. He started spending more time with Christos and Ariana.

Adrian tried wooing Seher when Shazain was not around. She slapped him and gave a warning. Shazain hardly had time for her, She started to feel that she was a tool to satisfy his needs. She remembered that his warning that things will get messy and she promised to trust him, but the thread of her patience was thining every day.

Luckily Abasi came back just to check on her. She told him about Adrian. Abasi marched to guest quarters and Held Adrian by his neck

"This is a final warning, stay away from Seher but If I see you next time around her You will not be a man nor a woman. I will make you regret the day you were born"

Shazain came in seeing all the commotion

"What happened Abasi"

"You always disappoint me, brother, This bastard tried flirting with a woman of our family. I am just giving him a warning next time He won't be alive "

he left breathless Adrian who was coughing hard.

Shazain was angry with Seher instead of confronting him she confronted Abasi. He trashed Adrian mercilessly

"My wife is my pride, Abasi might leave you but I will kill you with my bare hands."

Christos rushed to Shazain who was in a rage.

"Please Shazain, stop Adrian is not aware of your culture" He turned to Adrian

"I was just trying to be friendly, I meant no harm" He begged Shazain.

"Adrian, This is not our kingdom, Shazain's culture is different"

"I am sorry uncle, I did mean any harm. I apologize, I will apologise to Queen Seher as well"

"King Christos please make sure that this nephew of yours is out of my palace before tomorrow's Sunrise."

Both Abasi and Shazain left from there.

"I will kill that little bitch" Adrian was all angry at Seher.

"I took pity on her and wanted to save her but now I will show her what it is to mess with Adrian. Uncle, I will meet you at the french palace"

"I warned you that Seher will never fall for you. I am faking my illness, you would have spoiled my efforts cousin" Ariana screamed.

Ariana was faking her illness to gain the attention and sympathy of Shazain in which she succeeded to an extent but because of Adrian's foolishness, Shazain would go back to Seher. She was consuming medications that will easily fool Rabia.

A few days back when she complained of Tummy Ache Shazain called for Rabia.

"What is the problem with Ariana, Aunty Rabia"

"I am confused my Sultan, It looks like she is not having a proper diet. I suggest she eats her meals regularly"

After Rabia left Christos turned to Shazain" Xain, she is not taking care of herself for the past few weeks. I am worried about my daughter"

"Ariana, why are you not having your meals ? Look I will always be your friend"

"Xain can you occasionally have dinner with me please till me and my dad leave"

"Ok"

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

Shazain walked up to Seher who was looking at the ocean from the window.

"what is my little wife up to?"

"You scared me Shazain"

He hugged her from behind. " why did you not tell me about that Adrian's miss behavior?"

"You hardly have time for me nowadays"

"Seher, My love thank you for understanding. Just give me some time I promise all my time and attention will be yours till my last breath. you know how things have been lately but this doesn't mean that I don't have time for such important matters.

you know Seher I am very upset that I am not the first one you confided to"

"Next time I will" Seher felt it was useless to drag this conversation.

"Seher, I love you " He sensed Seher's low mood.

"Loving you is very complicated, In my view, love is simple just like my Ummi and baba. You know my baba is the most faithful man. He never cared for any another woman more than Ummi except my grandmother"

"I am also very loyal Seher, you just need to trust me"

"That is what I am doing"

Who will explain to Shazain that loyalty doesn't mean physically not cheating it also means mentally being there.

Shazain knew how to lighten Seher's mood.

"will you be happy if I tell you something important"

"What is it?"

"Your brother Salahuddin is coming in three days time"

Seher almost jumped in happiness.

"You are not lying"

"I would never dare to"

Seher hugged him in happiness.

"Come let us eat dinner with everyone"

At dinner, Shazain announced to Ariana and Christos that Sultan Salahuddin will be coming in 3 days.

"It will be my p"pleasure to meet the famous Sultan Salahuddin" Christos answered.

He and Ariana retired to their room quite early.

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

"Father is everything alright? you unusually became quiet"

"Ariana, Salahuddin is very clever, unlike Shazain. I heard that he is a very keen observer"

"What does this has to do with us?"

"Ariana, I don't want our planning to go wrong this time. I am sure that Salahuddin will read my face and if he gets suspicious and starts his own investigation everything will go wrong"

"What do we do now Father?"

"You stay here as guest of Shazain, I will leave on pretext of urgent work tomorrow"

Ariana nodded.

"Ariana follow my advice slowly start your plan, we have to make Seher believe that she was Shazain's temporary attraction and he is using her for power, it is you who he loves dearly"

"I promise father I will not disappoint you this time"

"I will meet you at the french ball"

"Leave all the planning to me,I promise you will be Shazain's wife soon"

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

unaware of the surroundings Shazain and Seher were in their own world

"Shazain can I request you something"

"Anything my love, "

"Don't fight with Abi Salah when he comes"

"Why will I fight?"

"Shazain, he is visiting us for the first time after the marriage, I am sure you don't want him t think that there is something wrong"

suddenly something came to his mind.

"Ok Love, I will treat your brother with the utmost respect but you have to do something in return"

" except sex, I will do anything"

"Like?"

"Cooking for you"

"We have excellent cooks"

"How about a massage?"

"The masseuse is trained"

"then what do I do?"

"I saw some nightgowns in your wardrobe, wear that for me"

"What! when did you see that"

Shazain avoided that.

"Ok then deal If you wear that I will be polite with Salahuddin"

Seher had to agree because her brother

"Ok, go and change now"

"not now the day before my brother arrives"

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