"Ayath!"Fakhruddin hugged his daughter. He saw his parents entering. he greeted them.

"How come you guys are so early, did you find any magic carpet or what?"

"We started a week after you left, Ayat was crying like a baby" Jalal teased his granddaughter.

Jalal and his wife Hajra turned towards their Seher, She looked very pale and quiet.

"What happened to my princess?" Hajra hugged Seher. Both of them were aware of what happened.

"If I see that Shazain I will kill him" she gestured in the air. Seher smiled seeing her grandmother.

"You can't even kill an ant and you talking about killing a man" Ayat laughed.

"Where is Nur?" Jalal asked Fakhr.

"Shazain is sick. She has gone to check on him".

Hajra Wanted to tell something but was guested by Jalal to stop. He saw his granddaughters uneasiness.

"You all freshen up, Ayat go and tell in chefs to prepare a feast" Fakhr instructed Ayat.

They all sat and were about to eat dinner when Nur Jahan entered along with Shazain and Najma begum. Ayat leaped at her mother, she crushed her in a hug. They all were busy greeting Nur when Seher noticed Shazain and Najma begum behind. Shazain was busy starting at Seher. He looked around everyone was focused on his mother-in-law, he winked at Seher and pouted his lips as if giving a kissing signal to Seher. She was baffled seeing his lewd gestures.

" Why is he here? " She pulled her mother's arm and questioned. This brought everyone's attention towards Shazain.

Fakhruddin wanted to throw him out but seeing Najma Begum he halted his steps."King Fakhruddin please give him a chance. He wants to rectify his past mistakes and win Seher back, by love not force this time"

"You are my guest and you are coming to my home for the first time and you don't know how much I am restraining myself to not disrespect you, Your grandson almost killed my daughter."

"He is quite remorseful and wants the last chance from all of you especially Seher, your wife have given him 15 days "

Jalaluddin and Hajra greeted her. No matter what she was related to her granddaughter.

Fakhruddin who was quiet glared at Nur.

"Hayate! are you aware of what you did"

Shazain came forward "Please don't be angry on Nur Ummi, will bear any punishment you give, Please give me 15 days. If In those 15 days I am unable to change Seher's decision, I will agree to her wish"

Shuja chuckled when heard Nur Ummi from Shazain's mouth. "I think he is really gone insane without Seher" He whispered to Ayat

Fakhruddin was silent and looked at Seher."What do you say, princess?"

"I won't object to him staying here, He can be Ummi's guest but please make sure he stays away from me" She replied looking at her father ignoring Shazain.

"Seher, what did I do that you are this angry with me?" Najma begum came towards her.

"Sorry Grand Mother, I thought you came to support him"

"I will only support you, I won't interfere in anything it is your choice. I just came to see my granddaughter" She engulfed Seher in her arms, Seher winced in pain.

"I am sorry, How are you?"

"I am a lot better grandmother but the wound is not healed it hurts sometimes"

Najma Begum was feeling ashamed because of Shazain. Hajra Begum requested them to join them for dinner.

Shazain wanted to sit beside Seher but Shuja ana Ayat surrounded her, he had no choice but to sit next to Jalaluddin, and opposite Seher. He was busy ogling Seherwhen Murad arrived and hugged his grandparents.

"My prince, how are you?" Hajra Begum was kissing his forehead.

"I am good, I would have come early but was busy checking with patients"

"Come have a seat and have dinner" She offered a seat next to her but before that Shuja came and sat on it.

"Let me sit next to my grandmother you take my seat". He deliberately made Murad sit next to Seher irking Shazain

"Where is your useless friend Abasi?" Murad asked Shuja while talking his seat.

"he is at the sea palace looking after its affairs"

Seher was struggling to Eat her soup because the stretching of her hand was causing pain to her wound. Shazain wanted to go to her and help her eat. he went to Ayat and requested her to shift.

"Seher is finding it hard to eat, can you please exchange places so that Ican feed her"

"No Need, me or Murad Bhai can help her, you eat in peace," Ayat replied harshly, He wanted to show Seher that he is working on his temperament, He was taking deep breaths to calm down his anger. He then saw Murad putting a napkin on Seher's lap.

"Try eating with your left hand" Murad smiled at her and also tore the bread pieces and put them on her plate.

Shazain wanted to go and Punch Murad and throw her away from his wife. Seher and Fakhruddin were observing Shazain. His appetite was lost.

"Sultan you need to eat, I heard you were poorly, recently. we don't like our guests going hungry" Jalaluddin politely insulted Shazain.

"Grandfather I am not a guest, I am your Granddaughters' husband. I don't think anyone should treat me as a guest. to be honest I should be serving you"

Seher smiled hearing Shazain she knew he was angry seeing Murad, She never had any informal conversation with Murad, let alone sit next to him. She kept quiet to make Shazain feel that pain that she once endured.

"Murad, can you please cut my meat "

"Anything for you princess, let me know if it is still hurting"

Shazain was now clenching his fists. everyone was enjoying Shazain's misery.

"Ohh ! Murad always cares about our Seher. Remember Jalal when she bruised her knee as a kid?" Hajra Begum added Fuel to Shazain's anger.

"Yes Hajra, He became doctor Just for Seher"

"What do you mean grandfather?" Shuja asked.

"Once Seher bruised her knee I think She was 3, Murad was helping her but she stopped him saying that you are not a doctor. That day Murad came home and announced that he is going to be a medic so that he can save Seher" Jalaluddin looked at Shazain and replied.

" This might have burned him" Ayat wishpered to her brother.

" look at his face, it's turning red"

"It is good to hear that my wife influenced people at a young age, She has all qualities to be a good queen" Shazain couldn't let that go.

"I wanted to marry Ummi Nur's daughter even before she was born, I feel that God made her just for me" He looked at Seher but she did not blush nor showed any emotions. They all went back eating in silence.

"Baba when are you making breakfast for us, It has been ages since we ate your food" Ayath questioned Fakhr.

Najma Begum who was Quiet for a long time questioned."does King Fakhruddin know cooking?"

"Yes, All men in our family can cook, Soldiers need to learn the basic skill of cooking"

"That is only for wars not at home when they have chefs" Najma Begum was quite surprised.

"Nur and Fakhr raised their children differently, Yes Fakhr do cooks sometimes for his family." Hajra begum replied.

Shazain Looked at Nur and Fakhr who were smiling at each other. They looked so much in love. He observed them they were looking at each other as if talking with their eyes. He was always taught that women are weak creations of god and men should put them in control. Nur Jahan was completely opposite to what he heard about her. Her in-laws adored her.

"if you don't have any objection, I will make breakfast for you all" Shazain requested Jalaluddin

"Do you know how to cook?" Seher asked him.

"Basic but I will manage, I want to make it for you"

"Not a problem, I will help you in the morning" Nur had developed a soft corner for him.

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Somewhere in Greece, Ariana and Christos were on the run. Christos cousin Alexander had rebelled against him and all the ministry voted in his favor. Helena's character was assassinated because of what happened at the French palace. People were waiting for a chance and they all backed Alexander. An arrest warrant was issued against Christos and his family. A declaration was made and he was to be arrested and brought back to the royal court where he was to be punished for his crimes including defaming their kingdom. Ariana and Christos were on the run, Helena also joined them, they called every ally to seek refuge but no one came forward to help them except Prince Andrew. Even the person who helped them secure a place in Shazain's life backed out as if he had nothing to do with them.

" Father, this is all your fault, if you did not delay my marriage with Shazain for money. Nothing of this sort would have happened."

" You did not even have a brain to trap him in your love "

" I still can't believe Shazain is behind this, he should have considered my friendship with him"

Helena who was unusually quiet all the while replied.

"That Bastard Shazain is behind all the humiliation we faced in Greece, That was not Alexander who was speaking, It was Shazain's words in his mouth."

Alexander made fun of Helena and even Ariana in front of everyone, He compared them to prostitutes. He spread the news that Ariana offered herself to Shazain, She went to the extent to parade naked in front of Shazain who openly rejected her.

"Ariana, people are looking down on you. You are not deemed worthy to be anyone's spouse."

"Mother, are you taunting me it was you who said to seduce him"

"no use of arguing and blaming each other, we need to think. Christos, I can't stay like this, please do something. soldiers are hunting us like wolves"

"Helena, we only have one option as suggested by King Taimur, he cannot support us openly as he cannot risk disclosing his identity. He suggested that Ariana marry Prince Andrew. So that we can attack Shahbad (Shazain's kingdom) with full force and strike him when he least expect"

"Father, Prince Andrew is old and not even a king. He is the biggest womanizer in history"

"Ariana, darling Andrew might not be king but he's richer than the king of Spain. he has a stronghold in the country's economy. We don't have an option"

"He will avenge me, You remember how I insulted him when we trapped Shazain"

"Common you can bear little humiliation than living like this, He promised to provide us with a palace of our own, Think about all the luxuries you will have" Helena was equally greedy as her Husband.

"Think Ariana. we can bring Shazain to his knees and then you can punish him as you want may be keep him as your toy boy" Christos wanted Ariana to agree if not he would forcefully wed her to Andrew"

"Ok, Father you are right, want nothing but that Shazain worshipping my feet. Father, what about that Seher?"

I heard that Fakhruddin threw him out of his palace and he is will make sure that his daughter gets a divorce"

"Good, My heart is at content knowing that bitch is wounded and out of Shazain's life"

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Shujauddinn as instructed by Fakhr escorted everyone to their rooms. He made Shazain sleep in the far corner of the palace in a tiny room.

"Sorry, as you are aware this palace is not a big one, all rooms are occupied Shazain, This is the only room left" Fakhruddin wanted him to experience what his princess went through.

"I can sleep on the floor for Seher" he replied.

In the middle of the night, he walked to the room where Seher was sleeping. He carefully looked around and looked like even the guards were asleep. He slowly sneaked to Seher's room. She was fast asleep in a deep slumber. Shazain sat on the edge of the bed and looked at her. He moved a few strands of hair that were covering her delicate face. She looked a little chubby o him. She turned and slightly winced in pain.

Tears were flowing from his eyes.

"I am sorry Seher for everything you faced because of me. I always claimed to love you but I failed to prove it. I failed myself as a husband, I could not even protect you. I wanted to let you go so that you can be happy, but it is impossible. I cannot think of a life without you. I know you will not believe me as I failed to keep my promise many times. Trust me I wanted to give you a life without any stress or danger that was lurking in my palace.

I always thought intimacy was the way to show that I love you but now I know love is beyond lust, I understand its meaning now. I promise that I will win your heart, prove my love to you. Please don't go away from me, I can't bear it. I will die without you"

He did not dare to say this to her directly. His eyes went towards the bandage wrapped around her chest. He was angry at himself for causing this to her.

"That Christos will pay a heavy price Seher, You just see how I will take my revenge"

He kissed her forehead and slumped beside her unaware that a pair of eyes were observing him.

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