Shazain happiness knew no bounds when he came to know Seher was bearing twins, but now he was equally scared about Seher.

" Are you not happy, Shazain?"

" I am "

" Then why are you quiet?"

" everything going around, I never got this much happiness. I am scared now."

" Instead of being scared, thank Allah for all the blessings. Do additional prayers. It will ease your mind."

"I am always thanking God, Seher". He kissed her hands.

"Shaahzain, I feel Ayath would have put your relatives in their place."

" She would just kill everyone. No room for argument. Did she tell you what she did on her way here?" Shazain asked.

" No, we did not get a chance to talk. You did not leave me alone even for a second. "

" Ayat was filling your mind against me. You gave me a chance and I did not want to risk that. You know what. She kicked Qasim bin Altamash where the sun doesn't shine "

" what! Now, who is that?"

" Some spoilt prince of Arabia"

" Now, his father wants her to be his son's bride. He sent a proposal?"

" Why would he do that?"

" I guess he thinks Ayath can put him in his place and mend his ways."

" I don't understand why some parents think that spouses will change their useless children. Is it not their responsibility?"

" You did change me."

" Our marriage is different"

" Why did nobody inform me of this? Ayath should have told me. We share everything."

" I always thank my God that it was you who I abducted. We were made for each other."

"Did Baba agree to get Ayath married?"

"No"

"I know Baba will never marry her against her will"

" Your father did ask for my opinion and I gave him my opinion."

" What did you say?"

"I told them to marry Ayath to Murad"

"You said that?"

"Yes, it is better that man gets married as soon as possible. For peace of my mind"

"Shazain, Murad is a gentleman."

"better suited to be with Ayath. and I don't like my wife praising another man"

"Ayath will never agree and Shazain, won't you trust me? Murad never once crossed his limits."

"I know Murad is a better person than me, but I am selfish. I have told you many times, but I repeat, you are the only relationship I have."

"Your sister, grandmother?"

" No one was ever close to me. I hated everything, every one after my father's death"

"After seeing you and your family, now I know the true meaning of being together. I never had what you had growing up Seher." Seher saw Shazain getting emotional. she suddenly asked.

" Why is my family getting closer to you than me?"t

"Are you not happy? "

" I am happy to see you smile. You used to be a grumpy old lunatic person."Shazain always got angry when Seher called him old.

" Look at you now, you look younger than me with that infectious smile of yours. I want our children to be like you", Shazain smiled.

" You really mean that?"She nodded her head.

"We have a choice. We can have one looking like you and another like me"

" What if they look alike? Our children are going to be the first set of twins in our family"

" I don't want my daughter and son to look alike"

" What if both are girls?"

" I don't care, they are my daughters. I will love them more than your father does you"

" Will you remarry if I have a girl? Like your father?"

" I will never do that, Seher. If we have a girl, she will be my successor. A queen exactly like her grandmother. Your mother did change the views of many people. "

"Why not like me?"

"Like you but a little bit braver than you."

" What if everyone pressurises you to remarry for the sake of a male heir?"

"I would give up my throne than lose my only family. I am not my father, Seher."At that moment, Seher knew that Shazain meant every word he said.

"I love you, Shazain, more than anything or anyone". Sealing their bond with a kiss.

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

Shamsuddin's arrival did help him morally. Fakhr and Nur's presence was kept a secret. All the invitations were sent and all the preparations were made. Shamsuddin's arrival alerted everyone. He was hot-headed like Shazain but was a skilled warrior. Nur Jahan was not very happy sending Shazain and Shams. She gave both of them a lot of instructions and warned them not to lose their composure. Taimur's army was large in number, compared to Shazain's.

Seher ordered many gifts to be packed for Nur Ain and her stepdaughter Hafsa.

"Does Nur Ain have a daughter?" Shams asked Seher.

"No, it is from Taimur's first wife. Ain loves her like her own."

"Does she not have any children of her own?"

"No Abi Shams, I heard that Taimur took another wife a few months back. Nur Ain had a few miscarriages "

"I did not tell Shazain, but I heard that Taimur is a big womaniser."

"Please Abi, don't tell Shazain anything... He is already under stress. First, you guys go and see if all those are rumours.

Shazain and Shamsuddin arrive at Taimur's palace. Taimur was an expert in masking his emotions. He met Shazain warmly. Shams could not believe that what he heard about this man was true. He was observing him very closely.

"Shazain, who is this young man?"

"My brother-in-law Shamsuddin Uzbek." Taimur was taken back by the revelation.

He quickly masked his emotions and hugged Shams."Welcome to my palace. Consider me as one of your brothers."

"How is Nur Ain?" Shazain asked him.

"She was very excited when she heard that you were coming. She has been busy in the kitchen since morning, and even burnt her hand", Taimur informed her.

"Why does she need to be in the kitchen?" Shamsuddin questioned.

"You know how women get excited when they are with their family and I can't dare to stop my love" he replied so calmly.

"I will call her to meet you", Taimur replied. He looked hesitant looking at Shams.

"Shams is like her younger brother. He is six years younger than her and we are related", Shazain replied.

Taimur was angry. He knew Shams was observing him but he did not want to create any suspicion.

Taimur called for Nur Ain. Shamsuddin saw a fair maiden entering along with a maid who was holding her hands as if supporting her. Shazain rushed to his sister and hugged her. Shams could see the pain in her blue eyes. He averted his gaze. He knew Taimur's eyes were focused on him.

Shazain held her hand." I am there with you. I will take you back", he whispered into her ears.

Nur Ain looked into his eyes with surprise. She held his hands tightly." I knew you would". Thia was enough for Shazain.

Shazain clenched his teeth but Nur Ain saw Taimur. She quickly changed her tone. " How is my sister-in-law?" She asked.

Taimur came closer." Are you complaining about me to your brother?" He asked, laughing. Nur Ain smiled "I was asking him about my sister-in-law?"

"Yes, Shazain, how is your young bride? We never thought that you would end up with the daughter of King Fakhruddin."

"We were meant to be together. Ain your sister-in-law is good, you will love her. She is in her sixth month, otherwise,Seher would have come here to invite you personally". He then turned to Taimur.

"I wanted to come personally with the invitation but Seher was not well. "Taimur came near Nur Ain but she jerked his hand and moved closer to the maid. Shams caught that.

"I heard you have a cute daughter?" He asked Taimur.

"Yes, Hafsa. She is not well. She normally sticks around my Ain"

"I wanted to meet her. Everyone was telling me a lot about her."

Old King Tariq arrived in the hall. "Welcome Shazain and this might be queen Nur Jahan's son."

Shams greeted him. He did not like the way the old man took his mother's name. Taimur invited him for dinner.

"I forgot to tell you my mother sent a special gift for Princess Ain"

He called the servant to bring a chest." This is a special craft set from China. We heard Princess Ain has an interest in painting."

Taimur smiled, "how thoughtful of your mother." He looked carefully at the set and found nothing but paint pods and accessories, so he handed it to Nur Ain. He also turned to Taimur." She sent this specially crafted sword for you". He handed it to Taimur.

He looked at Ain and replied" These colours are uniquely handmade. I hope you like it. My mother believes in sending personalised gifts."

He combed his silky luscious hair with 4 fingers twice. Nur Ain was clever enough. She excused herself and went inside. She asked the maid to place the gift on the table. When the maid left, she quickly scanned the paint set. The paint pods were numbered, so were the paper and brushes. She quickly opened the no 4 pot. What it looked like was a yellow colour. She dipped the brush and put a few strokes on the first piece of paper. The colour came out yellow. When she put the same paint on the second, it turned out to be pink. Shams' 4 fingers came to her mind. She painted the paper which was numbered 4. The yellow paint did not leave any colour, as if it was colourless. She understood that this was special ink and she quickly wrote down everything on the paper and now the question was how to hand it to her brother. She folded the paper. It folded into many folds, enough to fit in a small ring. She heard that Uzbeik clan was very intelligent and now witnessed it herself. Her brother was very lucky to be so closely related to them.

She explained how Taimur had divorced her and tortured his daughter Hafsa and kept her as bait to keep Nur Ain's mouth shut and she clearly explained that she could not leave this palace without Hafsa.

Taimur came into NurAin's room unannounced.

"Why are you in this room? Do you want your foolish brother to get suspicious?"

Nur Ain just kept quiet.

"Take this and send it to your brother's wife as a return gift". He threw a box at her. Ain flinched.

"Hafsa is scared"

"I don't understand why you are so attached to that girl when she is not even yours. I would have killed her a long time back."

"Don't you have any bit of humanity? She is your daughter?"

"My mistress has already given me an heir. I don't need a useless girl. Now get out and send your brother back", he walked out.

Nur Ain did not argue. She looked at the box which Taimu brought. It contained a necklace. At least he had the manners to give a return gift. Ain quickly stuck the letter on the back of the pendant. She knew Taimur would check it again . She prayed that he would not find it.

Taimur opened the box in front of Shazain and Shams." A small gift from us to your bride". Shams observed Ain, whose face was pale when Taimur lifted the necklace. He saw a small piece of paper that fell. Shams quickly got closer and put his feet on the paper. Ain breathed a sigh of relief.

"It is very beautiful", Shams bent down to wipe his shoes and picked up the paper and placed it inside his pocket.

"Brother-in-law, we should get going. We have many things to do". He requested Shazain to leave.

"Why are you in a hurry, Uzbeik?" Taimur asked.

"I hope you come to the celebration and bless my sister. Brother Shazain is all alone arranging everything I am helping him out with arrangements. I would love to stay but can't because of time constraints."

Shazain and |Shams left quickly. Shazain for the first time hugged his sister with this much love and patted her back as if giving her reassurance." Have faith I will take you back soon", he whispered in her ears. Ain wiped her tears.

"My sister-in-law did change you for good. I want to meet her " she replied back.

**********"************""*****"**

Shazain and Shams did not return to the main palace. Instead, they went to the house where Nur and Fakhr were staying.

Shams handed over the paper to Nur Jahan.

" Ummi, your work is done?" he replied.

Shazain looked at him surprised.

" At least your sister is clever than you" Ayath replied, looking at Shazain.

" You are such a baby"

" You are older than all of us. I don't understand what Seher sees in you. "

" pure love which I have only for her. It is useless talking to you " Shazain taunted her back.

He felt like one of them, the way Seher and her siblings talked, teased and interacted with each other.

"Shazain, I did not gift your sister a normal gift. That paint box contained special ink in one of the pots. When written on paper it turns colourless and can be read under a lamp. This is like a secret message". Nur replied.

" Shahabuddin invented this. He was always experimenting with things," Fakhr added.

" I knew that you wouldn't send just a paint box. Why did you not inform me beforehand, Ummi?"

" You always gift her jewellery or fine clothing. If you gifted her this Taimur, would have been alerted. It is good Ain understood. Let me read the letter."

Nur Jahan read the letter and was fuming in anger. So was Ayath.

"Is everything alright? " Fakhr asked.

" Shazain, you carry on with the arrangements and ask Utbah and Abasi to keep the soldiers ready. Don't stop their training.

Fakhr will help you."

" Hayath, you and Shams take care of Ain and Hafsa, Taimur will never bring Ain here if I am thinking right.". Fakhr replied.

Shazain you know Taimur's palace very well. Draft a plan so that we can scoop Ain without anyone noticing", Fakhr instructed.

" Yes, you are a master of planning abductions," Shams said involuntarily

" You guys will never let that go", he agreed to work on what Nur and Fakhr suggested.

" You go, Seher must be waiting. " Fakhr replied.Shazain left them.

" Ummi, why did you not tell Shazain every detail" Ayath asked.

" We are there for him. Let the boy live in peace. Ayath, he is your brother-in-law and next time I am hoping you give him some respect." Nur reprimanded her.

" Shams how is Nur Ain?" Fakhr replied.

" Very beautiful. She is different to her brother. Her eyes are like us, a little darker in the shade."

" I asked you about her well-being."Fakhr was surprised Shams never described a girl.

"Baba, Abi Shams took the literal meaning" Ayat laughed.

" She was fine but was limping. Taimur said she hurt herself."

" Fakhr, I think she is best for Murad. I will write to Shireen and Brother Hafeez. I think they are of the same age "

This did not go down well with shams.

**"***********************************************************************************

Althea was having a word with her father, Dimitri.

" Althea, have you gone crazy?"

" What happened, father?"

" Why did you agree that Andrew can have a legal second wife? Are you not aware that Arina and her father are cunning".

" Who said I gave him permission?"

" That is what, the news is going around. Why is he taking Ariana to the party hosted by King Shazain as his wife?"

Althea laughed. Andrew forgot his place. "Let that woman go with him. I will show her her original place. Father, Andrew is my puppet. You will see, once he sees me, he will come after me like a dog."

" Althea, never underestimate a man."

" Father, you relax, Andrew will not do anything I don't like. He had this thing with Ariana and I would have stopped him because I allowed him, he is more indebted to me. Ariana is nothing, just a fling for him."

"You don't know that Christos. He will try everything to lure Andrew."

"Common Father, trust me. In this, I have planned something for Ariana. She will know that she doesn't stand a chance with Andrew."

Just then Andrew's arrival was announced.

"Althea my darling". He gave his wife a hug without noticing Dimitri's presence. He was stunned by looking at his father-in-law.

"Andrew, Father is not happy with your association with Christos". She told him the real reason.

"Father in law, Christos has no importance. I have to bear him because he knows Shazain's military secrets. I and Taimur have decided to split his kingdom in half after we defeat him."

"Andrew, do you know who Shazain's-in-law is?"

"King Fakhruddin"

"Yes, exactly, he married the most beloved daughter of King Fakhruddin. Do you think you can defeat him?"

"Father, their army is in China and they are dealing with their crisis"

"Andrew, King Salahuddin has already signed a treaty with the Chinese emperor and accepted his daughter's hand in marriage. You would be a fool to jump into this. My sources also informed me that Shazain's wife is expecting and Fakhrussin might be on his way."

This was news to Andrew. Althea was not just his wife but his advisor. Having flings was different but none could replace Althea.

"Andrew, you keep yourself away from this. King Taimur is a sinking ship. You may not be the king, but you hold an important role in this kingdom's economy. You are wealthier than the king. Your one wrong move will cost us."

"You are right Althea, my love."

"I heard that you are taking Ariana along with you to King Shazain's palace?"

"My love, I need a company you said you would not join. Do I have your permission?"

"Yes, but next time inform me first."

Demetrius walked out, angry with his daughter. He never understood her plans.

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

.

Seher started having pain in her chest. She hid that from everyone thinking about the war which was looming. She tried getting plenty of rest. Shazain was a lot more busy than usual. He promised that her parents would stay with her after the event. Najma Begum was more around her, taking care of her to her best ability. She was cursing the day she accepted Taimur's proposal.

All the invitations were sent and preparations were in full swing. Seher was now 7 months pregnant. The pregnancy glow on her face was alluring. Everyone in the palace loved their kind-hearted queen. Being Nur Jahan's daughter, people already had a lot of expectations and she proved herself. Even with her pregnancy, she was helping Najma begum with work. It was because of her guidance that everything was going smoothly. It was just a week before the big day.

There Nur and Shams, along with Shazain, had worked out a plan to save Ain from the palace. Nur was impressed by Shazain's skills. His memory was very sharp. He could draw maps by just giving a single glance.

Fakhr, on the other hand, was helping Utbah and Abasi to train the army. Arsalan did join them. Fakhr was blown over by Arsalaan. He was a self-made man like Fakhr. In a short amount of time, he became the emir of the tribe. His journey from a slave to a tribal leader impressed Fakhr.

"I see a glimpse of myself in you, Arsalaan. I was the same in my youth, determined and tough like you."

Shazain always used to feel lonely, but this was the first time he felt supported. He thanked his creator for giving him, Seher.

***""""""*********"""""""""""""""""