" Why are you screaming?" Scared Seher asked him. She was already in tears.

" I won't forgive you if something happens to you."

He lifted her up and marched towards the midwife's room. All the servants were awake by now. His family joined him after being alerted by the servants. Seher was taken inside for examination and everyone was told to wait for a few minutes, which felt like centuries to Shahazin.

Mahpare Murad's trainee assistant came out and said that everything was fine and it was a false alarm. She whispered something in Hajra Begum's ear. She was withering very slowly.

Queen Najma looked at her with questioning eyes. Hajra passes on the information to her. Both of them then started looking at Shahzain.

" This boy is crazy" she looked at Shahzain angrily.

"What is going on?" Fakhruddin asked in annoyance.

They all went into the room. Seher was sitting on the bed. "How are you feeling ?" Shahzain asked her with concern.

"I am fine"

"Shahzain, how can you be so careless?" Najma Begum was shouting at him.

" Do you know how important your children are to Shah's and Uzbeiks? Is Seher not important to you?"

Shahzain's head was down, he understood what she was talking about.

" what did he do?" Fakhr asked again.

"He bullied Seher" she replied in anger.

Ayat wanted to say something but then she saw Seher who was hiding her smile.

"Can't you control yourself? She might have gone into early labour. I suggest you sleep in the guest chambers for a while" Najma Begum was very harsh.

Seher and Shahzain were embarrassed to their core. Seher slowly hid behind her father. Shahzain was taking everyone's brunt.

Hajra Begum took Shahzain out of his misery

" Queen Najma, they are a young couple. I am sure he understands by now. Don't be so harsh"

" young man, try controlling your hormones". Jamal patted Shahzain's back and asked them to go back and rest. This was the first time Shahzain felt very embarrassed. He did not even lift his head up. He did not know how to face them and the young seductress was hiding comfortably behind her father's back. As soon as Jalal asked them to leave, Seher was the first one to flee.

"Seher" Najma begum stoppet her.

" Yes, Grandmother."

"He is a man and he is impulsive, but you should not give in to his desires. I know you are a very obedient wife, but now you are a mother, first, you need to think about your children and their safety. You should kick him if he pressurises you"

Seher was listening quietly. She felt sorry for Shahzain. She really put him in an embarrassing spot.

Najma Begum did not want to embarrass her granddaughter and asked her to rest. She ordered the maids to take her inside carefully.

Once inside, she saw Shahzain standing near the window. She was scared that he might scold her but nothing happened. He came near her.

" Is it still hurting?" he asked her politely.

"not really. It stopped when the midwife gave me that medication. Are you not angry at me?"

" It was my fault too. You are too young. I should have acted rationally."

"Sorry, it is my fault. I should never have forced you. You know I want us to remember these days with a smile rather than worrying about my delivery."

"Seher, I used to think it was easy for a woman to carry a child, but after seeing you I understand what a difficult task it is, bearing all the pain. I think these two are enough for us"

"What!" Seher was shocked at his words.

"I love you more and can not imagine my life without you"

Seher had tears in her eyes. She knew her pregnancy carried risks. A few days back, she heard Murad and the midwife Maida talking about her. She confronted Murad. She made him make a promise to keep her condition hidden from Shahzain and her parents.

"Brother Murad, please do not tell anything to Shahzain and my family. What is written in my destiny will happen. I don't want them to live in fear and worry. Shahzain is already going through so much. This is the only news that brought him happiness. Please don't snatch this away from us."

"Nothing will happen to you. I will try my best and leave the rest in God's hands. I promise I won't say a word to anyone"

Seeing Shazain all concerned at this moment, Seher was praying for her safety. She wanted to live with him and see their children growing up. She prayed to God to give Shazain and her a blissful life like her parents.

"What happened, Seher?" Shahzain was concerned when he saw her lost in her thoughts.

" Nothing. I was thinking how difficult it would be for us to stay away from each other." She was afraid that he might read her thoughts, so she diverted the topic.

"Girl, you became horny during this pregnancy."

"I heard from the maids that Ariana is here with Andrew."

"Stay away from her. She might harm you. Andrew is our trade partner, that is why I had to invite him. You do one thing, be with Ayath all the time. "

"Since when did you start getting along with Ayath?"

"I tease Ayath for fun. She is a little sister to me. She will be your bodyguard tomorrow."

"You said Andrew would come with Althea, his wife. How come Ariana is here? I think she played with Andrew."

" Really, Seher, I never thought he would bring Ariana. I heard his wife Althea is a very demanding lady. She kept a tight reign on him. God knows what happened. I will sooner or later take my revenge on Ariana and Christos"

"Leave it, Shahazain. We will put Christos in his place once this matter with Taimur is settled."

"Look from now on, please take care of yourself and these little ones. " He kissed her tummy.

"They are very active today."

"Because their mother troubled them. Come now rest"

"Shahzain, do you think Mother might have reached Taimur's palace by now?"

"Yes, if everything goes smoothly, she will be back soon."

"Are you worried about Nur Ain?"

"Not anymore, I know your mother will bring her back safely. She is the "great warrior queen". I am more worried about the battle. That will happen soon."

"Don't worry, we will be on the winning end"

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

In the morning, Shahzain left early. He organized lunch with other kings and prominent people.

Ayath went to Nur Mahal to help Seher.

"Seher, you are already dressed up. I guess I am late."

"No, I woke up early. Sultan left early and I was unable to sleep later on."

"How is your health? You scared us yesterday."

"Sorry about that. It was my fault."

" Why was everyone scolding Brother Shahzain?"

Seher was close to Ayath but this was something she could never explain to her.

"It was a husband and wife thing. You will understand when you get married. "

"I know your thing. You and your husband are shameless. You people are all over each other like eels", Seher blushed.

"Now tell me who is the eel you got impressed with?"

"Me? You must be kidding. I don't believe in fairytales."

"I heard that you were very impressed by a soldier. Who is he?"

"Brother Murad can never keep things to himself. Yes, I met someone on the way. He was fighting bandits along with me. I did not see his face. I was impressed by his bravery. He took 6 men single-handedly. I was impressed with it. The end of the story"

"You mean to say you don't know who he is?"

"I am a practical person, Seher, my love is reserved for my husband. Whatever father chooses for me".

"Baba will never force you and I am sure if you find someone he will honour your choice."

"Well, I know whoever Baba chooses will be best for me. Leave that. I heard Shahzain's ExAriana is present here today. Shahzain called me especially to guard you"

"Ayath, I do not understand that woman, after so much insult, still has the audacity to come here to our palace."

"You will know her intentions once you meet her."

Seher was all dressed up and with a pregnancy glow on her face, she looked enchanting. Shahzain came just to see her.

"You look stunning, my love." He was staring at her with all his love.

"I am still present here", Ayath called.

"Ayath, be careful and keep in mind what I said" he reminded her, again.

"Let me accompany you to the west wing. Sehher we have to distribute clothes to people first. ". Shahzain was holding Seher's hand and Ayath followed them.

Everyone was looking at them with admiration as they walked. Ariana saw Seher and Shazain together. Her eyes met heavily pregnant Seher. Ariana was burning with jealousy and hatred. She saw how Shahzain was holding her carefully like she was his most prized possession, and here she was stuck with Andrew as his wife/ mistress. She thought it was better to be Shahzain's wife than to stay with Andrew.

Seher and Shahzain distributed sweets and clothes to the palace staff. Everyone blessed them.

" See you go and rest for a while and then join the ladies' dinner. everyone is there to help. don't stress"

She saw Shahzain leaving Seher and turned to go back. She quickly rushed towards Shahzain.

"Xain"

Shahzain looked at her with disgust.

"You still have the guts to stand here and address me. You and your father are very shameless."

"Say whatever you want because I did all that for you. I love you "

Shahzain just walked away.

"I want to tell you something very important."

"You think I will trust you?"

" It is regarding king Taimur and you have to trust me this time. He is plotting something big against you and only I can help you with that."

"I would rather die than get your help."

" Don't be foolish, think about it. We will meet in private to discuss further". She walked away.

Shahzain saw Seher, who was looking at him. He thought she might again misunderstand him. He walked back to her.

"She said that she wanted to talk to me in private."

"I don't think she will leave you so easily." even though Seher was not happy, she asked him to meet her.

"Shahzain, we still have time for the function to start. Call her into our meeting room. Let us see what she wants to talk about."

"Are you sure?"

" Yes. Don't get excited, it is for our kingdom" Shahzain laughed.

"Let us see what she is up to?"