The red walls of the fort mimicked the vermillion on Jyoti. She was at last stepping into the world she knew nothing about, but would have to navigate through for the rest of her life.

She had changed into a more royally festive attire, showcasing her heritage as the princess of Mahanagar, and now a Begum of the Shehenshah of the Mughals.

" This way Princess" Adham showed her the way towards the Harem, stopping just before an invisible partition and pulling Jaswant away from Jyoti " You cannot go with Rajkumar Jaswant".

" Huh? What now?" Jaswant asked, jerking off his arm from Adham's hold. Even though he was alright with the Shehanshah, the other Mughals were nothing more than enemies to him.

" Cannot he come till the entrance of the Harem? I will make sure he doesn't cross the boundary Adham Bhaijaan" Jyoti pleaded.

" We need to make sure Shehenshah is present in order for Rajkumar to accompany you. If any man enters the Harem, that too in Shehenshah's absence, he will be subjected to grave punishment"

" What's this nonsense. I am Jyoti's brother, what can I possibly do-"

" There are many other women in the Harem Jaswant. We agreed to abide by the laws of the Mughal Sultanate the day I married Shehanshah. It may not mean anything to us but seeing how tight the order is around here, it would be disrespectful for us to not follow the basic rules of this palace"

Adham's eyes widened at the stern scolding. He had seen how close the new Hindu Begum had gotten to Jalal, but he didn't expect her to actually respect the Mughal etiquettes.

Usually the Begums would act compliant in front of the Shehenshah, mostly out of fear, while being completely aloof of the Mughal ways of life. However, he didn't blame them, because he himself couldn't follow every little order to the T like his mother wanted him to.

The Mughals were too strict in their presence. Even more than the Rajputs. Probably because strictness was one of the characteristics that the Islamic rule wanted to showcase to people, to attract new men to accept the religion who respected strictness and order as the only way of life.

Although it was a bit slack for the royals, they still needed to maintain a veil of poise and dignity, which Adham failed at miserably. His hot temper, and callous actions, often led to clumsy outcomes that had to be corrected by either his mother or Shehenshah himself.

" Oh uh-" Jaswant stuttered, not knowing how to debate his sister's stance. " Fine, let's just see you till the entrance of the Harem "

The sun was yet to peek out from the horizon, but its first rays had already lightened up the sky in a gloomy hue of purple. The night shift guards yawned and slacked by the walls, but straightened themselves as soon as they heard the new Begum entering the Harem.

" A bit lackluster it seems " Jaswant commented, which led Jyoti glare at him through her veil.

" It sure is to be honest " Adham replied. " They had a lot of arrangements for Begum Jodha's arrival "

" Did they get the dates wrong?" Jaswant asked Adham who shrugged in reflex, knowing as little as the other two outsiders.

" Maybe Shehenshah is tired " Jyoti spoke, " he probably just wants to be closer to his child and not worry about things like this "

Adham looked at Jaswant in concern, as if to ask whether Begum Jyoti was alright or not. This time, Jaswant shrugged, making the air between them heavy with tension.

Even Salima Begum's arrival was celebrated in a better way, the woman who was the bride of another man before Shehenshah. And to not get similar treatment meant a lot of things, the worst being that the Begum didn't hold any acknowledgeable status to the Mughal Empire, just like the handmaids residing in the Harem. That she was only to be used by the Shehenshah for her femininity, and nothing more.

" Maybe we should wait a bit, let the sun arise completely from the horizon. They are probably all asleep-" Jaswant was ready to grab Jyoti's hand and rush to a better room where she could rest, but soon heard heavy clinking of payels, as if a horde of women were approaching them.

" Who's that?" Jyoti held up her veil to see who was coming to greet her, just when her eyes lit up to see a familiar face.

" Its Jodha bai-"

" JODHA BAI SA!" Jyoti rushed towards the third Begum of the Shehenshah, the princess of Amer, who was currently holding a scowl along with a plate resembling a Puja Thaali.

Jodha turned her head, only to be gripped into a tight hug, which left her perplexed for a second.

No one has been this kind to her since she had set foot in this unknown Empire. No one has called her ' Bai sa ', let alone acknowledge her presence in the huge Palace of the Mughals for the past few months.

The warm embrace, even though unknown, brought tears to the young Princess' eyes.

" Its so good to meet you again Jodha Bai sa!" Jyoti squealed and let go off the hug as she felt Jodha tap her fervently.

" Jyoti Bai... Is that you?" Jodha exclaimed, while gasping for air and calling a maid to hold the Thaali safely in her stead.

" Yes! Its me!" Jyoti squealed again like a child. " I never thought I would see you here like this.... But I am not surprised! You were always the epitome of etiquette and spirituality!"

" Jyoti Bai.... " Jodha looked at her in confusion, " wait... Did you just arrive? Like as a Begum of the Shehenshah?"

Jyoti's eyes widened at the sudden mention of her status. Her eyebrows knitted in confusion, as she nodded her head slowly and looked back towards Jaswant and Adham who were still standing outside the margins of the Harem.

" What! Why wasn't I notified of this! Moti! Did you know?"

Moti, Jodha's handmaid , came forward and shook her head no, while also folding her hands and greeting Jyoti.

" Shehenshah seriously needs to keep his actions in check. First he announces war on Mahanagar, then marries the princess in a day and now! Won't even inform us of her arrival! What will the officials think! How will the Harem react!" Jodha burst out in panic as well as anger, which made Jyoti scared.

" The Harem will not react Jodha Begum, I will make sure of that " a curt voice cut through the air of chaos, as the horde of women cleared up to allow passage for the first Begum of the Shehenshah, the Begum-e-khaas, Ruqaiya.

" Pranaam Ruqaiya Begum" Jodha calmed down, and greeted her co-wife. " I am sorry if my words were-"

" Offensive?" Ruqaiya scoffed, " Its unlikely for you to apologise for your offensive words, Begum Jodha. Please don't act as a hypocrite in front of the new Begum-" she turned to Jyoti, scanning the new Begum from head to toe.

But before she could ask for her name, Ruqaiya almost jumped backwards as Jyoti dipped low in front of her, touching the former's feet with her hands, and then placing them on her head.

" W-what is this?" Ruqaiya shouted, " what on earth are you doing?"

" Pranaam Ruqaiya Begum, I am Princess Jyoti, the youngest child of the Royalty of Mahanagar" Jyoti stated simply, and rose up, matching her eyes with that of Ruqaiya and Jodha.

But as she only found confusion in them, Jyoti explained her actions," You are Shehenshah's first wife, thus having a higher position than me. Plus you are going to be the mother of Shehenshah's first born, the heir of Mughal Sultanate. I have huge respect for the woman who will be upbringing the future ruler of the Empire. That's why I touched your feet. Its a sign of asking for blessings, as well as showing respect in the Hindu culture".

The two older Begums of Shehenshah were left dumbfounded at the words of the young Princess, both sharing a baffled gaze with one another.

" Umm.." Jodha broke the deafening silence, " let me prepare something quick for your welcome. Its inauspicious for a new bride to enter her husband's home without any ceremony ".

She looked at Ruqaiya, to ask for permission, as the latter too nodded in agreement. Even though their thoughts were wildly opposing in every little thing, they knew when to act mature and elegantly. The new Begum in front of them could be a fox in sheep's skin, for her sweet words were too comfortable for the thorns of the Palace, but they knew their responsibilities.

The Harem was a place for solidarity for the women in the Sultanate's palace, and they couldn't let the new Begum be estranged in the first day of her newly wedded life.

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

Hello Readers!

I was so depressed with my exams that I couldn't get into the headspace for writing the chapter.

But I still did and to be honest this chapter is a bit weird because it's completely different than what I had imagined before. Like I completely changed the interactions, I don't know why.

Anyways, I hope its still enjoyable.

Vote and comment!