The walk to the palace was silent. But Jaswant liked it. The Shahenshah was a calm person, someone who could possibly handle his sister.

" Is the heat always a problem Rajkumar?" The Shahenshah asked.

"Well today is one of the driest days of the year. Our Kingdom is close to the desert, so it suffers more than the others. But we have our ways to survive it"

" The shawl I bought works well" The Shahenshah smiled, as Jaswant acknowledged the fact. He was wrapped in a similar shawl, just a bit more expensive one.

"Sorry to ask Sir" Jaswant interrupted the calm, "but I hope my sister didn't speak of anything... irrational or immature-"

"She said she has seven brothers. And that the King is her oldest brother and not her father" The Shahenshah laughed. "To be completely honest, I didn't know it either"

"Ah yes, Jagdish Bhai-sa always acts like our father, so everyone just goes with the misinformation. Plus he is too old and too busy to act childish with us, so I guess its fitting"

" What about the other brothers? Are they much older too?"

" We are all actually twins except our oldest Bhai-sa. After him, we had Balwant and Bajrang Bhai-sa, they are both in their 30s. Few years later, Maa-sa gave birth to Hari Bhai-sa and Gopal Bhai-sa. In the same year, because one of our uncles died, his lone son was adopted by us. He is named Gajendra. Then again five years later, Jyoti and I were born. I am older though, by a few minutes" Jaswant beamed making Shahenshah chuckle.

" Such a big family, no wonder your sister doesn't want to marry"

"Ah.. she said so?" Jaswant's smile dropped, " I did tell her to not force herself but she was adamant. She thinks I am not marrying because of the vow I took as a child, but that's not at all true. However, I feel that if she marries the Shahenshah, she would be happy "

"Do you really? Why?" The Shahenshah couldn't believe that a Rajput held such good thoughts about him. " Hindu Kings don't quite like me- I mean the Shahenshah"

Jaswant smiled at the little slip up. He was happy that his observations were right. But he still went along the act. " We aren't really the true royal Rajputs . We were handed down this Kingdom by the actual King when his lineage died. Our grandfather was the advisor of the King. A lot of people thought that our grandfather had killed the King to gain power, but slowly they warmed up to his rule. None of us know the truth, whether he killed the King or not. But we all just try to do what's best for the Kingdom. Similarly, making an alliance with the Mughals seems to be the best way to not let a war destroy our peace"

The Shahenshah nodded, and the rest of the walk was awkwardly silent. Just a day ago he wished to wage a war instead of a marriage alliance, and now the thought made him feel guilty. He made a mental note to ask for forgiveness in his prayers , and hoped that no such devious thoughts pops up in his mind again, especially regarding this Kingdom.

"Can I call you Shahenshah now that you've entered our palace?" Jaswant joked, making the Shahenshah laugh too. The two were close in age, and he had always liked people who genuinely didn't hate or fear him.

The ministers arrived, the court was set and the Shahenshah left to get dressed adequately. But what he wanted most was to see the look on the Rajkumari's face when she would realise that he was the person she would marry.

He had always loved to surprise people. With his first begum Rukaiya, he had been playful his whole life. But wars and death forced him to push aside his childish side for a long time, and it affected him greatly.

His first begum, she would always tell him how she loved him and he knew it was the truth. But as he grew up, he realised that even her presence felt a bit weak, as she wasn't there when he needed her. For some reason, people always tried to keep him apart from his wives, as emotions were said to make him weak. Rukaiya too steeled herself, to his absence, and gradually to his indifference.

Then came the horde of women he won through such wars, the haram growing beyond any fathomable size. Rukaiya put herself in charge, of the same women who could take away her husband anytime. Both had suffered, but maintained themselves similarly, as one was the Shahenshah, and the other his Begum-e-khaas.

His fourth wife, Jodha begum, who he had married just two months ago was the first Rajput princess to enter the Mughal household. Ten years after his first marriage, he was now more stable to actually enjoy the bliss of married life.

But Rajputs were not someone who could see the Mughals as friendly, let alone grow a family with their blood. He had been cursing, fighting his urge to make Jodha begum bend at the knee, to acknowledge him, but he couldn't. And no amount of love from other wives of his could make him feel better about such a blatant opposition. Or so he thought.

As he walked towards the court, he realised he had been thinking of Rajkumari Jyoti the whole time, and he kept smiling at himself, making all his ministers worry about his health.

But as he reached and settled down, he was informed that the Rajkumari was a bit sick, and wouldn't be able to attend today's meeting.

" I am sorry Shahenshah, but I think the heat has got to her" The King pleaded, concern marring his face.

"Its fine. Even I was close to fainting" he laughed, making Adgah Saheb snap his head at him, scolding him through his eyes.

" We can arrange another meeting tomorrow, I hope you'll not be disappointed with our hospitality for the night" The King assured, as after a few more minutes of exchange, the men left for their designated places.

The night was like a refreshing blanket being wrapped around one's body to shield it from the sun's raging assault. It was cloudy, almost as if it was going to rain after the weeks of scorching heat. The wind carried the smell of the earth, as Shahenshah smiled at the cold breeze rejuvenating his mind.

He sat at the border of the fountain, his upper body only covered with a single sheer fabric that was tied in front. He had decided to bathe once again before going to bed, but a similar silhouette up in one of the verandas made him run down towards the fountain.

He knew she was also going near the fountain, afterall it was the coolest place in the garden.

" Who's there?" He heard the similar voice, although this time a bit less formal.

" Ah sorry, I didn't know this place was just for the women"

" No its not, I just didn't expect someone to be here" she walked up to him, and through the light of the fire that flickered a few meters away from them, they both stopped as their faces were visible to the other. " I have seen you somewhere haven't I?"

The Shahenshah shrugged, he still wanted to surprise her the next day at the court.

"Wait a second...." She trudged closer to him and hid the lower half of his face by keeping her hand in front of her eyes. "You're the man I talked to in the morning!"

"Yes I am" he laughed. The twinkle in Rajkumari's eyes was almost visible to him under the moonlight.

" Don't tell me" she came a bit closer, " you are one of the Shahenshah's men"

The Shahenshah kept quiet, and looked the other way. To his fortune, it misled Jyoti just enough.

"Oh my god, you ARE his minister. I am so sorry for what I said before" she bowed profusely, as the Shahenshah was again taken aback by her unabashed display of un-royalness.

"Its fine, Rajkumari, please don't bow in front of me" The Shahenshah pleaded as Jyoti stood upright and gazed towards the moon, her face still hot from shame.

" I did think you were Mughal, but I didn't know you would be acquainted with the Shahenshah" Jyoti mumbled. "What's your name sir?"

"Jalal" he answered, hoping that she doesn't already know the Shahenshah's real name.

"Jalal... Isn't it the same as the Shahenshah?"

"Umm..." He couldn't believe that the Rajkumari still didn't connect the dots. It was amusing, to stand in front of a Rajkumari who didn't think like a tactician. After all, all four of his wives were too practical and cunning, for the better or for worse. " It is"

"Woah.. it must be tough sharing the same name right?" She plopped down on the border of the fountain, the ends of her dupatta dipping into the water. The Shahenshah wondered whether to tell her or not, but sensing that she already knew but decided to overlook it, he too didn't say much.

"Why do you think so?"

"Whenever Shahenshah's name is called, won't you mistake it for yours? And vice-versa?" her innocence was like a dart piercing his cold heart.

" Everyone calls the Shahenshah by his title" he too sat down beside her, keeping a comfortable distance.

" Even his wives?"

" His first begum calls him by his name"

" Does he allow others to call him by his name?"

" I don't know Rajkumari. Do you want to call him by his name?" The Shahensha was yet again engrossed in the conversation. Words seem to flow through his tongue easily. He didn't have to think twice of his replies, nor did he have to put restraint on any of the facts.

" Well, I don't know...." Jyoti sighed, " all of my Bhabhis and even my mother call their husband by their title. They say its wrong to call one's husband by their name"

" I guess you have to come up with a trick then" The Shahenshah laughed.

" A trick?"

" Yes... how about calling each other by names that you both agree upon"

" You mean.. completely new names?" Jyoti rested her chin on her hands, as her lips pouted naturally while trying to come to conclusion to the problem, " will he call me a different name too?"

" I guess so"

" I wonder if I will like my new name or not" Jyoti sighed again, " I like my current name"

" Your name, what does it mean?"

" Light... in layman's terms" Jyoti stated, her eyes still gazing the beauty of the moon.

" Noor.." The Shahenshah couldn't stop mumbling his thoughts, but the moment the name escaped his lips, he felt a surge of warmth inside of him. It was as if his heart has been thawed, his mind relieved of the shackles of being an Emperor.

" Hmm?" Jyoti tilted her head in confusion, as she couldn't decipher what the man said. " What does it mean?"

" Noor is the Arabic translation" The Shahenshah repeated, " its fitting for you"

" hey now" Jyoti laughed, " I will only agree to a name kept by the Shahenshah himself. He probably won't like it if I suggest a name by another man"

" Is that so?" The Shahenshah too laughed, his cheeks getting redder by the moment, but thankfully the night was dark enough to hide them, " I think talking to strange men late at night is also frowned upon is it not?"

" Are you saying you are not to be trusted?" Jyoti raised an eyebrow, her tone mocking the same man who posed the question, " I don't think the Shahenshah would have kept a minister if he couldn't trust them around his wives"

" You have a lot of faith on a man you've never met Rajkumari"

" It's not faith" Jyoti shrugged, " I just don't think holding adverse thoughts about my future husband would bring me any happiness. I hope for the best, always. After all, life is too short to think badly of the people I have never met"

" You're too pure" he mumbled softly, the words not even reaching Jyoti's ears. But still she suddenly turned towards him, her eyes holding a bit of mischief,

" Can I ask for a favour sir?"

" A favour?" The Shahenshah raised an eyebrow but beckoned at her to go forward with her wishes, " what do you want?"

" If you're as close to the Shahenshah as you sound like, can you ask him to let my twin brother accompany us? I heard that Jodha Bai-sa was let to keep Maan Singh with her at the Mughal Palace. Can't the same happen with my brother?"

" Hmm..." The Shahenshah was a bit skeptical, after all there were many people in his court who would oppose the addition of yet another Hindu courtier.

" If he could just stay there for sometime, I would feel at peace. I hope I can make friends with all the other ladies of the haram, but if things go awry, I will love to have a family member beside me. At the end, I won't really force my Shahenshah to agree with the request, but if he does, I will be a bit more comfortable, nothing else"

The Shahenshah whipped his head at her, she had called him ' my Shahenshah '. The only thought that clouded his mind was how his chief advisor, Maham Anga would completely go crazy if he brought another Hindu soldier with him, but for now, he wanted to keep all such dilemmas aside.

Maham Anga was right now not with him, unlike his previous marriages. He could take the decision that his heart wanted, his cold heart which suddenly felt like beating again. And he was sure, that to protect the smile and calm that his new wife would have, he could bend the rules a little bit. After all, he was the Shahenshah of the Mughals, and his happiness meant the prosperity of his empire. And in this moment, his Noor was his heaven.

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵