Jyoti stood still, goosebumps rising on her skin because of the cool nighttime breeze, as well as the contorting expression of her husband upon hearing her words. 

She knew, her words were unconventional. To ask her husband, who she so wholeheartedly accepted, to not touch her was confusing. She had been waiting for him, but Jaswant's words did hold the truth that Jyoti was actively avoiding. 

She saw Shehenshah's eyes bore into hers upon hearing the punishment, his expression turning into that of puzzlement about the sudden plea. 

Holding his pause for a few moments, as Jyoti fidgeted with her fingers, he said,

" I am not sure Noor Begum why you suddenly stated such a thing" he said, almost whispered while interlacing his fingers with her, bringing her hand closer to his face, " but just remember, you have all the rights of a Begum, the right to refuse me too. You don't have to hide your concerns in veil of playfulness, especially when it is discomfort because of my presence" he kissed the back of her hand, and felt a slight shiver passing through Jyoti.

His deep voice, laced with care and compassion was enough to melt Jyoti's heart even more, but the kiss did the opposite as she quickly snatched her hand back out of embarrassment. 

The guards and maids were still out, working their shifts, and to be shown such a care, even in private, was something that made blood rush to her cheeks.

" Let's go Begum Noor" he said, again forwarding his hand to let Jyoti decide whether to take it or not. Her eyes which were now downcast due to timidness made Shehanshah feel a different emotion that he had never felt before, as if his heart was being thawed out from the cold.

Her slow breaths that fastened with the simple touch, her cheeks which reddened even under the hue of brown, and her eyes that dared not to meet with his felt otherworldly to the Shehanshah of the Mughals.

" Ji " her answer was inaudible, but the slow embrace of her soft and small hands into the rough hands of the Emperor was enough to make him smile. 

They took steps into the biggest tent in the camp, especially made for meetings, and the strong smell of hookah burned Jyoti's eyes and nose.

She quickly freed her hand to pull her veil down a bit more in order to hide her face, as Shehanshah understood her fear.

" Don't worry, the hookah is just for show. No one dares to drink and smoke in front of Bari Ammi. She would chew them alive if they do" he whispered to her, making Jyoti breathe out a sigh of relief. 

They stepped inside the room, as Jyoti's eyes scanned the people present to meet her. A few officials and Maham Anga, plus the maids who were serving everyone with fruits and beverages. 

" Aadab Shehenshah" Jyoti heard all of them greet Shehanshah, albeit a bit out of shock as no one announced his presence. 

Shehenshah greeted them back, as Jyoti too put her hands together and bowed a little, the gentlemen present followed her.

" Is your health fine now Shehanshah? Adgah Saheb told us that the journey was a bit taxing on you" Jyoti caught one of the officials asking among a pit of chatter. She looked at Shehanshah continuing the conversation, as the other officials too listened to him, while Maham Anga complained about the weather of Mahanagar. 

Jyoti felt at peace for a bit, realising that none of the officials had showered her with mocking questions like Jaswant had warned her, but soon it turned too boring for her. 

Travelling for hours, that too after getting married had already made her exhausted enough to fall asleep even on the ground if given the chance, and currently she was sitting on a comfortable couch, with Shehenshah's big frame and sturdy shoulder looking too cozy by her side.

She already had zero problems sleeping amongst chaos, growing up in such a big family and having travelled for the last six years with Jaswant, and thus the sweet invitation by sleep was tempting her to no bounds.

She tugged slowly at Shehenshah's coat, but the pull wasn't strong enough as she didn't want to alert the other people of her situation. Oblivious to her tugging, Shehenshah continued his conversation with the officials about the number of foot soldiers lost in the last battle, and Jyoti couldn't help but yawn under the protection of her veil. 

" I should have asked what I was supposed to do in this meeting......" she wondered as she could feel her eyes unfocusing, her mind blurring as exhaustion took over her mind. And in just a few moments, she let her head tip a bit to the left, resting it slowly on her husband's broad arm. 

---

" My Noor...... wake up please" Jyoti squirmed under the soft sunlight falling on her through the windows of the tent. Stretching her arms and blinking her eyes to adjust to the brightness, she realised a gaze on her.

" Did you sleep well Begum Noor?" the voice asked again, as Jyoti finally registered the hot breaths fanning her ear and the heavy arm that lied on her stomach, separated from her skin only because of the duvet.

Jyoti slowly turned her head, feeling a bit tightness around her neck, but soon found a hand reaching for her nape, massaging the muscles to relax her.

" Shehanshah..." she breathed out at last, her eyes widening at the godly image present beside her, watching her with the softest gaze possible.

" Hn?" he asked, bringing his hands to push the strands of hair falling over Jyoti's eyes, behind her ear.

Jyoti's breath hitched, her eyes absorbing the beauty of the light brown orbs that devoured her sense of space and time. Unconsciously her hand went to cup Shehanshah's face, the latter slowly angling his face to kiss the mehendi-adorned palm of his Begum.

Jyoti had never felt such bliss, or even dreamt of one. She had just hoped, for her fate to not be similar to her eldest sibling, the only sister she would have had if she had been alive. 

" Did I fall asleep yesterday in the meeting?" Jyoti realised her thoughts came out a bit too loud, as her husband chuckled softly, his smile again making Jyoti's heart skip a beat.

" Do you remember walking to our tent?" Shehenshah asked playfully, looking at Jyoti with a knowing smirk.

Jyoti broke the gaze and looked the other way, letting the sunlight invade her vision. She had embarrassed herself in front of a bunch of Mughal officials, that too in their first meeting. She did what she was most scared of, as tears of frustration was ready to build up in her eyes. 

" Are you not angry?" She still asked, hoping the answer to be mild, if not generous. She could see Shehanshah didn't mind her mistake, but she knew some would, and it was enough to make things difficult for her. 

" I am not" Shehenshah shook his head a bit, cupping Jyoti's jaw softly and turning her head back to him, " but sadly Bari Ammi is"

Jyoti's eyes fell, the caressing fingers on her face doing almost nothing to make her feel better. 

She knew the love she had for Shehanshah was not enough to live the rest of her life comfortably in Agra. She needed to make a good impression, make a few important people happy with her presence, among which Maham Anga came first. And in just one step she had ruined the opportunity to do so.

" Will she forgive me?" Jyoti asked, her slow guilty voice making Shehanshah chuckle a little bit.

" You are the first Begum who has asked me this" he replied, still caressing Jyoti's face, feeling the softness of her cheeks and the warmth seeping into his rough and rugged palms.

" Huh? What does that mean?" she asked, genuinely confused at his remark. 

" Nothing. You'll understand once we reach Agra" Shehanshah sighed, pushing himself up on the bed and sitting with the duvet still covering his lower half, as he remembered how he would return to his chaotic life in just a day. 

He looked back at Jyoti, looking at him with her big doe eyes with curiosity and confusion clearly marked on them. He laughed again, the cuteness overbearing on him like nothing else. He felt himself gravitating towards her, as he helplessly let his feelings take over as he kissed his Begum softly on her forehead, making the latter sink down a bit on her pillow.

Jyoti too looked at Shehanshah inching closer to her, as her heartbeats rose almost to a deathly frequency, and her breaths becoming uneven under his embrace. She felt him pick up her tikli a bit to make space, his soft lips which she had only felt on her hands twice now kissing her forehead. 

She knew she was blushing all this time, since she had woken up, a warm feeling had enveloped her, but this was something she had to prepare her heart for. Melting under his warmth, she closed her eyes and breathed in to stop her racing heart that dangerously thumped against her ribs.

" Shehanshah..." she whined, unsure as to why, when Shehanshah lifted himself up again to leave. She didn't want the feeling to end, nor did she want to face the outside world again so soon. 

" We still have time.." Shehanshah said, " but we need to see off Bari Ammi. They are leaving for a negotiation in a neighbouring Kingdom" he said, not being able break his gaze off his wife.

Jyoti nodded, sitting up and adjusting her veil on her head. Feeling conscious suddenly, she smiled warmly at her husband who was reluctant to leave her. But soon an attendee asked for their presence before Maham Anga's convoy, and they both left their safe haven just to face their reality as the Shehanshah and his new Begum.

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

Hello Readers!

My theory exams for this sem ended today and it all went so bad lol. 

The journey from school/state topper to an average joe in med school wasn't something I ever prepared for. It just breaks all my beliefs at every step and makes me question my competence. I know I am not trying my best because I am overstimulated and over stressed, but seeing other students who just study all the time without wasting time (unlike me) kind of makes me feel guilty.

Anyways, happy reading!

ALSO, I have really good recommendations for Indian Historical Fiction. Just go to magicallovely  profile and read her books. They are so freaking awesome.