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Rehana POV

His brows knit, and a slight smile appeared on his face.

"Yes," he muttered, and I immediately felt an ache. My palms turned sweaty.

"Or kitni begume hai aapki?"

"How many more wives do you have?" I managed to ask in a slightly broken voice, and he sucked on his lower lip while lowering his gaze for a moment.

"Three thousand," he said, and my heart skipped a beat.

"Th...three thousand?" I asked, and he locked his hands behind me and nodded.

"Yes, and there is a rule that I spend each night with each Begum. So, tonight it's my first begum's night, and you are three thousandth and one, so—"

"So, I have to wait around eight years to spend a night with you?" I asked, lowering my gaze to count my age after eight years. I would be thirty by then.

My head spun suddenly, and I sat back on the couch.

"And do you even remember all of their names?" I managed to ask, and he stepped a little closer, sat beside me, and shook his head.

"No, the attendee knows whose turn it is," he said, and suddenly I felt like vomiting.

"And, you were married when you married me?" my voice came out shaky, and I felt my fingers trembling with fear and disgust.

"Of course, did you think you are special?" he asked, and I closed my eyes for a moment and muttered under my breath, "Of course,"

How could I be so stupid?

"Why?" he asked, and I immediately looked at him.

"Why not?" I asked, and he leaned back on the couch and placed his hand on the headrest, spreading it long and almost reaching my shoulder.

He was so big and wide.

"Leave it," I immediately looked away.

I gave him the sweetest name. Jaan-e-Jahan, and he had three thousand more Jans in his Sultanate. I sighed deeply with disbelief and frustration.

Pulling my knees up to my chest, I pushed my face into the knees, and suddenly, he asked.

"You do not want to wait for eight years?"

I felt my heart shattered into pieces and looked up at him. There was a slight smile on his face, and I shook my head.

"Hume laga aaj hamari Suhaagraat hogi,"

"I thought it would be our wedding night," I said out loud and immediately regretted it.

"Wedding night? What is that?" he asked, and my eyes widened with shock.

"You do not know what wedding night is?" I asked with disbelief. He had three thousand wives but did not know what wedding night was. It's such a shame.

He shook his head slowly, and I rolled my eyes before shifting closer to him and crossing my legs before explaining.

"Suhaagraat par Shauhar or Biwi pass aate hai pehli baar. Hamara matlab hai vo pyaar karte hai, meethi meethi baate karte hai, ek doosre ke kareeb rehte hai,"

"On the wedding night, the husband and wife come close for the first time. I mean, they make love, talk sweetly, and stay close to each other," I tried to say, unable to find the right words for the actual process.

"Oh," he muttered, and I nodded.

"But, never mind," I looked away lazily at the bed and stood up to walk towards it. With the hurting ankle, I reached the round and huge bed and laid down, palming my face.

My life was useless. I should have known better.

A man who had not even considered meeting me once in these seven years would not have anything for him. I mean, I was number three thousand and one.

Unknowingly, a tear rolled down my cheeks, and I closed my eyes.

The whole day's tiredness immediately made me fall asleep—also the comfortable bed.

I woke up to bright sunlight invading my eyes. I blinked, feeling a slight heaviness in my head. I hardly travel.

Inhaling sharply, I opened my eyes and unconsciously raked my gaze around.

The whole chamber was glowing with sunlight and gold. The bright sunlight hit the golden-colored pillars, door frames, designs, and the finely polished floor, reflecting it to every corner of the chamber.

Just a few threads of sunlight did this magic.

My lips spread in a smile as I had never seen anything like this.

Foolish me. I could not notice the beauty of this palace last night. How could I?

My whole focus was on him and trying to impress him.

I moved my feet down the bed and stood up. My ankle felt better, and I noticed the tall windows covered with brown curtains.

This chamber was way bigger than the whole Miran Sultanate.

Walking from the bed, I noticed the side wooden tables and huge metallic trunks. There was a pair of dark brown couches, and the middle of the bed and couches were covered with lush, deep red carpets. Beautiful designs of golden and silver threads were intricately woven into them.

Suddenly, I wanted to lie on them and read my books. At this thought, a smile appeared on my lips.

Walking past them, I soaked into the beauty of the attached doors.

"Mallika-e-Sultanate," suddenly, a womanly voice caught my attention, and I immediately found Ammijaan walking in.

I immediately placed the dupatta on my head and walked towards her to wish her.

"Assalamwalaikum Ammijaan,"

She smiled when she heard me and replied, "Walaikumassalam, bete. " Then she cupped my cheeks to kiss my forehead.

"Did you sleep well?" she asked, pulling her hands back, and I nodded.

"I just laid down and immediately fell asleep. I even drooled a little," I said, rubbing the corner of my mouth, and she laughed loudly.

"Good, even I drool all the time," she said. She helped me walk towards the couch and signaled me to sit beside her.

"All these maids are for your help," she spoke, lifting her gaze at a dozen ladies, and I knit my brows.

"So many maids just for me?" I asked, wondering how many women the Sultanate had. Would a dozen maids for every wife, feeding and bearing their expenses, not be too much?

"You are special; why not?" she said, and I stared at her confusedly.

"Oh!" I exclaimed. She smiled, and I nodded.

Maybe I would be?

"By the way, how is your ankle now?" she asked, lowering her gaze to my ankle, and I smiled.

"It was not that bad. It healed by itself. I am healthier now," I said, and she smiled, nodding.

"Of course, you are very lovely," she said, applying a little kohl from her eyes to my ear's behind. "May God protect you from evil eyes," she added, and I smiled.

"Or haan, agar itni baat karna aap Rehman ko bhi sikha payengi to hume bhot acha lagega,"

"And yes, if you can teach Rehman to talk this much too, I would like that," she said, and I immediately asked.

"Jaan-e-Jahan aapse baat nahi karte?"

"Jaan-e-Jahan does not talk to you?"

She chuckled and shook her head.

"Karte hai, sabse baat karte hai lekin bhot kam. Matlab jitna poochenge bass utna hi bataenge,"

"He does talk, talks to everyone, but very little. I mean, he'll only say as much as you ask," she told me, and I nodded confusedly.

"Lekin humse to kaafi baatein kari,"

"But he talked quite a lot with me," I said, and she turned a little comfortable and signaled the maids to leave.

"What did you two talk about?" she asked, and I crossed my legs on the couch and told her.

"Nothing much. He told me his name and about his other wives and asked me what a wedding night is, Ammijaan. Is he that naive?" I asked, and she smiled widely with slightly thinned brows.

"Other wives?"

And I nodded.

"Yes, he told me that I have to wait eight, and there is a rule that he spends a day with each wife, and with that rule, my turn would come after eight years," I told her and inhaled deeply, reminding myself how miserable my life had become.

"Oh! He certainly talked a lot with you," she said; her eyes lit up suddenly.

"Why do not you get ready and ask him to greet you to his other wives?" she suggested, and I immediately looked at her.

"But, how can I, Ammijaan? I mean, I am feeling so bad after hearing that. How can I even meet those other wives?" I asked, and she nodded, humming a little.

"But, it will be better to know who the competition is," she suggested, and a smile appeared on my face.

"Yes, that's a great idea. I should get ready. But, where is he?" I immediately asked, putting my feet down.

"He's busy in court right now. How about you get ready and go to court to meet him?" she said, and I nodded with a wide smile.

She was so thoughtful. I mean, yes, why was I even upset or afraid? Also, I should know about the other wives if I had to be at ease. Maybe someone will let me spend some time with him in their turn.

I rose from the couch and quickly turned back.

"Ammijaan, what is his favorite color?" I asked, and she stood up and clapped twice before replying, "Maroon and purple. He likes dark shades,"

I nodded and noticed all the maids coming back.

"Help the Mallika to get ready," Ammijaan ordered and looked at me before saying.

"Send me a message if you need me,"

I nodded and watched her leave me alone with the attendees.

"Where is Shefali?" I asked, and one of them immediately went away from there. I waited until she brought Shefali to me.

"Where were you?" I asked, and her eyes were brightened up.

"I was taking the tour. This Sultanate is so huge and beautiful. There are so many gardens, trees, a pond, and even a bird sanctuary," she said, and I smiled.

"Really?" I asked, and she nodded, coming closer to me.

"Take me there after some time," I said, and she nodded.

"By the way, I have to get ready, and I need purple clothes," I said. The attendees immediately opened all the trunks and noticed so many clothes already there for me.

I wondered if they belonged to someone else.

One of the attendees found a beautiful dark purple attire. The dupatta and lower were dark purple, but the upper was made of an off-white with silver-colored heavy work.

"It's beautiful," I said, and they kept it out and asked me to walk towards one of the doors attached to the chamber.

As soon as the door opened, the fragrance of mild bathing oils and Itra caught my attention. It was grassy and strangely earthy.

It seemed like someone had used it before me.

"Was someone here?" I asked if I had to share my chamber with his other wives.

"Yes, Sultan was here," one of the attendees said, and I looked at her confusedly.

"Why?" I asked, wondering why he did not bathe in his chamber.

She just stared blankly at me and replied, "It's his chamber, Begum Sahiba,"

I grew even more confused.

What the hell was happening?

"So, I will be shifted to a different chamber soon?" I asked, and they all just stayed silent.

All right! They did not know anything.

I silently stepped forward, and my eyes widened with amusement. The bathing Hamman was huge and circular in shape. White-colored, translucent curtains were hanging low, and as the two attendees parted them, my sight fell on a big circular-shaped marble table in the middle.

It was white in color. A couple of jars, glasses, bottles, and flowers were kept in it.

"He drinks in the Hammam?" I could not stop myself from asking, but to my non-surprise, no one answered.

Great!

Sighing deeply, I intertwined my fingers and looked back at the attendees.

"I think I am comfortable with Shefali helping me here. You all can leave," I requested politely, and they looked at each other.

A moment of awkward silence followed until one of them chose to speak.

"But, Begum Sahiba, Sultan has specifically asked us to take care of you,"

I felt a slight ache in my cheek with the happiness I felt after coming here and tried hard to control it.

"Oh!" I managed to reply.

"Uh, but I can manage. I am sure of it," I exclaimed, and they all kept standing there, "I will tell Jaan-e-Jahan that you all helped me well," I added, and they stood unbothered for a few more moments before bending down and leaving.

Thankfully!

"They are so scared of him," Shefali said once they went out, and I looked at her.

"I think he is very strict," she added, and I furrowed my brows.

"He seemed very nice to me," I said, and she smiled, stepping closer to help me undress my fitted sharara.

"Because you are his wife," she said, and I scoffed.

"Three thousand and first wife. It's nothing special for him," I said, and her eyes widened with shock.

"What, three thousand wives?" she asked, and I nodded.

"But, I did not see any children in the Sultanate," she said, and I turned around to look at her.

"What do you mean?" I asked, and pushed the sleeves of my Top down, baring my breasts.

"I mean, if he has three thousand wives, I bet he would have at least ten children. Where are they? And he is not that old. So, the children would not be middle-aged men as well," she explained, and I nodded, finding it absolutely right.

"So, you want to say that he keeps his children hidden or lied about the wives?" I asked, and she smiled, shaking her head.

"No, I am just saying. Maybe I missed the children. Maybe they all stay in their chambers. After all, this Sultanate is exceptionally giant," she said, and I nodded, pushing the lower down and standing naked before her.

It did not bother me. I was habitual of her since my first day in Miran Sultanate.

"Maybe you missed them. He would not lie. Not to me," I said and smiled widely before stepping into the hammam.

The slightly warm water pulled me into its welcoming embrace, and I sat low, leaning my back against the pool's wall. I felt Shefali unbraiding my hair, and I closed my eyes to relax a bit.

"People are nice in here, no?" she asked after a few moments of silence, spreading my hair wide and gently applying the bathing oils and herbs mixed into the water.

"Hnn, everyone is nice," I said, helping myself by applying the bathing paste to my body.

I did not know if he liked me or not. And, somewhere, I wondered why he would even like me. I mean, he has three thousand wives. He would have seen all kinds of beauty: the long hair, the slim waist, the fair complexions, the sweetest voice, the melodic poetry, etc.

And I was out of talent.

Sighing deeply, I focused on my bath and exited the bathing room to the dressing part attached to it to get dressed.

Slipping down the purple attire, I let my wet hair down from the towel to let it air dry.

"Khuda kasam, agar aaj Sultan aapko is libaas me dekh lenge to apni nazre nahi hata paenge,"

"By God, if the Sultan sees you in this attire today, he would not be able to take his eyes off you," she said, and I rolled my eyes.

"Only if he would try to keep his gaze fixed on me for more than a few moments," I exclaimed, and she smiled, bringing me a comb.

"Let me comb," she suggested, and I sat on the couch, giving her access to my thigh-length long hair.

She gently parted the strands and combed them slowly while I remembered the last night.

My heart was mostly at peace, but I could not forget my number in the queue of wives.

"You know, Shefali, I will have to wait eight years to spend a night with him," I said, and she began to braid my hair slowly.

"Why so? You have already waited for seven years," she exclaimed, and I immediately turned back to look at her. Her hands reached down to a quarter of my braid.

"Exactly. I should remind him," I stated, and she smiled back.

I waited until she finished braiding my hair and immediately stood up to cover my head with the dupatta and slipped into my bellies.

"Rehana, Jewar to pehn le,"

"Rehana, wear the jewelry at least," she tried to stop me, and I clicked my tongue, shaking my head impatiently.

"I will wear them after coming back," I said, immediately clapping twice to call an attendee.

One came running, and I immediately requested.

"Can you take me to the court?"

And she just stared blankly at me.

"Court?" she asked, and I nodded, stepping closer to her.

"Yes, take me to the court. Where Jaan-e-Jahan is," I repeated and she shook her head.

"But, Begum Sahiba, he does not like anyone disturbing him during the court," she said, and I knit my brows with confusion.

"But Ammijaan asked me to," I said, and she gulped with a glitter of fright on her face.

After a few moments of silence, I repeated, "Take me there," and she nodded, bending her head down.

"Please, follow me," she said, and I nodded, pulling Shefali's hand to walk along me.

The attendee showed me the way outside the chamber, and my sight met with the beautiful gardens and the long galleries crafted in the middle.

The roses and lilies stood tall in the gardens with freshly trimmed grass.

"Where are the other wives' chambers?" I asked the attendee, and she looked at me with furrowed brows.

"Badi Begum's quarter is there," she said briefly, pointing to the right side. I noticed the grey palace, relatively smaller than my chamber.

"What's her name?" I asked, and she answered with confusion.

"Zeenat Begum," she replied, and Shefali immediately interrupted.

"But, that is Sultan's mother's name,"

I nodded in agreement.

And she looked away from me.

It was awkward. No one wanted to talk to me except Ammijaan, Ruhani, and Shefali. It made me feel like an outsider.

Ignoring it, I focused on the beautiful scenery before me. The fountains and the silhouette of the mountains were visible from here, even though they were far from there.

Before my father went away, he used to tell me about the beauty of this Sultanate. I always wondered if I could see how it looks before I die.

And here I was today.

Soaking in the Hamid Sultanate's warm sun and slightly cold morning breezes and inhaling the fresh, slightly fragranced air.

"This is the court," the attendee's voice suddenly caught my attention, and I immediately looked in her direction.

My sight fell on a tall grey and white colored palace-like structure. It had pillars, and the tall, dark green colored curtains were hanging low.

The soldiers looked surprised, finding me outside it.

"I want to meet Jaan-e-Jahan," I said, putting my feet on the stairs.

They both looked at each other confusedly, and I knit my brows with suspicion.

"Can I?" I asked in my soft voice, and one of them nodded, bending his down for a moment.

A tiny smile appeared on my face as I stepped ahead. The noise of my anklet bells echoed in the hall as I dared walk in, gazing at the detailed stone carvings on the pillars.

After walking for around ten meters, my sight fell on the vast door frame, covered with curtains, and I could hear the faded noises of the manly voices.

Eight soldiers stood there, and I bent my head a little low to wish them. They did not react.

"I think we should just be ready for everything," I heard his faded voice.

"But, what if he is involved in all this? I mean, him being missing says a lot," another one said.

"He will have to die," His voice followed, and I collected my courage.

Stepping ahead, I clutched my fingers on the maroon curtains and slowly pulled them apart to make room for me.

My sight noticed the brightness in the court. My gaze fluttered for a moment until my sight met his.

All the conversations immediately stopped, and everyone looked at me with surprise and shock.

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