PSA THE TROPE THAT IS INTRODUCED IN THIS CHAPTER IS ONE THAT WILL NOT CONTINUE FOR LONG.IF YOU DONT LIKE IT PLEASE DONT READ THIS BOOK.UNTIL THIS TROPE IS HERE SOME THINGS WILL BE PLATONIC!!!

Shahensha Haider P.O.V.

As we rode through the city,there were cheers and prayers being shouter.As we neared the palace entrance,a shower of flowers begun to happen,I smiled as I saw my mother,Jahan begum standing at the entrance along with my sisters,sister-in-laws and aunts,my uncles,advisories,munsabdar who were important to the court and three Moualana saab who were a apart of my court.

I dismounted my horse after one of the soldiers took a hold of the reins,I made my way to ammi-jaan who stepped forward to hug me and held me tightly,before pulling back and looking over me repeatedly.

“Allah ka lakh,lakh shukar hai ke tum salaamat ho.Mubarak ho tumhari fathe pe,mere bache.”
(I thank Allah a million time over that you are safe.Congratulations on your victory.)

I picked her hand,kissing the back of her hand,“Alhumdulilah,victory had to have been ours because we were on the side of the innocents.”

(Praise be to Allah)

I greeted the rest of the women of my hareem,looking around for the apple of my eye,the woman I loved most but I knew she would not be outside.I greeted the rest of my court people,before handing over duties of the army to Ehmad Khan as I begun to make my way into the palace,ammi-jaan besides me.

“How did our army fair on the battlefield?” Ammi-jaan questioned as one of the former generals of my abbu-jaan’s army,she knew the logistics of how the army operated on the battlefield.

“They tried their best,we realized after the second day when we lost two battalions of hundred men each that we had a traitor.”

Ammi-jaan looked at me as she registered what I said,her eyes narrowing and her hands curling into fits,“Who was it?”

“Hadin Alam.”

Ammi-jaan shook her head at my words,I steeled myself for her cutting words that would be said,”I warned you about that one.How did you find out that he was the traitor?” Ammi-jaan knew that she did not have question me regarding the possibility of Hadin Alam being alive because she knew me better then anyone.

“Bakshi Bano helped us lay a trap so that we would be able to catch Hadin Alam.” I looked at ammi-jaan take in my words,confusion then recognition register in her eyes as we entered the hareem.

“Bakshi Bano?Ahmed bhai-jaan’s daughter?How was she present on the battlefield?” Ammi-jaan questioned me as if she had heard it wrong,it had been years since ammi-jaan had seen Bakshi Bano since she had been taken away by Gulbadan Begum.Ammi-jaan and abbu-jaan had been incredibly angry at Masuma begum who had just given her daughter away so hearing me say Bakshi Bano made her wonder if it were the same person she knew.

“Jee,chachu-jaan’s daughter.We had requested chachu-jaan to send a cavalry to help us but because he was further away from us then Mukhtar Jahangir Alla,he had send a request for him to send his cavalry.It seems that Mukhtar Jahangir had trained his niece in warfare so trusting her,he sent her with a cavalry and ammi-jaan,she was a strong,ferocious warrior on the battlefield.” We stepped into my khwaab-gaah,greeting the bandi and mulazim,accepting their congratulations.

(chachu-jaan-paternal uncle)

They begun to help me take off my armour as ammi-jaan took a seat and I turned to look at her,”I was attacked in my tent with the generals gone to lay the trap and only she along with Faris,then a commotion happened and we ended up alone,when we were attacked.” I lifted my turban off my head before sitting down as well,as the mulazim took my shoes away,I looked at ammi-jaan again who had her eyes on me,”She took an arrow for me,you can see that she is chachu-jaan’s daughter.”

Ammi-jaan did not say a word until the bandi and mulazim left,she gazed at me with a knowing look in her eye,”She might be bhai-jaan’s daughter but Gulbadan begum and Mukhtar Jahangir Khan raised her,she is a result of their hardwork.” She sat forward on her seat,”You hardly ever show interest in anyone,what about her has caught your attention?”

Her words made me wonder what about Bakshi Bano had caught my eye?Was it her trying her best to protect me or her forever loyalty towards the crown that made her put herself in danger without thinking twice?Or was it her piercing gaze that did not waver until I looked at her,assessing her when her eyes lowered?Was it her shyness or her not wanting to dine in a tent with only men?

I looked at ammi-jaan,”Her loyalty.In a time when loyalty is faltering,her loyalty and willingness to stand in front of me in a time if danger.Her non willingness to put herself in a tent full of men only and her strength at handling her cavalry.She would be a good asset to me in the palace.”

Ammi-jaan stood up,looking at me as she walked closer,her eyes twinkling in thought as she put a hand on my shoulder,”There is only one way to bring her in as an assest,as someone who could watch over you and protect you.You know better,but from what you are telling me it would be good if she were in the palace.”

Ammi-jaan walked out as I stood up,looking out the window into the courtyard,I saw the rose bushes lining the courtyard.My heart reminiscing about someone who resided in the closest khwaab-gaah to my own,the one whom my heart belonged to and the one who had always known that the day may come when I would take another wife.

Sahal,the daughter of my father’s best friend,Mukhtar Jameel Rizwaan and my close childhood friend.When friendship had turned to love,our parents had married us off.She had been an amazing wife,confidant and advisor.We had been together for years,our relationship withstanding the politics of the palace and our own problems.

I knew that if I put the reason for wanting to bring Bakshi Bano into the palace,she would understand but could I really put her through this?

I looked towards the big minaret,under which the darbar sat,then I looked towards the courtyard of the haraam.

One held my state,the other held my heart.If my state fell,my heart would follow suit.

I rubbed my hand across my face,as I turned to walk out of my khwaab-gaah,knowing that she would be waiting for me.I greeted the bandi that I passed,thanking them for their compliments and prayers.

As I entered the khwaab-gaah,a shower of petals begun to rain on me as I heard her giggle as I closed my eyes,a smile blossoming on my face.

“Mubarak on your victory.” Her arms wrapped around me from behind,I opened my eyes as I turned to hug her.

(Mubarak-congratulations)

Her red henna coloured hair sat neatly behind her back,I knew that she had it braided,probably with a few lilly’s attached to her hair.Her brown eyes lined with kajal,crinkling with her proud smile as she lifted up to press her  strawberry coloured lips against mine.I closed my eyes,savouring her cinnamon perfume as I wrapped my arms around her waist,pulling her closer as Ioved away to rest my chin on her shoulder.

“I missed you,jaan.”

(Life,loved one,beloved-several meanings)

Sahal begum rubbed her hands up and down my back,her way of comforting me as well as checking me for any injuries.

“You came back safe and victorious,may Allah always bless you as He has.”

I pulled away as she did,turning to walk towards the bed as she held onto my arm.The harsh afternoon sun casting it’s soft rays across the room from the window above the bed,we sat down on the chair with cusions,Sahal begum next to me,looking me up and down,before she nod her head as if she were pleased with what she saw.

“I have seen you in worst conditions.” She reached into the table for the jug,I watched as the red liquid ran into the glass before she gave me.

“You always know what I need when I come back.” I said before sipping the sherbet as I relaxed into the cushions which provided relief to my aching muscles and bones,”How have things been in the hareem?

(Sherbet-Red rose flavoured water or milk)

Sahal begum folded her legs underneath her as she faced me,her fingers drumming on her knee as she looked at me,”All has been well in the hareem.As long as I watch over the hareem,what could go wrong?”

I smiled behind my glass as I watched her eyes narrow at me,her fingers drumming faster and I reached with my other hand as I lowered my glass to catch a hold of her hand,”I know that you handle the hareem well,but I worry about you.”

“Then ask about me.” She tiled her head to look away as I tugged on her hand and she looked at me.

“Are you well,meri malika?”

(Meri malika-my Queen)

The beautiful smile that I loved of her,the small beauty spot beside her lip rising at my words,”I am well.How did you and our army fair on the battlefield?”

My mother's words shot through my mind but I pushed it aside.There would be time for that later,now my queen deserved my attention.I handed her my glass which she kept on her lap as she waited for me to reply.

“We were sure of our victory,only to find out that there happened to be a snake in our midst.”

Sahal tightened her hand around the cup at my words,lips pulled together tightly as she looked at me,as I thought of the moment I realised when the traitor was,my hands curling into fists as I thought of his last moments.

I snapped out of it as a small hand curled around my own,my eyes focusing on Sahal’s eyes,”Has the snake been eaten by the mongoose?”

“Yes,he has been killed.” I shook my head as I got up,walking towards her balcony that overlooked the courtyard,I could hear the rustling of her green-gold ghaghra as she calmed behind me,”I do not know what loyalty looks like in the darbar anymore,there are snakes in every corner.”

Sahal begum came to stand next to me,her touch on my hand causing me to look at her as she stepped towards me and I put my hand on her waist pulling her closer,looking down at her as she leaned forward to press a kiss on my chest,right where my heart beat.

“As long as you follow your instincts and heart,you will never go wrong.” She whispered as she looked up at me and I could not resist leaning down to press a kiss on her lips.

“You always know what to say.” I muttered as I pulled back,resting a hand on her collarbone and she smiled as she pulled back.

“I love you.”

I leaned down,pulling her towards me as I planted a kiss on her lips,”I love you more.”

She pulled away,glancing behind her as we heard the rustling of curtains,”Kya hua,Gulzar?”

(What happened,Gulzar?)

I glanced to see the shadow of Sahal begum’s favourite khwajasara behind the curtain that blocked the entrance of the khwaab-gaah,”Maaf kijye,Begum Sahiba,hamam-khana Badshah Salamat ki liye tayar hai.Mailika Jahan and Ehmad Khan have sent a message that after magrib the darbar will be summoned.”
(Forgive me,Begum Sahiba,the bath room is ready for the King,may He remain safe.
Malika Jahan-Queen Jahan)

“Takhliya.”
(Leave/Privacy)

Sahal begum turned to me,as she held my hand,”Come,let me ready our victorious King for his darbar.”

“Jaisi hukum,malika.”
(As you wish,queen)

After the magrib salah,I made my way to the darbar as I heard the commotion inside,the announcer bowed his head before bellowing out.

“Badshah Salamat,Haider Muhammed,tashreef la rahe Hai.”
(The King,May ramain safe,Haider Muhammed,is entering."

I entered the darbar,nodding my head as everyone stood up and greeted me with their hands.I walked to my throne,turning to sit down and then I lifted my hand.

“As salaam mu alaykum wa rahmatulahi wa baraktu.” I greeted at which those in the darbar replied to my greeting before sitting down as well.I looked towards the veiled section of the court where the women of the hareem sat,lifting my hand and I knew my greeting would be replied to.

“It is with great honour that I announce,Jaabirsher is once again under our rules.” A chorus of takbeer and alhumdulilah rose through the darbar,silencing when I raised my hand,”After consultation with Wazir Ehmad Khan I will announce who will take control of the areas in Jaabirsher.” I looked towards Ehmad Khan and the rest of my army leaders,”Ehmad saab,Jaffer saab,Faris saab and Khadir saab,please stand up.” The four men stood up,I looked towards the scribes of the court who wrote down every order of mine before looking towards the men,”The loyalty and bravery that you have showed on the battle field is worthy of every compliment that could ever be given.In return of your loyalty I am granting you all masubdari of 600 men each.”

(Takbeer-The call of Allah Hu Akbar which translates to God is great."

They each bowed their hands,extending their gratitude before sitting down,only Ehmad Khan remained standing.

“Shahensha,there are a few announcements from honourable Mukhtar of our Kingdom that has been requested to be present to you.” I gave a nod at which Ehmad Khan called in three messengers,with one unraveling the scroll that they held.

“Shahensha ko Mukhtar Ahmed Khan ka salaam qubool ho..Congratulations on recapturing Jaabirsher.May Allah continue letting the flag of our Kingdom and your Crown fly high.In Sha Allah we will set out to meet Shahensha in a couple of days,to present our congratulations in person.”

(Shahensha please accept the greetings of Mukhtar Ahmed Khan.)

As the messenger closed the scroll,the next messanger opened his scroll.

“Shahensha ko Mukhtar Jahangir Alla ka salaam qubool ho.Heaps of congratulations your victory against the enemy.May Allah always bless you with immense victory and may He build your strength day by day.
It is with great pleasure that I send the news of the marriage of my daughter to the son of Mukhtar Aalim Khan.This marriage will take place seven weeks from now.We humbly request that the Shahensha bless us with the presence of any one from the royal family,Gulbadan Begum sends her request for someone from the royal family to make this wedding even more celebratory.
We eagerly await the response to our message.”

(Shahensha please accept the greetings of Mukhtar Jahangir Alla.)

The third messanger came forward with a similar message from Aalim Khan with an invite for the nikaah and walimah.As the third messenger read his message,a thought flickered through my mind.

Bakshi Bano had been sent to help us during the battle,Mukhtar Jahangir Khan had seen to it that he sends his best.So for the wedding of his daughter,who would be better from my family to attend his daughters wedding but me and Sahal begum?

I also knew that Mukhtar Ahmed Khan would attend the wedding alone but I wanted the entire family there to witness the announcements that I would make.

I looked at the messengers as the third messenger finished his message,before glancing around the darbar.

“I had requested the help of Ahmed chachu-jaan during the battle,but due to his distance from us,he had sent a message to Mukhtar Jahangir Khan to aid us and he did send his aid,in the form of the Black Cavalry.” Whisper begun to sound at my words,with raised eyebrows and inquisitive mouths,”The rumours are true and the commander of the Black Cavalry is none other then Bakshi binti Ahmed.” There were gasps all around,even from the veiled section and the messenger of Ahmed Khan left wide eyes,while Jahangir Alla’s messenger’s shoulders pushed back and he seemed to stand taller at my words,”With her wise strategy and the kinds of my brilliant commanders and generals,we were able to kill Yabir,the traitor.Scribe.”

A scribe came towards me,scroll on a writing board and feather in hand,”Jee,Shahensha?”

The signal to give the orders to be written,”Shahensha Haider Muhammed appka salaam qubool karte Hai,chachu-jaan.Thank you for extending your congratulations.By the time this message reaches you,perhaps word from Mukhtar Jahangir Alla has not reached you but you will understand this message once his letter reaches you.I wish that you do not come to Agra Mahal to meet me,rather on the given time by Mukhtar Jahangir Alla I wish for you to proceed to Hajjat Fort with your entire family,we shall meet there.”

(Shahensha Haider accepts your greetings,beloved uncle)

The scribe brought the scroll to me,I turned my ring around on my finger so I could dip the signature in the ink a bandi held up and then pressed it to the scroll.The messenger took the scroll,at which I turned to Jahangir Alla’s messenger as the scribe took another scroll,when he was ready to write I begun to speak.

“Shahensha Haider Muhammed appka salaam qubool karte Hai,Mukhtar Jahangir Alla saab.Thank you very much for your congratulations.Bakshi Bano and the Black Cavalry displayed the utmost bravery and loyalty on the battlefield,which makes her and you more then rightful of rewards from me.Congratulations on your daughter’s nikkah.
It is with utmost happiness that I am willing to make the journey for the nikkah along with my wife.This will be fruitful meeting between us.I have already extended an invite to Mukhtar Ahmed Khan and his family to attend as well,as it were for Mukhtar Ahmed Khan that iWas able to witness the bravery of your family.
We shall see you then.”

I pressed my royal stamp onto the scroll which the messenger was handed and he left.I gave the third messenger a similar scroll with the message that I would be attending the nikkah but would not be able to attend the walimah.

I then dismissed the darbar before making way to my own khwaab-gaah,where I removed my court garments and donning my sleeping garments which consisted of a kameez and pants.I made my way to Salah begum’s khwaab-gaah,greeting the bandi and khwajasara as they left.I entered the khwaab-gaah,the scent of roses prominent in the air as I spotted my wife on the bed,her back against the headrest of the bed.

Her black hair laid open behind her back,her dupatta on the chair close to her mirror and dressing table.She wore a emerald and diamond choker around her neck,similar decorated bangles adorned her hands and her anklets shone under the candlelight that lit the room.When she looked up,my heart begun to race at her kajal filled eyes and rosey lips.I undid the ties on my kameez before removing it as I watched her hold out the hookah pipe.

“Your pipe is ready,my King.”

I smiled as I rested a knee on the bed before lifting myself on the bed,making way towards my queen,her black eyes following my every move,twinkling with anticipation.

“I have missed your company.” I almost whispered as I held her eyes before turning my back,laying down with my head on her lap and she put her hand on my head,running her hands through my hair.I let out a sigh of appreciation as she continued to rub my head,I felt her move,hair tickling my face and I opened my eyes to see her leaned over,I presumed to put the hookah pipe on it’s place,I reached up to grab her neck when she tried to move back,forcing her to look at me.

The dark of her eyes seemed to eat up the brown as they expended as I brought her face closer to mine,pressing a kiss to her lips,I whispered,”Oh,how these nights away from you have tormented my soul.Being away from you,even the water in wells could not quench my thirst.”

I felt her fingers tinkle down my chest,the ties of my kameez coming undone as she pushed it to the side,”My heart only felt easy during my prayers,otherwise it has been trembling in fear of what could have happend.Only now has my heart begun to beat easily.”

I raised my head,turning to face Sahal begum as I held her leg,pulling her forward causing her to fall against my chest,I leaned down to kiss her as I reached for the ties of her kameez.She reached for the bed curtain pull which cascaded around us,as we fell into one another.

A week passed by as I spent time doing court proceedings for the people as well as sorting palace matters out.Everything seemed to be in place,until a night as I sat in Sahal begum’s khwaab-gaah a bandi came to the room.

“Shahensha,gustaki ke liye maafi chaati ho.” I stood up off the bed,as Sahal begum reached for her duppata to drape it around her self.

(Shahensha,please forgive me for my interference.)

“What is it?” I questioned as I tied my kameez,knowing that if the bandi had been sent to call me so late it would not be for no reason.

“Ehmad Khan saab has arequested an immediate attendance with you in your khwaab-gaah,he says the matter is of great importance.”

“Bring him to my khwaab-gaah,I will be there.” I turned to Sahal who had got off the bed,her worry evident in her eyes as I rubbed her shoulders,”If you are worried,come and stand outside your entrance to my khwaab-gaah.”

She nodded as she wore her shoes,I wore my one as well and we made our way to my khwaab-gaah.Sahal begun waited outside as I made my way inside.

“As salaam mu alaykum.” I greeted which Ehmad Khan replied to and I noticed Faris Khan and ammi-jaan as well in the room,”What is the reason for such a late night meeting?”

“Shahensha,” Ehmad Khan begun to speak,”We caught a messenger with a message.” He handed it to me,I recealed the scroll,my blood running cold at what it read.

“What does it say,Haider?” Ammi-jaan questioned as I put the scroll down,crushing the scroll in my hand.

I looked at ammi-jaan,”This messenger had a message for someone,it states that Yabir has been killed and I have returned safely alive.There is also information about me leaving in a few weeks for Mukhtar Jahangir Alla’s daughters wedding.”

There was another traitor in the palace,I knew as King I would always have people out for my blood.I handed to scroll to Ehmad Khan before I begun to think of the best way to solve this, when Faris Khan spoke.

“Shahensha,if you wish you can leave earlier then you planned for Hajjat Fort.We can say that you will be headed to choti Mahal,but instead you can make your way to Hajjat Fort.That way we will be able to keep you safe, Shahensha.”

I turned to face Faris Khan,pondering over what he just told me.That seemed like a plan I could follow through with,it would keep me and the entourage headed to Hajjat Fort safe.

“That is a good idea,let me speak with Sahal begum and then get back to you regarding this matter.” I dismissed the men but ammi-jaan stayed behind,looking at the candles that lit up the room,”Ammi-jaan....”

She lifted a hand before looking at me,her eyes cast with both worry and fury,her forehead merged lines giving away her uneasy mind,”Faris Khan’s solution only gives you respite for a couple of weeks.At the end of the day,we need you safe in the palace.Sometimes the eyes of those always in the palace are cast with dust,there needs to be a fresh pair of eyes to see through a dust free glance.” I pursed my lips as I guessed in what direction ammi-jaan’s thoughts were going,I looked at the entrance behind which I knew my wife stood as ammi-jaan continued,”Have you given our last conversation thought?”

I looked ammi-jaan in the eye,shaking my head,”I have been busy with palace matters..”

Ammi-jaan raised her hand again,the only hand in the world that could silence me before she looked at the entrance,calling out,”Sahal begum,andar aye.”

(Come in)

I closed my eyes as I rubbed my forehead with my thumb and pointer finger,”Ya Khuda.” I muttered under my breath as Sahal begum stepped through the entrance,her skirt rustling against the mat as she came into the room.

(Oh God.)

“Adab,ammi-jaan.”

I opened my eyes,only for them to clash with her dark ones that were sparkling with worry and unease,anger showing in her dimpled cheek,under which I knew her to be biting it.

I saw her clenched fists,which throttled the heavy material as she fought to stand in place,as her eyes begun to change,almost as if realisation of what could be said.

Ammi-jaan walked towards Sahal begum,putting a hand on her shoulder as the two women looked one another in the eye,”The winds of the palace are signalling the arrival of a storm,a storm that can be battles from the inside.What I am about to ask you,has been something your ammi-jaan has prepared you for but it will never be easy on a woman’s heart.” I saw Sahal begum’s throat move as if she swallowed something bitter,her eyes crinkling at the edge as ammi-jaan continued and I took a step closer to her,”I wish that Shahensha Haider commits to a political marriage.”