The day was ending, as the night seem to engulf, almost everything. Jodha stood there, looking at the night sky, not looking at Jalal as he tried to woo her. She was mad at him for teasing her along with Sona.

"C'mon now Jodha. That was the first time I met your sister; wouldn't I have made her feel comfortable?"

"Is that the only reason why you did that?"

"Well, yeah!"

"Why must I believe you?"

"Because I am your husband and because you love me!" he hugged her from back and kissed her on her neck. She held her ground for some time before bursting into a fit of giggles as she relaxed against his firm chest. They looked happy together.

Champavati saw them from a distance. She had come to invite them for dinner. She was happy for her daughter. Her daughter was now Malika e Hindustan and Shehenshah loved her so much, cared for her definitely. Actions speak louder than words do. Champavati recalled all the times Jodha had to sacrifice her wishes even after being a princess, and now she had everything. Perhaps, this alliance wasn't even that bad.

"Attention, His Majesty, Emperor of Hindustan, is arriving along with Her Majesty, Empress Jodha!" Champavati stood there, Phulvati beside her as they waited for Shehenshah and Jodha. The table was laid properly with Jodha's favourite dishes and some Mughlai food made with the best authenticity for Jalal.

Jalal arrived and so did Jodha. Champavati and Phulvati greeted them and after they were seated properly, Sona joined in too. Bhagwan Das was also present to give Jalal company, along with his fifteen-year-old son, Man Singh.

"Jodha, everything is prepared, keeping in mind your taste," Phulvati said as she got up to serve Jodha and Jalal. Jodha stood up before she could serve.

"You may sit, Ranisaa. Neela will serve us. We are well-staffed."

"Jodha, my dear, no one can beat a mother. Let me serve Jamaaisaa."

"You are so right. Thank you Ranisaa for correcting me." Jodha smiled. Champavati felt like she was invisible. She was about to take a seat when Jodha called her.

"Maa...." Champavati looked up at her daughter. She had been dying to hear her call her Maa for so long. "Will you serve Shehenshah?"

Champavati felt as though her heart would explode from happiness. She got up and served Jalal. Jodha looked at Phulvati, who looked clearly embarrassed. She smiled at her. She humiliated her in front of Badshah e Hind. She was taking her mother's revenge one by one, without even making it obvious.

Bhagwan Das and Man Singh were too involved in the food to notice Phulvati's face and as for Sona, she was still a kid. She laughed and Phulvati looked at her with a death glare but then her eyes met Jodha's and she looked down. Never before had she felt so powerful. She was content today. Then her eyes reached Jalal. He was happily getting served by Champavati. Then her hand went to her womb. She smiled as she felt life inside. She was carrying an amazing man's child. She couldn't be more thankful to Jalal for entering her life. She was ashamed of herself for not wanting this child a few days back. Surely, she wanted to make the man happy who gave her so much happiness.

"I love you!" she said as she looked at Jalal. She was too engrossed in her thoughts to know of what was happening.

"Jiji!" she broke from her thoughts and looked at Sona.

"Yes, Sona?" Sona simply smiled at her, as though controlling her laugh. Jodha looked around and everyone looked at her with the same reaction. Then she saw Jalal and he had stopped eating. She realised she had spoken out loud. She bit her lip as a red shade crossed her face. Jalal looked at her. She took a few steps back and then ran to her room. Sona ran after her. All the others broke into a laugh.

Jodha was sitting on her bed, Neela beside her, was massaging her legs. Every now and then she would look at her and burst into giggles.

"Enough of that, Neela!" Neela nodded and broke into a laugh soon after.

"Jodha, you are seriously so funny."

"Stop laughing.... or.... or I will call Rehman!" she blurted without thinking and Neela stopped massaging her legs for a second. Jodha quickly got the situation under control by changing the route of the topic. "Why did you stop massaging? Are you afraid I might actually order him to kill you?" Neela relaxed a bit. "What...what do you mean, Jodha?"

"Shehenshah told me. Rehman is his favourite and chief guard of the army. Wouldn't he slain anyone if his empress asked him to?"

"Of course, why not? He must.... must always listen to the empress."

"Now, continue with the massage." Neela nodded and continued.

Jodha was clearly embarrassed about what happened at dinner. And now, she had almost spill the beans. She would wait for Neela to tell her first and then do anything. Jalal walked in while she was immersed in her thoughts and Neela had left by then.

"Neela, keep massaging." Jalal did as he was asked. "Neela, what do you think, I mean, what should I do to make everyone and especially Shehenshah forget about what happened today at dinner?"

"You should keep your promise."

She looked up at Jalal and removed her legs immediately.

"Shehenshah, how long were you here? Why did Neela...?

"You are so embarrassed. Straighten your legs, I will massage them."

"I...I can't and besides, I am okay."

He took her legs in his hand but she shrugged him away.

"You can't touch my feet, Shehenshah!"

"What nonsense is that?"

"It's our custom."

"With all due respect, I can't follow it."

"Please, Sheheshah, I insist...."

He took her legs in his hand and pulled her closer, such that she was now on his lap.

"You love me, right?"

"I do..." she replied slowly. He pulled her dupatta away as he placed a kiss on her cheek, following her neck, collarbone, and cleavage. She moaned with his touch. His hands reached her shoulder and he tugged down her sleeve as he placed a kiss on her bare skin. Her hands were on his chest as he slowly untied the rope of her blouse, flashing her naked skin open. He kissed each of her breasts making her shiver. His hands ran up and down around her navel, making him earn another moan from her. He removed his overcoat and then her ghagra. His fingers reached below her navel, and she could feel his manhood. He teased her with his fingers making her literally beg him.

"Shehenshah, please!"

"Call me Jalal...." She looked up at him. She wanted him to get in, right now, right here but she couldn't call her husband by his name. She nodded a no, and he removed his fingers when she was almost close. She looked at him and he mouthed the same thing, as he entered his fingers insider her and cupped one of her breasts with his free hand, while the other one, he teased her, by licking it every now and then and finally took it in his mouth. She could cum any moment now, but he let her go before she could, frustrating her further.

"Shehenshah...!"

"Jalal..." he replied.

"I cannot.... I must not!"

"Do you not want it?"

"You are my husband. I can't call you by your name!"

He kissed her neck and then her temple before undressing himself. He placed her hand on his bare chest. She quivered. She had had sex with him before, but never too passionately. She wanted him inside her in all ways she didn't know he could. She wanted to cum but she just couldn't call him by his name. It was against her custom. But then again, what good had customs done anyway? She kissed on his chest and then on his neck. Her hands circled around his neck as she looked into his eyes.

"I love you, Jalal!" she finally said his name. He couldn't believe she said his name.

"Say it again."

"Jalal!" He smiled as he kissed her neck and his hands travelled down to her breast. She moaned again. He kissed her breast again before eating it almost like a ravenous animal. Her grip around his neck tightened. His fingers reached her, making her cum this time like never before. He got her on top of him as he entered inside her. She moaned with each thrust, this time calling out his name, as she found her release, not once but twice. After they were done, she lay back on her bed. She was way too exhausted and pulled over her quilt as he embraced her from the back. She relaxed against his chest as the two dived into sleep.