Ariana always stayed in the guest-chamber of the Palace, which was a level below Shazain's chambers. She has known Shazain for the past five years and has visited him plenty of times. Never once did Shazain allow her to get on his floor. He always said that his people would not like it and intimacy before marriage was not allowed. When she came to know about his mistress she was eager to see her.

Shahzain escorted Ariana to her room.

"Ariana, Good night. Let me know if you need anything"

Ariana wanted to hug Shazain and give him a kiss. She came closer to him but he stepped back and removed her hands. Shahzain felt like he was betraying Seher. He was unable to understand why she was always on his mind.

"Ariana, I have some important work. I will see you tomorrow". He walked away. Ariana was fuming in anger.

She called for Martha and Penelope. Who came running at her call?

"What can we do for you, princess?"

"Did you find out who Xain's mistress is?"

"We do not know about the Princess. We have not seen her and the other maids did not speak much about her."

She slapped Penelope across her face.

"useless fools what did I bring you for, Just to freeload my fiancee's food"

Martha and Penelope were young 18-year-old teenagers who were inexperienced and obedient. That's why they were chosen by Helena to accompany Ariana.

She turned towards Martha.

"Princess Ariana. I came to know that the woman was very young, an epitome of beauty, and Sultan Shazam didn't allow her outside his chambers. He has warned his young guards to stay away from his chamber"

Ariana was seeing red hearing this."What do you mean to say that she is an epitome of beauty? Do you mean to say I am ugly? You want to throw on my face that Shazain loves that woman, she is nothing but his mistress I am the one he loves",she started flogging Martha mercilessly, venting out her anger.

"Get lost you bitches."She left them when she got tired. The two maids silently left her room.

"Martha, you should not have opened your mouth. " Penelope hugged her. "Come, let us go to the kitchen. I will wipe your wounds and, hopefully, someone might give us some food."

Martha and Penelope were not given importance in the palace because they were Ariana's maids and were deemed outsiders, so nobody cared for them. They slowly went to the kitchen looking for food. They had not eaten anything since the morning and Ariana had not even once asked them for food.

Penelope had just found stale bread. She poured some water and both maids dipped the bread in water and started eating. Just then, Seher entered the kitchen to get some warm water for her medication. She saw the two terrified young girls. One of them looked injured. They got really scared seeing her. Martha recognized her as Shazain's niece, who she had met earlier.

"Sorry princess, we were hungry". They were almost in tears. "We will go away". They got up

"wait," they halted when they heard Seher's voice.

"Why are you eating stale bread and how did you get hurt?" She asked.

"We are maids of princess Ariana and she is the one who hit us"

Seeing Seher, the maids came running to her service but she signaled them to leave. Then Seher turned to the Greek maids and asked them to sit and she took out some milk from the cold room and heated it alongside her water. She poured milk for the two maids.

"Drink this. I don't know where the leftovers are kept but there is a small equipped kitchen upstairs near my chamber. You are always welcome to cook and eat anything from there"

The two maids were touched by her generosity. They folded their hands in gratitude towards her.

Seher came closer to them and wiped their tears.

"Consider me as your family, " She looked at Martha's wounds.

"They need dressing otherwise they might get infected. What are your names?"

"I am Penelope and she is Martha."

"Penelope, look for the box of turmeric that might be in the spice section."

Penelope followed her orders and brought her the box." Mix this with the warm water and apply it on her back", Seher instructed.

"Why did Ariana beat you? She looks very gentle."

"Gentle! She is the most cruel and vile woman on earth. She hit us because we did not find out about Sultan's Mistress".

"Mistress?"

"Yes, that's what she said. Sultan said to her he has a woman. "

Mistress really Shazain, how low can you get. Seher's eyelashes were numb.

One of the palace maids, Albina, was seeing everything and was touched by Seher's gentle gesture.

"Princess, you take a rest. I will help them". Seher looked at the maid with questioning eyes.

"I am Albina, the scullery maid."

"Please take care of them and give them something to eat". Seher left there.

"What a kind young girl she is. I could never believe someone from the Royal family could be this gentle and kind". Martha was touched by Seher's kindness.

"She is Sultan's legal wedded wife, not his mistress", Albina informed them.

"But she called Sultan Uncle". Martha opened her mouth in shock.

"Haha, She must be joking" Albina laughed.

"She is quite young. Is she poor?" Penelope asked Albina.

"We don't know much about her. Sultan said to keep her identity secret for her security and please don't say this to anyone. I don't think she is poor. She looks and behaves like a true princess"

" That witch Ariana will be shocked of her life knowing this beautiful girl's true identity," Penelope said.

The whole night, the maids were gossiping about how bad Ariana is and what a false facade she maintains in front of Shahzain.

"Ariana is the female devil you guys. Just pray for your Sultan. She will make your life a living hell if she becomes your Queen. You will all see her real face soon. I don't understand why Sultan is so blinded by Ariana when he already has such a lovely wife", Martha questioned Albina.

" The Sultan adores the young queen. You don't know we have seen the way he looks at her, like in love, and not to forget how possessive he is about her. He never gave that kind of look to Ariana. Don't go on his cold appearance. He is our protector and savior. He has gone through a lot when he was a young boy. He was held captive by one of his uncles. He was badly beaten and tortured by one of his step-uncles. It was King Christos who saved him. That's why he tolerates Ariana."

"King Christos saved someone. I will never believe it. He himself is an animal." Albina got the idea that maids were not happy with their king.

*******"*"*************

Shahzain's mood went off, seeing Abasi getting comfortable with his wife, His Seher. He saw an appreciation in the eyes of Abasi for her. He wanted to pluck his eyes. He was angrier at Seher for flirting with another man other than him. In those five months of their marriage, let alone laugh, never once did she smile at him. She was always tense around him. Even with the physical intimacy, she never got comfortable with him. He was angrier at his grandmother, who developed a sudden liking for his wife and taught her to disobey him.

As soon as he entered the room, he rushed towards Seher.

"Are you so shameless, Seher? Did you forget you are my wife?"

He grabbed Seher by her throat."I will kill you, I will remind you today who you belong."

Seher was choking. "What did I do?"

Tears were rolling down her eyes, "Why were you getting cozy with that Abasi?"

"You can hold hands and hug another woman and I will be punished for just talking to your brother."

Seher scratched his hands and bit his palm. He loosed the grip.

"So you were taking revenge? I thought your parents raised you well, or is it common in your family to get cozy with other men? Why were you laughing with Abasi?"

"Have some shame, he is your brother and, unlike you, he is not characterless, he did not meet me alone. He is just like my brother. "

"You think you can defy me. I will kill you today", his face was red with anger.

"What did you say, Uncle? really Seher."

"I did not say anything wrong. If you got married on time you would have had children a few years younger than me."

"Stop it, Seher, I will rip that sharp tongue of yours. I know you are jealous of Ariana because I care for her more."

" I don't care if you care for her. You don't matter to me anymore. I am here because I promised grandmother and I would leave soon". She turned to walk away.

Shahzain grabbed her hand.

"You are a monster. What did I do to you? It was you who forced me into this sham of a marriage. Tell me, why did you marry me when you already loved someone else? Does your beloved know our relationship?"

"Unlike you, Ariana is very understanding. "

"Understanding? She does not even know I am your wife. You told her I am your mistress." Tears pooled in her eyes.

"Why Shahzain, Just tell me why? I went against my family and stayed with you, but for you, it was just a revenge game."

"Seher, you only belong to me. I am your first and will be your last". He cupped her face.

"Don't touch me with the same hands that you touched another woman."

"Please try to understand, I am helpless. I made a promise, I can't let Ariana go. "

"Then let me go, Shahzain, I did not ask for this. I was getting married to a man who loved only me. You interfered but I am not like you. I will leave you so that you can peacefully live with your love. You won't even have to lie about my identity. I think we were never meant to be together."

Shahzain remembered Murad's "

Don't think that I will leave you and you can go back to your cousin. I will kill any man that comes near you."

" In that case, I should kill Ariana too."

" Seher, try to be submissive"

"Ariana is the one you love. Get lost Shahzain. My father and brothers will take me away as soon as they know what you are doing to me."

"Things will change, Seher. Once we have children, you will be so busy with them that Ariana's presence will not matter to you". He hugged her

"Force me, Shazain, that is the only thing you are good at. I will never have your kids. Kids are products of love and you love her not me", she was now in tears.

"

**************************************************************

Seher woke up next to an empty bed and, by her side, it was cold, indicating that Shazain had not come back. Seher was very upset. Maybe he was with his lover. She did her morning prayers and went to see Najma Begum.

Unfortunately, Najma Begum was still in bed." Grandmother, what happened, why are you not up?" She touched her hand, it was hot.

"Grandmother looks like you have got temperature"

"It is seasonal, Seher, don't worry, I will be fine". Seher called for Rabia immediately. She checked Najma Begum. " Don't worry princess. She will be fine in a few days."

Rabia gave her a few medicines and left." Grandmother, where is Abasi?" Seher asked.

"Shahzain sent him on some official tour early this morning. He will be back in a month. He wanted to meet you but he had to leave in a hurry."

Seher knew that Shahzian knowingly sent him away." Grandmother, I will make some soup for you, we will have breakfast together."

" Seher, there are maids to do the work"

"I know grandmother, but you have never tasted my cooking. This is a perfect time. I will make a quick soup. It is good for viral infections."

Everyone was surprised to see Seher in the kitchen.

"Young Queen, tell us what you need. We will do it for you"

"You please carry on with your work, I will do my work quietly" Seher replied politely.

"Queen, do you not like my food", the Chef came running and asked her.

"NO, I love your cooking. Just let me cook something today. Treat me as your student and correct me if I go wrong"

All the maids were gawking at her. Seher quickly made Saffron bread, butter cookies, and chicken soup. She asked the chef to boil some eggs.

She saw a maid doing her work with a crying baby at her side. Seher lifted the child and gave her some cookies.

"Sorry young Queen, She was hungry."

"Please, you are making me feel like a villain. Continue your routine as normal. Where are the Greek girls? Please give them some food. They were hungry yesterday."

"Young queen, can we ask you one thing?" one of the maids asked.

"Yes"

" Do you belong to any royal family?"

"Yes, a prominent one, but the Sultan will not like it if I Disclose my Identity" Seher smiled.

"Please can anyone of you help me carry this to Queen mother's room?"

one of the maids hurried up. Seher thanked her and followed behind. Seher turned. "I made cookies. Please you can all taste it and let me know if I did a good job."

They all smiled at her sweet gesture.

***********************************************

Ariana was cursing her maids when Shazain knocked on her door.

"Oh Xain, I was waiting for you, I thought you forgot me after being with your mistress." She whined like a baby.

"Ariana, you are my priority. You will never lose your importance in my life. Be assured" Shahzain's words soothed her.

"Ariana, my grandmother is not well. Come, let's go and meet her."

"Xain, when can I meet your mistress?"

"I want to tell you she is not my mistress but my wife. "

Ariana started crying listening to this."Why Xain?"

"Ariana, I could have multiple wives but you are going to be my queen. I love you, not her."

Ariana smiled at him. "Xain, I will die if you stop loving me."

"Come, let us meet grandmother."

Old Hag. It would be nice if she died, Ariana thought.

**************************************************

when Shazain and Ariana entered Najma begum's room. Shahzain was surprised to see Seher Seher feeding his grandmother.

"Just a little bit more grandmother". She was startled to hear Shazain's voice.

She turned and saw him and Ariana together.

He stayed with his love. She tried ignoring them but her heart was bleeding, no matter how much she denied she loved him and it was not easy for her to see her husband caring for another woman.

"How are you feeling grandmother? "Shahzain asked.

"I am fine Shazain, you should not have bothered". Najma Begum was unhappy with him.

"Grandmother, I have been restless since Xain said that you were sick". Ariana's drama started.

"Thank you for your concern" Najma Begum replied.

"Oh Sweety, you look lovely in this blue dress" Ariana really admired Seher's beauty.

"Thank you" Seher replied.

" What are you having? It smells delicious "Shahzain looked at the meal.

"Yuck who eats chicken and lamb in the morning". Ariana made a face.

"Seher, Give some to Shahzain, "Najma Begum ignored Ariana

"Uncle can have his breakfast with aunty later on according to her choice, grandmother" Seher replied.

Shahzain gave her a sharp look.

"I will try a little, serve me some". Shahzain ordered.

Seher quietly gave him soup and saffron bread.

"Grandmother Chefs in the kitchen have improved"

"This is made by my daughter-in-law" Najma begum replied. Ariana was perplexed.

"Seher, can you get the wooden box from my wardrobe," Najma asked Seher.

Najma Begum opened the box and took out a beautiful diamond and a Sapphire necklace and gave it to Seher.

"My gift for your first cooking". Ariana's eyes were filled with greed looking at the necklace.

"I did it out of love, not any reward " Seher replied.

"Seher, these jewels have been passed on for generations and now you are the rightful owner."

Shazain was quiet. He loved Seher's food. This was not the first time he had eaten something made by her.

"Grandmother, aren't these kinds of jewelry passed on to daughter-in-law, not daughters," Ariana asked.

" You are right Ariana, That's why I am giving this to my daughter-in-law. My Shahzain's young bride. Real queen of this kingdom"

Ariana was shocked to hear Najma begum's words. She looked at Seher, who was smiling.

"Xain, you are a liar" She ran away from there and a worried Shazain followed behind.

"Ariana listen,...Ariana"