Shedding ROYAL Blood

▪︎5▪︎She is your Begum

▪︎Sultan Omar Khan▪︎

"With all due respect, I ask... What have you done Malika-e-Jahan? Why did you do it? The idea of sending a respectable girl like that to the house of ill Fame, Husn Mahal is outrageous."

"I see you talking back to me Sultan. I must not see it again." She warned.

I rolled my eyes. "Pardon your Grace. I am just telling the truth."

"The absolute truth is that... she HAS to agree to my word. For centuries, this has never happened that an Honor Bride was chosen and not married to the Sultan and it will stay that way. I will not let you or an insignificant girl smear the traditions that I and my ancestors have been treasuring all their lives. And these two brides are none of your concern. You should focus on the battle that is on the way. The Marathas are tough people. As soon as you return, the wedding will take place."

There is no point in talking to Malika-e-Jahan about this. Amrit's shocked face, her tear filled blue eyes did not leave my mind. I walked to my chamber, discarded the Royal Robes and Crown and came out wearing my training clothes. This would ease it a bit.

I went to the training ground for some sword fighting. This would definitely take my mind off all this, or so I thought. My eyes kept darting towards the Harem and I kept losing every round of the sword fight. Abu Bakr was one person who was not afraid to give me a tough fight. "Sultan, if you want to do it just do it." He said seeing my restlessness and continuous losing.

He was right. I slid the sword back in its case, gave it to the helper and walked away. Why should I hold back now? I have already messed everything up. She already hates me and I just can't resist knowing she's just a few steps away from me. What would she be thinking about me? That I lured her into all this. This clever trap. I have to clear her doubts, make her realise that she is special. And she should not hold back because she has the master. I will free her of this dishonor, make her my wife and give her respect, wealth and position in the society. She does not need to throw away all this because of an oath that she took under slαverγ.

***

▪︎Amrit▪︎

I was led, or dragged to a part of the Palace where I could only see a lot of women staring at me. Some in anger, some in jealousy, some in awe and some in disgust.

The two female servants led me to a huge room in that place and asked me to stay there. One of them said to me, "this is your room."

"My room? I don't want to stay here." I shook my head, with tears continuously running from my eyes.

She sighed in pity looking at my condition. "Khatoon, Don't try to run away for your own good. Malika-e-Jahan would not forgive you this time." The other one said and they both walked out. As I looked at the door, I saw two female guards in black frocks and turbans guarding the entrance of my room.

A glare from here was enough to make me turn around and walk back in. How could all this happen all of a sudden? Why me! I collapsed on the floor thinking about the recent turn of events. How could everything mess up like this? Hussain? Or Sultan? How could he betray me like this? He is a Sultan. The man who is our enemy. Who has invaded our motherland. Who forcefully annexes our provinces and takes them away. I need to go back. To Kunwar Sa, to my parents, to my Kingdom, to my home. But how?

I thought about the guards standing outside and the Queen's words.

No! How could she be so cruel? I belong to someone else for life. I have a master and I have accepted this. I could hear a loud announcement declaring Sultan's arrival in the Harem. My sobs only got louder thinking about his betrayal again. He was a lie. Everything about that day was. After a few minutes, the veil at the door moved and he walked in. Sultan? The word itself sounded so scary. I didn't have the courage to even look at him. I didn't know what to say. I am really scared of him right now. He is powerful, dangerous, manipulative and twisted. I could hear his footsteps getting closer and my heart raced in fear. He crouched down beside me on the floor. It was quite unlikely of him. The way he looked around, stared at his hands and everything. He held my chin strongly between his thumb and forefinger and turned my face to him. A shiver ran down my spine at his act. 'Please stay away!.'

His strong palms then held my face and wiped my tears gently. "Don't!" I moved back pleading in fear. I said, really scared.

He just gave a warm smile in return. "Okay. I won't until you're officially, legally and religiously mine."

"No… Sultan! I can't! You don't understand... I-"

"I understand everything Amrit. That you are a slave. You won't be after you become a Begum. I will give you the respect you deserve in the world's Eyes. I will bring the world to your feet and give you all happiness that any woman has asked for. And in return I only ask your obedience, your loyalty."

I don't know why he was being like this. I heaved a deep sigh and with some courage said, "my decision is final Sultan. I don't want to do this." I said looking down in a low voice.

"What is wrong with you Amrit! You heard Malika-e-Jahan right? You know what awaits you if you don't say yes to the marriage in the Diwan (court) tomorrow. Don't do this to yourself. You're being unreasonably stubborn. This will only harm you and no one else. So be wise and take the correct decision in front of the court tomorrow." He stood up and walked away. He stopped at the guard and said, "She is your Begum, your Sultan's wife. Bring her everything she asks for. Just don't let her out of your sight." The female guard nodded looking down and he was out of sight.

I hugged my knees and cried at my own fate. Begum? Why did this happen to me?

The whole day passed like that and as tomorrow was nearing so was my fear and terror. What will happen now? what will I answer when they ask me? but I can't just marry someone and stay here. That's not why I came here.

▪︎Sultan Omar Khan▪︎

I stared at the moon and inhaled sharply the beautiful mild winds.

Talking to her made it all more interesting. You're a wild mare Amrit. A stubborn girl and it makes me fall in love with you all over again. You didn't think twice before hurting a Sultan's ego over and over again, nor caring about the consequences. You have the guts to say you don't want to marry a Sultan in front of an entire Sultanate. You have your own mind. You think for yourself. You take your own decisions. You are not the type of girl whose thinking ability should be restricted by making her a slave.

"Omar!" I heard a familiar voice from behind and saw Tai Ammi walking towards me. "What happened at the ceremony? Why didn't you call me?"

I suddenly paid attention to the detail that Tai Ammi wasn't there. I was too engrossed before. "Where were you Tai Ammi?"

"I was in my Chamber. I was not feeling well. So tell me what happened at the ceremony? Why is the Palace not beaming with celebrations? Why is your mother fuming? Why is everything so silent?"

I made her sit and told her the entire incident that happened this morning. She was shocked.

"Really?" She asked unbelievably and then, after composing herself chuckled lightly.

"What's so funny?" I asked amused.

"Allah ne aap ki sun li! (God has listened to your words.) Remember what you asked me a few days ago?"

I stressed a little and recalled...

'Tayi Ammi have you ever come across a woman who is NOT happy to become an Honor Bride because she has some self respect and money, luxuries is NOT important to her?'

I smiled too. I never thought I would meet one such girl in my life and that too soon.

"I'd like to meet her." Tai Ammi asked.

"She's in the Harem. Imprisoned by Malika-e-Jahan."

"Ya Allah! This is not a way to treat a little girl just because she refused something that she thinks is wrong. Why didn't you say anything Omar?"

"I tried but Malika-e-Jahan won't listen. And you know she doesn't listen to anybody and how severely dominating she becomes when it comes to upholding these customs and traditions."

"I should go and meet her. She needs someone right now." Tai Ammi said worried.

She was the opposite of my mother. Caring, compassionate, worried about other people's feelings.

I nodded. "Yes Tai Ammi. But not now. Why don't you meet her in the morning?"

"Okay. You take care." She kissed my forehead and left.

▪︎Amrit▪︎

I wouldn't give in to those horrific customs. That is final. Even if they kill me. I have the right to take my decision. I wiped my tears that had been running for too long and made my decision. This is the only thing I am going to say in the court tomorrow. A maid came in with a tray of food and said, "Begam Sahiba, please eat. I was about to snap at her but then I realised it's not her fault. "I don't want to. You can take it away." I said politely.

She held my hand, rolled up her sleeve a little and showed me an 'Om' that was carved on her wrist. But how come? She looks like a muslim, her attire, her language.

I looked at her with questioning eyes and said, "Why don't you start eating so that no one doubts me, while I talk." She said in a low voice.

"If you want to get out, start behaving normally so that everyone thinks that you don't want to run away and you have accepted everything."

At this point, my mind was blank. Someone was going to help me? I silently took the tray from her and started eating. She pointed with her eyes to a huge wooden box in the corner of the room, "I'm a loyal server of Rajputana. You see that big casket over there, it has the maid clothes, which would make you look like all other maids here. So wear it, cover your face properly and within an hour, I will start a small fire to distract the Guards standing outside. You somehow get out to the Harem and go to the stable on the back side. The first three horses in line belong to the Sultan. They won't be controlled. Take any from the next horses and get out of the back exit where our man is waiting. The guards there are already taken care of. If you are lucky enough, you will make it before anyone finds out otherwise we all are dead. You get only one chance. So are you ready?" She asked.

"I am." I said determinedly.

She nodded. "OK then, within an hour. Don't let them see you in the maid's dress." With those words, she walked out collecting the tray and I was left thinking.

I could not waste any more time. I put on the clothes she asked me to. I've to find something that can be used as a weapon. I searched a bit and found a huge nail that women used to tie the hair in a bun on the dressing table. I wrapped my hair up and tied it using that nail in case I need it. Wearing a dress like all the maids here, I waited for sometime when I heard a loud Hustle and bustle start.

Finally. Both the guards peeked inside and saw me sleeping soundly covered upto my head in the huge velvety blanket. They ran outside to see what happened. I quickly got up from the place and cautiously walked out in the opposite direction and sneaked out of the Harem.

But where is he?

•••••••●••••••••••●••••••••••●•••••••