Falling in love for the first time is as sweet as honey.
Falling out of love is as bitter as medicine,
But falling in love for the second time is sweeter,just like nectar.
~~~
"He's worthless."
"He's incapable."
"We might as well surrenderthe throne to Waheed'sson Sulaiman!"
The Moghul court was in absolute chaos. The fourth emperor of the Moghul Sultanate was dead.The Sultanate was fragile now and the enemies were at bay sharpening their claws as to when they can shred the kingdom into pieces like a hungry wolf. And in such a weak moment the council was arguing on whether to make the deceased emperor's brother, Jellal -Al-Bakr the emperor or not.
Once upon a while Jellal would've made an excellent emperor. But now all that he was, was a drunken mess.All he did was carouse with alcohol and with women all day.
"We have no other choice. He has to be made the emperor.Maybe that is the will of Allah.And if it is then so shall it be." Theirleader said in a calm tone.
The council nodded in approval and decided that Jellal would be the fifth emperor of the Moghul Sultanate.
~~~
Jellal was awakened roughly from the daze of alcohol. His opened his eye lids to the harsh light inside the room to see a council member standing there.He looked around and noticed his partner forthe night had already left.
The councilman cleared his throat.
"What do you want?"
"You are ordered to come to the Diwan-e-khaas immediately."
"Why? DidIdo something wrong again?Ifthat's the case thenI was in the influence of alcohol and I didn't know whatI was doing. Blame it on the alcohol."
The old man just shookhis head.
"I am not to discuss it here,please presentyourselfto the court,you'l be informed accordingly."
Jellal let out a loud yawn not even attempting to cover his mouth.The man gave a foul expression and walked away.
~~~
When Jellal left the room he noticed the sombre environment in the palace.Guards and servants bowed to him.That had him surprised.No one paid him respect since eight years. They all saw him as nuisance.As an unworthy drunk scum.Then why the sudden respect?
He entered the Diwan-e-khaas to see that everyone stood as he entered and bowed.He looked at the peacock shaped throne crested with dazzling precious stones which was empty. His brother, Salim was not in the palace.He was visiting Mysore.But this day the throne looked not only empty but gloomy.
"Your highness."Said a minister and bowed before him.
All he could do was look at him as if he grew another head.
"Emperor Salim is dead. May his soul rest in peace." Said the head of the council. Everyone muttered rest in peace.
Jellal felt as of a thousand bricks fell on him. It wasn't true. How could Salim be dead? He was visiting Ajabgarh.
"H-how?"
He had just muttered that in a low voice but the minister who answered may have heard it or maybe just the room was too silent.
"He was found dead inside his tent two days ago. While going off to sleep he seemed alright the next morning he was no more."
"Oh.."
That was all he could say. Though Salim and him weren't talking for the past eight years he still cared for him. How could he not? He grew up with him. They played together, ate together since they were children until that day eight years ago. He still hated him a bit but he was dead now. What use it is to hate the dead?
He called in one of the councilmen, he had explained to him that he was to be the next emperor. That evening the body of his deceased brother had arrived in the Capital. He watched his dead form.
He was pale as snow and he looked so calm. Jellal kneeled and held his hand. It felt cold against his. He prayed a small prayer for redemption for his soul in heaven.
After that the funeral preparations were made. The funeral dragged on and on. After the funeral Jellal called in the doctor,
"Tell us hakim sahib what is the cause of his death?"
"He choked to death, your highness. It is strange."
"Strange?"
"Yes, he choked on his own spit. That itself is strange. He wasn't choked by someone using hands or ropes, there were no signs of that. Nor was the emperor eating, for him to choke on his food. He choked on his own spit and he didn't struggle. Why would someone not struggle while choking?"
Jellal rubbed his chin. It was strange. Had someone killed him? If it was not a natural death then surely he was murdered.
"Was he poisoned?"
"Yes, I conclude that too but it did not enter the body through wounds or arrows. Someone must've poisoned his food."
Jellal gasped.
"Impossible! Any food item presented to the emperor is first made to eat by the cook himself."
"It could've been that he must've been poisoned in Ajabgarh . After all their Shehzaadi is known for her extensive knowledge in poisons."
"Qasir Sahib", he turned to one of the councilmen present in the room. "Why did my brother travel to Ajabgarh?"
"To fulfill the contract, your highness."
"What contract?"
"He was to marry the Shehzaadi of Ajabgarh in return for a treaty. He had completed the engagement ceremony and was returning to Agra to make further arrangements of the marriage. "
His mind screamed red. It should've been her. In order to escape the marriage she poisoned his brother.
"What does the treaty say? Get the treaty and read it out aloud."
"In exchange for peace and the subedari of Ajabgarh it is to be promised that a bond of marriage must be made between Ruh-lekha, the princess of Ajabgarh and the emperor of the Great Empire, to seal the alliance."
The words resonated in his mind. So she was pushed into this marriage and she got out of it by poisoning him. Well he won't let that happen, that easily. She has taken a life and he would make sure that he makes her a prisoner here.
***
Ruh-lekha gasped at the letter that was being read by her brother. Emperor Salim was dead. It didn't affect her that much. In turn she was happy that he had died. All it took was his one look, he wanted to attain her as if she was a material. In that madness he had waged a war against Ajabgarh and when Ajabgarh surrendered he put forth this treaty.
Shivers ran down her spine the way his eyes leered over her at the engagement ceremony. She was disgusted by him. And he was dead.
After two days they had received another letter, this one had the Empire's Royal Seal. And the contents of the letter shocked her.
The next emperor, wanted to marry her. Tears rushed to her eyes. Were all of these men the same? Had they no respect for women?
"Now what brother?" She asked her voice cracking.
"I won't let one of those scoundrels marry you. The deal was between the previous emperor, how could the next emperor exert it?"
Even the wise words of her brother didn't calm her down. Her guts were twisting and she felt like she could throw up any minute. She prayed that she won't be married to him.
But fate had other plans. It felt as if the ground had been swept right away from under her feet.
"You cannot marry her, your highness. The deal was between the previous emperor, he is no more so the deal is no more."
"Ah, Shehzaade you're smart,I give you that. But do read the treaty agreement again. It is clearly written that The Shehzaadi is to marry The Emperor for fulfilment of the contract. Salim's name is not mentioned."
"I am the Emperor now!" His voice boomed. "So she will marry me."
Ruh kept staring at his figure from the thick cloth that hanging from the ceiling separating the women's section. He was tall. Taller than her brother. His voice was rough. He was wise enough to find a loophole in the contract. Unknowingly, a small part of her hated him and admired him
