Farah returned to the harem at around midnight, her eyes red and swollen from tears. The two women embraced, their shared grief and fear palpable. Farah blamed herself for Jahnvi's foiled escape, but Jahnvi reassured her with a quiet strength that she would now leave the palace under protection.

Jahnvi had made the difficult decision to accompany Billo Begum to her kingdom of Lucknow. From there, she hoped to find refuge with her maternal uncle, the king of Tehri, a man known for his kindness and sense of justice.

"I've finished packing your trunks, your painting supplies too," Farah said with a toothy, yet bittersweet smile. Her hands trembled slightly, betraying her composed facade.

"Are you sure you want to stay back, Farah? We could take your family along as well," Jahnvi asked, her voice laden with concern.

"I'm sure, Baji. My abbu rests here; we can't abandon him and leave," Farah said firmly, though her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. Jahnvi nodded, understanding the depth of Farah's loyalty and love for her family.

Jahnvi was going to sleep on this bed one last time. She was finally going to be free from this tainted life. She yearned for a place she could call home, a place filled with love and respect. As she closed her eyes, a smile graced her lips, knowing that the next morning would mark the beginning of a new chapter in her life.

•••

The sound of the aazan woke her up, and for the first time, she greeted the morning with a genuine smile.

Farah was already in her bathroom, meticulously adding rose petals to her bathing water. Jahnvi loved the smell of roses that lingered on her skin; it was a scent that symbolized hope and new beginnings for her.

"You look happy," Farah observed, her voice soft with affection.

"Because I am happy," Jahnvi replied, shedding her clothes and stepping into the pool of water, feeling the petals brush against her skin like a tender caress.

Farah moved behind Jahnvi and started massaging her scalp with a cleaning paste, a ritual that was both intimate and comforting. It was their way of saying goodbye.

"Alhamdulillah," Farah smiled. "I pray your life is full of roses from here on."

"Amen," Jahnvi whispered, her heart swelling with gratitude.

After a long, luxurious bath, Jahnvi donned a lime yellow cotton Anarkali. As she walked out of her room, the workers of the harem moved her trunk into the carriages, their silent efficiency a stark contrast to the emotions swirling within her.

"You took your time getting ready today," Parineeti remarked with a smile. She wore a white saree and had stripped herself of all jewelry, her appearance stark and mournful.

"Why are you dressed like... like this?" Jahnvi exclaimed, concern etching her features.

"Because I'm a widow now. I've lost my husband and the right to wear colors," Parineeti replied, her voice flat, yet there was a trace of defiance in her eyes.

"Bullshit, Pari," Billo interjected. "I mean no disrespect to your religion and its beliefs, but that man was no husband to you or me. We were just here serving a part of the contract signed between our families."

"I know, but—" Parineeti began, but Jahnvi interrupted her.

"No buts. No man, woman, or child should dictate your happiness. Your life is colorful and should always be," Jahnvi said, her voice firm with conviction.

She removed the necklace around her neck and placed it gently around Parineeti's. Removing the bindi on her forehead, she pressed it onto Parineeti's, symbolically restoring her friend's right to joy and self-expression.

"Never again, please," Jahnvi implored, and Parineeti nodded, tears brimming in her eyes.

"I'll miss you. Come see me whenever you wish to," Parineeti said, wrapping her arms around Jahnvi in a tight embrace.

"I'll miss you too. I'll keep writing to you," Jahnvi promised, returning Parineeti's warm hug.

"And I will too," Billo added, joining the embrace. The three women held onto each other, their bond strengthened by shared suffering and mutual support.

As they wiped their tears and smiled, they knew what it felt like to be prisoners, both behind the palace walls and in unwanted relationships.

The soldiers standing outside announced the Maratha king's arrival, making them loosen their huddle and take a proper stance.

"Malhar Raje, King of the great Maratha empire, has graced the harem with his presence."

Billo pulled her niqab over her face, while Parineeti draped the loose end of her saree around her head, their postures adopting the decorum required in the presence of royalty.

Two men entered the common space of the harem.

One was clad in a blue kurta and white pants, tall and fair, with neatly trimmed hair and piercing brown eyes. A scar over his left eyebrow gave him an edgy look, hinting at a past filled with battles and hardship.

The other was in a white kurta and dhoti, equally tall, with an authoritative aura that commanded attention. His chiseled jaw was set in a firm line, taking in the scene with a gaze that missed nothing. His hair, slightly disheveled, framed his intense jet-black eyes.

Jahnvi's gaze fixated on him, her eyes drawn to the unruly strands of hair that fell over his forehead. She felt an inexplicable urge to push them back, to see his face more clearly.

"Raje, welcome," Parineeti said, her voice steady despite the tension in the air. The man in white nodded curtly.

Jahnvi realized he was the man she had been taken to yesterday, but in her fear, she hadn't dared to look up at him.

"Is there something we can help you with?" Billo Begum asked, her tone respectful but guarded.

"No, I was here to go through the vault," he said, his voice deep and commanding. The two women nodded. "Were you leaving?"

"Yes, we were just bidding each other goodbye. Billo Begum and Jahnvi are leaving for Lucknow and I'll be—"

"Billo Begum and who?" Malhar's voice cut through the air, his eyes finally landing on Jahnvi.

"Jahnvi, she is—"

"No."

All eyes in the room turned to him, waiting for an explanation that didn't come.

"Sorry? I don't understand," Billo said, confusion and frustration mingling in her voice.

"You may leave, but I wasn't informed about her departure," Malhar stated, his gaze unwavering on Jahnvi, who stared back, a thousand emotions flickering in her eyes.

"Yes, because she wasn't there when we spoke yesterday," Parineeti interjected, trying to make sense of the situation.

"She wasn't, and I haven't permitted her to leave," Malhar replied, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"But you gave everyone a free choice to leave!" Billo's voice rose, a mix of anger and desperation.

"Everyone in that room, yes. And she wasn't there," Malhar responded curtly.

"This is ridiculous! What sort of dirty game are you playing? You can't hold her hostage. She will be coming with me," Billo declared, her voice trembling with rage.

"I make the decisions here, not you," Malhar said in a calm voice, a dangerous edge to his words. "And I'm not holding her hostage."

"Then what are you—"

"Sampat Rao, didn't you tell me that she was the King's Keep?" Malhar said, cutting off Billo mid-sentence.

"Malhar!" Jai, the man in blue, called his friend out for speaking disrespectfully about the woman standing in front of them.

"Yes," came a voice from behind the two men. Sampat Rao, a man with a weaselly demeanor, smirked. "She is the King's Keep, and since you are the new king, she belongs to you." The puny man took the opportunity to belittle the woman, worming his way into the king's inner circle.

"Sampat Rao, enough," Jai said in a crisp voice, shutting the man down.

"You got your answer," Malhar said, turning on his heel and walking away, followed by the treasurer.

"I'm sorry," Jai whispered as he followed, his head hanging low with a mixture of shame and helplessness.

•••

Jahnvi was a crying mess. A few courtesans who had stayed back of their own free will tried to console her, but nothing could pacify her. The hope that had filled her heart just a few hours ago was now crushed under the weight of her circumstances.

She had convinced Parineeti and Billo to leave before Malhar could change his mind about their freedom as well. Watching their carriages drive away broke her heart further, each turn of the wheel feeling like a nail in her coffin.

"Jahnvi, stop moping," one of the courtesans said, pushing a plate of food towards her, but she rejected it with a weak wave of her hand.

"Why me? Why me?" she cried, her voice filled with anguish.

"Kyuki Allah apne sabse khaas bando ka hi imtehaan lete hai." (Because God only tests His true devotees) another courtesan tried to comfort her.

"I'm not strong. I can't, I can't, please," Jahnvi sobbed, screaming into her pillow. The anguish in her voice tore at the hearts of those around her. She felt utterly abandoned, her spirit crushed under the weight of her circumstances.

It was around midnight when Jahnvi finally passed out from sheer exhaustion. She hadn't touched a grain of food or a drop of water, her body succumbing to the strain of her emotional turmoil.

Farah covered her body with a soft quilt and blew out the candles, her heart aching for her friend.

•••

"Now that everything is accounted for and the letter to Javed Mirza sent, I don't see why I should delay going back home any longer," Malhar said, his voice filled with a sense of finality.

It had been three days since the former queens had departed, and the palace had settled into a tense quiet.

"As you say, Raje. Should I make the preparations for your departure tomorrow?" Tanaji Holkar, his commander and finance minister, asked. Malhar nodded.

As Tanaji left the room, he glanced at Jai, who remained behind. The two friends had much to discuss.

"Ready to go home?" Jai asked, his voice tinged with relief.

"Can't wait," Malhar replied, stretching his arms as if to shake off the burden of his duties.

"I've been holding myself back these past three days, but now that you are resolved of your kingly duties, I want you to send the girl home," Jai said, his tone serious.

"What girl?" Malhar feigned ignorance, though he knew exactly who Jai meant.

"Oh, please! Don't toy with me, Malhar," Jai said, his voice low and threatening. "What has gotten into you? Why behave like these despicable kings you loathe?" Jai grabbed Malhar by the shoulders, forcing him to face the gravity of his actions.

"Speak," Jai demanded, his voice rising as Malhar remained silent.

"I don't know," Malhar whispered, his voice strained. "I don't know." He rubbed his forehead, the weight of his confusion pressing down on him. "I just know that I'm not letting her go."

"You are being foolish," Jai said, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Then so be it," Malhar replied, a defiant edge in his voice.

"You are to marry Gauri soon, Malhar. I won't let you do this to her," Jai said, his eyes flashing with a mixture of rage and disbelief.

"I'm not doing anything, Jai. Let me figure this out. Please," Malhar pleaded, turning away from his friend.

"You are leaving tomorrow. What sense does it make to keep her as a captive here?" Jai pressed, frustration creeping into his voice.

"Captive?" Malhar let out a humorless chuckle. "She isn't a captive. She is coming home with me."

Jai's protests fell on deaf ears as Malhar's mind wandered back to Jahnvi's doe-eyed beauty. He couldn't shake the image of her from his thoughts.

•••

The next morning, the palace was abuzz with activity as preparations for Malhar's departure were in full swing. The courtyards were filled with soldiers, servants, and officials, all ensuring that everything was in order.

Jahnvi awoke to the commotion, her heart heavy with dread. She had hoped that the nightmare would end, that Malhar would change his mind and let her go. But as she stepped out of her room, she realized that her fate was sealed.

Farah was already waiting for her, a mix of worry and resignation in her eyes. "They're preparing to leave," she whispered, her voice trembling.

Jahnvi nodded, her throat tight with fear. She felt like a bird trapped in a cage, her wings clipped and her spirit crushed.

As they made their way to the courtyard, Jahnvi's heart pounded in her chest. She spotted Malhar, surrounded by his entourage, issuing orders with a calm authority. He looked up and their eyes met. For a moment, everything else faded away, and it was just the two of them, locked in a silent battle of wills.

"Jahnvi, come here," Malhar called out, his voice cutting through the noise.

Jahnvi hesitated, but Farah gave her a reassuring nod. With trembling steps, she approached him, feeling the weight of everyone's gaze upon her.

"You will be coming with us," Malhar stated, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Your belongings have already been packed."

Jahnvi opened her mouth to protest, but the words died in her throat. She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see Jai standing beside her, his expression conflicted.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, his eyes pleading with her to understand.

Tears welled up in Jahnvi's eyes, but she nodded, accepting her fate. She knew that fighting would only make things worse. With a heavy heart, she allowed herself to be led away, her dreams of freedom slipping further out of reach.

"Why?" She whispered. "Why won't you let me go, let me be."

Malhar looked at her straight in the eye for a few seconds then moved his gaze to Tanaji Holkar who stood next to him.

"Send a couple of scouts ahead, make sure you send tents and the kitchen to be pitched up before we reach the first camp site." He said taking a few steps towards the patio, his commander bowed and left as the last of Jahnvi's belonging was carried out.

"Do I not even deserve answers now ?" She said looking up at his tall frame her big doe eyes brimming with tears. He stood close enough to have entered her personal space, he could smell the scent of rose emanating out from her body and it had clouded all his senses.

He was standing too close for her liking but she dare not move, she wanted to, she wanted to cover the little distance between them and hold him by his collar demand answers, demand for her freedom, but she dare not.

"You will get your answers." Malhar said, she watched as his lips parted but no further words came out of his mouth, his Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed the words lodged in his throat.

Malhar turned around taking a step to walk away but Jahnvi caught his wrist wrapping both her hands around him.

"When ?"

"When I know the answer myself." he said being as honest as he could, he knew she at least deserved as much.

"Jai will be here to escort you, grab whatever you need to, we'll be heading home shortly."

•••

AN: Leave your precious thoughts behind. I'm loving penning this down. 

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xoxo