"Have you found?" Jawed looked at Kourosh, standing infront of him. After hearing Parisa's complaint Jawed sent his man to identify the other guests staying in the village. He had seen how irritated Parisa looked when she was explaining the matter.

"Janab, they seems to be also traveller. They came here to perform some rituals in the temple. They had few people with them. Other than that, nothing can be found" Kourosh replied.

"Some travellers?" Jawed frowned, "for some ordinary traveller got such a guy to talk back to my wife?" Jawed's eyes hardened. "it gives me kind of impression to meet the person personally. No one ever tried to raise voice against her, how come some ordinary woman dared to upset her?"

Kourosh lowered his head, "Janab, the village head seemed to be too respectful towards the other guests"

Jawed narrowed his eyes at him, "does that anything to do with me? No matter how much they are respected, my problem is only related with my wife. She couldn't be bullied by any means"

Kourosh seemed to want to say something but he stopped suddenly and decided to stay silent. He know how much his Shah obsessed with his wife. In Marzban no one dares to raise their head to look at the Malika in fear. And now that someone just argued with her, how could Shah stay silent?

"Do you know where is she?" Jawed asked again.

"Yes, at this moment she is near the temple"

Jawed hardened his face. He would really want to see who dared to insult his wife like that. "Good, let's go, let's see what kind of person she is" a light smirk curled in the corner of his lips.

"Janab, are you really going to confront her?" Kourosh asked.

"It's just a woman, a little threat would work on her. Besides no matter how strong she is, she is still a woman"

"But—"

"Are you questioning my decision?" Jawed turned to look at him frowning.

"I dare not to do anything like that" Kourosh shook his head.

"It's good that you understand things"  Jawed nodded and walked out of the room. Kourosh followed behind him.

Jawed walked towards the temple. He has toured around before so it's not hard for him to find the way. As he gets closer to the temple he saw two woman were standing near the flower bushes, plucking flowers. He frowned when he saw them laughing while talking.

"Which one?" He asked.

"The one in yellow cloth" behind him Kourosh replied.

Jawed's eyes fixed on the woman wearing yellow dress. Her back was facing him. She has long hair tied in braids. Few yellow flowers also tugged in her hair. He walked towards them. He was about to reach when he saw an old man called them from the temple. The two women stopped talking and quickly went inside the temple.

"Janab" at this moment Hashem appeared from behind. "There's a letter from Marzban"

Jawed turned to look at him, "is it important?"

"Yes, it was from Kazi"

"Fine" Jawed replied and turned around to leave but stopped for a moment before looking back at the temple. He glanced for few seconds before leaving abruptly. His two men followed behind him.

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After the morning Puja Nandini and Pramita walked out of the temple followed by Purna. They both were talking and smiling as they discuss about some random matters.

"Samragyi, I will be glad if you join us for lunch meal. Though it won't be as the royal dishes but I will try to make it worth" Parmita said. She and her husband discussed over this matter and decided to invite the royal couple for lunch meal.

Hearing her Nandini couldn't help but smile, "You don't have to worry about the dishes Pradhan bharya, it's not about food that should be concerned. It's about the kindness that matters at the end. Since we arrived Juirogaon, you have been taking care of us. I am really grateful for such kindness"

"You are embarassing me Samragyi" Pramita smiled, "it's our duty. Besides Gangghor has special bond with us from the generation to generation. I couldn't let you complaint about it"

Nandini nodded, "as you say so. This was totally unexpected for me"

"Then, I shall take it as yes to the meal?" Pramita asked again to confirm.

"Yes,I will inform Samrat about it myself. We will definitely come at right time"

"Thank you Samragyi. I shall leave then. I have to prepare everything well" Pramita nodded.

"Take Purna with you. She is good at cooking. She could help you and make it easier for you"

Pramita looked hesitated, though the offer was quite impressive but she couldn't agree instantly.

"Pradhan bharya, let me help you" Purna stepped forward with a smile.

"Then I thank you again Samragyi" Pramita felt grateful then left with Purna leaving Nandini to stand there alone. As soon as the two figure disappeared, another figure appeared beside her.

"Have you found something?" Nandini asked without glancing towards the person.

"It was hard, yet not impossible" Isha replied. "Marzban is located in the southern side, they belong to the Shirazi clan"

"Shirazi clan?" Nandini turned to look at her.

Isha nodded her head, "yes, he was the youngest son of the clan who was granted the South-west Kingdom to rule. But because his brothers has more power in their hands Marzban was always stayed under watch. It said that there's also some secret planning to destroying Marzban by the royal elders"

Nandini frowned at the news, "how close are they with us?"

"Prizzi, the closest empire of Marzban is Gangghor. The Marzban Shah don't have enough man power to fight against his royal brothers"

Nandini finally understood the meaning. So they came here to seek shelter? Yet that woman seems to unaware about her own position and become so arrogant? She smirked. Such an interesting news.

"Prizzi, shall I find more information?"

Nandini waved her hand. "No need, whatever information is needed, the Marzban clan would provide themselves. Purna went to help Pramita. I have to meet Samrat to inform him about invitation. But before that I want to tour around the garden. Didn't Pramita said there's one behind the village?"

"Yes" Isha nodded.

"Let's go then" Nandini said walking towards the side while Isha followed behind.

The back garden wasn't an actual garden. There are few flower plants planted and at side there was a bamboo forest.

"Prizzi there's nothing to see here" Isha's expression twisted. She couldn't find anything to like here. She looked around and most of the place was open field. "Are you sure you want to stay here?"

Nandini had the same feeling but the breeze blowing in the area calmed her nerves. "It's fine, l like it here" she said.

"Prizzi do you want to sit for a while? There was a rock near the bamboo forest. There's also shade" Isha pointed towards the forest. Nandini turned her and nodded. They walked towards it and she sat down on the big rock. The breeze was stronger near the forest. Nandini closed her eyes enjoying her time.

"Excuse me my ladies" the coarse voice had her snap out of the pleasing moment. She turned her head to see a man with foreign clothes standing there. As he took a step forward Isha extended her arm stopping him at once.

"Who are you? You are not allowed to step any closer" Isha's hard voice landed  making the man frown.

"Apology" he replied immediately. "I just wanted to ask if this lady was the one who had pleasantry with our Malika"

Nandini raised an eyebrow at him. She got up and threw a mild smile. "Did Malika sent you here?"

The man nodded, "well, it's not our Malika who wanted to meet you,  it's our Shah who has something to say"

"Your Shah?" Nandini frowned. She didn't think that that woman would really go and complaint like a child.

"What's there so say?" Nandini asked, "afterall, I am a woman, it's not convenient to meet a man without any official regard" 

The man looked hesitant, "please do not think it otherwise, Janab don't have any alternative meaning. He just wanted to share few words, please allow"

Before Nandini could form any reply the man moved and another one came forward. The man has majestic appearance. With his tall figure and sharp facial feature adding with the beard. He looked like someone who belong to wild barbarian clan.

The man stopped few steps away from her, maintaining the proper distance. But his eyes hold the coldness and his facial figures doesn't reflect any emotions.

Nandini looked at him expressionlessly. So this man was the king. First his wife then himself? She thought in her mind.

"I apologise if my appearance disturbed you" Jawed said first. He looked at the woman who has nothing but ordinary figure. She don't even have any jewelry on her body. His Parisa was upset because of this woman?he really couldn't believe it.

Nandini looked at him for a while before saying respectfully, "Pranam Shah-e-aalam"

Jawed was kind of surprised. He wasn't expecting her to greet him so respectfully. He was surprised for a moment before calming himself down. At this moment he couldn't find any fault. Besides he also know the meaning of pranam she just used.

"This lady, I only meant to ask few things, please don't  take my words wrongly"

"Since Shah-e-aalam came to find me desperately then I have to hear what you have to say. Please enlighten me with the need" Nandini nodded.

"I heard about the rabbit matter from Malika. I hope this lady won't mind giving her that small thing" Jawed started to say. He don't like beating around the bush so he went directly to the point.

"I never thought Malika would really complaint about such small thing. The thing she asked was mine. I even showed her ways to find another one for herself. I couldn't find the reason to keep talking about the same thing again and again"  Nandini asked. Her reply sounded rude and even sarcastically blaming Malika.

Jawed frowned. The lady infront of him was quite hard headed. He thought it won't be so hard to deal with her. But now it felt like he was wrong. He wanted to speak gently with her yet it seems this woman don't understand the sweet words. His expression hardened as he took two steps. Seeing his advance Isha tried to block the way but Nandini stopped her. Such gesture didn't go unnoticed by Jawed too.

"I think this lady don't want to understand my words. This is matter is just about a small rabbit, does this lady want to drag it longer than it's actually needed?" He said using his quiet yet dangerous voice.

"I guess Shah-e-aalam is mistaking here, it's not about a small rabbit but it's about taking possession on things which belongs to others. She is a Malika yet she couldn't even get a rabbit for herself other than coveting mine, doesn't it shame her own position and prestige?"  Nandini replied back coldly. She don't understand why this pair of husband and wife forcing her.

Jawed was taken aback. Did she just questioned the position of his wife? This woman infront of him really has the huge gut to say something unpleasant like this. He had always given whatever his wife asked for until today. He would be careless of who was the owner of the rabbit, the only thing that matters to him was his wife want something means it should be hers.

"Looks like this lady is unaware of my power" Jawed smirked, " insulting the Malika is a great offence. It could also lead to severe punishment or even death. Does this lady want to include yourself in the list?" He paused for a moment checking her expression. But when he saw there's no fear in her eyes like he expected to see Jawed felt irritation growing inside his chest. This woman doesn't look like she was bothered by his words. "Besides, even if I take any action here, no one would come to save you. You really dared to insult the Malika do you think I won't dare to punish your for your rudeness?" He added.

Nandini didn't say a word. She just started at him without any expression. She seized the man infront of her. The king of Marzban really has some ability. If there was other woman in her place they would definitely get scared by such remark. Of course insulting the Malika was a great offence and she did it intentionally. The man standing infront of him seemed to be ready to kill her any moment.

"I dare you" 

Nandini was surprised when she heard the familiar voice. She tilted her head to look behind Jawed. She narrowed her eyes when she saw him walking towards them.

Jawed also turned around to see the source of the voice. He saw a man as tall as him walking towards him. Though he was wearing an ordinary outfit but his walking style and expression indicate different meaning. He frowned at him.

Manik went closer and stood  infront of him. He looked at Jawed from head to toe before setting his gaze in his eyes, looking deeply.

"I heard you are sharing such pleasantries with my wife. Do you mind if I join you"

"You are her husband?" Jawed frowned. The man looked ordinary but he had the feeling that it was far from being ordinary. Yet at this moment he couldn't define the actual position.

"Why? Do you think she is alone?" Manik asked. "I never new that the people of Marzban are quite devoted themselves in threatening others. But it would be better to keep the tradition limited to boundary, sometimes it could also lead to self harming"

Jawed narrowed his eyes, "what do you mean?"

"Isn't it clear yet?" Manik asked leaning a little nearing their faces, "I dare you, try to threaten my wife one more time" his lips curled into a challenging smirk.

The tension between the two rises and the atmosphere suddenly changed into chilly one. Nandini swiftly walked toward Manik and hold his arm before pulling a little.

"It's getting late, I have something to say to you"

Manik turned his head to look at her.

"Let's go" Nandini tugged his hand again. He sighed with a nod. Nandini pulled him away from Jawed who was still frowning. But before turning around Manik uttered again.

"I dare you" though it came out like a whisper but Jawed heard it clearly. The eyes reflecting the words were cold before it finally turned away.

Jawed stood there looking at the couple walking away from them. Kourosh moved behind him.

"Janab"

"He is not a simple character. Go, investigate them again. Find out who they are actually. They are not some ordinary people" Jawed's voice was hard and fast.

"Yes, I will investigate it as soon as possible" Kourosh nodded immediately.

Jawed was still thinking. The man has the majestic aura and bear the dangerous air around him. He couldn't be a simple character. Besides the woman who was regarded as his wife also has a difficult personality. No wonder Parisa couldn't handle her. He really need to find out their identity.

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Who's threat seemed more dangerous?

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