Princess of the dawn

Chapter 3

Din Panah

"Jalal!

Bairam Khan's hoarse voice tore Jalal out of his oblivion.
"Jalal, it is time to greet the Rajput and to honor his work in Fort Narnaul."

Jalal came back to reality and straightened up. He stood up and greeted
"Aadab Raja Bharmal"

"Pranaam shahenshah"

"At my request, you and your family came to the court. Welcome. We want to thank you for your service in Fort Narnaul. "

He clapped his hands and several servants came with gifts. A magnificent maroon colored sleeveless heavily embroidered robe made of silk, a ruby red full sleeved Jama, a dark brown shawl embroidered with gold thread, studded with honeycolored gems, a golden necklace, studded with the same gems as at the shawl and a jewelstudded dagger were given to the Raja.

"You have done the Mughal Empire a great service by facilitating the peaceful surrender of Fort Narnaul through your influence and advocacy. You have also given safe escort to Majnun Khan Qaqshal. Take these gifts as a token of our gratitude ".

Although the Raja had done the Mughal Empire a great service, Maham Anga writhed inwardly at Jalal's words. She hated the Hindus and wanted to prevent the handing over. But Jalal insisted on thanking the Raja for his dedication. She vowed to do everything possible to prevent an alliance with the Hindus.

„Bahut dhanyavaad Shahenshah ", Raja Bharmal folded his hands in thanks and turned to go

"Raja Bharmal"! Jalal's voice stopped him.

"Ji Shahenshah"?

"You and your family are invited to celebrate with us again tomorrow evening. A messenger will pick you up. Get ready".

Maham Anga and Bairam Khan looked at each other in surprise. They quickly got themselves under control again and put on an indifferent expression. Raja Bharmal and his family were assigned their seats in the hall and the next guests were announced. Jodha was impressed by the young man. For the moment she had forgotten the atrocities she had encountered on the way to the fort. The young ruler exuded a natural authority and his demeanor was that of a ruler. She couldn't imagine the same person having heads walled in and hanged bodies on the gibbet. She was fascinated by the charisma that surrounded him. From her seat she had a good view of the throne and she continued to watch it unabashedly.

"Jodha! What are you doing? What are you staring at all the time?" Her mother hissed. Jodha started guiltily. "Mhh ... I admire the magnificent hall."

"Jodha stop staring. That is not appropriate. Act like a princess now. How should that be when we are at the emperor's dinner tomorrow. Are you going to stare all the time?"

Jodha bowed her head. "No maasa. But it's all so interesting here", Jodha defended herself. Fortunately, her mother was satisfied with her explanation. For the next few moments she sat with her head demurely bowed. But it wasn't long before she glanced back at the throne. The young ruler made a bored expression when he had to greet newcomers again. Suddenly he looked at her. Their eyes met again.

"What is she thinking?" thought Jalal. "Maybe tomorrow I will have the opportunity to find out more about her". Before the next announcement was made, he turned to Bairam Khan

"Khan Baba, enough for today! I will not receive anyone anymore!"

After these words he rose hastily and walked out of the hall with his head held high.

No sooner had Jalal left the hall than he ran to the stables. His stallion Sultan greeted him happily. Jalal sent a servant to bring Abdul to him. As he waited, his mind wandered back to the girl. Who was she, what was her name? Abdul pulled him out of his thoughts.

"Jalal, Jalal, how was the reception?"

"Boring. Like any reception. Endless stream of envoys. I just left". He laughed.

"What? You left? What did Bairam Khan say?"

"Nothing, he didn't get around to it"

"He didn't get around to it?"

"No, I simply got up and left! "

"You can't just go."

"Why not? I am the emperor," he said self-satisfied, shrugged his shoulders and grinned,
"come on now, let's go for a ride before we are stopped. I can't stand it here any longer. I want to get out. Let's go at last. "