MY SELIM| MAGNIFICENT CENTURY |

CHAPTER 11

"I hope you are taking care of yourself, Meylisah" Hurrem Sultan said looking down at me from her throne. I smiled and rubbed my swollen stomach affectionately, this baby is making me feel things I've never felt before and they weren't even born yet. We were in Istanbul right now because it was eid now after Ramadan and the Sultan wanted his children around on this holy day.

"Of course, Sultanim, you shouldn't doubt that" I answered making her smile and pat my cheek, it was no secret Hurrem Sultan loved me just as much as she loved Mihrimah Sultan which I always thought of as an advantage in case anything happened.

"Here comes, Nurbanu," Mihrimah said rolling her eyes. I looked up where Nurbanu was stood atop the stairs as if she was a Sultana making me roll my eyes too.

"I don't see what my brother sees in her" Mihrimah said taking a sip from her drink. I jumped when I heard a thud and looked up to see Nurbanu rolling down the stairs making my eyes widen as the music stopped just as she reached the bottom unconscious. I stood up with the help of Emira Kalfa. Hurrem was the first by Nurbanu's side ordering the aghas to take her to the infirmary.

"Come on, let's go check up on her, she is still pregnant with Selim's child" I ordered Esma who nodded and followed after me out of the harem. I stood beside the other Sultanas in front of the infirmary doors waiting for any news but nothing so far. The Sultan and Selim walked over hurriedly, Selim seemed quite worried and nervous, our eyes met and I could see the panic. I gave him a small smile to calm him down which he returned with a nod as a nurse walked out of the room.

"Nurbanu Hatun's condition is quite unstable and she went into early labor" The nurse informed us just as Nurbanu let out a scream of pain. I closed my eyes for a second and placed my hand on my stomach, do I have to go through so much pain too?

"She is only six months pregnant, it's too early," Hurrem Sultan said both in anger and panic. Surely I hated Nurbanu but I wouldn't wish for something this horrible to happen to anyone.

"We tried to stop this from happening but to no use," The nurse said before bowing and walking back into the room. I walked over to Selim and took his hand into mine.

"Do not worry, Shehzade, everything will be well" I said smiling up at him. Selim sighed nodding his head and looked at the door with pain, it hurts me to see him care so much for another woman but I can't control him, he was a Shehzade after all.

"I hope so, Meylisah" He mumbled tightening his grip around my hand but not in a painful way, more of a comforting way to remind himself that I was right there by his side and so I will be until the end of my days.

After hours of waiting and many pleas for me to go to my room to rest and me refusing, I can't leave the man I love and the father of my child in a situation like this, a doctor came of the room and bowed to us.

"Nurbanu hatun is in a better condition now and sleeping," The doctor said keeping her eyes on the floor.

"What about the child?" Hurrem Sultan asked taking a step closer to the doctor who sighed and still didn't dare to look up.

"He's an angel in the skies now" She answered bowing and walking back in to check on Nurbanu. I couldn't feel happy no matter what the child was still an innocent one and didn't deserve to die like this but we can't defy the will of Allah. I rubbed my eyes to not cry for the poor baby that died so innocently.

"I will find whoever tripped her and I will murder them with my own hands," Selim said in a moment of grief and anger. I had an idea who it could be, Nurbanu had two enemies, me who didn't have any hand in this and, Dilşah hatun.

"Selim, go rest now and we will investigate tomorrow" The Sultan ordered. Selim bowed and walked away angrily but grief was all over his face. I bowed and followed after him to his room and slipped in quietly and sat down beside him on the couch. I could see him drinking wine making me feel anger but I couldn't blame him.

"Drinking is not going to find the one responsible nor is it going to bring your child back to life," I said turning to look at Selim. Selim slammed the cup down causing the red drink to splash over to the sides of the cup. I picked up and handkerchief and wiped his hands clean.

"I have an idea on who could have done it," I said breaking the silence that covered the room's atmosphere. Selim looked at me awaiting the answer.

"Dilşah, she's the only one who is not in your favor, I am your wife while Nurbanu was pregnant with your child but she is no longer a concubine even and has been sent away to the old palace," I said placing the handkerchief down on the table neatly before looking up at him. Selim's face was almost as red as his hair as realization took over his face and I almost see the wheels in his head-turning.

"She obviously still hasn't finished her plan, she still hasn't placed the blame on anyone," I said. Selim looked at me with a look I couldn't read. I ignored it and tried to think of someone she will be blaming but I couldn't think of anyone.

"You, she wants to blame you," Selim said making me snap my head up to look at him wide-eyed.

"Me? I don't even know her, I've only seen her once" I said raising an eyebrow. Is it because I got her kicked out like the rest of the girls? Of course, it is, that girl was smart.

"I promise you, Selim, I haven't done it, I would never do such a thing," I said taking his hands into mine. Selim smiled softly raising my hands up and kissed my knuckles.

"I know my angel, you don't have the heart to" Selim pulled me in closer hugging me tightly. I smiled softly kissing the side of his head before he pulled away.

"I couldn't protect Nurbanu's son but I will protect ours from anything, I promise," He said placing his hand on my stomach. I placed my hand atop his.

"I believe you"