Meylisah was the daughter of a past maid and best friend of Hurrem sultan. When her parents tragically died she was taken under Hurrem sultan's wing to be cared for. Not really adopted for it was forbidden in Islam but she was just glad to have a ro...
I sighed softly as I stepped down the carriage with Murad in my arms in a blanket. Just like the first time, there were state men lining up at the entrance of the palace with the subjects stood behind them to welcome Selim back to Manesa.
"Are you alright?" Selim asked lowly when I reached him. He reached over and took Murad's hand rubbing it softly to not wake the sleeping baby.
"I'm fine, do not worry" I smiled reassuringly at him. He nodded smiling at me before turning around and walked down the path leading to the palace. I was a couple of steps behind watching proudly as he walked in the middle with a smile on his face. The people were chanting his name and prayers.
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I went straight to the harem where the girls bowed to me. I could see some of them peaking up to get a glance at the newborn prince.
"Esma Kalfa, take the Sehzade to bed" I handed the baby to Esma who grinned happily. She bowed before leaving the harem to my room.
"I came straight here to listen to you girls, tell me is anything missing?" I asked. Of course, these women were all maids and none of them were concubines so they were no threat to me or Murad.
"There is sultana," one of the girls said making me turn to her. I nodded for her to continue.
"We need new clothes, Sultana. Some of our clothes got ripped beyond repair" she said. I listened to her intently.
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"I will take care of that. If any of you have any requests do not be afraid or ashamed to come and ask me. I may be a sultana but you can count me as your sister too" I patted the girl's shoulder. She grinned happily at me before bowing along with the other girls. I walked out of the harem and back to my room.
"Emira, I want you to take care of this matter and call me Canfeda Hatun" I ordered. She bowed before leaving the room to do so.
"Is he still asleep?" I asked Esma as I sat down on the couch.
"Sehzade Murad is sleeping like an angel" she answered grinning. She immediately started unpacking my things and put them back in place.
I pulled a book from one of the shelves and started reading to pass the time. A knock on the door interrupted the comfortable silence that took over the room.
"Come in" I called placing my book down after putting a bookmark. Canfeda walked in and bowed to me with her head down.
"You called for me Sultanim," she said looking up at me. I nodded and beckoned her to step closer to me.
"Why aren't you taking good care of the girls?" I asked. She had a confused look on her face.
"They need new clothes and they had to beg me for it. Your job is to listen to them other than scream and yell at them to do their jobs. They mustn't need a thing" I hissed angrily. She looked down in shame.
"They didn't tell me, sultana," she said fearfully.
"Of course they're not going to tell you. They're afraid of you. If you keep up like this I'm going to kick you out of the palace, do you understand?" I asked raising my eyebrow at her.
"Understood" she bowed. I shook my hand for her to leave. She bowed and scrambled out of the room immediately.
I sighed softly leaning my head back against the couch. I couldn't wait for this day to end, it has been exhausting traveling for days, and now the harem mess. Every time we travel something happens in the harem.
I suddenly heard a commotion coming from outside making me sit up in shock. I looked at Esma who stopped folding dresses and looked at me.
"You stay here sultana, I'll check it out" she stood up and ran out of the room. I stood up and walked over to the door waiting for any news. In no time Esma was back in the room with me.
"Sultana, Canfeda ordered for Nesma Hatun to get foot whipped," Esma said.
"Who is Nesma?" I asked confused. What could this girl have done?
"The girl that spoke with you earlier" My blood boiled. I clenched my fists and pushed her out of the way and stalked down to the harem angrily.
They had already tied Nesma's legs up on a wooden piece and two harem aghas held it up as she cried loudly. Another harem agha was readying himself to start the beating.
"Stop!" I yelled making everyone freeze. The maids bowed to me as I walked in angrily.
"What do you think you're doing?" I asked turning to face Canfeda who stood there calmly.
"She broke my word sultana, I told them not to tire you with nonsense," she said. I could strangle her right then and there. Everyone knew how she was Nurbanu's loyal maid and friend.
"Aghas, kick this woman out of the harem and place. Someone so disrespectful, unfair, and abusive has no place in Sehzade Selim's palace" they immediately went into action and took her by the arms and started dragging her away.
"No wait sultana, please forgive me" she begged fighting against their grips. I held my hand out making the aghas stop and let her go. She immediately ran and kneeled by my feet.
"I beg you, sultana, don't kick me out. I have nowhere to go" she begged crying. She took ahold of my dress crying. I pulled my dress out of her grasp and took a step back making her fall on her hands.
"If I hear one more complaint about you or if you ignore the girls' needs one more time I'm going to kick you out" I threatened. She whimpered loudly looking down at the floor.
"I will be your loyal maid. I swear I will never neglect my work ever again" she cried.
"Stand up" I ordered she stood up with her head low. She had tears streaming down her face as she breathed heavily in panic.
"Go wash your face and compose yourself before continuing your work" I ordered. She bowed before running away to do so.
"Now end this disgracefulness. No more violence is allowed in the harem anymore" the aghas scrambled to untie Nesma making her scramble up.
"Thank you, sultana," she said shakily. I nodded before walking out of the harem.
"She needed this lesson," Esma said grinning happily.
"She needed it because her time in the harem is coming to an end," I said smirking.
