Sultan Mahmoud was the most lustful sultan the Othman empire has ever known since it rose from nothing to the strong dynasty it is now. He was a womanizer and the whole dynasty knew that but they didn't care as long as he was leaving for campaigns t...
"Shhh, don't cry darling" I mumbled swaying the small bundle in my arms side to side to make the small baby calm down and go to sleep. I looked up from the bundle in my arms at the door as it opened to show a grinning Mahmoud who ran over to my side and sat down beside me on the bed.
"My darling boy" Mahmoud mumbled taking the now calm baby from between my arms. I looked beside me where the Valide stood, she insisted on being present during the birth and I didn't mind the extra support.
"Thank Allah" Yenisah Sultan walked in followed by her sisters. I could see Warda scoff at the sight of me on the bed. Hatice and Leyla followed after the Sultanas.
"What will you name the new prince, Son?" The Valida asked watching as Mahmoud stood up from the bed making the sun hit his perfect face.
"Shouldn't we wait for my mother before the naming?" Esmehan Sultan asked snobbishly. Daphne walked in with Ahmed and Suleiman on each hip before she placed them down on the bed to be present for the naming of their new brother.
"She should have respected the traditions and came immediately" Beyan Sultan snapped back at her making her shut up which felt so good after what she had done to Yenisah Sultan, the latter seemed smug about her sister being told off by her mother.
"Insh'Allah his name will be Selim," Mahmoud said fixing his grip around baby Selim. I smiled as our new son flailed his arms as his father whispered his name in his ear.
"May Allah give him a long life" Valida prayed. I closed my eyes and prayed, I prayed Allah protects him, I couldn't live through another child's death, I would follow him immediately.
"Careful" I took the small babe in my arms and placed him down beside me so he could lay comfortably on the bed, I pulled a small blanket over him to cover him from the cold then patted his head slightly to fix the little amount of hair on his small head.
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"My sweet angels" I mumbled as Suleiman and Ahmed crawled over to see their new brother. Ahmed patted his brother's head softly like he was taught at the birth of Mustafa, Suleiman followed his older brother's movement.
"Brother sleep," Ahmed said with a slight lisp looking up at me. I grinned and nodded my head. Ahmed leaned down and kissed his forehead before leaning back against the pillows while Suleiman mimicked him making me chuckle a little.
"May Allah grants them long and healthy lives," Validam said closing her eyes in prayers along with Yenisah Sultan.
"I hope the birth doesn't stop you from attending my wedding next week," Esmehan Sultan said as innocent as she could.
"Don't worry Sultanim, I am as strong as a horse and will be present there" I said back knowing how annoyed that made her, she obviously didn't want me at the wedding but I won't give her that pleasure.
"We should let Neslihan rest," Validam said ushering the other woman out of the room. I looked at Mahmoud who had the biggest smile on his face. I felt peace at the fact that I made him happy after he lost two sons. Mustafa and Isa will not be forgotten ever especially my sweet boy.
"You should sleep" Mahmoud laid down beside me moving Suleiman from the side to lay in between us beside Ahmed who was already dozing off.
"Will you still be here when I wake up?" I asked moving to lay fully down after I took off my shawl and placed it on the side of the bed.
"When have I ever left?" He asked bopping me on my nose making me giggle. I pulled the cover-up to my chin and closed my eyes with my hand on my newborn praying for his health.
"Keep an eye on the children especially Selim" I ordered Daphne who bowed with a nod of her head.
I smiled and left my room feeling my heart weighing me down from sadness over poor Yenisah. I walked into her room to see her standing in front of the mirror looking at herself.
"When you look at me what do you see, Neslihan?" She asked turning around to face me. I raised my eyebrow at the weird question, she didn't even give me time to bow to her.
"A strong independent woman" I answered honestly. She smiled softly and walked over to me.
"Let's go," she said and walked out. Her behavior was quite unusual and very unexpected.
I took one of the many carriages after the bride and her valide and the valide sultan and her daughters with Hatice and Leyla last behind me.
When we reached Esmehan's castle I sat down on one of the pillows as the Sultanas sat on their thrones. Yenisah was acting quite unusual and I can see that her behavior was annoying Esmehan who wanted her sister to be as irritated as possible.
"Sultana, won't you tell me what got you so high-spirited?" I asked in a whisper looking at her pleadingly for an answer.
"It's a wedding and no one should be sad at weddings" she answered with a smirk just before Mahmoud walked over to our section of the wedding. I stood up with the rest of the women and bowed to him.
"I came to announce a matter very important" Mahmoud stated looking at his mother who looked confused.
"Yenisah shall marry Suleiman pasha, my grand vizier, by the beginning of the next spring," he said happily. My eyes widened and turned to Yenisah who only smirked. Esmehan took her lover so Yenisah returned the favor by marrying Esmehan's lover. I could see tears brim Esmehan's eyes but she didn't let them fall, not only did Yenisah still her lover and marry a man of higher ranks than her husband but she also stole her spotlight. I immediately composed myself to not raise any suspicion around myself or the sisters.
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"I hope you won't regret this decision and he makes you happy" I whispered to Yenisah who nodded gratefully, I will not stand against her because she needs all the support she can get right now and she will be getting it from me.
