CONQUEROR| MAGNIFICENT CENTURY|

CHAPTER 30

"Are you sure this is a good idea, Sultanim?" I asked softly. I was stood in Yenisah Sultan's room as she was getting ready for her engagement party with Selim in my arms asleep.

"Yes Neslihan, I am very sure, Suleiman Pasha is a respectable man who will treat me like I deserve," Yenisah said turning around to face me. I sighed nodding my head, there was no way I could change her mind, I only wanted for her to marry the man she loves and Suleiman is not that man so I could only hope that can change.

"Leave Selim with me and go get ready" she took the sleeping boy from me smiling softly at his angelic face. I bowed and left to my own room where Ahmed and Suleiman were already dressed and ready to go to the party.

"My darling boys" I leaned down and kissed them on their chubby cheeks. Ahmed giggled shyly while Suleiman yawned, my darling was tired it was a little past their bedtime but it's an engagement party and they must be there to be shown to the wives of pashas as a way to prove that Mahmoud did indeed have heirs to the throne.

"Take them to the party" I ordered Daphne who bowed and walked out. I walked over to the folding screen where my dress was already waiting for me to put on which I did as fast as possible.

"Are you ready yet?" I moved out from behind the folding screen to see Gevherhan Sultan standing in front of my doors as they closed. I walked over to her and bowed in front of her.

"Excuse me Sultanim, I didn't hear you coming in" I apologized which she waved off with a smile and walked over to my couch and sat down. She patted the spot beside her with a soft smile, I can't mess this up the more Sultanas on my side the better. I walked over and sat down beside her.

"I wanted to speak with you with no one around," She said turning her body to face mine. Whatever she says I must agree to because if I like it or not I need the alliance.

"You make my brother happy, or at least that is what I heard before and after coming here and that is why I want us to be as close as possible for a Sultana and a concubine after all your children are from my blood," She said looking at me with watchful eyes like she was trying to read my expression. She was testing me, that's why she bought the different status into this, she was smart.

"Of course Sultana, the children, and his majesty must always come first, besides Yenisah will love it if we get along as I and she do" I answered smiling softly at her. She smiled back, a genuine smile, and nodded.

"Your hair is still in need of styling" She pointed out reaching over and took a lock of my red hair in between her fingers twirling it a little.

"I will call one of the maids to do it," I said about to stand up to do just so but she placed a hand atop mine and pushed me back down and stood up herself.

"I will do it, I used to do my sisters' hair when they were younger," She said moving to stand behind me and immediately started her work of combing and pulling to get the right locks in their rightful place to create whatever style she had in mind.

"Thank you, Sultana, you don't have to," I said trying to not move so she could do whatever she wanted and needed.

"No problem, this reminds me of the time my sisters were young and still let me touch their hair," She said back making me laugh alongside her. In no time she had already finished my hair and handed me a mirror making me smile and stylish hairdo she decided on.

"Thank you," I said bowing to her before she walked out of the room to get to the engagement party. I walked over to the couch and took my shawl that was perched there by my maids and clipped it on securing it since the party will be outside in the spring breeze.

I walked down the harem where very few maids were still preparing things to be taken outside, I knew I was one of the last to get to the party but I had to speak with Yenisah in the morning and make sure she was okay before getting ready, at least the children were outside with their aunts and grandmother.

I stopped a little bit away from where the tent was set up and watched as Ahmed wobbled on his feet after his running sister who was giggling. Nuricihan was not my daughter but she was no threat to my sons or their claim to the throne so I didn't care much about her existence nor that how close she was to my sons, it's better that she is close so I can show Mahmoud that I was the perfect concubine he imagined me to be and followed the rules. Nuricihan was still Ahmed, Suleiman, and Selim's sister after all.

I could see Hatice look at me with a slight glare on her face. I turned to her and raised my head with what was in between a smile and a smirk.

I picked up my dress and walked over to the tent where all of the imperial women and Mahmoud's harem, Hatice and myself, were supposed to sit. Leyla was sat with the maids having no son to use as a backbone. I kneeled in front of Yenisah Sultan and kissed the hem of her dress.

"May this engagement be blessed, Sultanim," I said which she smiled back at before I stood up and kneeled in front of the Valide and kissed her dress before moving on to Esmehan, Warda, and Gevherhan Sultan.

It was obvious Esmahan and Warda were enjoying this too much. I nodded at Dilruba Sultan before sitting down exactly beside Beyhan Sultan's feet. She handed me Suleiman who she had on her lap and I immediately hugged him and kissed his forehead.