"Are the children ready?" I asked Albina as she helped me get ready for Warda Sultan's wedding. She nodded before signing that she will be leaving to check up on the children.
"Go and stay with them" she smiled before walking out of the room. I sighed and adjusted my necklace. I looked through the mirror as the doors to my room opened and a maid walked in bowing. I immediately recognized her as Wards Sultan's maid but before she could do or say anything Malike walked in.
"They're all waiting for you Sultanim" I nodded and walked out eyeing Warda's maid and nodded at Malike to stay with her in case.
I walked into the harem where everyone already was. The maids all bowed to me as I walked down the long hallway and stood in front of the Valide, Sultanas, and concubines of Mahmoud as in Leyla and Hatice. I bowed to the Valide before taking a seat beside Yenisah Sultan. I watched as Ahmed ran on his small feet after a small girl playing tag with some other kids running after them. The wedding had to be held inside because the weather wasn't the best and the wedding would be ruined outside.
"Mashallah our grandsons seem healthy," The Valide said watching Ahmed proudly before looking at Suleiman who was sat in Gevherhan Sultan's lap playing with her son Sultanzade Osman Bey who was slightly older than him and her daughter Zahide Hanim Sultan.
"How is Selim's health?" Yenisah asked leaning closer to me. I knew she was asking in fear of him having the same sickness as Mustafa may Allah let him be an angel by his side.
"He is healthy Sultana, the doctors do their weekly check up on all of the Sehzades and they're all as healthy as can be" I answered swallowing down the tears at the memory of Mustafa my small angel.
"May Allah grants them many years to live," she said smiling happily. I smiled and looked back over at Ahmed who was now running away from the girl who was trying to tag him.
"Who is this girl?" I asked Yenisah sultan who leaned closer and looked at the girl.
"This is Gülcemal, daughter of my husband Suleiman Pasha from his first wife Ayse Hatun. Gülcemal's mother died while giving birth to a second child and the child passed away with her" Yenisah explained smiling sadly at the small child. I felt bad for the poor girl who was raised an orphan.
"I was thinking something," I said turning to look at Yenisah Sultan. She raised her eyebrow in confusion.
"Gülcemal's father is the Grand Vizier, a perfect family to be in-laws with his majesty," I said explaining my idea. Yenisah nodded her head and looked at the small girl.
"A perfect idea Neslihan, she is from a respected family and only months younger than Ahmed" Yenisah nodded her approval.
"I shall tell the idea to his majesty and let him decide if they're worthy," I said smiling victoriously. Suleiman pasha was a powerful man and he is more than just worthy of Ahmed to have as an in-law.
"Sultanim" I looked up as Diana walked over to where I sat with Yenisah Sultan.
"His majesty is asking for you," she said smiling at me. I looked at Ali Pasha, the man Warda was marrying, family who were watching everything with wide eyes. I looked at the Valide who nodded her approval before I stood up and bowed to her.
I walked into Mahmoud's room and bowed to him. He walked over to me and pulled me in for a passionate kiss.
"I haven't seen you all day and I missed you," he said hugging me close to his chest. I smiled holding him tightly.
"I missed you too," I said looking up at him and kissed his lips. I pulled him to the couch and say down alongside him.
"I wanted to talk with you about something" I started looking down at our intertwined hands.
"Me and Yenisah Sultan were talking and she thought that Gülcemal Hatun daughter of Suleiman Pasha was a perfect match for our son Ahmed when they grow up," I said looking back up at him and watched his reaction.
"Suleiman pasha is a respectable man but it is quite unusual for a male member of the dynasty to marry especially the closest heir to the throne," Mahmoud said.
"It is just that Suleiman Pasha has done so much to the dynasty from what I heard from you and he is treating our Sultana respectably and we thought he deserved an extra reward other than our dear Sultana," I said innocently. I need this marriage to be approved and happen at the right time for my three sons and for the many more I hope to bring for this dynasty.
"It does make sense what you are saying and besides he does not have a son to marry to Nuricihan and I agree that Suleiman Pasha's daughter is a perfect match for our Ahmed" Mahmoud answered looking at me in the eyes.
"I approve. I shall talk to Suleiman Pasha and we will engage the two in time but for now, let them be children and have their fun" I grinned happily and hugged Mahmoud kissing his cheek.
"You called me here, is there something you wanted to talk to me about?" I asked pulling away from him.
"Ah yes, I have a present for you" he pulled me up from the couch and we walked over to the table he works on.
"Is this mine?" I asked looking down at the sketch he had drawn on paper.
"When it's ready, yes" he answered making me grin. It was a beautiful design of the Tulip flower with roses around it.
"I love it, thank you my love" I pulled him in for one more hug. A guard walked in when we pulled away from each other.
"Your majesty, Hatice Sultan is at the door," the guard said.
"Wait on the terrace Neslihan" Mahmoud ordered. I bowed and walked out onto the terrace. Mahmoud wanted me to stay and that made me smirk as I stood on the terrace.
I looked up at the sunny sky but there was still a cold wind blowing around me. I smiled slightly loving every second I spent in this palace with my lover and children, of course, there are some negative things like Hatice and Leyla. But life will be better from now on because Warda will be leaving tomorrow for Amasya and hopefully her visits will be limited.
I couldn't help but feel a little sad as my family flashed through my head, Albina was here with me but we didn't know anything about our parents.
"Sultanim" I turned around to find that Warda's maid had sneaked in onto the terrace.
"What do you want? You've been sneaking up on me all day" I asked turning to face her with a glare on my face.
"Warda Sultan wants to give you one last gift," she said walking over and pulled a bag from under her dress and handed it to me. I opened it and looked inside, it was my mother's ring. I snapped my head up and looked up at her.
"Where is she?" I asked angrily stepping closer to where she stood.
"Somewhere you can't reach her, not now at least" she answered and pulled something from under her dress. I opened the bag and looked inside to find a bloody dagger.
"You killed her" I staggered back and leaned against the railing feeling all types of emotions fill inside of me.
YOU ARE READING
CONQUEROR| MAGNIFICENT CENTURY|
Historical FictionSultan 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...
