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...
"Aren't you going to tell me what is bothering you?" Mahmoud asked rubbing up and down my back softly.
"There is nothing my love, I'm just tired" I answered back giving him a fake smile. Mahmoud sighed in defeat and kissed my knuckles.
"Then go rest, love" Mahmoud suggested. I stood up and bowed to him before walking out of the room.
I walked down the harem, I could feel that the harem girls were watching me walk and I knew that they were realizing that something was wrong with me like they can feel it from the way I walked and talked and acted. The moment I walked into my room I froze at the sight of Esmehan Sultan sat on my couch with Selim in her lap.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"What are you doing here Sultana?" I asked in shock taking a step closer. I really didn't feel like having a fight or being around her anytime soon or at all even.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"Do I need your permission to walk around my brother's castle?" She asked raising her eyebrow in confusion.
"You never come and visit your brother's sons so I was shocked you suddenly cared" I answered back. She seemed shocked by how straightforward and that I dared talk to her like this.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"How dare you?" She asked standing up with Selim still in her arms.
"I don't care anymore Sultanim, my sister is here by my side and my mother is dead, you can't hurt me anymore" I barked back. She seemed taken aback but composed herself fast.
"And your father? I can always find him and hurt him" she said back taking a step closer.
"My father? My father works for the king, I'd like to see you get close to him anytime soon" I smirked at her. I walked over to where she stood and took Selim from between her arms.
"Now if you'll excuse us, Selim needs to sleep and so do I," I said glaring at her. She pushed past me and walked out of my room angrily.
I checked on Selim to see if she did anything to my sweet boy. I didn't trust anyone around him even the sultanas from the same dynasty as him.
"I'm sorry Sultana, I tried everything to keep her away" Daphne begged beside me. I snapped my head towards her and glared at her. She hung her head low and left to the other room when Ahmed called for her.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
I walked over to my bed and sat feeling my heart hammer in my chest for my sweet boy. She wouldn't have done something to him would she? No, he's an heir she wouldn't dare especially with eyewitnesses.
"Albina" I called. My sister ran into the room and looked at me waiting for instructions. Now that Mahmoud knew who she was I will get her out of the harem and slavery soon I just need to be patient.
"Call a doctor to check up on Selim" she nodded and left the room in a hurry. I will not rest until I know my son is okay and healthy.
The doctor came running in and immediately checked on Selim for anything that could mean he is unhealthy but found none on my darling boy.
"Sultanim, you don't seem fine, let me examine you," the doctor said eyeing me as she whipped her hand on a white cloth.
"I'm fine, I was just stressed," I said back handing Selim to Albina to take him to play with his brothers.
"It does seem so but it wouldn't hurt to be more sure," she said smiling at me. The doctor was called Emine she was one of the few doctors I trusted. I nodded and let her examine me.
"See I told you there was nothing wrong with me," I said standing up as the doctor grinned washing her hands.
"That is right sultanim, but I've never been wrong," she said turning to face me.
"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked standing up from my bed.
"You're pregnant Sultana," she said making my eyes widen. I can't believe it, I haven't felt any symptoms that lead to this conclusion.
"Albina, give her a reward and tell the Valide" Albina nodded and pulled the doctor out of the room. Of course, Albina wouldn't go to the valide but instead, tell one of the maids at the door who will go and tell her.
I sat down on the bed in shock, I was not expecting to get pregnant at this time at all. It's been a year since Selim was born and it was a shock that I hadn't gotten pregnant immediately after like I did with my first three sons. I even feared for a while that Hatice and Leyla were putting the same medicine on me and got my food tested but they weren't that smart.
"Daphne, bring me Selim I'll put him to sleep" Daphne walked out with relief on her face and handed me, Selim. She already has Ahmed and Suleiman it must be hard on her to take care of all of these children.
"Come on darling, let's sleep" I mumbled swaying Selim from side to side.
I remember a lullaby my mother used to sing to me when I was younger to put me to sleep. I whispered the lyrics to my boy and it seemed to affect him as his eyes closed slowly and let out a big yawn making me chuckle mid lullaby.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
I heard the door open behind me but I didn't turn around and continued the last part of the lullaby to my sweet Selim. Someone placed their hand on my shoulder making me smile. I knew that hand, it was Mahmoud.
"I have been told the news, may Allah bless your pregnancy" he mumbled in a low voice to not wake up the now sleeping baby.
"Amen," I muttered turning to look at him with a smile. Mahmoud leaned down and placed a kiss on my forehead.
