CONQUEROR| MAGNIFICENT CENTURY|

CHAPTER 39

"Is there any news?" I asked Daphne worriedly. She shook her head making me groan and continue my pacing right and left, forwards and backward. Hatice had gone into early labor not long ago meaning the stress level in the palace was high. The July heat was more intense than ever and all the windows were open to let at least a little bit of wind in but it was no use.

"Go check again" I ordered Daphne. She bowed and walked out of the room for the hundredth time. I didn't want her to have a son, I don't want any danger on my sons or their birthright.

"Do not worry Sultanim, everything will be alright" Rahime Hatun said. After Zeynep was killed the Valide sent Rahime to take her place, I had no doubt that she was a spy to the Valide so she was mostly with the children so she won't hear much of my conversations.

"I hope so," I said. The doors opened again and Daphne walked in with her head bowed down making my heart drop down to my stomach.

"What did she have?" I asked worriedly stepping closer to her. Daphne looked up at me with a frown on her face but it immediately changed into a grin.

"A beautiful baby girl," She said. I sighed in relief and pulled her in for a hug letting out a small laugh. Hatice barely had any luck and I will ensure to get rid of the little bit of it that she has and soon.

"Let's go" I walked out of my wing with a pep in my step. The concubines in the harem stood up when they saw me and bowed to me with their heads down, of course, they respected me more, I brought sons to the dynasty, unlike Hatice.

I walked into the room after covering my head. I just realized that I have never been in Hatice's room before throughout the years I've been in this castle. She was sat up on her bed with a frown on her face. The baby laid down beside her mother asleep. The Valide was stood at the foot of the bed with Esmahan Sultan who was visiting and came this morning to the palace and Gevherhan Sulta who decided to settle down here in the capital.

"Your majesties" I bowed to the three women in front of me. The Valide nodded her head in acknowledgment while Esmahan turned back around with barely a glance.

"Come, Neslihan" Gevherhan Sultan said smiling at me. I walked beside her and turned to look at Hatice who was watching me with a glare on her face.

"Congratulations Hatice Sultan, I'm glad you and the baby are healthy," I said as nicely as possible. It was true I was relieved she survived, she was a woman and I do not wish harm on anyone let alone a mother.

"Thank you," She said dryly. The doors behind us opened and Mahmoud walked in with a smile on his face. We all bowed to him except the Valide and Hatice. Mahmoud walked to the side of the bed and picked up the baby. He kissed her wrinkly forehead smiling when she let out a small groan but settled back down. His eyes trailed to me, I was watching him with a smile, would he treat our future daughters like this? Or will he treat all of his daughters the same?

"What will be my sister's name, daddy?" Nuricihan Sultan asked peaking from beside Esmehan Sultan, I had not seen her earlier, the girl was now nine and the eldest of Mahmoud's children, I remember her being a baby when I arrived to the palace.

"Her name will be Fatma," Mahmoud said before whispering the Adan in her small ear. He placed her back down on the bed beside her mother who gave him a small fake smile. Mahmoud pulled out a box from his belt and handed it to Hatice who opened the box to find a pair of earrings.

"Thank you, your majesty," She said smiling at him. He leaned over to her and kissed the crown of her head. I cringed and looked away feeling hurt by his action but I know that he must treat us all the same in front of the eyes of Allah, me, Hatice, and Leyla who was absent for not having any children. I felt bad for her, she was one of the highest-ranked women, and then she plopped down to almost the lowest.