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...
"Is this the only thing she talks about? Honestly, this woman is going to make me go crazy even when she's dying" I muttered to myself. The Valide was yet again talking with disgust on how I the mother of sons had a daughter as if it was some sin. Hatice was using this to try and rub it in my face as if she doesn't have two daughters herself.
"Don't worry, I love you either way" I whispered to Sahihuban who was in my arms. She cooed a little in my arms and gave a small smile. I couldn't help but smile at how adorable she was, my darling daughter, my only daughter.
I looked up with a smile to find Hatice glaring at me. It seems she's starting to get annoyed with my lack of misery over what the Valide was saying and she was spreading in the harem. I gave her a smirk and turned to look at my sons playing with wooden swords a little further away from us.
"DESTOR, SULTAN MAHMOUD KHAN, HIS HIGHNESS" a harem agha announced. We all stood up except the Valide and bowed to Mahmoud. I just then noticed Hatice glare at my left hand that was placed around Sahihuban, she was glaring at the placemat off my ring, now wedding ring.
"Validam" Mahmoud took his mother's hand and placed a kiss on her knuckles before sitting down beside her on the throne. He signaled for all of us to sit again.
"You brought Sahihuban, give her time a little" Mahmoud held out his hands to me. I placed our daughter in his arms gently and watched as he pulled her closer to his chest. Jealousy in Fatma's eyes was evident, she was jealous that she wasn't the youngest daughter anymore.
"Mahmoud" I whispered making him turn from our daughter to look at me. I made sure no one was looking at me before signaling for him to look at Fatma who was near tears from jealousy. Mahmoud chuckled and handed me Sahihuban again before calling Fatma over. She ran into his arms and hugged him tightly and glared at Sahihuban. I can only hope she stops hating her and sees her as a sister soon.
"Mommy!" My head snapped at the sound of Ahmed's yell. He ran over to us panicked and sweating.
"I can't find Suleiman," he said. I jumped up and handed Sahihuban to one of the maids.
"What do you mean? Wasn't he playing with you?" Mahmoud asked standing up from the throne, forcing everyone else to do so too. The Valide chose to stand up too from her throne.
"We were but then he got mad that he lost and ran away" Ahmed was shaking at this point. I wrapped my arms around Ahmed to comfort him but I was on fire on the inside, I was boiling with worry.
"Search the gardens, don't leave anywhere without searching" Mahmoud ordered his guards. Two ran to start searching and two went to get back up. I pulled away from Ahmed and turned my back on everyone as tears welled up in my eyes, I can't lose another child, Mustafa was enough.
"Don't worry, he's probably hiding under some tree" Mahmoud reassured me. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and pulled me closer to him. I took a deep breath trying to control myself in the presence of so many people including my children.
"Maybe he went to the rose bushes, he likes them very much" I whispered pulling away from Mahmoud. He took my hand and started leading me in their direction much to the other's confusion. I was right, the second we rounded the corner we found Suleiman sitting beside the rose bushes.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"Oh thank Allah" I ran over to him. I fell down on my knees in front of him and pulled him in for a tight hug.
"Never ever again, scare me like this" I whispered in his ear. Suleiman hugged me back seeming to have needed this hug too.
"Sorry, I just feel so weak lately" he pulled away and looked down at his lap.
"You're not weak, Suleiman, and with hard work, you'll be one of the strongest" I placed my hands on his face memorizing every part of it.
"Really?" He asked, wiping his tears. My heart broke as my seven years old son composed himself. I pushed some of his hair back to see his face fully.
"Of course, darling, have I ever lied to you?" I asked. I stood up and helped him off the grass. Mahmoud walked over to us as Suleiman shook his head to answer my question.
"Neslihan, go back to the women, I want to have a talk with Suleiman" Mahmoud gave me a small smile to show me that he wasn't mad but instead wanted to give our child some advice. I bowed to my husband before I walked back to where the others were waiting for any news.
"He is fine love, Suleiman was just a little sad that you're stronger than him," I said to Ahmed who nodded sadly. The women behind me sighed in relief, even the Valide Sultan.
"How can I help him, mommy?" Ahmed asked innocently. My heart swelled when he spoke, usually, there would be competition between brothers but my sons cared for each other and wanted to always make sure the other is okay. Suleiman's actions may have been based on jealousy but he realized his mistake straight away.
"Maybe you should let him join your training with Ali Agha" I suggested. Ahmed nodded his head happily. He ran to Suleiman the second he rounded the corner with his father. Hatice was seething with anger at the lack of blame I was getting, poor thing was desperate lately.
"Take Sahihuban to the room" I ordered the maid that I had given Sahihuban to. She bowed and hurried into the palace with the baby.
"Is brother Suleiman still sad?" Selim asked clinging to my dress. I smiled and crouched down to be on the same level as him.
"No darling, go with Orhan and play with Ahmed and Suleiman" I kissed his forehead and indulged him towards his younger brother. The duo ran to their older brothers and they all started playing.
