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...
"What did you say?" I asked standing up from the couch. Daphne stepped back a little seeing the fury in my eyes.
"Leyla Hatun is pregnant," she said again. I felt my breath shorten and my heart started to hammer against my chest. How is that possible? Diana was giving her the medicine.
"Get me, Diana!" I ordered angrily. Daphne scrambled to do as ordered. I let out a scream as I pushed the coffee table beside me casing its content to go everywhere. I thought we pushed passed this level and I was at a point of finding a way to get rid of them.
"Sultanim" Diana walked and bowed to me. She eyed the broken table on the ground and winced. I stalked closer to her almost as if she was my pry.
"What the hell went wrong? I thought you were slipping the medicine in her food" I hissed angrily. She gulped and didn't dare look me in the eyes.
"I-I don't know. Maybe she didn't eat one of the meals or something" Diana stuttered backing up from me.
"If she has a son then I will get you executed and if she has a daughter then you will be lucky to only be banished" I hissed stalking towards her. She looked even more fearfully knowing fully well I could do both without even trying.
"One word from my lips to the sultan and you will be gone" I whispered smirking as she trembled under my gaze.
"For now get out of my sight and never show me your face until Leyla gives birth" I pushed her toward the door. She scrambled out of the room as if there was a hungry lion in there.
"Mommy" I turned and looked at Orhan, my four years old. I kneeled down to be on the same level as him feeling tears fill my eyes. He ran and wrapped his small arms around my neck placing a small kiss on my cheek.
I walked into the harem with my head held high not wanting to show any weaknesses. Gevherhan was sat on a throne swaying lightly to the music being played in the harem. Everyone stopped when I stepped in and bowed to me. I stepped over to where Gevherhan sultan was sitting with Hatice on a separate throne and Leyla on a pillow on the ground still not worthy of a throne.
"Sultanim" I bowed to Gevherhan Sultan with a smile not wanting her specifically to see how hurt I felt.
"Neslihan, welcome" she gestured to an empty throne beside her. I nodded and sat down on the throne and the music picked up again. She didn't want to show how conflicted we were in front of the harem.
"How are you Neslihan? I hope the news didn't affect you" Gevherhan said. She was starting to spread her poison.
"Of course not, I am very happy for Leyla Hatun" I answered with a fake grin. Leyla smiled at me buying my act. Leyla stood beside me when I lost my son Mustafa having felt the same pain when she lost her own son which made me weaker and more vulnerable. I couldn't hurt her, the guilt would eat me alive. Leyla and I didn't get along in the beginning but when she lost her son and title she became humbled again.
"How is the new sultana?" Hatice asked smirking. I raised an eyebrow confused but didn't let my smile slip.
"New sultana?" I asked confused. Gevherhan and Hatice giggled together as if I said a joke. Leyla frowned up at them and shook her head disappointed.
"Well, your last child was a girl so we're preparing ourselves for the birth of a second one" Hatice answered with fake innocence. Leyla sighed disappointed and leaned closer to me.
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"Ignore them, she's talking as if she has a hundred sons" Leyla whispered. I smiled down at her and patted her shoulder lightly.
"Thank you Leyla" I whispered back. She nodded and sat back straight. A harem agha stepped over to us and bowed to Gevherhan sultan.
"Neslihan sultan, his majesty is requesting you," he said keeping his head down. I smirked and turned to look at Gevherhan sultan whose face fell along with Hatice's. Leyla tried to hide her disappointment but was unsuccessful but at least she tried.
"Excuse me" I stood up and bowed to Gevherhan sultan. I left the harem with a skip in my step feeling as light as a feather knowing even when Leyla was pregnant he asked for me.
"Allah please send me a son to prove them wrong" I whispered placing a hand over my stomach that was not flat anymore. I, of course, wanted a healthy child but now that they provoked me I wanted a son to prove them wrong.
"Sultanim" Ali agha greeted me at the doors of Mahmoud's door. He bowed his head respectfully with a frown on his face.
"Is there something wrong, Ali Agha? Is his majesty alright?" I asked worriedly. My heart hammered in fear.
"No, Sultanim, nothing is wrong" Ali Agha immediately said shaking his head.
"Tell me, Ali Agha, are you married?" I asked clasping my hands in front of me now feeling more at ease knowing Mahmoud was alright.
"N-no Sultana" Ali Agha answered looking down at the floor.
"Maybe I should find you a suitable wife, Ali agha" I grinned up at him. Ali agha looked up at me with a glint in his eyes that I couldn't read.
"No need sultana, I am happy as a single man," he said smiling softly at me.
"Or maybe you are in love and too shy to say" I teased him jokingly.
"I am, however she is forbidden to me" he sighed looking down sadly. Who could she be? Forbidden? Maybe she is one of Mahmoud's sisters.
"Never say never" I patted his shoulder before walking into Mahmoud's room. I thought I saw Ali agha's breath hitch when I touched him but I was probably imagining it.
