Living a normal life was now impossible to Lily after being kidnapped by the tatters. She was stolen off of the boat that was supposed to take her to England to study from the White Sea after visiting her family that lived in Egypt because of her fa...
The awkward silence was no stranger when we were in the Valide's wing though usually, it visited because the Valide didn't want to speak with me and Hürrem other than about our children, however now that Mahidevran was here awkward silence filled the room because no one knew what to say.
"Congratulations on the new Sehzades and Sultana, Korkut, Cihangir, and Nuriye," Mahidevran said breaking the silence. I turned from the window to look at her and I didn't see the broken look in her eyes that I usually see when a new child was born even though my new twins were a year old now almost two.
"Thank you my Sultana" Hürrem said with a slight shock in her words. Mahidevran smiled and turned to me.
"Thank you," I said dryly. I never liked her and never will and I will not act and pretend that I did or will do.
"I'd say you next but... I hope you'll take the children of Sehzade Mustafa in your arms" Hürrem jabbed at her. She was testing the waters already.
"I'm sure being a grandmother will suit you Mahidevran," I said nudging Hürrem who was sitting beside me. Mahidvran's frown turned into a soft smile and she nodded at me in thanks. I turned to glare a little at Hürrem who only shrugged with a smirk.
"What do you think about me Mahidevran? We haven't seen each other in a long time" The Valide said trying to break the tension that Hürrem build up.
"You look very good my Valide, MasAllah" Mahidevran said smiling at the Valide. Her impulsive behavior seemed to have subsided over the years she spent alone.
"How was your journey?" Hatice asked butting in knowing that soon the awkward silence would return if someone did not interfere.
"I think because of the excitement I couldn't sleep. I'm pretty tired" Mahidevran answered. Hatice nodded satisfied with Mahidevran's answer. A knock on the door made all conversations halt. The Valide called for the person behind the door to step in, it was Sümbul agha.
"My Valide, his majesty is asking for Qamar Sultan," Sümbul said. I turned to the Valide who nodded her head for me to leave. I stood up and bowed to her before following Sümbul out of the room.
"Did he say what he wanted? Sümbul?" I asked turning to the royal family's loyal pet. That's what scared me a little about Sümbul, he was loyal to the bone to the person he served and I wanted that person to be me, not the Valide, not Hürrem but me because you never know what the world will hold for you.
"No Sultanim" Sümbul answered. I waved my hand making him stop following me halfway through the golden road. A frown took over my face as I walked, what could Suleiman need right now? I walked closer to Suleiman's chamber and as I was about to reach it a handsome young man emerged from the room and when he saw me he bowed and Ibrahim Pasha followed after him.
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"Mustafa, what a handsome Sehzade you are! I'm sure in no time you will be winning us wars" I explained. I was truly happy for his return, after all, he had been only a child when I had come to the palace and I was friends with him, and then I gave him siblings.
"Qamar Sultan, still as beautiful as ever," Mustafa said grinning at me. His eyes sparkled with innocence and purity but I knew that in no time that sparkle will die under this roof.
"Thank you, darling, excuse me your father has called for me" I patted his arm. I nodded at Ibrahim who gave me a nod back and as usual with a fake smile and a mock in his moves. Mustafa seemed shocked at my physical affection towards him when he was at such an age. I had expected people to be more shocked about Suleiman and I's age difference because I was only eight years older than his son Mustafa.
I walked into Suleiman's room and he was standing in the middle wiping his tears, it was no shock he got so emotional because Mustafa had grown quite a bit. He was wearing one of his newer outfits and it was a magnificent red robe on top of the rest of his clothes.
"Was it that shocking to know he had grown up?" I teased Suleiman. I walked over to my beloved and wrapped my arms around his neck. Suleiman's hands found home on my hips as he chuckled a little.
"I just wasn't ready to believe he had grown so much" Suleiman answered. I took his hand that was on my right hip and pulled it up and pressed a kiss to the back of it.
"I'm still shocked that you have a son his age, you look so young my love" I flirted jokingly. Suleiman burst out laughing at my joke.
"I asked for you here because I was thinking about letting Mustafa go with you tomorrow to visit the hospice," Suleiman said. Now that shocked me, the hospice has been open for years now but no one has ever accompanied me for a visit other than Suleiman a couple of times, I mean I barely got a congratulation and May Allah acknowledge your good deeds.
"I would love that" I answered grinning up at Suleiman. He leaned down and kissed my forehead as his approval of my actions.
"Now go to the tower of justice, I'm giving Mustafa his final sword as a Sehzade" I composed myself at Suleiman's words and made sure to keep a smile on my face. I bowed and walked out of the room, Mustafa and Ibrahim were still standing there which forced me to keep a smile on my face in front of them too.
I walked down the golden road with Hundi behind me and I couldn't help the frown on my face as I walked closer and closer to the harem. I took a deep breath and walked out of the palace with Hundi and towards the tower of justice. Mustafa receiving his final sword meant one thing and that is that he is finally crowned as the next heir, then there is Mehmed who will receive his sword in a couple of years and that means even more competition for my Osman.
I took my place beside Hürrem and we were both watching with frowns as Mustafa yelled his oath in front of the entire army and council. I wonder what I will feel when my Osman receives his swords in a couple of years, of course, he is too young now being only ten
