MY SELIM| MAGNIFICENT CENTURY |

CHAPTER 29

Meylisah lay in her chamber, still recovering from the wound Beyazid had inadvertently inflicted upon her. The room was filled with an eerie silence, a stark contrast to the turmoil that had engulfed their lives. Her eyes were filled with a mixture of pain and sorrow, her hand instinctively cradling her growing belly. She had made her choice, exiling Beyazid and severing his claim to the throne, but the consequences of her decision weighed heavily on her heart.

As she lay there, she couldn't help but wonder how Selim was coping with the aftermath. She had chosen his life over Beyazid's, but the toll it had taken on their relationship was undeniable. Would they ever find a way to heal the wounds inflicted by this tragic incident?

The hushed whispers of the night enveloped the palace, casting long, silvery shadows in its wake. Meylisah lay in her chamber, her room dimly lit by the soft glow of a single lantern. She had spent hours staring at the flickering flame, her thoughts consumed by the events of the past day. The wound Beyazid's dagger had left behind ached, but it was the turmoil within her heart that caused the deepest pain.

Alone in her room, she felt an overwhelming sense of isolation. The children, Murad and Orhan, had been tucked into their beds earlier in the evening, the innocence of sleep shrouding them from the harsh realities of the world. Selim, too, had retired to his quarters, but her heart longed for his presence now more than ever.

As if her thoughts had summoned him, a faint creak of the door signaled Selim's quiet entrance. He moved with the grace of a man who knew every nook and corner of the palace, his footsteps barely audible as he crossed the room to her side.

Meylisah turned her head to see him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Her husband's face was etched with worry and exhaustion, the lines of stress that had settled around his eyes and mouth telling the story of the day's events. He took a seat beside her on the ornate divan, his concern palpable.

"Are you all right, Meylisah?" Selim's voice was a soft, gentle murmur, filled with genuine concern. He reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair away from her face.

Meylisah managed a weak smile, her fingers seeking the reassuring warmth of his hand. "I will heal, Selim. The wound is nothing compared to the pain in my heart."

Selim's thumb stroked her hand tenderly. "I can't help but worry, especially now that we know you're carrying our child." His gaze dropped to her belly, where the seed of their love was growing. "I fear for your safety, for the safety of both of you."

Tears welled up in Meylisah's eyes, and she allowed them to fall freely now, her emotions spilling over. "I, too, am worried, my love. The burden of this pregnancy is heavy, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Our child is a symbol of our love, a bond that even the tumultuous winds of this palace can't break."

Selim's eyes filled with tenderness as he gently wiped away her tears with his thumb. "You have a heart filled with bravery, my Meylisah. And I promise you, I will do everything in my power to protect you and our child."

Meylisah leaned into his touch, her head resting against his shoulder, taking comfort in his presence. They sat there in the soft glow of the lantern, two souls intertwined in a love that had weathered storms and still burned bright. Selim's words were a whispered promise of love and protection, a pledge to navigate the treacherous waters of the Ottoman court and emerge on the other side, stronger and united.

As Selim held Meylisah close, he was careful not to put any pressure on her wound, his arm draped gently around her as they lay on the ornate divan. The warmth of their bodies intertwined brought comfort to both of them. Selim's fingers traced soft, soothing patterns along her arm, his touch an unspoken promise of protection.