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...
"Do you think we will ever see granny again?" Ayse asked as Gülruh put on her headscarf for her. Ayse was one of the closest to the Valide among all the grandchild Hürrem, Mahidevran and I gave her.
"One day but let's pray that day will be far away from now" I answered buttoning up Korkut's kaftan while the two almost three years old squirmed around.
"Today is a bad day, granny is gone and Mustafa will be going soon" Abdullah pouted with his arms crossed. His words reminded me of the disaster that was about to happen, Mustafa will officially move to Manisa soon, the only positive thing about this is that he and Mahidevrna will be out of my way in the capital but that didn't stop the fact that Mustafa has been declared as the official heir.
"Come on children" I stood up and held Korkut on my hip. My maids all took a hold of one or more children before we left my chamber. We met up with Hürrem's children and their maids halfway through the harem. I felt bad for those kids, they kept losing people in their life, first their mother and now their grandmother.
We walked down the hallway until we reached the main harem where Mahidevran, Hatice, Gülfem, and Beyhan Sultan were already standing in line. I chose to stand at the end of the line with so many children around me. Hatice and Beyhan were both sobbing and crying however Beyhan was more pulled together than Hatice. Beyhan had Hatice wrapped up in her arms trying to calm her. The entire harem was crying as the coffin of the Valide was put on the shoulders of Sümbul, Halil, and Gül and three other harem aghas. They walked out of the harem only stopping when Hatice threw herself on the coffin but was pulled back by Beyhan and Gülfem. I let a few tears roll down my cheeks too, she was a strong Sultana who gave me a hard time but she will be missed especially by the children.
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"Calm down Hatice, I beg you" I held Hatice in my arms as she sobbed. I handed her a handkerchief to wipe her face with. Beyhan Sultan was sat on a couch on the opposite side of the room with silent tears streaming down her face. She was hurting from the loss of her mother like any daughter would. I knew that it was hard for her to be in this palace after Suleiman killed her husband but right now she threw that behind her for the time being for the sake of her mother and sister.
"How can I calm myself down, Qamar? My mother is dead and Ibrahim is cheating on me and will have a child with another woman soon" Hatice asked. I turned to look at Gülfem for help, she was the only one other than Hatice that I trusted in the room. I barely knew Beyhan Sultan and for all, I knew she could make the situation worse.
"Sultanim, maybe it's best if you get some sleep and leave the thinking for tomorrow" Gülfem stood up from the couch and walked over to me and Hatice. She had the medicine the doctor gave us to give her to calm her down in her hands. She spilled some of it in a golden cup and held it out to me.
"Here drink this" I held the cup out to Hatice. Her screaming had stopped and she had silent tears streaming down her face. Hatice looked at me with wide eyes and I nodded with a smile encouraging her to drink the medicine. She gulped it down and gave the cup to Gülfem. I pushed her back to lie down on the bed and pulled the covers over her to cover her from the cold of the harsh winter.
"I will never forgive Ibrahim" She whispered as her eyes got droopy and she started drifting off. I could see the look of horror on Gülfem's face and I was very tempted to jump with joy but pushed that deep inside of me. The doors to the room opened and Mahidevran strutted in with a smirk on her face.
"Where were you Mahidevran?" Beyhan Sultan asked standing up from the couch. Gülfem turned to look at Mahidevrna curiously too. I didn't give her any notice and pulled the covers over Hatice's shoulders as she fell into dreamland.
"With his majesty" Mahidevran answered. I turned to look at her confused, since when did Suleiman have interest in her? Wasn't she also free and he couldn't be near her?
"Why?" Beyhan Sultan asked crossing her arms. It seemed to me that Beyhan Sultan was weary of everyone in this palace except for Hatice.
"He assigned me as the ruler of the harem" Mahidevran answered with glee all over her face. I turned to look at Gülfem who seemed conflicted with the new decision. Suleiman was giving her a chance to redeem herself and we all knew that she was going to ruin it somehow and it is my new mission to help her ruin herself.
"Congratulations," Beyhan Sultan said dryly. She walked out of the room with a frown on her face. I stood up and bowed to the retreating Sultana.
"Congratulations," Gülfem said uncertainly. Mahidevran looked like she could fly from how happy she was.
"Aren't you going to congratulate me, Qamar Sultan?" Mahidevran asked with a smirk on her face. I fought the urge to rip her head off right this instant.
"Congratulations, Mahidevran" I gave her a sarcastic smile which she returned. I could see that nothing could ruin her mood so I chose to retreat.
"If you'll excuse me, I have thirteen children depending on me" I nodded at Gülfem and then at Mahidevran before leaving Hatice's room hoping they will leave soon and let her rest.
The harem girls were gossiping as usual when I passed by the harem. Daye Hatun was whispering with Sümbul, I had a feeling that she will not be staying here for long no thanks to Mahidevran. My eyes trailed to Gülsah, Mahidevran's loyal maid, who was whispering with Fatma Hatun, the troublemaker and the cause of Hürrem's burned face. They were two demons working under the devil, Mahidevran. It was no secret that Mahidervan would want to have loyal maids in the harem so I am almost sure we will be losing some of the staff who she will replace with her loyal maids.
"Mommy" Kaya greeted me with open arms when I stepped into my room. I crouched down a little and returned her warm hug. She was the most innocent one between her sister, she was always there when I needed a hug or some comfort.
"Hello darling, why are you still awake?" I asked the young girl. I pulled her toward my bed and sat down and pulled her to sit down beside me.
"I wanted to sleep with you" She answered fiddling with her hands. I chuckled and kissed her cheek.
"Alright, let me change and we will sleep together" I stood up and pulled off my headscarf. She squealed happily and scrambled to get under the covers.
I felt a hand gently gliding over my cheek which woke me up, ever since I got attacked the last time I've been weary and a light sleeper especially with Kaya asleep beside me. I opened my eyes and looked at the person touching my cheek and found Suleiman standing over the bed. I pushed myself up to bow to him but he pushed me back into bed with a small shush.
"Sleep darling" Suleiman whispered. I scooted closer to Kaya giving him space to slither in beside me on the bed. He wrapped his arms around my waist and hugged me tightly to his chest.
"I'm sorry for your loss, my love" I whispered to not wake up Kaya. However, Kaya was one of the heaviest sleepers in the entire palace. She barely let out a sigh and turned to face to opposite way but she didn't wake up.
"Thank you" He whispered in my ear before kissing behind it. I wanted to question his decision about Mahidevran ruling the harem but I knew it was not the time, he was hurting from losing his mother and had no energy to waste on such conversations so I kept my mouth shut and I will endure it and her rule until I could get rid of her.
