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...
"What is the matter Sümbul?" I asked handing some documents to Hundi. She smirked and strutted by Sümbul making him glare at her.
"Sultanim, I was curious if you needed anything, maybe more helping hands" Sümbul answered giving me the sweetest smile. I chuckled shaking my head, how the tables turned.
"Are you saying that you want to join my household, Sümbul?" I asked standing up from my bed and making my way to the couch in my room. I sat down and looked up at him waiting for his answer.
"I- mean- uhm- yes Sultanim" Sümbul answered. Halil snickered beside me but composed himself when I sent a glare his way.
"Why the sudden loyalty? Is it because I'm an option to rule the harem? Did you say the same things to Gülfem Hatun?" I asked cocking up an eyebrow. From my peripheral vision, I saw Halil give Sümbul a look that meant "answer her if you could".
"N-no Sultanim. I wish for you to be my mistress and only you" Sümbul rushed closer to me and kneeled down at my feet. He grabbed a piece of my dress and kissed the fabric as a way to show his loyalty.
"What can you do for me that Halil and Hundi can't? Huh, Sümbul?" I asked placing a finger under his chin and raising his head up so our eyes can meet.
"I have the keys to everything in the palace Sultanim, I can make every single eunuch and Kalfa submit their loyalty to you" he answered eagerly. I looked up at Hundi behind Sümbul and she gave me a nod of approval. I turned to Halil who was glaring at Sümbul however he gave me a nod of approval.
"How do I know that you won't betray me?" I asked crossing my arms and leaning back against the couch.
"I will do anything for you," Sümbul said. I smirked and looked up at Hundi again who had the same expression on her face.
"Find the contract of the house Ibrahim Pasha gifted to Nigar and give it to the Sultan" I ordered. Sümbul's face visibly paled and he gulped worriedly. The doors to my room burst open and Murad ran in with his arms open wide.
"Mommy" I grinned and opened my arms. I pulled the seven years old up to sit on my lap and kissed the top of his head.
"You can go Sümbul" I didn't even look in his direction when I ordered. Murad giggled a little as Sümbul stumbled over the carpet before running out of the room.
"Is Sümbul alright mommy?" Murad asked. I fixed his posture on my lap making him squeak a little.
"He's alright, darling. Why are you asking?" I asked raising an eyebrow.
"Because he's nice to me" Murad shrugged his shoulders. Hundi giggled beside the door but stopped when I gave her a harsh look.
"You shouldn't always trust and care for those who are nice to you Murad. Some people are nice to you so they can get close to you and hurt you" I pushed back some of his hair that was getting longer and in need of a cut soon.
"Why would they want that mommy?" Murad asked curiously. He reached up and started playing with a lock of my hair which I pulled out of his grip knowing it would earn his attention more than my words. He looked up at me with a small pout but listened intently.
"Because they want to hurt your daddy. Your father is the strongest more powerful man in the world. You are still young and he daddy to you but when you grow up he will become his majesty Sultan Suleiman Khan" I answered tugging some of his hair behind his ear. Murad tilted his head a little to the side confused making me smile a little.
"The Sultan Suleiman we study about is daddy?!" Murad's astonishment made me laugh a little along with Hundi and Halil.
"Yes, darling" I answered. Murad let out a loud gasp in shock.
"I want to be a strong Sultan like daddy!" Murad explained excitedly.
"Inshallah, Sehzadim," Halil said chuckling. I froze for a second at his words. I, of course, wanted my children to survive and reach the throne but that also meant losing Suleiman.
"Are you alright mommy?" Murad asked placing his hands on my cheeks earning my attention again.
"Of course my darling" I faked a smile and patted his shoulder.
"How about you go do some sword training with Osman and Abdullah?" I asked moving him off of my lap. Murad's fave morphed into a huge grin.
"Really?" He asked. I nodded my head. He ran out of the room as fast as possible making me giggle a little.
"Sultanim" I turned to Hundi who moved closer to where I sat.
"Yes Hundi" I nodded for her to proceed. She eyes Halil first before stepping closer to me.
"What have you decided for Sümbul?" She asked curiously.
"I have decided to test his loyalty before letting him into my personal circle" I answered standing up and moving to the bed. My mood was obviously sourer than earlier after Murad's words.
"How will you do that?" Halil asked. I paced back and forth between my bed and couch before the idea finally came to me and I sat back down on the couch. The two stayed silent and watched me awaiting the idea.
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"We have to fake an attack and make sure Sümbul hears about it, somehow he has to be the one to find out about the attack before it happens and we will proceed with the attack and see what he will do and at the same time frame Mahidevran for the attack this way she won't be given a chance to stay in Topkapi Palace" I explained. Hundi seemed a little worried about this idea however Halil was grinning from ear to ear.
"Won't that be dangerous?" Hundi asked worriedly. Halil scoffed and shook her off with a grin.
"That is a brilliant idea, hitting two birds with one stone" Halil clapped his hands with a grin. I smiled and nodded my head.
