𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐲- [Magnificent Century]

CHAPTER 21

 

           The imperial family decided to throw a party for Hatice Sultan's engagement to Mustafa's teacher the same day Mera announced her fourth pregnancy. Gulsah hatun had finished her punishment and was called back by her mistress, the very same day as well. And thanks to the festivities, Hurrem was pardoned for her slights and was allowed to stay with her son once more.

If anyone realized Hatice was unwilling in her upcoming marriage, then no one talked. Mera sat with Emine next to her while Fulane stayed in the children's section on the other side of the room, where Osman, Murad, and Mihrisah were all playing while Mustafa and Mehmed also were. No one paid attention to the Hungarian concubine nor recognized her. Though Suleiman would have, had he arrived a few minutes earlier and had his eyes wandering on the harem instead of at his sister and favorite.

The jariyes were playing music with their delicate tall and slim fingers while others were moving seductively, some clapped courteously while others just sat chatting with each other. Mera congratulated the valide and her daughter, and they congratulated her in turn. Then she just sat gossiping with Emine, who had amazing things to say, such as Maria and Hurrem being friends again. Mera knew she had to change that somehow, but now that she was pregnant, she had to pay attention to herself and not plot as much as she did before.

Suddenly, there was smoke coming out of the other side of the room, where the princes were playing. All three mothers moved quickly, yelling for their children and followed by the other sultans and maids. Thankfully, a maid came out with the kids in her arms and clutching at their feet.

Mera could not see or hear anyone else. She just rushed towards her three children and checked for any visible injuries. When she realized they were safe, she started kissing and hugging them and sobbing. Though Hurrem had other ideas, she started yelling at Mahidevran out of all people, and even when Suleiman told her to stop, she continued on with her accusations, even daring to accuse Mera of plotting her precious Mehmet's murder.

It was then when the sultan snapped."That is enough! Take Mehmet and go to your chambers!"

He then took Mustafa in his arms and kissed him before doing the same to Osman and Murad, when he lifted Mihrisah, he did not let go and decided to let her use his shoulder as her pillow. The valide, seeing the crowd cleared her throat and ordered with a firm voice."You can all disperse now."

He did not spend the night with her as planned before, instead, he checked on each prince and opted to stay with Mera at her on for the night, the next day, she visited him on his own while they talked about his upcoming campaign in July, it was just three months away from them, and he had told her about his visits to the shipyard. Mera asked if there was anyone he liked there, and just as she hoped for, he seemed interested in the man she had put there.

That night, Smbul Agha came with a letter from the harem. Judging from Suleiman's facial expressions, she knew that it was from Hurrem, but her charms didn't work on him this time. In truth, Hurrem was very confident in her hold on the sultan When in fact, no one ruled him, he was like the sea, changing its waves' course by each season, one day he'd love you to the moon and back, the other he would just lust over your body. That is why Mera knew it to be important to hold power that is separate from his be no event moods.

A few minutes later, Mehmed came in with a maid, followed by Fulani and Mera's three kids. They had dinner together, and while the princes were still visibly shaken by the fire the night prior, they had mostly moved on, especially when Suleiman offered them new wooden swords and a ruby necklace

******

That morning, the women of the imperial family stood side by side to say goodbye to the sultan and wish him well on his campaign, he kissed his mother's hand and allowed each of the other women to kiss his hand, even Mahidevran, whom he had ignored her existence for months before the fire incident. Yet this time, he did not say goodbye to Hurrem, nor did he even spare her a glance. Mera almost pitied her. It was her first time standing as a woman of the Ottoman bloodline, and she was ignored.

When it was finally her turn, Mera took her sultan's hand and kissed it softly, and allowed her kids to follow her lead. When they finished, Suleiman bowed and kissed Mera's belly, which had grown considerably when the child quickened, Mera had told him the night before that she thinks the child may be a girl and he assured her that it would be alright, and even gave her and his mother a list of names he'd like for his second daughter to be named.

Hello, i hope you've been doing well! Here is another short chapter! The next one will have when everyone thought the sultan died and Mera's birth!

Your feedback is always appreciated!