Halime Sultan : The Time Traveler

ғɪғᴛʏ sɪx

I paced around the chamber as I waited for Esma to come and take the children to their chamber that was the closest to our chamber. 

"Valide, I'm sleepy. When is Esma coming?" Osman asked in a sleepy tone as he rubbed his eyes. He, along with Mihrimah, Murad and Bayezid were sleeping on our bed waiting for the maids to take them to their chamber. 

"You can sleep here for now, Şehzadem. We'll bring you to your chamber once Esma comes. You won't even know." I assured, making him scowl. 

"Valide, I'm not a kid anymore." He whined. "Father said I'm the crown prince, who's going to be the next Sultan. I won't let anyone carry me."

I raised my eyebrows at him.

I've told Mehmed a million times not to say that but when does he even listen to me? The Ottoman Empire never had such a thing called crown prince, it was always the strong one who got to the throne first. 

Osman is still a kid. He shouldn't fill him up with such things and people might take it in a different way too. Which might be risky for Osman. 

It's good that he considers him the crown prince but Osman is still young to carry that title as with title comes the work and responsibility of the crown prince. 

"Osman, you shouldn't say that in front of people." I said in a stern tone. "I'll talk to your father too. You father and son, all you both do is give me a headache."

"But Valide-"

"What's going on?" Mehmed said as he walked into the chamber with a smile on his face. "Why are you complaining about me and my son? What did we do now?"

"What did you do? Mehmed, how many times have I told you not to go around telling people that Osman is the crown prince? Why don't you ever listen to me?" I asked him. 

"Oh so that's the case." He said with a sheepish smile. "What's wrong with that? Osman is our eldest son. He's my heir. Isn't that obvious he's going to be my next successor?" He questioned as he walked the bed and sat down and Osman immediately crawled towards him and Mehmed placed him on his lap. 

"Mehmed, you know why I'm saying this." I said in a worried tone as I walked towards them and stood in front of them. "Can't you just wait for some more years until you officially announce him as the crown prince when he reaches the age?"

"Who would dare to touch my şehzades?" Mehmed said, catching my hint. "Şehzade Osman will be the strongest warrior in the entire empire. Isn't it Osman?"

"Yes, baba." He replied as he nodded his head eagerly. Osman took everything after Mehmed, from looks to his temper and ego. Even at this age, Osman loves archery, horses and swords. He loves to learn about Ottoman history and about war and battle field but he hates to study other things aside from those. 

"Valide, don't worry. When I grow up and become the Sultan, I'll make you the Valide Sultan and give you all the power." Osman said with determination and I gasped.

I'll rather die then take that power. That title and power comes with a price, and the price was Mehmed. I'd rather die hundred times then imagine a life without him. 

And I know I'll never get that title. If my dream comes true, I won't see that day. 

"Osman!" I gasped but instead of being shocked at what his son said Mehmed laughed in amusement. 

He kissed his head. "That's my boy. Valide comes before everyone remember that, even before me. You are to protect her at all cost, that's my first order for you as the crown prince."

"As you order, Hünkarım." Osman said before jumping down from the bed and bowing to him and me. 

That's when Esma came him a long with the other maids and took the children to their chamber.