Light within the Harem

Chapter 21:

The security of the Palace soon doubled, rumours that Hürrem Sultan was responsible for Ayşe Hatun's murder circled the Harem, to the point that the Cariyes in her service were removed and she only had Nilüfer Hatun as attendance, Mahidevran Sultan seemed in high spirits because of this but she too knew that Hürrem was not a murderer, a snake, yes. A witch, possible but a murderer? No.

Hürrem Sultan was exiled to Eski Palace, with just Nilüfer Hatun, Mihrimah Sultan will not be joining her nor would any of her Şehzades.
Valdie, Hatice, Mahidevran and a heavily pregnant Gülfem Hatun watched from the balcony as the Russelana Kadin was escorted out by Aghas and Kalfas, the Bas Kadin was smug as finally the witch was gone, perhaps she can convince the Valide to celebrate.

Melekşima was in the gardens, she then called out to Hürrem. "Sultana!" Hürrem turned, her eyes red with tears and they narrowed when they landed on Melekşima. "Do not fear, your children will be safe, Hürrem. I swear to Allah, I will bring you back, I know you are not behind this."
"How do you know?"
"Sultana, you are many things but a murderer is not one of them. Ayşe Hatun was the Sultan's pregnant Ikbal, if she was a threat to you or your children, you would have gotten rid of her a long time ago." Melekşima replied, truthfully. "I may be young, Hürrem, but I am not a fool. You are innocent, Ibrahim Pasha will see this and so will the Sultan."

Suddenly, Hürrem pulled Melekşima into a tight embrace. "Protect my Şehzades, please Melekşima Sultana..."
"You have my word, Sultana."

With Hürrem now exiled, the atmosphere within the Harem seemed a little more strange, the girls hardly stood around in more than one spot for fear that the killer could be among them, Melekşima tasked Işmilah to find a Cariyes that could be used as a spy for her as she needed more information about Sakdia.

From what Işmilah gathered, Sakdia was a favourite of the Valide, she had the chance to walk down the Golden Path when Hürrem was visiting Hatice Sultan's palace but never went anywhere as Şehzade Mehmed fell into the pond and was saved by Mahidevran Sultan, this was when Hürrem was barely pregnant with Mihrimah Sultan since then Sakdia had stayed in the favourites chambers with Ayşe Hatun. Then, when Melekşima came to the Harem all those months ago, Valide's plans shifted from using Sakdia to Melekşima and it worked.

Sümbal Agha came to Melekşima's chambers the following morning, a small grin on his face. "My Sultana." He bowed respectfully as Melekşima was about to take a bite of flatbread. "I have come with orders from the Sultan, you are to prepare. For you are asked to walk the Golden path tonight."
Melekşima blinked surprised, as today was Thursday and those nights were usually reserved for the Bas Kadin only. "Thank you, Sümbal Agha." She replied, motioning towards Eşmahan who placed a few coins in the Agha's hand. "I shall go and prepare."

Halimë arrived just in time to hear the Sultan's summon, she gave a small grin to Melekşima which faded the moment Sümbal left as she instantly knew that Melekşima's happiness was just a façade, Melekşima stared at her sleeping lion cub.
What would happen if she was not here? What if the killer strikes again and Osman is the victim? She will not let that happen, she could not!

"Melekşima!" Halimë shouted, bringing the Kadin from her reverie, Melekşima then felt a stinging sensation and glanced down at her hands. She was holding the knife in a death grip, and the golden cutlery was digging into her skin, Melekşima releases her grip and the knife falls to the floor.
Her eyes began to water, tears almost threatening to fall as Halimë took Melekşima's hands. "Melekşima... Breathe, just breathe. Go to the Sultan, and enjoy your night with him. It is about time you remind the Sultan of why he fell for you in the first place, you cannot help clear Hürrem's name cooped up here. I will stay with Osman, he will never, ever leave my side."
Melekşima felt foolish like she was wasting tears for nothing. "Oh, Halimë. What would I do without you?"
"Plenty of things... Perhaps fighting tigers or juggling daggers."

That had made Melekşima laugh, they both glance at the sleeping Şehzade. "I am sorry."
"Do not be. You are within your rights to be fearful, especially with a killer within the walls of the Harem, but know that I am here." Halimë replied, patting Melekşima's hand. "Rest assured, your son will be safe. The Valdie Sultan will never tolerate violence against a Şehzade, and neither will I."

When Melekşima went to the baths, Mahidevran Sultan was there, as Gülash and another Cariyes washed the Bas Kadin's hair and body- it seemed that Mahidevran was preparing to walk the Golden path, unknowing that she would be turned away for Melekşima.

Işmilah began helping to clean Melekşima's body with a rose and jasmine-scented soap, Eşmahan was tasked with washing her Sultana's hair with the same soap, both Kadins acknowledged each other but barely said a word.
When Melekşima was fully cleaned and dried, Halimë had chosen a provocative red dress, similar to the one she wore that gained the Sultan's attention in the first place when he complimented her dancing skills.

Scented perfumed oils were rubbed onto her skin, making it glow and smooth, a few drops of light jasmine fragrance were placed in Melekşima's delicate areas and along her neck.
She had chosen simple jewels of rubies and pearls since the dress was already drawing attention and once Melekşima felt ready, Sümbal Agha appeared to escort her down the Golden path as he has done so many times before.

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It's shorter than I've written, but this all I came up with cause I almost gave up cause of writer's block.