Dynasties: Mahidevran's Revenge

Milena's visions

Belgrade, 1521.

Months after her eighteen birthday, Milena was in her chambers reading a history book from her father's library. She was deeply focused on her reading time, in hopes to distract herself from the visions that have been plaguing her in her dreams from some time ago. These visions were strange to say the least, like a call from destiny, but Milena feared if she confided them with someone, she would be taken for a lunatic.

She gazed the landscape of Belgrade from her window, pondering about her visions. They were sad. They were about a grieving mother who was dying in poverty and calling her son's name before her death by natural causes. She was calling a man named Mustafa, who Milena believed him to be that poor woman's son. She couldn't understand the visions fully, but despite the sympathy she felt towards the dying woman, the visions terrified Milena every night.

Aside from that, there were other anxieties running around her family that she couldn't avoid. Her father was always talking about the Ottoman threat if they went to war against the Hungarians, and the side they would take. The path was clear among her family, they would side with the Hungarians, despite Milena thinking it was an a inevitable but a suicidal choice. But neutrality was out of the table and siding with the Ottomans was unthinkable.

When her personal maid, Maria, came to see her Milena, to made sure she was fine Milena felt a certain relief and an idea crossed her mind. Maybe telling Maria about her worries would ease her mind.

"Maria". The always soft spoken and well—mannered Milena was calling her. "Do you have a moment?. I need to talk to you".

"Of course, milady". The maid answered with the same respectful tone she always addressed Milena. "What's worrying you, milady? It is something about the war?".

"Partially. But there's another thing that is worrying me more and has me sleepless for several nights, maybe its a stupid thing Maria, but... I need to take this out from my chest". Milena answered, worry crossing her green gaze. "I... its strange what I'm going to tell you, but I trust you won't spread anything I will tell you. Do you understand?". Milena finished, with authority being shown subtly on her soft voice tone.

"I won't divulge a word from this conversation. I promise". Maria promised. She was known to have an unwavering loyalty to Milena.

"Good. From some nights, my dreams have become... nightmares". Milena started with the uneasiness evident on her voice. "I have visions of an older version of me, dying in poverty as I call the name of my deceased son... its so strange, its like a prophecy..."

"Maybe you're a little tired, milady". Maria answered kindly as she helped Milena to brush her silky auburn hair before going to sleep as she did every night. "They are just nightmares, there's no way you're going to end poor claiming for your dead son. Maybe you will end being married to some prince and live forever with more comfort than most people"

Milena pondered about her friend's response. That's why she loved and valued Maria's friendship above most things in her daily routine. Despite her reality hits, she was always sincere but kind and never treated her like a stupid brat or showed her false flattery, like most people did with her.

***

Constantinople, 1521.

Hürrem hatun was taking a small stroll with her oldest son, Sehzade Mehmed who was four, in the secret gardens of Topkapi Palace. A little exercise would be beneficial to her and her newcoming baby, that she hoped would give birth to another prince. His younger siblings Mihrimah and Selim, were under the care of the maids assigned to assist Hürrem in her daily chores and childcare. Mehmed was the oldest, Mihrimah came two years later after Mehmed's birth and Selim was a year younger than Mihrimah.