Haseki Mihrişah Sultan

Saviour

My head was hurting, as expected, but it felt like it wasn't going to end. I could barely breathe, and cold sweat was dripping on my forehead.

- Take this, - Haci Agha said and gave me a tissue.

I wiped the sweat away and put my hand on my left side of the chest.

- Your heart beating too fast? - he asked, and when I nodded, he told one of the maids to bring me tea.

- I don't want anything, - I said, but the maid had already gone away.

Not much passed, and she came back with the glass of tea on a tray.

- Gülbahar Hatun, you are not any random person anymore, - he said and handed me the tea that the maid brought, - you are precious and important to everyone.

I drank the tea and can not deny the fact that it made me feel better.

- The Sultana is ready now, - a girl who had gotten out of her room said to the eunuch.

- Ladies first, - he happily said and gestured for me to walk forward.

I entered her room, and different than the other time, she was standing in the middle of the chamber waiting for me.

- Gülbahar Hatun, - Kösem Sultan said and smiled at me, - praise be to God that he brought you and my son alive in the palace.

I was really grateful too. I don't know how I managed to survive. I wouldn't have done that even if the whole thing was a dream. It still gives me fear when I remember it.

- Come and sit, - she said, and I saw that there was a dining table prepared in front of her throne.

I sat on one of the cushions, and she sat in front of me. I got surprised.

- Is anything wrong? - she asked as she saw my reaction.

- No, Sultanim, it is the opposite, - I answered and smiled, - I really feel honoured!

- Gülbahar, - the Sultana spoke in a more friendlier tone and put her hand over mine, - you did to the Ottoman Empire a huge favour. You saved it's Sultan's life. You are the hero.

In her eyes, I saw compassion. I felt a strength, fondness, and sympathy coming out of her words. My heartbeats normalised, and the sweat had dried. The whole anxiousness had faded.

- I discussed with my son and we both agreed that you should have a separate room, - she said and straightened her posture, - After all that you did, this is the least we can do.

- I am really grateful Your Highness! May God bless you! - I said.

Together, we didn't discuss much after this. She told me that Murad had gotten better, but the doctors had advised him to stay on the bed for a couple of more days. The breakfast was delicious, but I wasn't very hungry. In the end, she said that her daughters, Fatma Sultan and Atike Sultan, were waiting for me in the gardens.

I got up from my seat, thanked her for everything, and excused myself. Haci Agha was still outside, and when I got out, he was smiling.