Muhtesem Yuzyil Imagines ♡

The Ring of Hürrem Sultan Ch. 2 (By Cordelia_Books)

Mihrimah approached with Sumbul Aga the door which led to Nurbanu Sultan's room. As she advanced, a haunting thought crossed her mind: "Let the fall of this Sultana begin."
"Destur Mihrimah Sultan hazretleri" ("Attention, Her Majesty Mihrimah Sultan"), Sumbul announced.
Nurbanu stood up instantly when his sister-in-law arrived, her arms behind his back. The ring on her left ring finger shone. She stepped forward and curtsied.

- My Sultana, what a joy to see you here! How can I help you ? Nurbanu asked.
Mihrimah smiled at Nurbanu, but the smile was not sincere. It was the kind of smile a cat would have when facing its prey. Nurbanu shivered.
- I just wanted to know how you were, dear sister, replied Mihrimah. Why do you hide your hands? she added.

Nurbanu took the time to think. She wanted to lie and claim to have burned her hands while stoking the fire in her fireplace, but that risked giving her away. Mihrimah would demand to see her hands to see the imaginary injury. Finally, with fear and resignation, she said:
- For no reason, my sultana.

- Show them to me, Nurbanu. ordered Mihrimah.

Nurbanu began to show his hands, and sure enough, the ring was there. With lightning speed, Mihrimah snatched the ring from her and slapped her hard, causing her to fall to the ground.

- Did you really think you could hide your misdeed, you insolent little girl? shouted Mihrimah. How naive to believe that, with my mother no longer there to reprimand you, you can play with us as you please!

Nurbanu began to cry and beg her sister-in-law to help her, not to say anything to the Sultan. But Mihrimah replied coldly:

- The Sultan is already aware of your actions and has given me authorization to punish you. I don't know where your dear Cafenda is, but no matter where she hides, we will find her. Guards, take this sultana to the carriage waiting for her in the imperial garden. She will be taken to the Old Palace, where she will remain for the duration of her sentence. Sumbul, stay with her. She might try to run away, and that's not an option.

Nurbanu was frightened and shouted at Mihrimah, while the guards took her away.
- Only Sehzade Selim can punish me! Did you have no pity for your nieces and nephews? They will ask you what you did with their mother!

Mihrimah, calmly, replied:
- If I had not felt pity for my nephews, my dear, you could have accompanied my late mother to her death. Don't worry about them, they will be well taken care of and the situation will be explained to them. As for Sélim, I know what is good for my little brother. Lately, you have forgotten your lessons in ethics and principles. Selim will understand why we are doing this.

With Sumbul taken away by the guards and Nurbanu crying, Mihrimah assigned the task of searching for Cafenda to Fahriye. A Kalfa who was once in the service of her mother's rival Mahidevran Sultan but who had rallied to her Valide. In record time, Fahriye Kalfa found Canfenda Hatun in the laundry room and brought her before Mihrimah.

- Did you really think that if you hid, we wouldn't have found you? Mihrimah asked Cafenda with disdain. Don't worry about your sultana, she will be fine. But I can't say the same for you.

- My Sultana, I am truly sorry. I bitterly blame myself for having committed this sin. Please have mercy on me. Cafenda begged.
- Did you have mercy on my poor mother? You knew very well that she wanted to be buried with her ring, and yet you stole it from her without regret! I don't think so either. Said Mihrimah. Guards, take this traitor to the dungeon. She will remain there until the day of her execution.

Cafenda Hatun's shrill screams echoed throughout the harem, impossible to ignore. News of the actions of Cafenda and Nurbanu Sultan spread like wildfire. They were impatiently awaited the intervention of Mihrimah Sultan, a sultana with a strong character, to punish the guilty.

That evening, Mihrimah and Sultan Suleiman told Selim about the actions of his favorite and the punishment they had inflicted on her. Selim, overwhelmed with shame, could not imagine that Nurbanu, although so intelligent and mature, could behave in such a vile manner. Despite the deep and unconditional love he had for her, Selim could not shirk his duty as Sehzade and approved the punishment inflicted.
The children of Nurbanu and Selim, not seeing their mother, were worried about her absence. Murad, worried about his mother, asked what had happened to her.

Selim revealed the truth to him: his mother had stolen his grandmother's ring and was being punished for it. He asked Murad to reassure his sisters and explain the situation to them in a way that they could understand.
Left alone, Mihrimah and her father began a casual conversation. Suleiman ends up telling her :

- Mihrimah, we cannot exhume her to return the ring, which would be contrary to tradition and would disrespect her. It is best that she rests in peace and that we keep her memory alive in our hearts.

Mihrimah hesitated for a moment before asking him. Knowing that it was impossible to dig up her mother, she was convinced that this was the best solution.

- Baba, I beg you, let me keep mom's ring.

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A/N: Hope you enjoy, just a reminder I am SHARING this particular story!