Zevki Sultan | 𝐌𝐀𝐆𝐍𝐈𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐘

~ Chapter 12 ~

Elisabeth finally dragged me up after literally 3 minutes of sleeping. Or at least trying to. 'it's time for breakfast, princesa!' she told me. Ay, Acabo de llegar, ¿no merezco una siesta?

I have just gotten here, don't I deserve a nap? I suppose not, since nobody here besides Elisabeth and maybe Lucia Mendoza. I wonder what happened to her? Perhaps she made it to the palace too, or was sold as some slave in the market while we were passing it. Being a whiny woman that she is, I wouldn't be too surprised on that note.

I put on a simple white dress with a blue one over it, and headed over to the hall where some of the girls were setting up tables to eat food. I didn't know where to go, until one girl caught my eye and waved me over.

She said something in Turkish that I didn't understand, then waved it off. "Where are you from?" another girl asked. This I knew in Turkish from what Elisabeth shared.

"Ben İspanyalıyım." I pronounced carefully. I'm from Spain, I said. Another girl clapped her hands and came over to me.

"Tu también eres española?" She said excitedly. 

"Sí!" I smiled. "Are you new here too?" 

"Not really. I came a few months ago, grasped a lot of Turkish and other things, but I haven't achieved anything yet." She glanced upwards at what were the "favorite" rooms apparently. "Unlike them."

"What's your name?" I asked.

"Angelina Carrillo, from Cordoba. What about you?"

"My name is Francesca," I lowered my voice, as to not be heard too much. "Francesca...Trastamará."

Okay, that was a lie. I am princesa Francesca Fortuna of Castile, and Trastamará is the name of some of my cousins and other relatives. But I can't let anybody besides Elisabeth know that a Spanish princess is here for now, or many people might be in trouble.

Angelina gasped. "You are from the Trastamará family? So you are a member of Spanish royalty!"

"Shh...!" I shushed her. "Don't tell anyone. I might be hurt in some way if you do."

Angelina nodded quickly, her eyes wide with understanding. "I won't say a word," she whispered, glancing around the room cautiously. "I swear on my life, countess...?"

"Lady Francesca." I interjected quickly. I gave her a grateful smile, relieved that she seemed to understand the gravity of my situation. 

As we continued to set the tables, more girls began filtering into the hall, some chatting animatedly while others moved with quiet efficiency. The air smelled of fresh bread and honey, something I had missed sorely during the weeks long trip over the sea. It was good and helpful to take my mind off of the events last night. 

After we finished setting up, the three of us, that is, Angelina, Elisabeth and I, found a table near the corner of the hall and sat down together. 

Plates of food were being passed around—soft cheese, olives, figs, and warm bread. It was modest compared to the extravagant feasts back home, but it was more than welcome to my empty stomach. I swear I've become so much skinnier on this journey.

"So," Angelina began, leaning in conspiratorially. "How did you two end up here?"

I paused, unsure of how much to reveal. Elisabeth, sensing my hesitation, jumped in. "Francesca and I were on a ship that was captured by pirates. We were taken as prisoners and brought here. It's been a rough journey, but we've managed so far."

Angelina nodded, her expression sympathetic. "I was captured too. My family thought sending me to the coast for safety would protect me from the wars, but it seems nowhere is safe these days."