-Behiç, my beauty. I promise that we will always be together- Sultan Osman told Behiç. But, after battling with a disease, Sultan Osman dies suddenly, leaving Behiç to figure out how to move forward with her children. MC/K. Updates weekly, this is m...
The future of the empire is shaped by alliances, and sometimes, those alliances are sealed by the most unlikely of unions. It is time for Abdul to fulfill another of his holy tasks. - Behic Sultan
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It was a day that weighed heavier than most. The time had come for my son, Abdul, to begin considering a concubine. As his mother and regent, it was my duty to ensure that the woman chosen would not only bear him children but also strengthen his position in the empire. The selection of a concubine was never just about beauty; it was a political decision as much as anything else.
But I wasn't the one going to find her. No, that task fell to my daughter, Sanavber, who had a natural gift for observing people and situations in ways others often missed. I trusted her judgment.
As I prepared to send her on this mission, I reminded her of what was at stake. "Remember, Sanavber, this isn't just about choosing someone beautiful. She must have strength, resilience, and intelligence. Abdul will need more than a pretty face by his side."
Sanavber nodded. "I know, mother. I'll find the right one."
I watched as she disappeared into the palace corridors, off to the harem where the girls from across the empire were gathered.
Girls from different lands, with different stories, all hoping to catch the eye of the Sultan. But it would not be Abdul's eyes they needed to impress first—it would be mine.
Hours passed, and I went about my duties as the regent, though my thoughts kept wandering back to Sanavber and the harem. It was late in the afternoon when she returned, her expression unreadable.
"Well?" I asked, searching her face for any clues.
"There is someone you need to meet," Sanavber said, her voice calm but certain. "She's unlike the others."
Intrigued, I gestured for her to continue. "Tell me about her."
"Her name is Mariya," Sanavber began. "She's from Bulgaria, a Jewish girl. I watched the others—many were beautiful, elegant, but Mariya... she stood apart. There's something in her eyes, mother. She's clever, but quiet. Strong, though she doesn't boast about it. And there's a sadness to her, like she's carrying a heavy burden."
"A Jewish girl?" I mused, surprised by the choice. It was unusual, to say the least, but Sanavber's instincts were rarely wrong. "What else do you know about her?"
"She's from a merchant family, taken from her village during a raid," Sanavber continued. "She's educated, knows languages, and she already knows sufficient Turkish and a little bit Arabic. But she's also different from the other girls. She doesn't try to charm or win favor. It's as if she's resigned to whatever fate comes her way."
This piqued my interest even further. "Bring her to me," I commanded. "I want to meet her."
Sanavber nodded and left the room quickly, returning shortly with the girl in tow. Mariya was delicate, with dark, soulful eyes and a posture that spoke of both humility and defiance. She bowed before me, keeping her gaze low but not submissive. She seemed to not be used to this kind of power imbalance- she'll understand the process soon.
I studied her for a moment, taking in the quiet strength Sanavber had described. "Mariya, is it?"
"Yes, Valide Sultan," she answered, her voice steady but laced with tension.
"You are aware of why you are here?" I asked, watching her closely.
"I am," she replied, raising her eyes just enough to meet mine.
There was something about her—an aura of mystery, of unspoken pain and unyielding resolve. This was no ordinary girl. I could see why Sanavber had been drawn to her. She was different, but in a way that could prove valuable.
"Tell me," I said, leaning forward slightly, "why should you be chosen to stand beside my son, the Sultan?"
Mariya hesitated, but only for a moment. "I have nothing to offer but myself," she said plainly, "but I know what it means to survive. I've lost everything, yet I am still here. Perhaps that's why."
Her words hung in the air, and for a brief moment, I saw the girl behind the calm facade—a girl who had seen too much, suffered too much. A girl who had learned to endure.
I looked at Sanavber, and she gave me a subtle nod.
Mariya would do.
For now.
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