-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.
Power. It's all I've ever wanted, ever since they took me from my family, my home, my life. They thought they could break me, but they only forged something stronger. Something colder.
As I walked through the winding halls of the palace, led by Sanavber Sultan, I kept my head bowed, my steps careful and measured. Appear submissive, stay quiet. It's what they expect. But inside, my mind raced. This was my chance, the moment I had waited for. The culmination of years of patience.
Sanavber had chosen me. Me. Out of all the girls in the harem, she had seen something. Not what I wanted her to see, of course. But enough to bring me here, to the chambers of Sultan Abdul.
The palace doors loomed before me, heavy and grand, designed to intimidate. The guards outside shifted as we approached, their eyes cold as they stood aside for the Sultan's sister. She gave them a sharp nod, then glanced at me.
"Remember what I told you," she said quietly, her tone firm. "Be respectful. Speak only when spoken to."
I nodded obediently, though my thoughts were far from meek. I wasn't here to be just another face, another name lost in the shadows of the harem. I had a plan. I had always had a plan.
The doors opened, and I stepped into Sultan Abdul's chambers. My heart beat faster, but not from fear. From excitement. Anticipation. The room was grand, more lavish than anything I had ever seen, but my eyes were drawn to the figure standing by the window.
Sultan Abdul. He was taller than I expected, with sharp features and a presence that filled the room effortlessly. His dark eyes glanced at me briefly, before returning to the view outside. He didn't speak, didn't even acknowledge me further. But I could feel the weight of his silence.
"This is Mariya, Your Majesty," Sanavber said, her voice soft and respectful.
There was a pause, a long one, before Abdul turned slowly to face me. His gaze was unreadable, but I didn't falter. I met his eyes, just for a moment, before lowering them, allowing the hint of a smile to touch my lips. Play the role. Act the part.
"You may leave us, sister," he said finally, his voice low and commanding.
Sanavber hesitated for a moment, glancing at me once more before bowing slightly and stepping out of the room. The door closed behind her with a soft thud, and suddenly, it was just the two of us.
For a moment, neither of us spoke. The silence was thick, but I welcomed it. I needed to gauge him, to understand the man who would hold my future in his hands.
"You're different," he said suddenly, his voice cutting through the quiet. It wasn't a question, but a statement. He had noticed. Good.
"I'm honored to be in your presence, Sultan," I replied, my voice soft but confident. I kept my eyes lowered, but I could feel him watching me.
"Look at me," he ordered.
I did as he commanded, slowly raising my eyes to meet his. For the first time, I saw a flicker of something in his gaze—curiosity, maybe. Or interest. It didn't matter. It was enough. I just needed a way in.
"Tell me, Mariya," he said, stepping closer. "What do you want?"
I hesitated for the briefest moment, then answered as demurely as I could.
"To serve you, Sultan."
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He smirked, as though amused by my answer. But I could see that he wasn't entirely fooled. He knew there was more. He just didn't know what.
"We'll see," he said, turning away again.
And in that moment, I knew. This was only the beginning. And I would have him. No matter the cost. And I would become the consort. The... Haseki.
