Until Forever | 𝐌𝐀𝐆𝐍𝐈𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐘 ✔

24 | The End: Part 1

I am dying. I can feel it in my bones, in the way my breath comes shorter with each passing day. The physicians speak of diseases and treatments, but I know the truth. My time is nearing its end.

But before I leave this world, I must secure the future. I must protect the empire from those who would tear it apart.

Mariya. She thinks I don't see her. She believes she has hidden her ambitions behind that sweet, innocent smile she wears so well. But I have been in this palace longer than she has been alive, and I have learned to recognize danger when it lurks beneath the surface. She wants power. She wants to be Haseki Sultan, and once she has that, she will come for me.

I will not give her that chance.

I sit in my chambers, my once-strong hands trembling as I hold a cup of tea. Across from me, Sanavber stands, waiting patiently for my instructions. My daughter, my trusted companion in this battle, the one who understands the stakes as well as I do. She has grown so much since we first entered this palace together, and now I must ask her to take on a task of great importance.

"It is time," I say, my voice barely more than a whisper. "We must act before Mariya solidifies her hold over Abdul. She has given him children, yes, but her ambitions will destroy him. We cannot let that happen."

Sanavber nods, her face serious. She has always been the strong one, the one who sees clearly when others are blinded by emotions. "I've already begun searching for a new concubine," she says quietly. "Someone who will be more loyal to Abdul. Someone who can make him forget about Mariya."

"Good," I murmur, my fingers trembling as I take a sip of tea. The warm liquid does little to soothe the cold that has settled deep in my body. "She must be perfect. Obedient. Beautiful. Everything Mariya is not. Abdul must be reminded of what true loyalty looks like, before it's too late."

Sanavber's gaze flickers with a hint of concern. "Mother, are you sure you want to do this? If Mariya finds out—"

"She won't," I say firmly, though the effort costs me. "We must be careful, yes, but we cannot hesitate. Mariya is not as clever as she believes. She underestimates us both."

I close my eyes for a moment, trying to summon the strength that has slowly been slipping away from me. There was a time when I was feared in this palace, when I held the strings of power in my hands, and no one dared challenge me. But now...

Now, I am nearly forty. The years have not been kind to me. I have given my life to this empire, to its future, and I will not let it fall into the hands of a girl who knows nothing of the true cost of power. Mariya has already taken too much. If she gains more, she will destroy everything I have built.

"Abdul is weak," I whisper, opening my eyes again. "He is blinded by Mariya's charms. But he must see. He must understand that she is dangerous. If we can bring in someone who can capture his heart, someone who can show him a better way, we can turn this around."

Sanavber nods, her expression determined. "I will find her," she promises. "I will bring Abdul someone who will remind him of his duty to the empire. Someone who will make him forget about Mariya."

I lean back in my chair, exhaustion weighing down my body. There is so little time left. But if we can succeed, if Abdul can be freed from Mariya's grasp, then perhaps the empire will survive. Perhaps my children will have a future free from the poison she brings.

"This is just the first step," I say, my voice fading. "There will be more. Mariya won't go quietly. She will fight. But we must be ready. We must be stronger than she is."

Sanavber places her hand on mine, a rare gesture of affection between us. "We will do this, Mother. For the empire. For Abdul."

I manage a weak smile. "For the empire."

As she leaves the room, I feel the cold creeping further into my bones. My time is running out. But I will not let Mariya win. Not while I still draw breath. This is my final plan. And it will succeed.