"Power is not given. It is taken, and it is kept by those who are willing to do what others cannot." - Behic Sultan.
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Mariya stood alone in the chamber, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Her once-glowing beauty seemed dimmed, her eyes hollow. She had clawed her way to the edge of power, had borne Sultan Abdul three children, and yet here she was, cast aside like a forgotten ornament.
It had all started a few weeks ago—whispers, cold looks, and distant conversations. Abdul, the Sultan she had once had wrapped around her finger, now barely acknowledged her presence. It was as though he was no longer hers. And she knew exactly who was behind it: Behic Sultan.
Mariya's heart pounded with rage. She had underestimated the aging woman. She thought Behic's illness would take her out of the game, but instead, she had moved faster, more decisively than Mariya could have imagined. Behic's plan had unfolded with frightening precision, and now Mariya was on the losing side.
That morning, she had been summoned to the Sultan's council, and she had expected something trivial. Instead, she had been met with cold faces, stern eyes, and the final blow. Abdul's voice had been steady, almost dispassionate.
"Mariya, your services are no longer required. You will be sent to the Old Palace, where you will live out your days in peace."
Her heart had nearly stopped. The Old Palace—a place of exile for women who had fallen out of favor. A prison draped in luxury, but a prison nonetheless. Mariya had fought to keep her composure, but the sharp sting of betrayal cut deep. Abdul hadn't even looked at her as he signed away her life.
This is Behic's doing, she thought bitterly. The old witch had poisoned Abdul's mind. Mariya had seen the signs, the new concubine handpicked by Behic, a quiet, obedient girl who had quickly captured Abdul's attention. Mariya had tried to play her hand, to reassert herself, but it was too late. The game had already been lost.
Now, as she stood in the empty chamber, the reality of her situation washed over her. She had fought so hard, had used every trick, every charm she possessed, and yet it wasn't enough. Behic had outmaneuvered her at every turn, ensuring that Mariya's downfall was swift and absolute.
A knock at the door startled her. Two servants entered, their faces expressionless as they began packing her belongings. It was over.
As the servants worked in silence, Mariya's mind raced. She could run, flee before they sent her away—but where? The Ottoman Empire was vast, and her enemies were everywhere. She had no allies left, no one to turn to.
With a heavy heart, Mariya realized that this was the end. She had been defeated, and the power she had once tasted was gone forever. Her ambitions had crumbled beneath the weight of Behic's cunning.
As she was escorted from the palace, she cast one last glance, knowing she would never return.
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Until Forever - Behiç Sultan ✔
Fanfiction-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...
