A-Game ✔

the truth: part one / episode twenty one / sophia and orhan

✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ* Two weeks had passed. ･ﾟ✧:･ﾟ✧

Sophia stood by the window of her lavish room, gazing out at the gardens below. The sun was beginning its descent, casting the world in a soft, golden glow. The quiet rustle of the leaves in the breeze, the faint scent of roses carried through the air—it should have felt peaceful. But something weighed heavy on her heart. These past two weeks had been unlike anything she had ever experienced.

She had spent more time with Sultan Orhan than she ever thought possible. As his favorite, she was summoned to his chambers frequently, not just for the duties expected of her, but for conversation, for quiet moments shared over cups of tea, for long walks in the gardens when the palace felt too stifling.

To anyone looking in from the outside, it might seem as though Sophia had everything she could ever want. Beautiful clothes, jewels, a life of luxury. But deep down, she knew that this life—this world—was not what it appeared to be. She wasn't blind to the whispers, the envy, the jealousy that simmered beneath the surface of the harem. The other girls watched her, wondering why it was her and not them.

But it wasn't the envy of the harem that troubled Sophia the most. It was the growing bond between herself and Orhan.

✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ:*

"Do you trust me?" Orhan's voice echoed in her thoughts, from one of their many quiet conversations. It was a question that had lingered in her mind long after he had asked it, the weight of it pressing on her.

Sophia wanted to trust him—more than anything, she wanted to. But trust was a fragile thing, especially in the imperial court. She had seen enough to know that everyone in this world had an agenda, a motive. And while she had never desired power, the shadow of the harem's reputation hung over her like a curse.

It was late in the evening when she found herself once again in Orhan's private chambers. The atmosphere was different tonight, quieter, more intimate. The flickering candlelight cast shadows across the ornate walls, and the soft hum of the lute music in the background created a gentle, soothing rhythm.

Sophia sat across from Orhan, her hands folded neatly in her lap. His gaze was fixed on her, as if searching for something he couldn't quite name. Over the weeks, they had grown closer—not in the way of lovers, but more like friends. There was a trust that had slowly formed between them, a mutual understanding.

But tonight, there was something unspoken between them, lingering in the air. Orhan had been quieter than usual, his brow furrowed in thought.

"You've been quiet," Sophia observed softly, breaking the silence.

Orhan leaned back in his seat, letting out a long breath. His eyes, dark and contemplative, met hers. "I've been thinking," he admitted. "About us... and this life."

Sophia's heart gave a small flutter at his words, though she wasn't sure why. "What about it?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Orhan hesitated for a moment, as if unsure of how to put his thoughts into words. "I find myself... struggling to connect with the others in the harem," he said slowly. "I've always known that most of them only see me as a path to power. But with you... it's different."

His words surprised her. She had never considered that he might feel isolated in his position, surrounded by people who wanted something from him. But she also understood. She had seen the calculating looks, the whispers of ambition in the harem, and she had always made it clear that she wanted no part of it.

"I understand," she said softly. "It must be hard... being the Sultan. Never knowing who you can trust."

Orhan's gaze flickered to her, something unreadable in his eyes. "Do you trust me, Sophia?"

Her breath caught in her throat. It was the same question, spoken with more weight this time. She swallowed, choosing her words carefully. "I... want to," she admitted. "But I know how this world works. The Imperial Harem is full of people with their own desires. You have every reason to doubt me."

For a moment, Orhan said nothing, simply watching her with those intense, dark eyes. And then, to her surprise, he reached for her hand. His touch was gentle, his fingers warm against hers. "And you?" he asked, his voice low. "Why don't you desire power like the others?"

Sophia hesitated, her heart pounding in her chest. She had never spoken about it, never shared the truth with anyone. But in that moment, with Orhan's hand over hers and the soft candlelight casting a warm glow around them, she felt a strange sense of safety.

"I am Sophia," she began quietly, her voice trembling slightly. "And... you may not trust me because of where I come from, or because of the reputation of the harem. But I want to assure you... I am harmless. I have no intention of using you for power. I only want to be your friend."

She paused, gathering the courage to continue. "And... there's another reason why you should believe me." Her voice grew even softer, almost a whisper. "I can't have children."

Orhan's eyes widened in shock, his hand tightening slightly around hers. "What?" he breathed, as if he couldn't believe what he had just heard.

Sophia lowered her gaze, unable to meet his eyes. "After the accident... when I was young. My leg was damaged, and so was my ability to bear children. At least, that's what I've been told. So... I can never truly fulfill that part of the service here."

The silence that followed her confession was heavy, suffocating. She could feel Orhan's gaze on her, could hear the quiet disbelief in his breathing.

"Sophia..." he murmured, his voice full of something she couldn't quite name. "I had no idea."

She shook her head, her eyes still lowered. "It's not something I like to talk about. But... I wanted you to know. So you wouldn't think that I'm like the others. I have nothing to gain from this. I can't even give you an heir."

For a long moment, Orhan said nothing. Sophia felt the weight of his silence pressing down on her, and she wondered if she had made a mistake in telling him. But then, slowly, he spoke.

"I don't care about that," he said softly. "I don't care if you can have children or not. I... I want you here, Sophia. Not because of what you can give me, but because of who you are."

Sophia looked up at him, her eyes wide with surprise. "But... what about the court? The harem?"

"We don't have to tell anyone," Orhan said, his voice firm. "It will be our secret."

✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ:

As they sat in the quiet chamber, the truth now out in the open, Sophia felt a strange sense of relief. For the first time in weeks, she felt like she wasn't hiding anymore. She had told him the truth, and he had accepted it.

And perhaps, in that moment, she realized that Orhan wasn't just a Sultan to her. He was something more.