I fell in love with my Sultana- English Version-COMPLET

24. Enmity

At dawn, I could not comprehend what had happened the night before. There was Yusuf, on the ground, facing the direction of the holy land, praying. The moment touched me deeply and I decided to join him. Like me, Yusuf had suffered for loving; like me, he had to pretend. So I joined his prayer and, inside myself, I whispered:

"God of Malhum, protect my family, I ask you. Forgive me for going against morality according to the laws of my people, and comfort Yusuf's heart. Do not let our enemies defeat us."

When he finished, Yusuf saw me on the floor, on my knees, and seeing my face with his crystal-clear eyes, he said to me in a trembling voice:

—Wife, there is something I must tell you. I never thought of doing it, but I am desperate. At any moment they might kill me, so I want to ask you a favor —he said, taking my hand with palpable urgency.

I accepted the gesture, taking it with my other hand as well, feeling the weight of his desperation.

—You can count on me, Yusuf... —I said, swallowing hard from shame and fear of the unknown.

—I love someone else, and that person is currently in the hands of someone you care about very much. Our crime was falling in love, but I have nothing left to lose. They threatened to kill him if I saw him again and if I didn't give you a child. Forgive me —she finished, her voice breaking, her words full of pain and desperation.

—Yusuf... —I hugged him tenderly and tightly, feeling his body tremble as tears fell from his eyes.

—Sultana, the love of my life is a man, and his brother Murad is holding him captive. My father and no one else could find out about us, or we would be killed. You probably despise me too for this confession, but I can't keep it to myself any longer. It hurts me every second without him.

I was silent for a moment, processing his words. I felt a mixture of surprise and compassion. Finally, I took a deep breath and replied softly:

"I don't despise you, Yusuf. In fact, I understand you more than you imagine." I paused, searching for the right words. "I also fell in love with someone who was forbidden to me."

Yusuf looked at me with a mixture of disbelief and hope.

"How do you understand that?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.

"We were forced apart and I had to deny that I loved him so that they wouldn't kill us." My words came out with difficulty, but I knew I had to be honest. "Yusuf, I'll be clear, what does your father have to do with all this?"

—My father is the first who would kill me for this crime, but he also forced me to have an heir.

—Yusuf, I can help you. We can still be with the people we love, but I need your support. —His hopeful look made a spark of determination ignite in me.

We talked all morning, sharing our fears and hopes, until we left for the palace, united in our fight for forbidden love.

************

I headed to my father's chambers to meet him and my aunt. Yusuf was with me, but he decided to wait for me outside.

As I entered, I bowed and sat on one side of the bed, while my aunt sat on the other.

"I cannot say much," my father whispered, "the prince is constantly watching this room. But you must be aware of the council..." His words were interrupted by my brother's entrance.

-Aunt, sister, it's nice to see you. I'm glad you brought your husband to meet him - my brother said, while my aunt gave him a questioning look.

-Brother, knowing that you need help more than ever, I brought my husband to you. A studious, upright man, faithful to the laws to assist you - I answered, knowing that my father must be dying inside for deviating from the plan.