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

27. The great lion

Ayse Sultan's perspective

My footsteps echoed in the marble corridors of Topkapi Palace. The news of my father, the Sultan,'s death still weighed heavily on my shoulders. Mourning had settled in every corner, like a dark veil covering the golden mosaics and sculpted columns.

I met my mother in one of the inner courtyards when I had just arrived at the palace. Her face reflected sadness and surprise. We had not seen each other for years, and now, in the midst of tragedy, our embraces were a mutual consolation. She too had lost the man who ruled our world with a firm hand and a divided heart.

The princes, Selim and Murad, arrived the next day. Selim, the blond prince, had left to meet Murad. My twin, Murad, with his tense jaw and dark eyes. They shared the same blood, but their paths had diverged from that moment on.

Vanu and Malhum, faithful servants, accompanied my aunt. Their glances reflected the intrigue that was brewing in the palace. The traitor had acted cunningly, and now we had to discover who he was and why he had taken the Sultan's life so suddenly.

In my aunt's chambers, we found more questions than answers. Ancient scrolls, maps of distant lands, and sacred objects seemed to whisper secrets. How had the assassin managed to get ahead of her plans? What dark pacts had been woven in the shadows?

Murad and Selim went to bury my father while my aunt Halime, Malhum and I took advantage of his absence to talk about what was happening.

Something is wrong, Yusuf has been helping us stop opium smuggling, but I didn't imagine this move. - I said walking back and forth across the room-

-We hoped that Selim had something to do with it, but even if he did, it would not be very wise to consolidate his reign without descendants. - added my aunt.

-Being with you has made me think like you, but didn't you mention that the Sultan said that you had to pay attention to the council? - my beautiful and intelligent wife Malhum opened our eyes.

-That's what we've been doing, but it seems that your ministers have a very good reputation, my aunt said.

-unless... I hesitated

- Unless Ayse? - Speak at once

- What if the fugitive prince is among us? - The one Meriem told us about. We have all searched for him, but who could possibly have the characteristics to be him? I added.

-I have an idea- Malhum ran to a painting that was stored in the library-

After a few tense minutes, he uncovered it in front of our faces, and we realized that it was a photo of my grandfather, father of the young Sultana Halime, with his peasant girlfriend.

My Grandfather Bayezid...

Alexander... - I said stunned

- Excuse me, who is Alexander? My aunt asked.

-Alexander is very young, but do you know who is the same age as the supposed prince? - Malhum added - His father Karim Efendi, he is the personal servant of his highness Prince Selim. - He could not believe what he was hearing.

- Now everything makes sense! - I said putting my hands on my head.

-When you mentioned the mud on the carpet, I walked around the palace and noticed that the servant had not gone with his brother Prince Selim, and his boots were covered in mud.

- What are you talking about? - My aunt was very confused.

-Our enemy is much more cunning than we think.

- We need to warn Murad, let's go! I said running.

I went ahead to meet my brother Murad to inform him of the information, I told him to take good care of himself. But I noticed that his side hurt a little.

- Brother, what's wrong? I asked him with concern.

-I didn't know, sister, I didn't know. What have I done? - she said lamenting.

-What did you do, Murad? - I said, raising my voice a little in anger. I grabbed him by the shoulders.

-I beat Alexander to death after we expelled the invaders. I couldn't stand the fact that that pervert had to sleep with us. -she said crying-

-That explains this sudden move Murad and he continued: - On the way here an arrow grazed my chest without killing me and since then I have felt very bad.

-No, no, I didn't collapse on the ground. –His thirst for revenge has worsened-

As I was leaving the room to meet Selim, my brother began to convulse. Selim came to meet us and Murad passed away in our arms saying, brother, I will always love you.

Selim stood frozen, his eyes wide as he watched the life drain from his brother. The air grew thick, and his chest tightened with an uncontrollable force. Tears welled up without permission, and his breathing became an erratic whirl. In that moment, the facade of strength he had maintained for years crumbled, exposing his deepest vulnerability. Murad's death had taken away not only a brother, but also his own safety and sanity. Selim swayed, clutching at the edge of reality, anxiety wrapping around him like an unrelenting noose.

At that moment I hugged my younger brother, I don't know, but something in me told him that Murad's death really affected him, or maybe it was just an act.

Note: To understand this chapter remember to read the chapter "Betrayal, Betrayal" again