Twisted Reign | 𝔐𝔞𝔤𝔫𝔦𝔣𝔦𝔠𝔢𝔫𝔱 ℭ𝔢𝔫𝔱𝔲𝔯𝔶

𝟎𝟔

|Victoria's POV|

I stood in front of the mirror, putting a necklace around my neck while listening intently to Auntie Catherine's detailed interrogation.

"Okay, Auntie, don't worry" I turned to her, running my fingers over the necklace "Yesterday wasn't the right time, but I promise I'll bring it up with him as soon as I can"

"If only Sultan Ahmed were still alive" she sighed a little "He would have accepted or rejected your proposal by now" She stood closer to me "Anyway, take care of yourself... I'm not comfortable with this sudden breakfast, and that woman can't be trusted; I can see the hatred in her eyes"

I nodded in agreement and headed to Halime Sultan's chamber. The door opened, and I entered, maintaining my confidence and serious expression. When I looked up, I saw Halime Sultan and her daughter Dilruba Sultan beside her.

"Good morning, Sultanas" I said with a small smile, still unable to believe that Dilruba is Halime's daughter; she seems so sweet.

"Good morning, Princess Victoria" Halime Sultan replied... After sharing a brief smile with Dilruba, we all sat down as breakfast was ready.

"I heard you were with Sultan Mustafa last night" she said out of nowhere, which surprised me a bit... What was I expecting? Of course, she would know; she runs everything and must have someone watching her son and me all the time.

"When I heard about it, I thought perhaps when the princess wasn't feeling sleepy, she went out to the garden and happened to meet Sultan Mustafa" she added with a small smile "Isn't that right?"

"Yes, of course" I nodded "We had a brief conversation, and then I went back inside to sleep so I wouldn't disturb His Majesty"

She nodded without replying, and it felt like we both knew the truth. She knew I lied about our accidental meeting, but we insisted on pretending and exchanging cold smiles.

"I have a question, Sultana" I hesitated a little as I got her and Dilruba's attention, but I continued anyway "The Sultan's mental and emotional state doesn't seem good.. Is there no solution? I mean..."

"Princess Victoria" she interrupted me sharply, raising an eyebrow and looking angry about this topic "You are here because we are still considering your proposal; once that is finished, you will leave... Matters like this are far from your concern"

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-Three Days Later-

I was sitting in my room after lunch, examining a book I got yesterday with Henry's help, unable to take my eyes off it. It talks about mental health issues, and this type of book isn't very common; many people don't believe in these things or care about them, but I do. I've suffered from many mental issues throughout my life.

I was pulled from my thoughts when the door opened, and Nisa entered, bowing to me "Your Highness, the Sultan has asked to see you immediately"

This was unexpected, yet not shocking.. I put the book away, adjusted my dress a bit, and followed Nisa.

After passing through a few corridors in the garden, we finally arrived at the place where the Sultan was standing.. He looked very tense as he threw some stones into a small pond.

"Your Majesty" I said with a small smile as I bowed beside him.

"Princess Victoria!" he exclaimed happily, hugging me as if all his worries had vanished "You're alive! I was certain you met your end" He stepped back, looking into my eyes with strange excitement.

This shocked me; why would he think that?

"I had the wildest nightmare last night" he leaned in close and whispered dramatically, his eyes wide like saucers "The shadows are after you, Victoria! They want you dead! Can you believe it? I mean, who knew shadows could be so picky?"

"What shadows, Your Majesty?" I asked with interest, trying to keep up with him as this was the only way to get close to him.

He sighed softly, avoiding my gaze "No... I can't talk about the shadows... They..." He raised his hands dramatically "But never mind! Let's enjoy the garden; I'm a Sultan, and this place is mine! Just watch your step around any sneaky shadows"

I felt like he was hinting at something but refused to tell me. This meant I had to build a strong friendship with him; maybe then I could discover things that would benefit me... in what? ..To pressure Halime Sultan and make her agree to the war I wanted to start.

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-A Week Later-

I was looking at the star-filled sky in silence, the only sound I heard was Sultan Mustafa moving his pieces beside me.

"This is a beautiful garden, Your Majesty... The stars look enchanting" I said comfortably after sighing a little... Sitting with this crazy person more often made me accustomed to his strange phrases.

"I would have loved to gift you a star, but my mother declared we can't have stars" he paused dramatically, then leaned in closer, his eyes widening with mischief "But what if we snatch a few without my mother's permission? I mean, it's just a star! What's she going to do, send the guards after us for stargazing?"

Sultan Mustafa's favorite hobby was breaking his mother's rules and doing things without her knowledge. If only he knew that she was aware of all his movements.

"Yes, I would like that, Your Majesty" I replied with a calm smile.

On one hand, this was a method I read about that's good for gaining his trust, and on the other hand, my smile was genuine; I truly saw him as an innocent and nice person.

"Alright, we must decide when" he replied quietly, his eyes sparkling with excitement "Perhaps after a month? Or maybe a year? Though at this rate, my mother might forget what stars look like by then! We could just blame it on the clouds!"

"If I'm still alive" that answer slipped out of me without thinking.

I realized I was very anxious; my life depended on the person sitting beside me... once he decides to get rid of me, my brother will kill me without hesitation.

"Are you scared?" he raised his eyebrows "Of the shadows, right?" He pointed to himself "I was also afraid of the shadows for many years... everyone said my brother would kill me"

His last sentence shook something huge inside me... What is he talking about? Did he read my thoughts or something like that...?

"Yes, I am... afraid of the shadows that haunt me" I looked deeply into his eyes "It seems you survived the shadows, so tell me how you did that"

"I don't know..." he started to fidget, rubbing his fingers together "One night, they suddenly came and told me there was no more fear"

I paused for a moment, thinking about his words, but I saw this as an opportunity I couldn't pass up; it was the right time.

"But I know the way that will save me from my shadows" I smiled a little "Maybe then we can get a star"

"Okay, tell me" he replied quickly, as if he couldn't wait to hear the method.

"I need your help... I'll tell you how to make half your enemies submit to you, and you help me take the throne of Scotland" It was a simple statement, clear of complications... the requests were straightforward, and the idea was detailed without any puzzles.

He continued to look into my eyes, making me wonder... am I now dealing with the crazy Sultan Mustafa or the smart person inside him who appeared days ago?