Twisted Reign | 𝔐𝔞𝔤𝔫𝔦𝔣𝔦𝔠𝔢𝔫𝔱 ℭ𝔢𝔫𝔱𝔲𝔯𝔶

𝟎𝟖

|Victoria's POV|

-Two Weeks Later-

It feels like the days in this place fly by, unlike when I was hiding with my aunt.

Not much has changed, except that Halime Sultan openly shows her dislike for me, though she feels she has to keep me around until she gets what she wants.

I've met Dilruba Sultan twice, and we've had some nice chats...She doesn't seem bothered by her mother's hatred toward me.

I've also met Sultan Mustafa a few times, just to make sure our bond is strong and he keeps his promise... He often talks about the day we played in the snow, saying it was the most fun he's ever had... I can't deny I enjoyed it too; after years of hiding, I finally felt some freedom and joy.

Today, after getting permission, I'm going to the market because I need some important herbs I read could help Sultan Mustafa.. I haven't told anyone about the herbs except my aunt.

I was supposed to go yesterday, but Halime Sultan delayed my outing to today to show her authority... I agreed because I didn't want to argue with her.

My aunt and I got ready and left in a carriage with the maid Nisa and some guards, as the Sultan instructed them to keep me safe.

"This ring is beautiful" I said with a smile to my auntie as we passed a jewelry shop.

"Yes, it is" she replied "Come on, Victoria, we need to hurry before someone sees you" my auntie said anxiously, scanning everyone who passed by us with her eyes.

"Alright, Auntie" I nodded slightly "I have a bad feeling too, so let's finish this quickly"

"Where did you say that herb shop was?" I asked Nisa, who had mentioned knowing a good one nearby.

"It's over there, Your Highness" she said, pointing to a small alley a little way off.

"Alright, let's hurry; we don't have much time" I said calmly, trying to stay composed.

We made our way to the shop, and once inside with my auntie and Nisa, I handed the vendor a list of the items I needed.

It didn't take long, and as soon as we paid for our purchases and stepped outside, I was met with a scene that sent chills down my spine: two of our guards stood with their swords drawn, surrounded by men whose eyes were the only visible part of their faces. Before I could scream or react, something hard struck my head, and then... everything went dark.

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I slowly opened my eyes, and as my vision cleared, the first thing I saw was Sultan Mustafa's face almost pressed against mine, a silly grin on his face.

"She's alive!" he shouted with joy, turning around with open arms "These doctors are amazing! You can ask for anything" he chuckled "And hey...my throne is not up for the grabs "

"Thank God she's okay" I finally heard my aunt's voice and then I felt her hand on mine "The last two days have been like hell without you"

"Two days?" I tried to sit up, still in shock "What happened?"

"I want to know what happened too.. I can't remember" said the Sultan, standing still as I looked at him in disbelief... But he surprised me when anger flashed across his face "They attacked the princess!" That was all he said before storming out of the room in a rage.

Once I felt more aware and after my auntie made me drink some soup, she finally told me everything that had happened two days ago.

She explained that after I lost consciousness and the guards were killed, one of those men tried to kidnap us both.

Luckily, Henry appeared out of nowhere and fought them bravely, and then the palace guards came to help him... The shocking part was that these men had been sent by my brother and had entered Istanbul three days prior disguised as merchants.

Henry is fine, and so is my aunt... Even Nisa is standing in front of me looking well, but I don't feel at ease at all.

He now knows where I am, but what he doesn't know is about the documents I have, as I executed my plan well... Now, he must be wondering... why did I come to the Ottoman Empire?

Charles, no matter your efforts or schemes, your fate is sealed and it shall be by my hand that it unfolds.

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|3rd Person POV|

"Valide Sultan" said one of the maids as she entered Halime Sultan's chambers "Princess Victoria has woken up"

"Damn it" Halime said, slamming her coffee cup down "They had one job... we gave them the location and delivered her right to them, yet they failed to get rid of her"

She was furious; even though she sent an anonymous letter through a spy to Scotland revealing Victoria's whereabouts, the assassins were utterly incompetent.

"Sultana, what's next?" the maid asked nervously.

"I'll handle this myself without relying on anyone else" Halime sighed deeply, shaking her head "Maybe not today or tomorrow, but that day will come...More than anything, I want to find those documents first" She stood up "Tell Davut Pasha I want to meet him this evening"