Dynasties: Mahidevran's Revenge

Allies. Pt 1.

Topkapi Palace, 1523. Ottoman Empire.

Hürrem was caught in a whirlwind of anxiety, disturbed by the shocking revelations Mahidevran had shared with her that morning. This news hit her psyche with the force of a hammer, forcing her to question how this woman had come to know about the infamous assault on Firuze and the cruel murder of Isabella. Her mind spun frantically, weaving dark threads of distrust and fear that enveloped her in a sombre cloak of anguish.

However, as hours passed, Hürrem began to calm the internal storm that threatened her mental stability. Deep inside, she knew that Mahidevran might try to talk to the Valide, or even to Suleiman himself, but the accusations would be baseless without concrete evidence linking her to those heinous acts, which had been committed long before her arrival. It was vital for Hürrem to accept that, despite the weight of her conscience pressing down on her, she was the one who had ordered Gülsah to attack Firuze brutally, resulting in the loss of her child.

Without a moment's hesitation, she also condemned Princess Isabella to death when she started to catch Suleiman's attention. Life in the harem was a cruel game, and each dawn reminded Hürrem that survival demanded not only beauty but also cunning and coldness in an environment where beauty, which initially seemed to be the key to all doors, often became an unbearable burden. Hürrem sat in the shadows of her room each night, trying to find solace in the justifications she wove around the horrendous atrocities she had committed. She was convinced that everything she did was for the well-being of her children.

In the balance of her miserable life, she had always placed her children above Firuze's. It was only a matter of time, she thought before Mahidevran met a similar fate-perhaps with even more atrocious violence, entangling Mustafa and Osman in the web of her vengeance. Hürrem swore that snake would never dare to stand in her way to power again. With relief, she recalled having urged Gülnihal to eradicate any trace that might betray her in these dangerous attacks.

If Mahidevran were about to accuse her, she would need more than empty words to support her claims. Without concrete evidence, convincing Suleiman to believe Mahidevran's malicious chatter would be an impossible task; the Sultan would probably consider punishing her for slander. This same logic applied to Gülnihal, should she ever decide to betray her loyalty.

Speaking of Gülnihal, Hürrem could not help but notice a change in her behaviour. The young woman had begun to act coldly and distantly, far from the sweet and helpful friend she had once been. However, Hürrem found solace in considering that the beating she had given her was, in essence, an act of protection, ensuring the well-being of both. Gülnihal must never forget that Hürrem was, above all else, a Sultana-deserving of respect and loyalty not only for her position but for being the mother of two dynasty princes.

Suddenly, a knock on the door brought her out of her thoughts. Recognizing Gülsah's knock, Hürrem opened the door, tension thickening the air around her. The maid entered the room and, as expected, performed the formal bow she always offered her Sultana.

"Sultana," Gülsah said, bowing. "You called me."

Hürrem nodded silently before giving her next order. Amid intense paranoia, she began to suspect that perhaps Gülnihal was the one who had revealed all the information to Mahidevran. Although she was not entirely sure, if Gülnihal turned out to be the traitor, Hürrem would not hesitate to exert revenge on her.

"Keep an eye on Gülnihal. My instincts tell me she might be responsible for all this," Hürrem ordered Gülsah grimly. "Find out who is keeping Mahidevran informed and eliminate whoever it is. I do not want any mistakes."

***

Meanwhile, Mahidevran was in her chambers, surrounded by Fidan and her children, deep in thought about the decisions she had to make after uncovering the secrets that Gülnihal had revealed to her. With a flash of determination in her eyes, she decided to discreetly send the evidence to Ibrahim Pasha after discussing it with him.