Twisted Reign | 𝔐𝔞𝔤𝔫𝔦𝔣𝔦𝔠𝔢𝔫𝔱 ℭ𝔢𝔫𝔱𝔲𝔯𝔶

𝟐𝟗

|Victoria's POV|

It had been a week since I learned about my pregnancy, and of course, the news spread everywhere.

Hümaşah Sultan organized a celebration for this occasion, attended by the wives of the pashas and other women from the wealthy class. I received their congratulations and gifts, but I felt that some of them were not very supportive of the situation. I understood they were judging my religion and other aspects.

Dilrua Sultan did not attend, but her mother, Halima, was there. She gave me piercing looks, and I sensed that she might do anything to get rid of me, even if it meant her own downfall. She was not just angry because I was pregnant but also because Zeynep had disappeared... and who could have done that? Me.

------

"How are the preparations for the war going?" I asked, holding Mustafa's arm as we strolled through the garden, his hands clasped behind his back.

"Up to now, everything is good.. Since we will depart in two months, everything will be ready by then" he replied calmly, then looked at me "I don't want you to stress about these things"

"I'll be sad when you leave in two months" I sighed, placing my other hand on my belly "You won't be there when I give birth to our child"

"Don't worry.. I promise I will return to you as soon as possible" He stopped walking and turned his body towards me with a smile "Everyone will support you, Aunt Hümaşah Sultan and Dilruba.. let's not forget my mother...Even though she can't stand you, she will take care of you"

I shook my head and lowered my eyes when I heard his last sentence. Mustafa was still unaware of his mother's malice and believed she only wanted power.... It would break my heart when the day came that I would reveal the other side of his mother to him; he would be so shocked and saddened.

"Okay, I trust your promise, Mustafa" I smiled and looked into his eyes, which had never failed to make me fall in love with him for the thousandth time "What about the name?"

"I will choose a name for him or her" he said, looking as if the idea had just struck him "Come with me" He took my hand without explaining anything and led us inside.

In no time, I found myself in his chambers ..He kissed my lips and made me sit on the sofa, then went to his desk.. He took out a piece of paper and began writing something.

"What are you doing, Mustafa?" I asked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.

"Just wait" he said with a smile, then folded the paper and placed it in a letter holder, sealing it securely.

"The problem is solved" he said, approaching me and sitting beside me "I've written down names, whether it's a girl or a boy..Never open it until the day of the birth"

"Oh, that's brilliant!" I took it from him and smiled "But don't forget you promised me you'd return quickly"

"Of course" He leaned in and placed a kiss on my forehead "Come, let me show you a part of my plan"

We stood up and moved toward a large table, which had a map and small figures shaped like horses and soldiers.

I smiled as I looked at Mustafa while he spoke, pointing with his fingers and occasionally moving one of the figures.. He detailed everything, and as I immersed myself in the topic, I found myself sharing ideas and giving my perspective on every move.

-----

-Three weeks and a month later-

"I don't know what Mustafa is thinking, why would he call us all here?" Halime Sultan said with annoyance as she stood next to her daughter in Mustafa's chambers.

Hümaşah Sultan, Sedef Hatun, and I had already arrived and stood waiting for him to come from the divan he had established.. This was his last divan before he left in a week.

When the door opened and Mustafa appeared, we all bowed, then raised our heads.

"It's good to see everyone here" Mustafa smiled as he stood before us, hands clasped behind his back "Today marks my last divan before I embark on my first campaign"

"May you return victorious and in good health, your majesty" Hümaşah Sultan said with a small smile, prompting everyone to say "Amen"

"Thank you" he smiled at her, then continued "Since I'm leaving, I must leave someone I trust to manage state affairs in my absence"

"Isn't that the job of your Grand Vizier, Davut Pasha?" Halime Sultan asked, raising an eyebrow.

"No, I'm taking him with me" Mustafa said, and I noticed that this shocked Halime Sultan and her daughter greatly.. I bet they thought he would stay here.

"This decision wasn't made lightly; it came after much thought" he paused, standing still in front of us "I've appointed my wife, Victoria, as the regent until I return, and she has full authority to make decisions regarding the state, whether political or otherwise"

Everyone was stunned and shocked, but some smiled while others still wore expressions of disbelief.. For me, I was not surprised, as Mustafa had informed me of this earlier.

|Flashback|
-A Week Ago-

"Victoria, I'm about to make a certain decision, and I want your approval" he said quietly as he took my hand and sat me beside him.

"This seems important" I placed my hand over his and looked into his eyes with interest "Okay, tell me"

"As you know, I will leave in two weeks, and in these situations, it is customary for sultans to leave a regent behind until they return.. I don't have anyone I can trust to assign this task to" he paused, looking at me, then added "I want to leave this responsibility to you"

"What!" My eyes widened slightly "Mustafa... I..." I didn't know the words to express my thoughts; I was not suited for this responsibility at all.

"I'm not skilled in political matters, and I don't think I can keep an empire standing for months" I said honestly, shaking my head and glancing at his hand.

"I've made this decision with conviction... You are intelligent, Victoria, and you always raise very good political points" He squeezed my hand as I was about to object again "And what's more important is that I can trust my throne with you, and this task will make you the most important person in the state.. So I can rest easy knowing no one would dare to harm me"

I held my silence for a moment, looking into his eyes, then smiled as I nodded "Since you believe I'm capable, I will try to make this work"

I lowered my head again, contemplating the matter.. I loved Mustafa's way of thinking; he was not a narrow-minded man who saw women in a low position.

Now, the decision he made was the greatest evidence of that.. No one in this state would believe a woman could lead them for months during the sultan's absence... This could either be a significant turning point or a situation that could lead to great troubles.

|End of Flashback|

I was pulled from my thoughts by the sight of Halime Sultan collapsing, seemingly losing consciousness.. Everyone rushed around her as I began instructing the guards to quickly call a doctor.