Zevki Sultan | 𝐌𝐀𝐆𝐍𝐈𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐘

~ Chapter 17 ~

I was disappointed that of course none of my friends, Elisabeth, Angelina and Fatma, were selected to do this special dance with me, so I must find a way to go through this journey alone. I was introduced to the other 4 lucky girls when Nigar brought us to a big room for practicing, though from what Nigar said the Sultan's rooms were far larger than one could ever imagine.

The first girl who waved to me shyly, though maintained a sharp and slightly disappointed expression (probably at the whole situation, she was upset and anyone could see it, probably was crying a little while earlier), was a tall, slim brunette, with deep and dark brown eyes that could make anyone think twice about themselves. She was a bit awkward looking with her long legs, but I could tell immediately that she was very graceful and probably flowed like the wind when dancing. Her name was Kristina Andersen.

The second girl exchanged a sweet smile with me, and she too was a brunette, but with olive green eyes and this girl looked sort of happy to be here, or at least in the present situation. Her name was Sylvie Muller. 

The third girl had jet black hair, and did not look like she fit in. I could recognize, by her air and the way she tilted her chin, she was royalty. The first girl probably too. She called herself Lady Margaret Appleby, and just like myself I think she was lowering her own title to protect herself, though I can't tell sometimes.

And the last girl, she was sort of scowling and was honestly quite ugly in my opinion. No, that's a lie. She was incredibly beautiful, in a model kind of way. Golden green eyes and beautifully cut brown hair, but the way her brows were creased indicated a sort of wickedness in my opinion. Her name was Amia. Amia Rossi. 

These were the girls I was to dance for the Sultan with. Perhaps friends, perhaps enemies in the future. I smiled at the lot of them, and hoped that I made a reasonably good, and perhaps powerful impression upon them. Francesca Trastamará honestly doesn't sound nearly as cool or great as Francesca Fortuna, but until I get enough power or get rescued, my identity must remain a secret only I and Elisabeth are conscious of, and I can't risk hurting myself or my family by revealing it.

Of course, Spanish princesses are very good at keeping secrets-

"Alright girls, enough dilly-dallying, we must get to work and practice as much as we can. We also need to choose your outfits" Nigar Kalfa interrupted my thoughts. At first I didn't care but when she said 'outfits' she definitely got my interest.

"Outfits you say? I want to pick mine now!" I said excitedly, though by Amia's facial expression I suppose it came off like a toddler wanting candy.

"Patience, Francesca." Nigar sighed. "You must first practice the routine as a group, and you might be the centerpiece if the other girls see you fit to do so as well."

"What do you mean by centerpiece?" Margaret squeaked barely loud enough for anyone to hear. Nigar raised her hand up to her ear and asked Margaret to repeat it again.

"I said, what do you mean by centerpiece? Are we like ornaments in your eyes?" Margaret said a little more louder this time.

Nigar Kalfa inhaled sharply. "Stop with this incessant 'I'm not a slave I can do my own thing' attitude. You are most definitely ornaments if the Sultan sees you as one, as you are his lawful property under Islamic law of the Ottoman Empire."

Margaret opened her mouth to respond, but Nigar lifted her palm up to signal 'shut up'.

"I don't want to hear another word on this matter. As I said, you are the Sultan's property regardless of being an ornament or not. But my original point was, we are having a formation of 5 girls, and there will be 4 dancers and then a main dancer who joins in about 1/3 of the way through with a very special and cool dance for the Sultan while the others will be spinning and twirling and whatever around her."

Of course naturally I'm sure nobody would want to play second fiddle in an already exclusive dance, so Sylvie, Amia, and I raised our hands at the same time to be the 'centerpiece' as Nigar Kalfa called it. Surprisingly, though really not so, Kristina and Margaret abstained from voting.

"I take it that Kristina and Margaret do not want to be in the center, which is fine since you would be better anyways as back up dancers." Nigar Kalfa made a note to herself that of course she said out loud. She then tapped her chin. "And you three... How should I decide this? Perhaps a quick dance competition to determine who would be it?"

I was kind of desperate so I immediately stood up and was about to ask to perform my dance when Sylvie spoke up.

"It's fine, I-I-I-I'm not that good at dancing you know?" She giggled as she backed away to where Kristina and Margaret were standing by the couches. Does this mean I win?

Nope, I remembered the other contestant vying for this role.

I looked over to Amia, who met my gaze and narrowed her eyes. She reminded me of a wolf, a ruthless one willing to go to any length to win the game. And she would not back off. I raised my chin, and turned to Nigar Kalfa.

"Nigar Kalfa, who do you think was the better dancer of the both of us, when you saw us in class?" I was not in the same class as Amia, but I know Nigar presided over both. Nigar's eyes betrayed mine, and yet something told me...

"I have to be honest and make it quick girls, but I believe that Francesca was the best dancer." She put her hand on Amia's shoulder. "I'm sorry."

Amia nodded carefully, maintaining a neutral but cold look towards me.

"I understand, Kalfa. Let's get to work."