Haseki Mihrişah Sultan| Not To Be Continued

Signs of Competition

Oh, the fresh air of spring. A light snuff is enough to fill you with life. And clearly shines the sun upon the Royal Garden with all its might, bringing a sense of warmth in my soul. A sense of peace and tranquillity. There are the flowers requesting permission from the sun to feel his light fall on them. The latter can do everything but refuse because even he can not bear to shine without their beauty unfolded. 

The green grass, still wet from the morning dew, spreading a scent that signals that the day has begun. Stepping near the knight-like trees, who will be guarantees of the cool shade, much needed, further into the day. Birds singing sweetly, creating such a joyful harmony that combined with the clearence of the sky and the issuance of the light, but attractive aroma of the roses, lead slowly to a smile being formed in my lips. Then from a smile the sound of my laughter can be heard, as i continue to step next the rows of the flowers one by one, watching my little Suleyman, curious and wondering, moving his small arms in the air, trying to grab a blue tulip, or a bit further a pink jasmine. 

The view of the garden fed my mind and my soul with ease, but my little son was becoming restless and hungry. A small, fresh breeze of wind began, and I decided to take him inside. Eunuchs, maids, servants, and guards had occupied every corridor of the Harem, fulfilling their duties. Before I turned left to the passageway that led to my chamber, I heard someone cry. I stopped walking and stepped back, checking in one of the rooms in the corridor.

Hiding right in between two big chests was a little boy, with his knees drawn up and his hands covering his face. I entered the small room as his crying state was upsetting me. The floor cracked, and he raised his head up and stared at my presence. I slowly moved towards him, with Suleyman still in my arms, until I arrived right in front of him. His tears were still falling down his cheeks even though he kept staring at me. Carefully, I sat in front of him and wiped them away.

- Don't cry, please, - I said as his face was turning red from the sadness, - Please don't. Come on, tell me why are you sad.

He lowered his head and shook it as if to say no.

- Are you lost? Do you want to go and find your mother? - I asked him, and he lifted his head up quickly right when I mentioned her.

- No, no, please, - he answered and touched my hand, - she'll be very mad at me for running away.

By this point, I already had an idea about who he was. Or a son of one of Murad's sisters or Murad's son himself, little Ahmed.

- There's nothing she can do, - I spoke again trying to reassure him and make him feel safe, - Look, Suleyman is younger than you and even he doesn't cry this much, - I continued tried to make him feel better.

All those tears for someone his age wasn't a good thing at all. Who knows why he was crying? He seemed a bit scared, too, which worried me more.

- Come on, - and I lend him my hand, - let's go and find your mother. Everything will be fine, I promise you, - I added because he was about to refuse again.

Quickly, I convinced him, and we both got out in search of Ayşe. As we were heading to the Concubines' Corridor, I saw a few maids staring at us and whispering to each-other. Something must've definitely happened. Lalezar Kalfa, who was standing in front of the entrance door, looked at me and announced loudly my presence. All girls lined up and bowed down.

- Sultanim, my Şehzade, - the woman said surprised, - Has anything happened?

- Lalezar, do you know where Ayşe Sultan is? - I asked her, looking at Ahmed, for confirmation of his mother's name.

- Yes, she...

- What are you doing with my son?

I turned my head, and on my left, I saw Ayşe with her maids. She walked fast in my direction, pushed me away, and lifted Ahmed up in her arms.