Caterina spent her whole life being underlooked and misunderstood.
Hatice spent her whole teenage years chasing a man who loved another.
But Hüsniye became more than a pawn. She became a queen. She conquered the heart of the Ottoman Sultan, the hear...
Şemsirushar had given birth to a beautiful, healthy daughter named Rukiye. Joy filled the harem with the news; while everyone was delighted for her, a quiet tension hummed beneath the surface. The coveted title of Baş Kadın, mother of the Murad's heir, remained tantalizingly unclaimed. Each of us, though some more privately than others, hoped that we might secure that role, even though only one of us carried that hope within her womb.
Still, the memory of my last exchange with Safiye haunted me, her cutting words about my fertility echoing in my mind every night as I left Murad's chambers. Tonight he kissed me before I left, as I confided to Defne with the excitement of a young girl with a new love back in our room.
"He kisses you?"
‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ ☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙
"You'll scare off the rest of us if you keep eating like this," Gülbahar teased. "You're eating all the food!"
"Not all the food!" I protested, laughing, "Just all the sweets!"
"What if you're carrying a child? They say Hürrem Sultan had the same cravings."
"Raziye, I'm still getting my monthly visits," I replied. But she and Gülbahar exchanged glances, and soon I found myself dragged off to the infirmary, leaving behind my plate of sweets.
"Good afternoon, Fatma," I greeted the midwife as I lay down. "Though I've still been bleeding these past months..."
"Lie still," she murmured, a soft smile forming. "Let's take a look."
The moment seemed endless as Fatma gently pressed and examined me, my heart pounding in my chest.
"Mashallah, Hatice! You are pregnant. I estimate two to three months along."
"What?" My voice was barely audible over the joyful shouts of my friends. I could hardly believe it, the words settling in like a soft, warm glow. Tears of relief filled my eyes, and I hugged Fatma, laughing and thanking Allah with all my heart.
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"I need to tell Nurbanu!" Gülbahar declared, her happiness bubbling over as she embraced me and dashed off to share the news.
Nurbanu and Murad presented me with a magnificent tulip-shaped necklace at my pregnancy celebration, a symbol of their acceptance of me into the family. Now that I had passed the delicate first trimester, my pregnancy was officially announced, and the harem hosted a lavish party to celebrate.
Music echoed throughout the harem, strings and drums weaving joyous melodies that carried through the air, mixing with the scent of rosewater and incense. Guests swayed to the music, their dresses swirling as they danced, while the younger girls laughed, tossing rose petals in the air. Tables overflowed with delicacies—plump dates, sugared almonds, spiced pastries, and honey-soaked baklava. Silver trays gleamed with Turkish delights, a rainbow of pinks, greens, and yellows, each bite bursting with sweetness.
"Mashallah, Hatice, may Allah grant you a long life and a healthy daughter!"
Nilüfer chimed in, "How do you know it's a daughter?"
"Her cravings!" Gülnuş replied with a laugh. "Everyone knows that boys make you crave meat, not sweets."
"That's just an old tale," Gülbahar giggled, and soon we all joined in, our laughter floating up to the high ceilings.
I looked around, feeling a deep sense of gratitude for the friends who celebrated this moment with me, the love and happiness around me filling my heart. Even Gevherhan Sultan, visiting the palace, extended her stay to join us in the festivities.
But as we laughed and danced, the music suddenly paused. A young servant entered, breathless, and addressed the room: "Your Highnesses! Safiye is in labour!"
Oh, come on.
‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ ☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙
Hours later, the party had quieted down, the guests now helping tidy the remnants of the celebration. Just then, Bülbül, Safiye's close Agha, entered with a radiant expression. "Let it be known! Safiye Kadın has delivered a son, Şehzade Mehmed."
A hush fell over the room. In one instant, the dynamics had changed again, a ripple of understanding passing through us all. Safiye now held the most powerful position, mother of the first son born to Murad. My joy felt more complex, tinged with the bittersweet awareness of the shifting fortunes of the harem.
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I'd like to dedicate this chapter to ladynurbanu , my biggest supporter, inspiration, and—dare I say—friend.
