Conqueror | Murad III

chapter six

I would be lying if I said I didn't resent Safiye, though one does not choose when to give birth. Or so I thought—yet here I was, two months shy of my due date, my belly growing heavier by the day. I couldn't shake the strangeness of it all. Why hadn't they moved me to new chambers? I pushed the thought aside, knowing complaints would do me no favours.

"How is my little godson?" Gülbahar asked with a teasing smile as she stroked my rounded belly.

"You know there's no such thing in Islam, Bahar," I said, unable to suppress a smile. "And we're hungry."

Raziye chuckled. "You two are always hungry!"

Our conversation broke off when Nilüfer approached, her brows furrowed in confusion. "Hatice, why are the servants moving your things from your room?"

"What do you mean?" I turned to follow her gaze and, sure enough, harem servants were carrying my belongings out of my chambers—and Defne's as well.

"What's going on?" I murmured, half wondering if Defne had some secret news of her own. Was she now pregnant as well?

"Attention!" Canfeda's voice rang out. We all fell silent as she addressed us with urgency. "Ladies, pack your things. We're leaving for the capital."

The capital?

‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾　　☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

Topkapı Palace was beyond anything I had imagined. Saruhan paled in comparison to its grandeur: the sprawling courtyards, the towering minarets, the beautiful gardens. Everything sparkled with opulence, reminding us just how far we were from home.

The harem gathered in the chambers that once belonged to the late Haseki, awaiting word from above. Nurbanu, her daughters, Murad, Safiye, Şemsirushar, and I waited with bated breath, though none dared speak the treasonous thought lingering in all our minds.

"DESTUR! His Highness, Şehzade Selim!" The proclamation filled the room as we bowed before the crown prince. Selim, with his light redhead and regal demeanour, took in each of us in turn. He greeted his children, then his beloved consort, kissing her openly before us.

"These must be my beautiful granddaughters," he murmured, stroking the cheeks of each baby. "Hümaşah, Rukiye. And this little one—Mehmed, my little prince." He gently kissed his grandson's head, and then his gaze settled on me. "You must be Hatice, my Light's shadow." He smiled warmly, and I returned his gesture with a tight smile and a bow as deep as my heavy belly would allow.

"DESTUR! Her Royal Highness, Mihrimah Sultan!" We bowed again as the Sultana of the Sun and Moon entered, a graceful figure with eyes that held a thousand stories. She greeted her niece and grandnieces before resting her gaze on Murad.

"Şehzadem," she said, extending her hand, which he kissed dutifully.

"Sister, I'm glad you could join us." She shot him a sarcastic smile, but they shared a moment of understanding, their eyes reflecting a lifetime of shared burdens.

An Agha entered, handing Selim a letter. Mihrimah discreetly wiped a tear from her eye, a fleeting moment I might have missed if I hadn't been watching her so closely. "Selim, it is time."

"Time for what, şehzadem?" Nurbanu asked, but Selim gave her a gentle nod before turning to leave.

"He is no longer a şehzade. He is our Sultan now."

We watched from the Tower of Justice as Sultan Selim II was crowned. Mihrimah had paid the Janissaries from her coffers to ensure a peaceful transition—a quiet testament to her loyalty. Yet, while everyone around me cheered, my stomach tightened. An ache started deep inside me, low and sharp.

"Hatice, are you feeling all right?" Esmehan touched my arm as I stumbled.

"I'm... I'm fine, sultanım." But my words faltered as I felt a sudden warmth trickling down my legs. Panic clawed at my chest. "But it's too soon!" I managed, gripping her hand as pain rippled through me.

With growing urgency, the midwives were summoned, guiding me to a secluded chamber where I lay, surrounded by a flurry of hands and worried faces. "Oh, Allah, help me," I whispered.

‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾　　☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

The pain was unlike anything I had ever known. Each wave felt like it might break me, and I had to dig deep into reserves of strength I didn't think I had. In moments like this, I wish I had my mother...

"You're doing great, honey," Raziye cooed, rubbing my shoulders. "Almost there."

"She's right! I can see the head!" Gülbahar cheered, while she paced back and forth between being by my side and... seeing my insides.

"Just one more push, Hatun." The midwife's voice was firm. I gathered every ounce of strength and bore down with all I had. Moments later, a baby's cry pierced the air.

"Oh, my baby." Tears blurred my vision as they placed a tiny, wailing figure in my arms. It was perfect, small but healthy.

"She's a beautiful, healthy girl," the midwife announced, her eyes warm with pride. "Mashallah."

Relief washed over me, but before I could fully take it in, the midwife's voice broke through. "Now it's time to push for the other one."

My eyes widened. "The... the other one?" The realization hit me, and Gülbahar laughed.

"That's why you were so fat!" she teased, only to yelp as Raziye slapped her arm.

After a second, excruciating round of labour, the room filled with another tiny cry. Exhausted, I collapsed back onto the cushions, barely able to comprehend that I held not one but two babies.

‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾　　☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

When I woke, my friends surrounded me, faces beaming with excitement. "Are my babies all right?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper. My friends exchanged glances, holding back smiles.

"They're perfect," Raziye said, "and you missed the naming."

"What are their names?" I asked, still dazed.

"Mihrimah Sultan, and..."

"Oh, that's beautiful," I murmured. "And my other daughter? What's her name?"

Gülbahar's laughter rang out. "His name is Şehzade Selim."

Stunned, I realized I had given birth to both a daughter and a son, each with a name worthy of royalty. As I cradled them, I felt something close to pride—pride, hope, and a glimmer of triumph.

Hope you liked this chapter! I'm so excited for Hatice's mother era, I have great plans for her and her little family!!