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...
"Hatice," he smiled at me, making my heart flutter and my stomach filled with butterflies. He was so handsome, and his smile lit up the whole room. "Please, come in. Have you had dinner?"
I sat down next to him, "I started to, but when I heard you called for me, I couldn't think of anything else." He took my hand and I started to caress it.
"How are our children?" He asked, his eyes brightening,
My face lit up when I started talking about them. I told him about Mihrimah's strong nature, about Selim's redhead hair that has started to appear, about how our daughter has his hair and my eyes. He laughed at my anecdotes and was genuinely listening to me, as if he were memorising every detail.
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"I pray that they inherit your beauty as well," he said, stroking my hands with his thumb.
I felt my cheeks grow warm. "You flatter me, Your Highness."
"Murad," He corrected softly.
"Pardon?"
"You can call me Murad, Hatice'm." His voice was low, his gaze steady as he called me his Hatice, and he leaned it to kiss me, which I reciprocated immediately, his warmth and tenderness leaving me breathless.
‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ ☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙
Later, as I dressed to return to the harem, Murad's voice stopped me.
"Stay." He commanded quietly. He must have seen the surprised look in my eyes, since he added softly, "Please."
"Of course," I replied, my voice barely a whisper. "If I may ask, why?"
"You're a kind soul, a calming presence. I need that right now."
I couldn't help but smile, "You think I'm kind?"
He held my gaze. "I know that you are. I've seen it since the first day you arrived and you befriended every girl in the harem, taking that young girl under your wing."
"You noticed it?"
"About you? I noticed everything."
I smiled again and kissed him, lying down next to him. He kissed my forehead and embraced me from behind, and I don't think I ever felt as safe as in that moment.
‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ ☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙
The morning sunlight crept through the curtains, stirring us awake. Murad groaned softly, smiling as his eyes opened. "Good morning," he murmured, his voice still rough with sleep. "Did you sleep well?"
"Yes, excellent," I replied, stretching as I smiled back at him. "You?"
He smiled lazily, looking at me with dreamy eyes. "Like a child. Do you have plans for today? Apart from your daily strolls, I mean."
My cheeks reddened, "You also noticed that?"
"Hatice'm, I notice everything about you." He gently put a strand of hair behind my ear, "The way your face lights up the whole room when you talk about the twins, how you turn red when I say something just for you, the loyalty you show my Valide, how your entire body relaxes when I touch you..."
"Oh, Allah." I hid my face in his neck embarrassed, and he gave a hoarse laugh.
"You look very beautiful in the mornings."
I looked at him shyly, "I hope I can get more mornings next to you, Murad."
He kissed my forehead, sealing his promise with that simple, tender gesture.
‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ ☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙
As I returned to the harem, it felt as if I were walking on clouds. Murad had even arranged for Raziye to watch over the twins, knowing I'd be staying the night. I could hardly wait to hold them again, but first, I saw Gülbahar, and I couldn't contain my excitement.
"Gülbahar!" I greeted my best friend. She laughed as she hugged me with pure joy.
"Yesterday's dress, huh?" She leaned in to whisper, "The Şehzade is a very blessed man to have you."
I kissed her cheek, "I love you."
She smiled sadly, "Me too." Her expression grew serious. "Unfortunately, I have bad news."
"You do?"
"Look around you, Hatice." I did so, resting my chin in my hand as I analysed my surroundings. Everyone seemed distracted, the harem servants arranging decorations, their faces subdued.
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"Safiye is pregnant, isn't she?" Gülbahar nodded solemnly, and I felt a chill settle over the warm happiness that had filled me only moments before.
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Trying a new style, let me know if you guys like it!
