Conqueror | Murad III

chapter twelve

Dear Mihrimah and Selim,

You are now a year old, and I can confidently say that it has been the best year of my life.

Discovering your little personalities has been a joy like no other, and it is an immense honour being your mother. You have started to call me 'Anne', Turkish for 'Mum'.

I promise to teach you Italian and Spanish, my sweethearts.

"Kadın! Sorry to interrupt you, but the foods you requested to taste have arrived." I chuckled, setting aside my pen and paper.

I can continue my letter later, it can wait.

For the twins' birthday party, which was to be thrown in the harem tomorrow by Nurbanu's orders, I decided to look at the menu before my children did, confident that I could determine which ones they would like. The table spread consisted of lentil soup, rice pilaf, cheese, yoghurt and sherbets.

The servants set each dish before me with care, and I sampled everything thoughtfully, imagining Mihrimah's little fingers grabbing pieces of cheese and Selim's delight at the sweet sherbet. I dipped my spoon back into the desert, savouring its lemony sweetness and imagining the delight on my children's faces.

But then, a strange, bitter note lingered on my tongue, souring the taste. A prickling heat began low in my stomach, rising like a fever through my chest and into my throat. My mouth tingled unpleasantly, as though coated in something foul.

Then came the dizziness, sudden and sharp, making the edges of my vision blur as I tried to focus. My heart pounded faster, and I could barely grasp the table's edge as my strength started to leave me.

The spoon slipped from my fingers, clattering to the floor. Voices around me seemed muted like I was underwater, and everything felt far away, surreal. I was distantly aware of Gülbahar's voice, panicked and calling my name, but before I could respond, the world spun into darkness, pulling me under.

‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾　　☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

I opened my eyes to find Gülbahar's worried face hovering over me.

"Hatice, are you all right?" she whispered, squeezing my hand tightly.

"What...what happened?" My voice was rough, the words painful to force out.

"You fainted. They think... it may have been something in the food."

My mind swam, trying to grasp the implication. I looked toward the spread still laid out on the table, and a cold realization washed over me. Someone had tried to harm me—perhaps thinking I would give it to my children before me.

As the physician stepped forward, examining me closely, I caught a look between two of the servants—ones I hadn't seen before. Something about them struck me as wrong, but before I could say anything, Gülbahar leaned closer, whispering, "Stay calm, Hatice. We'll figure this out."

"My kids... Are they ok?" I asked, my voice breaking. Talking was painful, but my need to know was stronger. "My Selim, my Mihrimah, did they eat it?!"

The physician pushed me back into the bed, but my hoarse body only relaxed once I could see my babies. Gülbahar brought me Mihrimah, and I caressed her cheek, worrying that my lips were tainted with poison still. "My şehzade, where is he?!"

"Here." Bülbül came towards me. When Selim saw me he extended his little arms towards me, making my heart melt.

"Oh, my darlings. I pray to Allah that he gives me all of the poison aimed towards you."

As I held Mihrimah close, still shaken from the bitter taste of the poison, the door opened sharply, and Murad strode into the room. His expression was a mixture of concern and anger, but as his eyes fell upon me and the children, it softened briefly before hardening again.

"Hatice'm," he said, rushing to my side. "Are you hurt?" He inspected my face, looking for signs that gave away my health. "I came as soon as I heard."

I struggled to keep my voice steady. "I'm fine," I replied, looking him directly in the eyes. "But this was an attack meant for our children. Someone in our own home dared to strike at them."

Murad's face darkened, fury radiating from him. He took a steadying breath, his hand clenching around mine. "Who was responsible?"

I glanced around at the silent servants still gathered in the room. "It could have been any of them. I can no longer trust anyone here." I drew myself up, my voice rising with conviction. "Everyone here—aside from Gülbahar, Raziye, and Nilüfer—is dismissed. I will not risk the safety of our children."

Murad looked at me, his gaze assessing. He nodded slowly, respect evident in his expression, though tension flickered across his face. "If that is your wish, Hatice, it will be done. All of the servants will leave the harem by midnight. But we will investigate further, and the culprit will be found. I promise you that."

Halime Daye was visibly relieved when she saw me and gave instructions for some Kalfas to ensure the departure of the servants, "Don't worry. I will cancel tonight's party."

"Tonight? Have I been asleep for a day?"

"No. Defne is pregnant," Nilüfer whispered. "The party was for her."

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This week's chapters may seen a little rushed because I have an exam, but don't worry, I'll still publish! Love you all <33