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...
After all that I shared with Murad, he approved of me taking care of Rukiye as my own daughter, but I didn't feel quite comfortable with this unilateral decision just yet.
"You want to visit the Old Palace?" He asked, confused. I nodded, making him frown even more, "And take Mihrimah with you?"
"Yes, şehzadem. Gülbahar, Raziye and Nilüfer will take care of the others. I am sure that Her Royal Highness Mihrimah Sultan misses her little namesake. "
He arched a brow, "Is that all of your reasoning?"
"Şehzadem, you offend me," I said as I walked in front of him, helping him button up his kaftan. "I thank Allah every day for our Mihrimah, which got me thinking that your aunt must feel terribly lonely without her parents and siblings, so I want them to see each other again. The last time was when our daughter was a mere newborn."
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He caressed my arm with his hand. "You are too sweet, Hatice'm. You have my permission."
I smiled as I placed a small kiss on his lips. "Thank you, Murad."
‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ ☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙
The carriage rolled to a halt, and I stepped out, holding Mihrimah's tiny hand in mine. The Old Palace loomed before us, its name belying the magnificence of its architecture. Its towering domes were weathered but still regal, whispering of the glory of Sultans' past. Vines crept along its stone walls, weaving nature's tapestry onto the palace's ancient face. Inside, the scent of jasmine oil and aged wood clung to the air, mingling with the faint hum of women's voices—a sound as timeless as the building itself.
Servants hurried to announce our arrival. "DESTUR! Her Grace, Hatice Kadın, and Her Royal Highness, Mihrimah Sultan!"
Mihrimah squeezed my hand tightly, her wide eyes taking in the grandeur of the harem. Ahead, a regal figure turned toward us. Mihrimah's namesake, the elder Mihrimah Sultan, sat on a dais, her throne framed by gauzy drapes billowing softly in the garden breeze. Her face lit up when she saw us.
"Hatice," she greeted warmly, though there was a hint of curiosity in her tone. "I wasn't informed of your visit."
I bowed deeply, encouraging my daughter to do the same. "Sultanım, forgive me for not sending word. This visit was quite impulsive. Your grandniece wished to see you."
A smile tugged at her lips. "She has grown into a beautiful young lady," she said, beckoning Mihrimah forward. My daughter glanced up at me for approval before climbing onto her great-aunt's lap.
I settled onto a cushion nearby, watching as the elder Mihrimah tucked a strand of my daughter's hair behind her ear. "I have more brothers now!" My daughter announced cheerfully. "I have Selim, Hanzade, Süleyman, and Abdullah. And from other mommies, I have Hümaşah, Mehmed, Mahmud, Rukiye, and Fahriye!"
