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...
The harem buzzed with anticipation as I entered, unaware of the storm brewing. Gülbahar met me at the entrance, her face a mixture of excitement and mischief.
"Hatice, you'll never guess!" she exclaimed, tugging at my hand.
I frowned, sensing something in her tone that made me uneasy. "Guess what?"
She didn't answer, pulling me deeper into the harem. The other women's whispers followed us, their voices low but filled with curiosity and speculation.
As we stepped into the main hall near the children, Nazperver stood at the centre, her hand resting on her abdomen, a smug smile plastered on her face.
"I have an announcement," she said, her voice carrying over the chatter. The room quieted instantly, every pair of eyes turning to her.
I paused mid-step, my heart sinking. I didn't need to hear the words to know what she was about to say.
"I am with child," Nazperver declared, her smile widening. "His Highness and I are expecting."
The room erupted in congratulations and murmurs. I stood frozen, unable to move or speak as the weight of her words pressed down on me.
Murad's child. Another child. Another woman carrying his legacy.
Gülbahar squeezed my hand, her expression now laced with concern. "Hatice..."
I shook my head, forcing a tight smile. "I'm fine."
But I wasn't fine. My chest felt tight, my breathing shallow as I fought to keep my composure. The women around Nazperver cooed and fawned, their voices blending into a blur.
"Are you really fine?" Gülbahar whispered as she led me to the edge of the room.
I nodded stiffly. "I need some air."
I found myself wandering the gardens, the cold night air biting at my skin. The stars above felt distant, their light dim compared to the storm raging inside me.
"Hatice'm." Murad's voice broke through my thoughts.
I turned to find him standing a few steps away, his brows furrowed with concern.
"You disappeared."
I folded my arms, trying to steady myself as I bowed. "I needed some air."
He approached cautiously, as if sensing the fragility of my emotions. "You left without a word. I thought—"
"That I couldn't bear to see you happy for her?" I cut him off, my voice sharper than intended. "I'm not so petty, Murad."
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I never said you were. But I know you. Something's bothering you."
I laughed bitterly, shaking my head. "What could possibly bother me? The father of my children is expanding his family, ensuring the strength of his dynasty. Isn't that what I should want, too?"
His jaw tightened. "Hatice—"
"I just wonder where I stand with you," I interrupted, my voice trembling.
"What do you mean?"
I turned to face him fully, my emotions spilling out. "You say you love all your children equally, but what about your consorts? What about me? Where do I stand compared to her?"
His eyes widened in surprise, and he stepped closer. "Hatice'm—"
"No, let me finish," I said, my voice cracking. "I've accepted a lot, Murad. I've shared your heart because I know what life in the harem demands. But I can't keep wondering if I'm just a shadow in her light—or Safiye's."
His expression softened, and he reached for my hands, clasping them tightly. "You are not a shadow."
I pulled back, my anger bubbling to the surface. "Then what am I, Murad? Another name, another conquest, another childbearer?"
He shook his head, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "You are my light, Hatice. My anchor."
I froze, his words catching me off guard. "Murad..."
"I won't lie to you," he continued, his eyes never leaving mine. "I did love Safiye. A part of me still does. She was my first, my everything when I was young and uncertain. But you..."
He stepped closer, his hands finding mine again. "You are my heart, Hatice. You see me as no one else ever has. With you, I am not the crown şehzade or the next sultan—I am simply a man. And that is something I never thought I'd find."
Tears welled in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. "How can I believe you?"
He smiled faintly, brushing his thumb across my cheek. "Because I've never said this to anyone before. Not even Safiye. You are my equal, Hatice. My partner. And I love you."
The weight of his confession pressed against my chest, and for a moment, I couldn't breathe. "Murad..."
"I know I've made mistakes," he said softly. "I know I've been distant, distracted. But I swear to you, I will do better. For you. For our children. For us."
I leaned into his touch, letting his words sink in. "You say you love me, Murad. But love isn't just words. It's actions."
"Then let me show you," he whispered, his voice low and earnest. "Let me prove it to you every day."
And in that moment, as he pulled me into his arms and held me like I was the only thing that mattered, I chose to believe him. "I love you too." For now, that was enough.
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I love Hatice and Murad so much. What should their couple name be? Remember, she will get the name Hüsniye soon!
It's arriving a new era guys...
family tree thus far:
Şehzade Murad + Baş Kadın Safiye ⸺Hümaşah Sultan (16/05/1564) ⸺Şehzade Mehmed (8/07/1566) ⸺Şehzade Mahmud (22/01/1568)
Şehzade Murad + Fülane Hatun ⸺Rukiye Sultan (31/05/1566)
Şehzade Murad + Hatice Kadın ⸺Mihrimah Sultan (29/10/1566) ⸺Şehzade Selim (29/10/1566) ⸺Hanzade Sultan (15/1/1569) ⸺Şehzade Abdullah (17/12/1573) ⸺Şehzade Süleyman (17/12/1573)
Şehzade Murad + Şah Hatun ⸺Fahriye Sultan (8/1/1568)
