Zevki Sultan | 𝐌𝐀𝐆𝐍𝐈𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐘

~ Chapter 26 ~

My situation was not of ideal, but I needed to keep my head high and work towards my goals. Apart from what the present situation was, I was doing so well in my dance and art classes Nigar decided to drop me from them, which was a little disappointing since they were pretty fun, and instead have me focus primarily on the language and religious studies.

ابچديفعهيجكلمنوپقرستوڢوخيز - Was Arabic for a-b-c-d-e-f-g-h-i-j-k-l-m-n-o-p-q-r-s-t-u-v-w-x-y-z, which were the standard Latin letters. However there were a few more, but I managed to grasp them. I have also often found myself trying to read left to right, but here you must read right to left, and write that way too, so now I understand how left-handed people in Spain feel when they write- having to smear the ink or having your hand shake as you try your best to write with your hand help over the page.

I intended to write a few letters, now that I was able to write. The first was to my friend Elisabeth, wherever she may be. I would hope Nigar could be a good friend too and take it to her, or at least try to do so.

كاون ساي يڠ ساي سايڠي ايليزبيث، ساي برهارڤ اندا ملاكوكن كهندق دان سموڬ توهن منموكن اندا دالم كادأن صيحت. ساي هاڽ ساي هاڽ ماهو اندا تاهو بهاوا ساي ساڠت ريندوكن اندا كران اندا اداله ساتو-ساتوڽ كاون سبنر ساي د سيني، دان موڠكين انجيليكا جوڬ. ساي سنتياس

"My dear friend Elisabeth, I hope you are doing will and may god find you in good health. I just I just want you to know that I so desperately miss you as you are my only true friend here, and perhaps Angelica as well. I am always thinking of you. Francesca."

My next letter was to be given not to anyone of the ordinary harem, but rather to the Valide Sultan herself. Valide Hafsa Sultan was a stern woman and even though I was selected she still scrutinized me. Nonetheless, I wanted to prove my loyalty by remaining in constant contact, which will appear to be a loyal servant act, something I obviously detested but still would be willing to do. Someday I will be in her position, I thought, and I will be the one to test others loyalty, and be the one who has utmost power and control. But for that I must remain patient and devoted to my task.

سلطانتنا الكريمة والجميلة، هذه كتابة خادمتك وسرية ابنك العظيم هونكرم السلطان سليمان خان حضرتدليري. أريد أن أستمر في الروح المعنوية الطيبة والعلاقة التي تحقق أقصى قدر من الفوائد لكلا الجانبين وأؤكد لك ولائي لك وللسلالة الحاكمة. إذا كان هناك أي مهمة تريد مني إكمالها، أو أي شيء يمكنني القيام به من أجلك، فأنا في خدمتك. الكتابة بكل تواضع، فرانشيسكا

"My most gracious and beautiful Sultana, this is the writing of your servant and concubine of your son the great Hünkarim Sultan Süleyman Khan Hazretdleri. I want to continue good spirits and a relationship of utmost benefits to both sides and reassure you of my loyalty to you and the Dynasty. If there is any task of which you would like me to complete, or anything I can do for you I am at your service. Writing humbly, Francesca Hatun."

And then I was going to write a few more letters, perhaps to begin alliances with some of the other harem workers, but then I ultimately decided that it's too early for such ordeals, and people also don't know that I am the new concubine of the Sultan, and if the letters fell into the wrong hands it could spell death for me.

There remained still one letter I needed to write, but this wasn't to anyone of significance in my path, but rather myself.

To the young, black haired and bright eyed princess who reads this,