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...
"What is it?" I asked Murad, as I felt his lingering gaze on me. Nurbanu had gone to talk with Mihrimah Sultan, and we were left standing alone outside of the Old Palace.
"You amaze me more and more everyday, Hatice'm."
"Do I?"
"Yes, love. Your strength, your passion, and your fire—they astonish me. You're more than I could have ever dreamed," Murad said, his voice low but brimming with emotion.
I felt my cheeks warm under his gaze, but I smiled softly. "You flatter me too much, Sultanım."
"Not enough," he murmured, stepping closer. The weight of his eyes on mine was almost too much to bear, and yet, I couldn't look away. "Not nearly enough for what you deserve."
"You've always had a way with words," I teased gently, though my heart swelled at his sincerity. "But I am who I am because of you. Your faith in me gives me strength."
His hand reached for mine, his fingers warm and steady. "You give me strength too, Hatice'm, but it's more than that. You're my anchor. When the weight of this empire threatens to pull me under, it's you who keeps me steady."
We stood in the quiet evening, the faint sounds of the Old Palace humming in the background. The moonlight bathed us, making the moment feel almost unreal. Murad brought my hand to his lips, pressing a soft kiss against my knuckles.
"When I think about the fire, about what could've happened..." His voice broke slightly, and I could see the storm of emotions flickering in his eyes. "The thought of losing you, or any of my children—I can't bear it."
"But you didn't lose us," I whispered, stepping closer and placing a hand on his chest. His heartbeat thudded steadily beneath my palm, grounding both of us. "We're here, Murad. We're safe. And as long as we have each other, nothing can break us."
He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me against him. "You're my heart, Hatice. My anchor. You and the children are my everything."
"And you're ours," I replied softly, resting my head against his chest. "Always."
He tilted my chin up gently, his eyes locking onto mine. There was a tenderness there, mingled with a fierce protectiveness. "I will spend the rest of my life proving how much you mean to me," he vowed.
"You already do," I replied, my voice thick with emotion.
He leaned down, his lips brushing against mine in a kiss so gentle and reverent, it made my heart ache. For a moment, the world around us faded, leaving only the two of us wrapped in each other's warmth.
When we finally pulled apart, I rested my forehead against his. "Whatever comes next, Murad, we'll face it together."
"Together," he repeated, his voice steady and certain.
The moment felt like a promise, one forged not just in love but in shared strength and resilience. Whatever challenges lay ahead, I knew we would endure them—as partners, as parents, as soulmates.
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Hope you enjoy this chapter, I'm trying to write better one on one moments (this is my first story after all) <3
