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...
My eyes shot open at the sound of his voice. I quickly bowed, forcing composure. "Sultan."
Murad stood in the doorway of my chambers, his gaze searching mine. The early morning sunlight streamed through the latticed windows, casting soft patterns on the floor. It was too early for him to be here—he should have been in court or meeting his council. I clutched my necklace nervously, my heart racing.
"Is everything okay?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
"I came to ask you the same thing," he said, stepping closer. "Why are you avoiding me?"
"Pardon?" I frowned, confusion and apprehension swirling in my chest.
"You say you love me," he began, his voice heavy with frustration as he moved closer to me, "But you ignore me. You treat me with formalities, as though I'm just your sultan. Why are you avoiding me, Hatice?"
His words stung. I swallowed hard, my throat dry.
"I could ask you the same thing, Murad," I whispered, taking a step back. His brows furrowed, confusion overtaking the hurt in his expression.
Before he could respond, Gülbahar rushed in, breathless. "Sultanım, Nazperver Kadın is giving birth!"
Murad straightened, tension forgotten. "We should go," I said quickly, grabbing a veil to cover my hair. "We wouldn't want to miss it, Your Majesty."
‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ ☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙
The corridor outside Nazperver's chambers was a flurry of movement. Servants scurried back and forth, carrying linens and bowls of steaming water. Murad and I stood amidst the commotion, the sound of Nazperver's cries piercing through the thick wooden doors.
I exchanged a glance with Giulia, who had joined us. Her bright smile had dimmed under the tension, though she gave me an encouraging nod. Murad's gaze, however, remained fixed on me. I refused to meet it, keeping my focus on the ornate patterns carved into the walls.
I was angry—angrier than I thought I could be. How dare he question my loyalty after everything we had endured together? The accusations whispered into his ear by Safiye felt like daggers. What had I done to deserve such mistrust? And Safiye—what did she gain by poisoning him against me?
A sharp, clear cry broke through my storm of thoughts. The air in the corridor shifted, the tension easing slightly.
The midwife emerged, her face glowing with relief. "Congratulations, Sultanım. Nazperver Kadın has given birth to a beautiful sultana!"
A collective sigh swept through those gathered. The relief was palpable. The last thing Nazperver's ego needed was another şehzade. "Mashallah," I murmured, a soft smile tugging at my lips despite myself.
Gülbahar leaned closer, her voice barely audible over the murmurs. "The all-girls-curse continues," she giggled.
Inside Nazperver's chambers, the atmosphere was calmer. The baby was swaddled in fine silk, her small face rosy and serene. The room, however, bore the signs of chaos—a stark reminder of the tumultuous hours leading to this moment.
Murad approached the cradle, his expression softening as he gazed down at the infant. "Your name will be... Hatice. Hatice Sultan." His voice carried a weight I hadn't expected.
I froze, my breath catching. Did I hear him right?
He looked up, his dark eyes meeting mine with unwavering resolve. "Your name will be Hatice, your name will be Hatice," he repeated, his voice steadier. "It is a name very dear to me."
I glanced at Nazperver, expecting some protest. For the first time, she seemed utterly silent, her expression unreadable.
Emotion swelled within me—a confusing mix of shock, gratitude, and something deeper. Murad's words echoed in my mind, and for a fleeting moment, I felt the anger and mistrust between us fade into something softer.
As the infant whimpered, Murad reached down, gently cradling her in his arms. His gaze flickered back to me. "A name for someone who reminds me of strength and love."
I swallowed hard, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes. For the first time in days, I found myself truly looking at him—beyond the title, beyond the mistrust. His gesture was an olive branch, and despite my stubbornness, I felt myself wanting to accept it.
"Welcome to the world, Hatice Sultan," I whispered softly.
In that moment, amidst the fragile peace of the room, I allowed myself to hope.
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Sorry for not updating I had a momentary blockage, but I'm back!!
What do you think of Murad's choice?
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family tree thus far:
Sultan Murad + Safiye Baş Kadın ⸺Hümaşah Sultan (16/05/1564) ⸺Şehzade Mehmed (8/07/1566) ⸺Şehzade Mahmud (22/01/1568) ⸺Ayşe Sultan (12/3/1575)
Sultan Murad + Fülane Hatun ⸺Rukiye Sultan (31/05/1566)
Sultan 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)
Sultan Murad + Şah Hatun ⸺Fahriye Sultan (8/1/1568)
Sultan Murad + Nazperver Kadın ⸺Şehzade Bayezid (28/11/1574) ⸺Hatice Sultan (18/5/1576)
Sultan Murad + Fakriye Hatun ⸺Beyhan Sultan (6/8/1575)
