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 flicker of oil lamps painted golden arcs across the chamber walls, casting an ethereal glow around Murad. He stood before me, regal and resolute, yet his expression held a tenderness that made my heart ache.
"I wanted you to hear it from me first," he began, his voice low but steady. "I love you. You are my anchor, my sultana."
I felt a blush rise to my cheeks, the warmth contrasting sharply with the cold disbelief creeping into my heart. "I am but a concubine, Murad," I whispered, my voice trembling. "But I love you with all my soul."
He reached out, his hand grazing my cheek with a touch so gentle it stole my breath. "From this day forward, you are no concubine," he said. "You are a sultana. My Haseki."
The weight of his words struck me like a crashing wave. "What?" I breathed, my heart pounding as I struggled to comprehend. "Murad..."
He smiled, a rare softness in his eyes. "You are to be Haseki Hüsniye Sultan," he declared.
Tears spilled over as I threw myself into his arms, my heart so full it felt as if it might burst. "Wait," I murmured, pulling back just enough to meet his gaze. "What does Hüsniye mean?"
He chuckled softly, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "It means beauty, excellence, and goodness," he said. "A name that is as fitting for you as the stars are for the night sky."
"Oh, Murad..." My voice broke, and I kissed him, letting the love I could not express in words pour out in that moment. When we parted, his forehead rested against mine.
"Do you trust me, Hüsniye'm?" he asked, his tone serious now.
"With all my heart," I said, though a thread of fear wove through my resolve. "But, Murad... this will create enemies. You know it will."
He cupped my face in his hands, his thumbs brushing away the tears I didn't realize had fallen. "Let them plot," he said firmly. "Let them try. None of it matters. I will protect you from anything and anyone who dares harm you."
I nodded, absorbing the conviction in his voice. "I don't want power," I whispered. "I only want you."
"And you shall have me," he vowed, his lips grazing my forehead in a kiss that felt like a seal of fate. "You've always had me."
The moment stretched between us, timeless and fragile, as if the world had paused to bear witness to this union. Finally, Murad led me to the divan, his fingers entwining with mine as we sat. "For years," he began, his tone soft yet unyielding, "you've been my solace, my light in the darkest of nights. Now, the world will see what I've known all along. You are not just mine—you are meant to stand by my side, always."
I smiled through my tears, unable to speak. My hands trembled as they rested in his, and I felt as if my heart might overflow.
But a knock at the door shattered the stillness, reminding us of the world beyond this room. A servant entered, bowing deeply. "Pardon, Sultanım," he said, his voice careful, "but the preparations for your departure are nearly complete."
Murad exhaled, a flicker of frustration crossing his face before he turned back to me. "I leave at dawn," he said, his voice heavy. "And I will miss you more than words can convey."
I placed a hand over his heart, feeling its steady rhythm beneath my fingers. "And I shall count the days until your return."
He kissed me then, deeply and completely, as if to imprint his love on my very soul. When he pulled away, his eyes were filled with determination. "When I return," he said, his tone filled with quiet resolve, "we will begin anew. You will no longer be just my Haseki. You will be my wife."
Tears blurred my vision as I nodded, his words settling over me like a promise from the heavens. "Murad..."
"Hüsniye'm," he whispered, his forehead pressed against mine. "The love of my life."
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
I really hope you've enjoyed this chapter, it is my Christmas present to all of you. I'm insanely grateful for each and every one of you and your undying support towards my stories. Happy holidays 💌
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) ⸺Fatma Sultan (20/11/1576)
Sultan Murad + Fülane Hatun ⸺Rukiye Sultan (31/05/1566)
Sultan Murad + Haseki Hüsniye Sultan ⸺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)
