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...
"Valide, Selim called me Mihriban again! He knows full well that my name is Mihrimah!"
I sighed, setting down my embroidery hoop. It was days like this that reminded me how truly chaotic my life could be. My children were my greatest joy but were also an endless source of noise, complaints, and squabbles.
Raziye and Gülbahar usually prevented them from tearing the palace apart, but today, they were at the market. That left me alone, outnumbered, and under siege.
"Alright, enough," I said, holding up a hand. "Everyone, come here."
"But—"
"Now." One by one, they reluctantly obeyed, gathering around me on the divans and cushions. I folded my hands in my lap, leveling them all with a calm but firm gaze. "My beloved children, what's wrong?"
"Nefise took my veil!" Rukiye huffed, crossing her arms.
Nefise, sitting on the floor with her twin, clutched a bundle of soft silk to her chest. "It's pretty," she mumbled. "I just wanted to see."
I gently stroked her dark curls. "Nefise, darling, you must ask before taking your sister's things."
The little girl hesitated before handing the veil back.
Rukiye snatched it up, lifting her chin in triumph. "Thank you."
Before she could rub it in further, Süleyman rolled his eyes. "Rukiye is being dramatic." He flopped beside Abdullah. "Selim and I fight all the time, and no one cares."
"That's because you two are wild animals," Hanzade muttered, tossing her braid over her shoulder.
Selim smirked. "It's true. We're superior in combat."
"Oh, please," Rukiye scoffed. "Hanzade and I could best you any day."
Selim raised an eyebrow, his expression turning amused. "Is that a challenge, Güvercin?"
I smiled at the nickname—little dove. It had started as a joke when Rukiye was younger, quiet and delicate, but now, it was a mix of endearment and playful teasing.
"Stop calling me that!" she snapped, cheeks flushing.
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"But it suits you," Selim teased. "So delicate, so—"
Rukiye promptly smacked him with a cushion.
Abdullah and Süleyman howled with laughter, while Hanzade clapped her hands. "Do it again, Rukiye!"
Selim dodged the next swing, laughing.
"I say we tie him up," Mihrimah suggested.
"I'd like to see you try," Selim challenged, grinning.
