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...
I bowed before Nurbanu Sultan, my hands folded respectfully. "Valide."
She acknowledged me with a tight smile. Time had softened the tension between us, but things had never quite returned to what they once were. My kidnapping, my return, and the birth of my twins had eased some of the strain, yet a quiet distance remained.
"Come, Hüsniye. Welcome," she said, her voice poised but kind. "Is something troubling you?"
I sighed, hesitating for a moment before speaking. "It's His Majesty. He has been away on campaign for nearly two years now, and the children miss him." I swallowed. "I miss him."
Her expression softened. "As do I. InshAllah, he will return soon. I pray for his safety every day."
"So do I," I admitted. "But the uncertainty weighs on me. Not knowing how he fares, if he is well... it is torment." She reached out, placing her hand over mine in an unexpected gesture of comfort. "I was wondering," I continued, "if I could host a gathering in the harem gardens. A celebration. It would lift everyone's spirits, especially the children's."
Nurbanu raised a brow. "You need a reason for such an event."
"Isn't our health reason enough?" I countered with a small smile.
She laughed, the sound warm despite its regality. "Fair enough. You have my permission—but I expect an invitation."
I grinned, pressing a kiss to the back of her hand. "Of course, Your Majesty. You are the light of any gathering."
‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ ☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙
The gardens bloomed with life, the air filled with the scent of jasmine and citrus as children ran freely through the trimmed hedges and flowering pathways. Under a grand tent, the women of the harem lounged on embroidered cushions, sipping sherbet while watching the entertainment. The performers reenacted a lighthearted tale—one carefully chosen to amuse without offending the dignity of the royal family.
The youngest children shrieked with laughter, while the older ones sat with forced composure, sipping kahve as if they were miniature adults.
Fakriye, seated beside me, turned to smile. "This is a wonderful gathering, Sultana. It reminds me of the celebrations in my father's palace when I was a child."
"I am sure they were spectacular," I said politely.
"Of course, she was a princess," Nazperver chimed in with a sharp smile. "And what were you, Hüsniye? A merchant's daughter?"
My jaw tightened, but I forced myself to smile. There was no point in engaging in such pettiness.
"Better than a slave," Gülbahar shot back on my behalf, making Nazperver's smile falter
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Before another retort could be made, Nurbanu's voice cut through the tension, regal and firm. "Enough. Today is not a day for petty quarrels—it is a day for joy." She turned to me. "Hüsniye, do you have anything else prepared for us?"
