Conqueror | Murad III

chapter fifty-five

The morning light had barely begun to seep into the room when the first stirrings of movement disrupted the peace.

A quiet gasp. A sharp intake of breath. "Baba?" Hanzade's voice was so soft, almost hesitant, as if she were afraid to believe what her eyes were seeing.

Murad, still half-asleep, shifted beside me, his arm tightening briefly around my waist before he opened his eyes.

The next second, the door burst open.

"It's our father! It's Baba!" Selim's voice rang out like a victory cry.

A storm of small feet thundered into the chamber as the children poured in, their excitement barely contained.

"Baba!" Nefise and Neslihan shrieked in unison, rushing forward before Murad even had time to sit up properly.

Murad barely had time to react before the twins threw themselves onto the bed, clambering over him in a tangle of limbs and squealing laughter.

Abdullah, always a little more reserved than his younger siblings, lingered by the doorway. He clutched his wooden horse tightly, his eyes wide. I could see the longing in them, the hesitation.

Murad reached out a hand. "Abdullah, my lion, come here."

That was all the encouragement he needed. With a bright grin, he ran forward and clambered onto the bed, nestling beside his father, who pressed a firm kiss to his forehead.

"Look at you, oğlum," Murad murmured, ruffling his hair. "You've grown so much."

Süleyman, standing behind Mihrimah, rocked on his heels before finally stepping forward. "Father?"

Murad turned his gaze to him and opened his arms. "Come here, my strong boy."

That was all it took for Süleyman to break into a run, launching himself at Murad and burying his face into his chest.

"I missed you," he whispered, his voice slightly muffled.

Murad's embrace tightened. "And I missed you, oğlum."

Mihrimah, arms crossed, tapped her foot impatiently. "Father, you must know that Selim keeps calling me Mihriban on purpose! Tell him to stop!"

Selim groaned. "It's not my fault your names sound the same!"

"You do it on purpose!"

Murad chuckled, shaking his head as he reached out to ruffle Selim's hair. "You should respect your sister, oğlum."

Selim sighed but nodded. "Fine."

Mihrimah, satisfied, climbed onto the bed and wrapped her arms around Murad, squeezing tightly.

Meanwhile, Rukiye approached more calmly, a small smile on her lips. "Welcome home, Sultan."

Murad held out his hand, and she placed hers in his, allowing him to pull her into a warm embrace. "I have no doubt you kept things in order while I was gone, kızım."

She nodded. "Of course."

The only one who hadn't moved was Hanzade.

She stood with her arms crossed, staring at Murad like she was studying him, as if trying to decide whether she should be happy or remain upset that he had been gone for so long.

Murad met her gaze, patience in his expression. "Hanzade?"

She stiffened, biting her lip.

Nefise tugged at her sleeve. "Han, aren't you happy Baba's home?"