Light within the Harem

Potential Marriage?

A month had passed since Mahidevran lost her son, the other twin- hopefully another Şehzade, so that Hurrem was not the only Kadin with more than one Prince.

Due to her age and the recent loss of one of the twins, Mahidevran was confined to her chambers on strict bed rest, it was here that the Harem got wind that Gulush was on very thin ice with her Mistress after the older Hatun did something that angered Mahidevran greatly.

Eşmahan spotted Gulush sucking up to Gul Agha, hoping that he would put in a good word in with Hurrem, but with little favour from the Valdie and how few times the Sultan called for her – Hurrem would not be the best Kadin to seek favour and protection from.

did not care if she birthed another son for the Ottoman Empire, she only cared that her child came out healthy – mayhaps this child would have her eyes, as her beloved Osman took after Sulieman greatly, from his eyes right down to his hair colour, none could deny that Sulieman was the father.

There was even a rumour going around that Ibrahim Pasha had a woman on the side during his marriage with Hatice Sultan, obviously this rumour was proven false and started by those that wished to bring Ibrahim down as he began to seek higher power – he even had a statue of himself created which went against Ottoman laws and traditions, but Hurrem also had a painting done of herself and the Sultan, which again went against traditions.

It seemed in the eyes of the Harem, the only one that stuck by Ottoman traditions and it's laws was Melekşima and many guess that is why she was gifted the title Haseki, no one dared to question why she was given the title many had dubbed was created for Hurrem and only Hurrem, as it meant 'chief favourite' and before Melekşima came to Topkapi Palace that was Hurrem.

Having enough of being coddled, Melekşima decided to get some fresh air, she had met Şehzade Mustafa and Mehmet coming back from their lessons, soon Osman would join them, but he was barely a year old and only began to speak – he had called Valdie Sultan 'mama' as he was still grasping the word 'Valdie', which earned a soft laugh from the older woman as she bounce him in her lap.

Melekşima was also in constant contact with her mother, she had met the merchant that her mother married by mere accident as he was coming back from a meeting with Sulieman, and Melekşima was on the way to meet the Sultan for their daily, if not weekly, afternoon chats.

As they passed the Harem, the lively chatter of the girls came to Melekşima's attention – there were a shipment of new, youthful girls that could potentially become a rival to the Kadins, there were a few girls that was young enough to be placed in Mustafa and Mehmet's service but since they did not have a region to govern over as they were still a little too young and inexperienced in Sulieman's eyes, they could not have favourites just yet.

"ATTENTION!" Sumbal Agha had announced, spotting Melekşima instantly. "Haseki Melekşima Sultan, Şehzade Mustafa and Şehzade Mehmet!"

The girls quickly fell in line as Melekşima walked passed, some had even dared to glance up at the third Kadin that barely made an appearance unless she was with the Valdie Sultan or with her concubines, Melekşima let out a small laugh as one of the younger girl fainted because Mehmet glanced her way.

"Did you see that man? He looked right at me!" A girl whispered, her head held high as a smug smile came across her lips. "Mayhaps I would become his Kadin!"

"In your dreams, Valerie," Another woman hissed, shaking her head. "Şehzade Mehmet is more focused on his studies than looking at pretty girls."

___

It came to no surprise that Hurrem Sultan was also in the gardens, though the Russelana was more focus on trying to gain the Sultan's attention, since her small group took shelter within ear shot of the Sultan's chambers – there was also a new face within Hurrem's posse, a Russian girl with red hair, not a red as Hurrem's but a little darker.