Light within the Harem

Hurrem's Plight: Part II - The Disrespectful Hatun

The proclamation of the new Şehzades went throughout all of Istanbul and further, reaching the ears of the Sultana's homeland, though Lorenzo said nothing on the matter as Anastasia's bastard spawns will be no issue and have no claim to the inheritance.

Though he was a little bitter – why should a Catholic Lord's illegitimate daughter give birth to three perfectly healthy sons when his loyal and faithful wife barely could keep a child to term?

Was he cursed? Was his family?

Though the worries of Lorenzo's plight barely reached Melekşima's ears as the numerous gifts of the many Pashas and Viziers took up most of her time, now that Melekşima had three Şehzades there was a chance that she may be changed to a bigger chamber to house herself, Halimë, Işmilah, Eşmahan, Şehzade Osman and both Şehzade Bayezid and Şehzade Ahmed.

Naturally the gifts she received far outweighed the gifts that Melekşima had received for the birth of Osman, she was sure that Mahidevran would have had some gifts sent to her like Gülfem Hatun though it would not be as grand as the proclamation she had received for Mustafa.

Melekşima lied comfortably as she fed Ahmed, cheeky Bayezid already had his fill and was currently yanking on poor Eşmahan's hair, making the concubine hiss slightly in pain.

"Şehzade Bayezid commands attention, my Sultana." Eşmahan teases, as she placed the baby in his cradle. "It is like he wishes that everyone be at his beck and call..."

As if Bayezid could understand her words, the little Şehzade gave her a toothless smile and babbled lightly as he played with the blanket that confined his small body, the laughter made Ahmed pull away from his mother's breast and began to whimper.

"We have not forgotten about you, my littlest lion cub," Melekşima cooed to her youngest son, placing a small peck on his forehead. "You command attention as well, my sweet Ahmed."

Işmilah was in the corner sorting through clothing of the twins, because of their small bodies both Şehzades would share the same garments until they were a couple months old where their personalities would begin to shine, Melekşima was sure that Bayezid would be a fine warrior and Ahmed would be a Ulema, as he was much quieter and more docile whilst Bayezid was loud and commanding.

Her chamber doors immediately burst open, and a tiny ball of energy came rushing through in a blur of burgundy and gold kaftan, Melekşima placed Ahmed down in his cradle as she quickly scooped up Osman, settling him into her lap.

"What happened, Osman?"

"Does Baba not love me anymore?"

Melekşima lifted Osman's chin to look into her eldest son's face. "Your baba loves you, Osman, what happened to make you believe otherwise?"

A small pout appeared on Osman's face. "I overheard Nilüfer Hatun and Hurrem Sultan speak about plans to celebrate Selim's circumcision with Baba's permission, when I asked when I could get mine... Hurrem laughed and said I would get mine when Baba believes that I am ready. She got a Hatun to escort me back and that Hatun was mean..."

Melekşima's eyes narrowed as she searched Osman's body, noticing a small bruise on his arm. "How was this Hatun mean?"

"She pinched me which hurt a lot and said that I needed to know my place," Osman replied, his bottom lip trembling. "She said that my place was beneath Hurrem's Şehzades and that I am too spoiled... She even said that with my new siblings, Baba would not love me..."

Halimë then entered the chambers with Eda Hatun following behind, they immediately paused at the sight of Melekşima's anger.

"My Sultana?"