Light within the Harem

The Wedding

Preparations for Selim's circumcision was under way, Hurrem was loving the attention, but the Sultan was still sour with how she behaved when Melekşima was on bed rest, her actions of that night was still spreading around the Harem.

The days leading up to the circumcision, Hurrem had being hoping, praying and scheming to make sure that no other girl walked the Golden Path: she wanted the Sultan's attention to be fully on her and her children and it had worked for a short time – and then Şehzade Osman was escorted into the preparation room with Sumbal Agha, Ibrahim Pasha and the head Imam behind him.

"What is the meaning of this?" Hurrem demanded.

The Imams immediately bowed to the younger Şehzade, as Osman ran to Selim, hugging his older brother before getting into the bed with him.

"The Sultan has suggested that Şehzade Osman is old enough to join Şehzade Selim." The Head Imam spoke, bowing his head towards Hurrem.

No... No... No! This was supposed to be Selim's day! My chance to walk the Golden Path! Hurrem huffed but knew that it was not wise to go against the order of the Sultan, especially since she was still on the 'outs' with him.

"Where is the Sheikh?" Hurrem asked, noticing that the highest religious authority in the Empire was nowhere to be seen.

"He is to attend a different matter, my Sultana." The Head Imam replied, opening the prayer book. "I am to take charge of today's events."

A different matter? What could be more important that my son's circumcision?! Hurrem thought, nibbling on her bottom lip, as the words of prayer went in one ear and out the other.

According to the rules, Hurrem wasn't allowed to be in the room as the circumcision was to take place, she immediately noticed that one of Melekşima's concubines, Halimë was in place of Melekşima.

"Hatun," Hurrem greeted, a little too sweetly. "Where is your mistress?"

"As of this morning, Melekşima Sultana was declared a free woman,"

Hurrem's eyes widened, the wheels turning in her mind. A free woman... Melekşima will no longer be able to attend to the Sultan! She'll be kicked out of the Palace... This is good news!

Halimë bowed her head and said no more on what was really going on, smirking as Hurrem would find out with the rest of Harem.

Hurrem joined the women of the Harem for celebrations, her eyes kept glancing around to for Melekşima or the Sultan, but saw neither, the Valdie Sultan was in high spirits along with Hatice Sultan, Shah Sultan and Mahdievran Sultan was with her Şehzade Mustafa and little Farzaneh Sultan was in the arms of a young concubine, Fatima Hatun.

Soon the Sultan's presence was announced, Hurrem watched in shock as Sulieman walked in with Melekşima, both beaming with pride.

Valdie smiled as she greeted both Sulieman and Melekşima, Hurrem looked confused as the Valdie would have been advised that Melekşima was a free woman, this probably was her last night here.

"My lion, you say that you have an announcement?"

Sulieman nodded, taking Melekşima's hand in his. "As of this moment, I have married Melekşima Sultan as my legal wife, in front of the Sheikh."

Hurrem gripped the cup of sweet drink, narrowing her eyes at Melekşima, Mahdievran also swallowed the bitter taste in her mouth.

No... No... NO! I was supposed to be Sulieman's legal wife! ME! That witch must have used some spell... Some sort of trick to make Sulieman marry her... Now they would use tonight as their wedding night... It's Thursday... If she falls pregnant again...