|| Highest Ranking in Historical Fiction: 286 ||
When Clarisse Barnes arrives at the Topkapi Palace she is unaware of what her future holds.
However a chance encounter with Kosem Sultan's begins Clarisse's journey from being a slave to becoming one...
"It's definitely going to happen tonight Clarisse. So should we proceed with the plan?" Aisha whispers to me while we are sitting in the harem. I nod my head.
Aisha then silently gets up and walks over to a group of salve girls and starts chatting.
Gossip.
That was the one thing powerful enough to unite my fellow slave women.
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I notice Laila entering the harem from afar. Laila had become a much favorite of Halime Sultan and she liked Valide Sultan herself. I needed her if the plan was to work.
The only gossip that can unite the slaves that serve Halime and us is one that makes everyone distrust Halime Sultan.
I hope this works.
Rosanna was one of the most prominent gossiper in the harem and today was my lucky day as she happened to be sitting beside me.
The right timing is essential.
Just as Laila crosses my path I very loudly speak to Rosanna, "Rosanna I have heard a rumor that Halime Sultan is planning on executing all of the slave girls that directly serve her."
Laila stops in her path.
"Why?" Rosanna leaves her sewing and turns towards me.
"According to Dilruba Sultan's servant it is because one of the girls stole her favorite ring. I heard that it was a gift from Sultan Mehmed. Thank God I don't serve her." I reply loudly. I start grabbing the attention of many of the slave girls.
The slave girls begin talking among themselves.
Laila who had been listening to me turns her attention towards me and comments, "That's odd Clarisse. You hate gossiping then why are you of all people telling us this?"
Oh no.
"I am not gossiping for your kind information Laila. I was trying to confirm whether this rumor from Rosanna, she is a very reliable source." I lie.
To avoid humiliation people will usually lie and agree. It's human nature.
"Sorry I haven't heard anything of the sort." Rosanna replies.
Okay, this is not how I hoped the conversation would turn out.
Rosanna continues, "But that does explain why I saw Menekşe Hatun talking to the executioners. Halime Sultan must really be angry to go to such great lengths."
