Magnificent Century: Mihirsah

After the storm

I wait anxiously inside Mehmed's chambers with Ayse Sultan.

"If anything happens to him, I will have your head." Ayse Sultan threatens me. I sense tremble in her voice and nod my head.

After a minute the doors open and Mehmed enters the chambers.

"Mehmed!" Ayse Sultan runs towards him and hugs him, "Are you hurt? What did he say?"

Mehmed sighs heavily.

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"So he wanted to understand your true intentions?" Ayse starts.

"Yes, I believe so." Mehmed replies.

"And does he believe your side of the story?" Ayse pressed further.

"I believe so." Mehmed replies though his tone suggests that he is skeptical of what Sultan Osman thinks.

Ayse either ignoring Mehmed's tone or oblivious smiles and nods; she then sharply turns towards me and starts, "Slave girl you may leave. Our Prince needs to rest."

"Actually I am exhausted Ayse and I wish to retire. Let's talk more in the morning. Goodnight." Mehmed quickly response, and before Ayse can protest he has escorted her outside his room and onto the hallway. 

I remain in his room and stand patiently, waiting for a chance to speak to my Mehmed in private. A few minutes later Mehmed returns and before he begins to say what he wants to say, I find myself running towards him and hugging him.

"Thank God you are alright my Mehmed. I was so worried when he called you to his chambers." I explain to him.

At first, he hesitates and then he hugs me back. he whispers gently into my ear, "I'm scared, Clarisse. I'm scared that this is far from over. I'm scared that he will change his mind and send for the executioners to kill me. I'm scared, Clarisse."

Unconsciously my hug becomes firmer, and I respond, "They will have to go through me before they can even touch you." 

I break from our hug and look him in the eye, "I will protect you no matter what." 

Mehmed slightly chuckles and smiles. 

"Do you question my ability?" I ask insulted.

He bends his head and kisses me gently on my forehead.

"Who else do I have but you to protect me?" Mehmed replies with a smile that sways my heart and before I can even stop myself my lips make way on his. And in a matter of seconds, I find myself on his bed, passionately kissing him as I undress him. 

Mehmed then climbs on top of me and looks at me like if he touches me now I'll break. He hesitates to touch me. 

"Clarisse, I am just a prince, and if you spend a night with me...."

I knew what I wanted and the rest didn't matter. 

Before he can finish himself, I start kissing him passionately. He tries to finish himself but I don't let him. He then finally gives and before long we begin making love for the first time.

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"I want to become the next Sultan." Mehmed suddenly comments.

"What?" I wake up from my half-sleep. 

"I want to be the next Sultan." 

"Mehmed!" I respond.

"And not years from now, I want to be a Sultan in the next few months."

"Mehmed!"

"Don't you want to be a Sultanum? Don't you want to be respected and feared by all of the people in this palace."

"Mehmed." I speak softly now. 

"Don't you want that?" Mehmed asks me almost pleadingly.

"I want to be happy. I want to be with you. Power and riches are not what I aspire for. I will be happy just being with you even if it is just as a concubine."

Mehmed tries to argue further but I don't bother arguing further. 

"The moment Osman sees you as a threat he will eliminate you. And even if you do succeed then you will never have me ever again. You can do what you want but  I will never be a part of this palace politics."

I get up and start dressing up. I don't even look back at Mehmed. 

He suddenly grabs my arm and turns me around to face his beautiful naked body.

"Do you think you can let go of me so easily? Can you really just forget me?" He asks me seductively as he unbuttons the undress that I had just put on. 

I refuse to look him in the eye. 

"I won't force you to help me but don't discourage me at least."

"And if you get killed?" I ask angrily.

"You promised to protect me no matter what." Mehmed responds in my ear.

"Are you going to cruelly twist my words?" I ask taken aback.

"No never. But I will try to convince you until the end."  He smiles seductively at me and then kisses me passionately. 

"I'll think about it." I respond as I break away from the kiss.

Elated, he picks me up and jumps on the bed with me. We make love for the second time that night.