Rose was just a normal girl living her life with her loving family as any normal person would, that is until the barbarians attack her village and kidnap her and sold her to the Othman's.
Sultan Ahmed has just been ascended to the Othman throne jus...
"Sultana do you want me to inform them of the traditions before letting them in?" Malin asked. I sat down on my throne in my room as the girls prepared a chair for Husain's mother and cushions for his sisters. My daughter Handan will be sitting beside me on the throne.
"No Malin, now go welcome them" she bowed and left the room. They could be here any minute now.
I walked down to the harem to make sure everything was ready. Everyone can see how worried I looked so no one asked any questions as the girls did the last bit of cleaning.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
I went back to my room and finished getting ready. Karla made sure that my hair was perfect and she suggested that I put on a necklace which I did. I put on a headscarf and went to Murad's room where they will be arriving.
"Make sure that Handan is in my room" Emily bowed and left as four people emerged in my line of sight.
"Haseki Jawhara Sultan," a young man not older than twenty-five and the only male said bowing to me. I gave him a nod. He was about to reach for my hand but Malin cleared her throat making him stop for a moment before kneeling down and kissing my robe. They didn't even know that males were not allowed to touch the women of the castle. I really wanted to facepalm but held it in.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"Welcome," I simply said. Who I guessed was Husain bowed and walked into Murad's room. I nodded for true women to follow me. May Allah let this day pass peacefully.
I walked into my room and sat down on my throne beside Handan who had a brave face on. The eldest woman sat down on the chair and her two daughters sat on the cushions prepared for them.
"Thank you for having us," the mother said smiling lightly.
"Not a problem," I said. I could see how my aura was affecting them and I liked it. They better know who they're messing with.
"Sultana, I really like your necklace," one of the two daughters said. She was not over five and she looked really innocent.
"If you like it that much then you can have it" the mother was about to protest but I raised my hand silencing her. Karla walked over and removed the necklace from my neck and placed it in a box and handed it to the little girl who giggled happily.
Karla walked towards one of the closest and pulled out another box and walked over and pulled out a grander and a more expensive necklace and placed it around my neck. I could see the woman gaping at the sight of such an expensive necklace.
"So let's not waste any time" I started fixing my posture. The mother looked at me and nodded.
"As the traditions demand the engagement party will be held in here in a week's time. The sultan will gift the newlyweds a castle as he did to his other sister" I could see their eyes widen at the thought of owning a castle. I don't blame them they've been living in tents for months and before that, they lived normally.
"Is there anything you'd like to add?" I asked leaning back against my throne.
"No," she said. I looked beside me at Handan but she shook her head.
"It's settled then. Let's eat lunch and go to the sultan's wing" and that's what we did.
I walked into Murad's room first. I could see the older daughter eyeing Murad but in her dreams will I let her near him. When he saw me walk in he immediately got off his throne and walked over to me and took my hand in his kissing the back of it.
"Welcome mother" he pulled me to the throne and let me sit down on it. I've never sat down on the dynasty's throne and now I understand why many feared it, it felt very powerful. I fear the burden it put on my son.
"We have decided on everything my son" I explained. He nodded his head and looked at Husain.
"And we have decided that I will be giving them Sah's old castle for she has moved with her husband" I nodded in agreement. I knew why Murad gave them this castle, it was the closest and there were tunnels under the ground connecting the two castles together if Handan had to run away. Only the royal family knew of these tunnels and no one else.
"It's settled then," Husain said walking over to his mother and sisters. They bowed and left the wing. When I made sure they were out of the room I took off my headscarf and sighed tiredly.
"Do not worry mother, everything will be just fine" Murad reassured. He placed his hand atop mine for comfort but I could help but worry.
"I can't help but worry my lion," I said. He flinched when he heard the despair in my voice and pulled me in for a hug letting me cry a little on his shoulder. I could be throwing my daughter in the arms of the devil for all we knew.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"Why couldn't they have just asked for money or power?" I asked brokenly pulling away from him and wiped my tears away.
"Why did they have to take the most precious thing this dynasty has, one of its daughters" we both knew the answer. They would be getting both gold and power by marrying a daughter of the dynasty.
"I will have to get Husain into the divan" I nodded understanding. He has to be of higher status than now to be fit to marry a sultana.
"Ali pasha will remain the first vizier and Suleiman pasha the second and Mehmed pasha will be the third and for Husain, I'll find him a place in the divan fit for a son in law of this dynasty" Murad explained.
"Won't that cause some problems between Ali pasha and Husain? They both did marry from the royal family" I asked. Murad sighed knowing I was right.
"Husain must have some experience before he gets a high status. In a year or so I'll give him Mehmed pasha's place" I nodded in agreement with Murad's idea. I pray for Husain to be a fair husband to my daughter and I pray for them to find happiness and my daughter to never feel pain ever again.
