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...
"I wish to see Ismihan, I haven't checked up on her in a while" I informed Karla who nodded her head and bowed leaving the room to prepare the carriage.
Malin helped me get ready before we left the castle. The carriage ride wasn't that long until we reached the lodge where Ismihan was living with her mother. I walked in and took off my outer clothes before walking into the main room where I found Esma sitting alone in the room reading when she saw me she jumped up and bowed to me.
"Sultanim" she smiled up at me. I couldn't return the smile for I still haven't forgiven her for what she did.
"Where's my granddaughter?" I asked her sitting down on the couch where she joined me pushing the book she was reading to the side.
"She'll be here in a minute" she answered looking at her handmaid who bowed and left the room to bring me, my granddaughter.
"You better be taking good care of her," I said sternly. She nodded her head and looked down at her hands knowing how I really just wished to kill her right here and then.
"Good" I nodded and looked up with a smile as my granddaughter was bought into the room.
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"Grandma!" She explained happily when she saw me. The three years old clapped her hands as she was being bought over to me.
"Hello, there darling" I kissed her forehead trying hard not to cry as a piece of my son sat in my arms.
"You look pretty today," she said giggling as the loose strand in my hair tickled her nose a little.
"You look pretty too" she smiled and hugged me tightly to her small body. I closed my eyes and hugged her back smelling her hair that was the exact same color as her father's.
"When I grow up I want to look just as pretty as you," she said looking up at me with her doe-like eyes making my heart flutter.
"You will be much better," I said pushing her hair back. I knew if I stayed with her a little longer I will lose all self-control and burst out crying so I handed her to her mother and got up ready to leave before I lose my reputation in front of a traitor.
"Take good care of her" I ordered Esma who bowed as her answer.
"Until next time little one" I patted my granddaughter's hair before leaving the room. I put on a headscarf and got in the carriage before it moved.
When we were halfway home I felt like I was suffocating and couldn't breathe anymore.
"Stop the carriage" I ordered Emily who banged on the wooden wall behind her making the carriage stop. A harem agha opened the door and helped out of the carriage.
I placed a hand on my chest massaging the place maybe it will work and more air would fill my lungs.
"No one follow me" I ordered making them all look at me worriedly but bow nonetheless as I walked into the woods alone.
I leaned against a tree as a tear left my eye. I miss my son so much it hurts to even be in the same room as his daughter without bursting out crying.
I gasped for air as sobs wracked through my body. I could hear footsteps behind me but I ignored them and lowered myself to the floor on my knees as more sobs left my lips.
"Sultanim" I ignored the familiar voice and looked down at my hands seeing them already dirty with the dirt under me.
"Sultanim, are you okay?" I looked up at Kemankes who was looking at me worriedly. He insisted on coming with me when I told him I'm going to a lodge, he said that the was could be dangerous and would like to protect me and I agreed.
"No" I muttered taking a deep breath leaning against a tree for support as I pulled myself back up on my feet shakily.
"Here sultana" he pulled out a handkerchief and handed it to me. I took it from him gratefully and whipped my tears with it.
"Thank you Kemankes" I handed him the handkerchief back.
"I want something of you Kemankes," I said earning his full attention.
"Anything sultanim," he said bowing his head. I took a deep breath filling my lungs with air.
"Bring me back my son," I said. He looked up at me almost sympathetically but immediately hid his expression to not offend me.
"I will try my best even if I have to die for his majesty in the process," he said bowing to me. I nodded my head accepting his words. To my shock, he walked over to where I stood and kneeled down taking my dress in his fingers and kissed it. No soldier has ever done that in the ottoman history to a woman, they do not kneel down to women.
"You're a loyal man Kemankes and you will have a bright future in our dynasty," I said debating if I should pat his shoulder as he stayed kneeled at my feet.
"And I will make sure to reward you greatly if you stay loyal" I patted his shoulder before walking back towards the carriage. I could hear his footsteps behind me almost threateningly to whoever gets too close.
When I reached the carriage I handed him back his handkerchief before getting in and continuing the journey to the castle. When we reached the palace I went straight over to my son's room where he was having one last party before he leaves for war.
"Murad, my lion" I sat down beside him. He took my hand and kissed the back of it before focusing back at the maids dancing in front of him.
I too watched them keeping a smile on my face to not show anyone how sad and worried I was on the inside.
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I moved my gaze to Kemankes who stood at the side of the room guard. His eyes met mine and like we had a mental conversation he somehow knew that I was telling him to protect the line beside me and he bowed his head as if telling me that he will.
