Neslihan Hümasah Sultan daughter of Selim i, sister of Suleiman I and the beloved aunt of Selim ii. She was no ordinary sultana she was loved dearly by her family for her kind heart and strong demeanor. The people loved her for her charity and kindn...
"How are you feeling today, Sultanim?" Rana asked as she helped me slip on my robe over my nightgown.
"Better" I answered simply, they know when I give short answers it means I'm in no mood to talk or eat or do anything at all and just basically lock myself in with my feelings.
"I will cut some apples," Mary said quietly walking over to the fruit bowl. She may try to force me to eat it but we both know that I won't be able to stomach more than three pieces.
"Which dress do you wish to wear today, Sultanim?" Rana asked letting a heard of girls holding each a different dress except the last one who held a silk cloth to place the chosen dress on it.
"Red" I answered turning away as a pair of maids held a pot in front of me and another started pouring some water in it, I placed my hands under the water filling them with the clear liquid before leaning forward and splashing my face, it felt refreshing and cool against my skin. I took a towel from the second maid who stopped pouring water and dried my face with it.
"You can all leave," Rana said making the other maids leave the room leaving me alone with her and Mary.
"Come on, Sultanim" Mary and Rana helped me into clothes and placed jewelry on as I ate the three pieces of apple, Rana made my hair into beautiful waves and pinned some of it back before placing my crown on my head and pushing my hear over my shoulder.
"Get me my coat, I want to walk in the garden" I ordered turning to look at them through the mirror. Rana bowed and ran out of the room to get what I wanted.
"May I ask, why?" Mary asked as she pulled the plate of apples off the table and walked over to the door knocking on it so she could hand it to the girls standing there.
"Must I have a reason?" I asked raising my eyebrow amused at her. She smiled seeing my spirit lift up a little, at least to her.
I stood up as Rana walked back and helped me put on my coat before leaving my room. I smiled as I walked through the garden feeling the fresh air brush softly against my skin making me shudder slightly, yet the sun shone in the sky brightly making the grass frost a little so it crunched under each step I took on it.
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I looked to the side to see a specific tree I've been searching for since I came down here, it was the largest tree in the garden by its trunk not like it was short but there were many trees it's hight but none had the same trunk.
I walked over to eat feeling a strong pull towards it like it had me tied with a rope and pulling me closer and closer to it. I placed my hand on the trunk and it was like a spark of life I was pulled into a memory.
"Get down Neslihan," My father said with slight panic in his voice as he looked up at me with my mother beside him holding onto his arm with fear as she too looked up at me with worried eyes.
"But I don't want to" I whined crossing my arms. Me climbing this tree forced my father to come out running from the council meeting and out of the castle with my mother right behind him after my brother informed them what I was doing.
"Why not darling?" My mother asked softly like she was trying to tame a wild animal, I don't blame her I do act like one.
"Because when I come down you will scold me and Hatice will make fun of me," I said looking away from her as my father chuckled a little.
"Darling your mother scolds you because she loves you and is worried about you," Father said taking a step closer to the tree trunk so he could see me better. He took off his hat/crown and handed it to one of the harem aghas.
"Come down darling" He opened his arms for me to slip in so he could help me the rest of the way down. I stepped on the branch under the one I was sat on, but it was a huge mistake since it was a thin thing one and it snapped under me making me scream as I fell back.
"NESLIHAN" I heard my mother scream. I groaned as I landed in between two soft arms holding me close to a panting chest. I opened my eyes to see my father holding me tightly against his chest staring down at me with wide eyes full of panic. I yelped as the rush ended and looked down at my leg to see some blood flowing through my dress which made me tear up and look back at my father who saw it too.
"See that's what happens when you do reckless things like climbing a tree" My father scolded as my mother other rolled up my dress and looked at the scratch like wound on my leg. I looked behind her to see my brother running over with his best friend behind him.
"What happened?" He asked panting slightly. He looked worried at the sight of my none ending tears.
"Neslihan, fell down the tree" My mother explained. My father walked away from them and straight to the infirmary whispering in my ear how everything will be alright.
"Sultanim" A soft voice snapped me back to reality making me turn and look at the person who spoke, it was Ibrahim who stood on the stone road. I picked up the hem of my dress and walked over to him so we were face to face.
"Ibrahim Pasha," I said tasting the second word for the first time on my tongue after his name. He smiled a little and gave a half bow.
"I can never repay the sultan for his kindness," He said with a fond smile on his face which meant he still didn't know what my brother's other surprise was.
"No, no you really can't," I said and turned around and walked back inside of the castle has had enough for one day already, first the heartbreaking memory of my beloved father and now seeing and speaking to Ibrahim was too much for one day. I went back to my room and locked myself there not wanting to see or speak with anyone at all.
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