Chapter 7

Suleyman led me to a round, low table, surrounded by cushions of multiple colours. Plates and bowls covered the table, carrying different kinds of foods. I lowered myself to sit by his side, only after he took his own seat among the cushions. The meal followed with small talk, a little laughter on both sides, but nothing out of ordinary. I was still in awe with my surroundings. The grand chamber amazed me so much I found myself throwing glances around, taking in as much of the details as possible. This amused Suleyman greatly.

"You are distracted easily." He pointed out, mirth colouring his voice. I whipped my head around to stare at him, feeling my cheeks burn from embarrassment. "Do you see something you like?" He prodded, teasing. I had the perfect answer. With a mischievous grin, for a good effect.

"Several things, indeed my lord." I told him, in a husky tone. "The one that attracts me the most sits next to me." My joke made him laugh whole heartedly, slapping his thigh for good measure.

"I'm glad." He told me, chuckling. "I cannot help but remember your dance. And how you spoke of a story unfolding as you moved, yet you kept it to yourself." I knew of what he spoke of. The only time I had ever danced in front of him.

"Yes, I deliberately withheld the story." I said demurely. "It was something my mind wove as the musicians played. Movements can also convey messages, dances can tell stories, as well as music. If you know how." His smile widened and I grinned back. Still, my eyes wandered. His chambers were rich in rugs and tapestry, beautifully crafted decorations and candle holders, but Spartan in its furnishings. A tickling sensation on the back of my neck told me Suleyman watched me with amused eyes. "Forgive me, I cannot help but enjoy the surroundings. They are breath-taking." He chuckled.

"I'm glad you enjoy, but I'd much rather have your attention." He reproached me gently. I blushed, bowing my head in shame. His hand touched my chin and rose my head once again, to look at him, his eyes hypnotising me. "Never look away, I wish to see your eyes." I had not thought it possible…my heart skipped a beat as I stared into his eyes while he spoke. They were earnest, gentle. It made me feel at ease, in a way I hadn't felt in so long. Then the spell was broken and he grinned. "You owe me a story." He brought me back from the little piece of Heaven we had created for one moment.

"So I do." I grinned back, coyly. He sat up, one hand holding a goblet while the other had reached for my hand. He squeezed it tenderly, giving me strength for the storytelling. I cleared my throat and thought back to the dance, remembering each gesture, each movement, piecing together in words what I had told through dance.

"Once upon a time, a humble farmer who took care of the lands on Allah, had a beautiful daughter, with eyes the colour of the clear sky. His much loved wife perished upon bringing such jewel to the world, thus the farmer loved her twice; one for the gift she was, another for the wife he lost. She grew a pure maiden, humble and modest in her demeanour, the most glittering jewel of the flock of Allah. But the girl fell deadly ill, and no physician could bring her back to health. 'Pray to Allah.' They would tell the farmer. 'For she is bound to leave this land soon.' Grieving, the farmer returned home. Upon seeing his daughter in such state, he went to where he supposed Allah would dwell: the most flowery and beloved park of the village, filled with luxurious foliage and the brightest and most exotic flowers. There, he prayed and beseeched for health to return to his loved one. Night fell and dawn returned, before he got to his feet and walked home, hope filling his heart. But Allah had not heard him. The next day, he went to the hunting park, where the most innocent and beautiful animals of Allah lived, and there prayed for one day and one night. Still, Allah had not heard his pleas. In his desperation, the farmer crawled to the desert, for, in his heart, Allah had deserted him. It fit, to kneel in the hot sand and suffer the burning sunlight. He crawled in penance for one day and one night, returning home with skinned knees and burns covering every inch of his exposed skin. As he walked in, his daughter greeted him cheerfully. Allah had heard him at last, and given him his most desired blessing."

"That is beautiful." Suleyman spoke, voice low as if fearful of breaking the spell created by the story. "And makes us think." I smiled, happy to have moved him so much.

"How so, my lord?" I prodded gently.

"We say all beauty was created by Allah, we believe Him to be among things we believe are in His Paradise. Yet, we forget Allah is not only among beauty, but also where nothing grows. It can be said the same in times of hope and despair." I grinned.

"Indeed, we often forget Allah is there, whether fortunes smiles upon us, or disaster strikes. And believe ourselves bereaved and left to our misery by Him. Praying simply because we must pray brings nothing and will displease Him. We must always strive to give Him our heart, whether we are blessed or grieved." Suleyman gave me an odd look. "Did I speak something foolish?" I asked, feeling ashamed.

"On the contrary, your words hold much wisdom." He grinned and held my hand to his lips. "I'm glad to have such illuminated company tonight." The gesture sent shivers up my arm and down my spine. His eyes glowed with an odd light. He turned my hand around and placed a kiss on my palm, then my wrist, the inside of my elbow, all the way up my arm, my neck, until he reached my mouth. At this point, I was kneeling next to him, almost on his lap. But his kisses had wreaked havoc on my mind and I noticed nothing else but his lips upon mine, his hands wandering. New emotions rioted within my head, turning my skin overly sensitive to his touches. Wordlessly, he pulled us to our feet and tugged me to his bed, where we laid down and continued where we had left off. No words were needed. Our garments pooled around us as we lost ourselves in our emotions, I found myself contemplating, albeit momentarily, a new emotion towards the Sultan. And as I watched him above me, my hands softly touching his shoulders, I found myself not staring at an objective as I did before, but at someone I was learning to love.

Waking up the next morning proved interesting. For one, I woke slowly, only to find Suleyman watching me stir. It took a while to wake up completely and realise this, and when I did, I felt my cheeks heat up.

"Good morning, Mihrişah." He greeted in a low, husky tone. Images of the previous night flitted through my mind. "Was your sleep restful?" His question was polite, but his tone was cheeky, mischievous. Embarrassment coloured my skin, as well as my voice.

"It was, my lord."

"When we're alone, call me Suleyman." His request was surprising, and I stared at his face, uncertain. Was it wise? Yet again, I shouldn't go against his request, whatever it is.

"Very well…Suleyman." I smiled. He nodded and grinned, leaning in for a kiss. I willingly kissed back, and we resumed what we had tasted the previous night. I enjoyed each new sensation, savouring them together as Suleyman gave and took for his own pleasure. It made me crave for more, along the man himself. Maybe this is why Hürrem wants Suleyman for herself, sharing with no one else. I told to myself, in my mind. Who could blame her? After tasting this small piece of Heaven, neither did I.

Breakfast came late that morning, for we tarried in bed for a long time. Eventually, Suleyman dragged me to my feet and told me to wash up, by using his baths. Instead of sending me back to the harem, Suleyman called for Nilüfer and Metike and told them to aid me in washing. Surprised at this new development, Metike ran to the harem for fresh clothes, while Nilüfer and I followed an agha to the baths, which were magnificent, worthy of the Sultan. After I was washed and dressed, we broke our fast and went for walk in the gardens, while discussing several topics. I wondered, by then, if I'd return to the harem at the end of the day or on the following day. But this was not so. One week later and no one in the harem had seen a hair of me, aside from the Cariyes assigned to me, Nilüfer and Metike, Sümbul Agha, Ibrahim Pasha and the Has Odabashi, Bali Bey. Sultan kept me at his side, rarely straying away from me for more than an hour or so at a time. I was unsure of why. We took our meals together, strolled through the gardens while speaking of various topics, from poetry (from his poetic persona, Muhibi, to several popular poets he was inspired on), to politics. I amused him by talking politics, I doubted he took my words seriously. But I had surprised him for knowing so much about the European situation.

"My father, my lord." I explained. "He never treated me as a mere girl. My brother and I were taught the same things. Our tutor apprised us both of all new occurrences around Europe and the Ottoman Empire." I blushed under the fierce scrutiny of his unreadable eyes. He then grinned.

"An uncommon decision." He stated, pouring more wine into my cup and dismissing my attempts to stop him from serving us himself. "Yet, I find it praiseworthy to fill such beautiful recipient with important and interesting information." I giggled, grabbed a strand of hair and pulled over half of my face, to hide (unsuccessfully) my blushing cheeks. His fingers reached my hand and gently tore the strand from my fingers, tucking it back behind my ear.

"I enjoy learning, my lord." I told him. "After all, what are we if we do not strive for perfection?"

"That is a noble goal, even for a woman."

"All we have is for our lord." I bowed my head, fingering the embroidered handkerchief in his hand, one I had made and had been given to him by Valide Sultan. "All I learn, I hope it helps you in your affairs."

"Let it be so." He grinned and clapped his hands clean. He had finished eating and pulled me up to my feet as he rose. "The day is beautiful. We must enjoy the sun instead of willing it away inside the walls." I called Nilüfer to bring me a veil and Metike helped me dressing my hair. They followed behind us at a small distance, two aghas in tow as we descended to the garden.

The idyllic situation wouldn't endure. I knew it from the start. He had kept me for far longer than anyone could have thought, myself included. I had loved each moment in his presence, for he was a witty and amazing man, engaging and funny, making me fall for him little by little, with each word and each gesture. I wished to stay with him, but this could not be as I wanted. He would release me, to return to the harem. But I knew, from the morning he kept me in his room, my elevation was assured. I returned to the main harem area, trailed by a triumphant Nilüfer and Metike, where people waited to flock to me. I could see, by the look of Nilüfer's face, she could barely hold on to her joy and wished terribly to speak to me. Unfortunately, for her and the crowd waiting, Sümbul Agha allowed no such thing.

"Pack your things, Mihrişah Hatun." He ordered, shooing me to the area where my things were stored. "You are to move to a favourite's chamber, as befitting a Gözde." He announced, not surprising anyone. I was kept for a week in our lord's chambers. Why wouldn't I be elevated? Gathering my things took little time, even without Nilüfer's help. I followed Sümbul Agha to the room I would be sleeping in, which I would share with another Gözde, Ayşe. I inspected the room, in awe, but I didn't remain in it for long, I joined the others in the main harem area. I knew there was more than just the room, for my reward for the week of company to the Sultan hadn't come yet. Usually, women who walked the Golden Path received a pouch of gold for pleasing the Sultan, sometimes a jewel or two. People around me waited expectantly, while shooting eager questions. If one night earned a pouch and jewellery, no one could imagine what I'd receive for a week in the Sultan's presence. I had changed out of the gown, to the red and white uniform, unlike the one the other Cariyes used, and settled in the main area of the harem.

"The sheep returns!" Efsun teased. "Were you lost from the flock?" I laughed at her teasing words while Nilüfer scowled fiercely. I managed to see beneath Efsun's nasty words, she meant well, and sometimes, her words were meant to tease and not hurt. Nilüfer took everything at face value.

"Yes, I wandered through the meadows of Paradise, following my shepherd lovingly." I retorted, but smiling all the while. "Nilüfer, you need to settle down. The first part is fulfilled. And you were right." This helped calm the girl down. She nodded, a knowing look on her face.

"You managed something truly unique. But your trials are now starting." She was interrupted by the arrival of Daye Hatun and Sümbul Agha. The reward had arrived, a hush fell on the main room, as the two stopped near me. I rose from where I sat and bowed respectfully, ignoring the critical looks and whispered envy. Four aghas carried two heavy chests, while Sümbul Agha carried a large wooden box and Daye Hatun held a huge purse.

"Mihrişah Hatun, Sultan has sent these rewards for your success in pleasing him." The odd man announced, and Daye Hatun handed me the huge purse first. Then, he presented the box. "You have been elevated to the rank of Ikbal, and Sultan Suleyman has sent these chests as reward for your new title." I was stumped, oblivious to all the chatter around us, staring at the closed box I held. He elevated me again quite fast, too fast to my liking. Nilüfer poked me hard, breaking through my reverie.

"Say something!" She hissed in my ear and I realised they were waiting for me to speak. I bent my knees, grateful for all the bounty I received, as well as their kindness.

"Thank you, Daye Hatun, Sümbul Agha. Please convey my gratitude to our lord." Sümbul Agha smiled and ordered the aghas to take the chests to my room. I turned to Nilüfer and she smiled. No words were needed, she trailed behind them, to make sure everything would be there when I returned. I turned to Daye Hatun, who remained behind.

"Valide Sultan would like to see you, this afternoon." She told me, I had to keep myself from grinning. Predictable.

"As Valide wishes, I shall attend her whenever she calls for me." Daye Hatun nodded, pleased by my acquiescence and left. Husni and Fatma stood on both sides, staring at the box in my hand.

"Mihrişah! Open that before we die of curiosity!" Husni begged, hands twitching in the direction of the box. She dared not touch it without consent, kalfas were around and wouldn't take lightly the disrespect. I grinned and opened, to sate everyone's curiosity. Other girls edged closer, eager for a peek of the gift brought from the Sultan. It was a necklace and earrings, with rubies and emeralds, in a flowery pattern. Someone inhaled sharply.

"Those were handmade by the Sultan, weren't they?" I heard one of the girls asking (more like accusing). "They are similar to the jewellery Hürrem Sultan wears, most of them were made by Sultan himself!" Oh, were they so? I touched the pieces in wonder. To know the pieces were made within the palace, by our lord, made them all the more precious to me. And showed them all where I stood with our lord. An unpleasant thought crossed my mind. I had been elevated by our lord, which meant the kadins would see me as a dangerous rival. The struggle was about to start.