Chapter 14

"Mahidevran Sultan is happy." I told him, nonchalantly. We finished our meal and moved to the balcony, where I sat by his feet, head on his knees. He held his book in one hand, caressing my hair with the other. Sleep weighed heavily on my eyelids, yet I wished to enjoy his tenderness longer. Lately, he had been calling his kadins, leaving me to my devices. And I was curious about Mahidevran's grant. "After the grant you have given her, she has been lavishing the Cariyes and Gözde with gifts." He lowered the book, and gave me a long, searching look.

"And how do you feel about it?" He asked. I realised he was trying to see if I was jealous, like Hürrem. Maybe he thought I was bringing up the subject to complain, even demand something. While the second kadin was a pushy, bully of a she-devil, I wasn't of the same stock. I came from a noble family, I knew how to behave! I schooled my expression well, to show happiness rather than anything dark. This was the difference between Hürrem and I!

"I'm glad for her, she deserves to dispense charity and earn prayers." I told him seriously. "As mother of the first Şehzadeh, she ought to show she's charitable towards those of less fortune." My little speech impressed him, he nodded and exhaled heavily. I wasn't Hürrem, I wasn't so petty to grudge Mahidevran such gift. And it was my task to show him I was a worthier kadin than Hürrem.

"Don't you wish for something for yourself?" He pressed, critically watching my expression.

"Eventually, yes." I answered truthfully. "Everyone desires the opportunity to be charitable, as the holy Koran bids us to be. But I'm fine as I am for now. I want to have a happy hour, have my child in my arms. Later, when the babe is older." Again, my answer shocked him. I endeavoured to be honest, never withhold anything from him. And, perhaps because he was surrounded by self-serving viziers and the like, even his women were looking out for themselves and their children, he came to doubt anyone who looks or sounds truthful. Gently, he pulled me to the couch, and, surprisingly, he knelt on the cushion, holding my hands in one of his, while the other rested against my cheek, thumb caressing my skin and lips, over and over.

"Throne of my lonely niche, my wealth, my love, my moonlight.

My most sincere friend, my confidant, my very existence, my Sultan, my one and only love.

The most beautiful among the beautiful…

My springtime, my merry faced love, my daytime, my sweetheart, laughing leaf…

My plants, my sweet, my rose, the one only who does not distress me in this world…

My Constantinople, my Caraman, the earth of my Anatolia

My Badakhshan, my Baghdad and Khorasan

My woman of the beautiful hair, my love of the slanted brow, my love of eyes full of mischief…

I'll sing your praises always

I, lover of the tormented heart, Muhibbi of the eyes full of tears, I am happy." The words were tender, the feelings in the words enhanced by the intonation, the cadence of his voice as he spoke each of the beautiful woven sentences. I leaned forward, capturing his lips in a passionate kiss. His feelings were in the poem; my reply was in the kiss.

I returned to the harem two days later, finding the girls all in a frenzy. I was confused, had something happened while I was with Suleyman? Sümbul Agha had escorted me back, since those serving as maids had been sent back the second morning, after aiding my morning rituals. Suleyman kept me until the noon meal, which he shared with me. He sent me back, saying he would call me back later, but he had business outside the palace he had to attend urgently. Sümbul Agha scampered off after seeing me safely to the harem, to my surprise. Once the girls saw me, I was crowded.

"What's happening?" I asked, confused.

"Did you go back to the Sultan's bed?" One of the Circassian girls asked. Oh, I had to smother a giggle.

"Oh, now you're curious?" I grinned, shuffling where I stood. "Why would I tell you anything?" Some groaned, annoyed by my vague answer.

"You're not supposed to share his bed!" Zala cried, trembling.

"And what is that supposed to mean?" It came harsh, but I wasn't going to be kind to her.

"Well, according to Valide Sultan, once you are pregnant, you are off limits to the Sultan until you give birth." Janfeda, one of the girls who serves Valide Sultan's chambers, spoke from where she sat, enjoying her free time.

"Whatever happens in Sultan's chambers, stays there." I replied hotly, aggravated by their meddling. "Don't you have anything else to do?" I demanded, seeing a lot of them idling around. Gül Agha arrived at that precise moment. We all bobbed a brief curtsey to the agha.

"Girls, why are you crowding Mihrişah?" He demanded, looking around with his serious, but funny, expression. Some stammered excuses, others hurried away to look busy. "Hurry, hurry, go back to your tasks!" He scattered the crowd with a few expletives, chastising their laziness. Then he turned to me. "Hürrem Sultan called for you, you should hurry." I felt harried, first by the meddling Cariyes, then by the bothersome kadin. I gave him a weak smile.

"I can't, I haven't been feeling well, I was heading to the harem doctor." Was my answer. He shook his head.

"It's unwise to deny Hürrem Sultan." He warned, grabbing my upper arm firmly. I wanted to slap him so badly. Something had happened for him to be forceful. But I didn't care to find out what.

"You will unhand me, or I will scream the palace down on your head." I hissed, intoning as much threat in those words as possible. He didn't comply. "Are you really going to chance me calling for help?" Our little exchange was attracting more attention than before. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Nilüfer hurrying in our direction.

"Can you afford to antagonise Hürrem Sultan?" He asked softly, loud enough only for me to hear him. "She's the brightest of the stars in the Harem, her will is supreme."

"No, Gül Agha. Suleyman's will is supreme." I countered. "Valide Sultan's will is supreme. Hatice Sultan's will is supreme. But neither Mahidevran, Hürrem nor I have the right to provoke their ire and cause trouble for those living here." I glanced at his hand, still holding my arm in his iron grasp. "Will you release me, or do I have to scream?" I threatened one last time. He would have answered, had it not been the sudden voice ringing from behind him.

"Gül Agha!" Daye Hatun's voice called, harsh. We turned at the same time, to find Valide Sultan, Hatice Sultan and Daye Hatun standing by the open doorway to the main area of the harem, their eyes on us. Gül Agha released me quickly, stuttering excuses, that made no sense. Hatice beckoned me to approach them, her gentle hands holding my shoulders and glancing from head to toe before turning to the offending agha.

"What gives you the right to handle Mihrişah in such fashion?" Hatice demanded the trembling agha. Valide Sultan glowered, her eyes flashing. Nilüfer hid between the other girls, hoping the blame didn't fall on her head as well.

"I-I-I…" He tried to speak but nothing of use came out of his lips. Valide Sultan looked at me, hoping for an explanation.

"I had just arrived to the harem, when he approached me, saying Hürrem Sultan summoned me. But I was heading to the harem doctor, I feel under the weather." I explained quietly. "He didn't accept my answer and was threatening me that it's unwise to deny Hürrem Sultan and her will is supreme in the harem." Turning the curse back to the caster was the best revenge possible. The agha paled, hearing me recall his not-very-subtle threats. It wouldn't be very bad, had I been a simple concubine. However, as future mother to the sultan's child meant offenses toward me were taken at face value. Valide Sultan's face hardened considerably.

"Aghas." She called, and instantly, two were at her back, looking at their feet, but ready to comply to any order given. Gül Agha trembled and stuttered apologies, none heeded. "Take Gül Agha to the dungeon, to think over his conduct." The two aghas moved fast, grabbing the struggling male by his arms and dragging him screaming down the halls, attracting the attention of the kadins. Hürrem hurried down her high perch, bowing briefly to the Sultanas, distress clear in her body language.

"Where is Gül Agha being taken to?" She demanded, upset by the rough handling of her servant. Valide Sultan gave her a serious, angry look that spoke volumes of what she thought.

"Gül Agha threatened Mihrişah." Hatice declared, holding me to her side protectively. "Such behaviour of a harem servant is unacceptable." Hürrem's eyes were on me, narrowed and plotting.

"What did you accuse him of?" She demanded, clearly addressing me. "What are you lying about now?" Her accusation was meant to take the heat off of her servant, and put me in a bad light. Nilüfer, my Nilüfer and not her servant (also called Nilüfer), faced the warring kadin head on.

"We all saw how Gül Agha took Mihrişah's arm and held her captive, whispering furiously. His manner was threatening and suspicious." She told them, Fatma and Efsun joining her, along with several other Cariyes who supported her statement. Hürrem wanted to defend him, but there were too many witnesses to the bad behaviour of her servant. Gül Agha wasn't shy to show his favour towards the second kadin, even going against Valide Sultan's orders to help the woman. And now he paid for his thoughtless actions.

"He did nothing wrong." She shot at us, before following after the aghas. I sighed, feeling suddenly weak from the confrontation. All my energy should be for the wellbeing of my future child, and I was wasting it defending myself from Hürrem and her lackeys. Someone grabbed my other side, and I rose my eyes to see Daye Hatun's strong hands supporting my weight. Valide Sultan's hands were on my face, taking in my pallor and temperature.

"She's pale." Valide commented, worried. She turned to Daye Hatun. "She should be seen by the harem doctor."

"Yes, my Sultana." Daye nodded to Nilüfer, who hurried to take my weight from Hatice Sultan. And like that, they brought me to the harem doctor. All was a haze to me. All I heard was 'low sugar', 'stress' and 'bad for the baby's health'. A spoon of some concoction was held to my lips and I took it, swallowing the bitter medicine. And soon, I was asleep.

"You have to abstain from anything that will stress you." Valide Sultan told me gently once I woke up from a brief nap in the infirmary. The doctor kept me there, where Valide Sultan visited to see how I faired. I smiled weakly.

"I do try, my Valide." I offered, shrugging. "I don't look for confrontations. I had just arrived from Sultan's chambers, and he approached me, saying Hürrem Sultan had ordered my presence. But I wanted to see the doctor and he wouldn't let me leave." She caressed my gently, listening attentively.

"I have told Nilüfer she's not to leave you unattended." Valide reinforced, exasperated.

"There's nothing she could've done to Gül Agha." He has power and Nilüfer wouldn't counter him. "He would simply do it, regardless of her presence."

"She's right, my Valide." Daye Hatun agreed. "Gül Agha would've done it anyway, even with Nilüfer's interference." Nilüfer looked chastised, nevertheless. Remorse would gnaw her inwards if she wasn't soothed. Valide Sultan left soon, charging Daye Hatun to keep an eye out for me. Nilüfer sat silently by my bed, her face showing the sadness of being powerless.

Suleyman requested my presence and company more and more, disregarding my pregnancy. Valide Sultan was unhappy by his focus on me, the same way he would act with both Hürrem and Mahidevran, instead of calling a Cariyes or Gözde to walk the Golden Path. Not that she could do much when the Sultan's will was absolute, her displeasure was surely not hidden from anyone. Especially not me. She would call me frequently and drill me on the child's health, even going as far as having the harem doctor check on me in her chambers. I'd submit willingly to these probing questions and constant check-ups, to appease the old woman. Gülfem would smile at me through all of this, and roll her eyes from behind Valide Sultan, to show me she thought Valide was being too overzealous. I would smile back and shrug slightly. All of this was unnecessary, Suleyman called me only for company and conversation, nothing more. He would work on his documents or jewellery, while I'd read, or even help with little political details. What I knew of European politics previous to my entrance in the Ottoman harem, could help Suleyman approach their ambassadors or envoys. With King Louis dead, he could look elsewhere for his next conquest. His goal was Rome, as it had always been with his ancestors. But, most of the time, he kept to himself. During our conversations, I realised he was mostly distracted by something in his mind. He would stare into the distance frequently, leaving me to wait for him to come back and notice we were in the middle of talking about this or that. Of course, I would simply wait, instead of interrupting. During meals, I'd wait for the silence to end by eating small bites, stealing glances in his direction, watching him rip the bread in pieces, his eyes vacant and staring out of the open window. I'd wait for him to wake up from his reverie and smile to me, then speak as if his mind hadn't been lost in whatever dilemma he faced. One particular day, Sümbul told me I was to go later to the Sultan's chambers, as per his instructions. The moment I arrived, with Metike and Nilüfer in tow, carrying trays of food for our lord's pleasure, Valide Sultan walked out. Immediately, I put my back to the opposite wall, bowing low. My two friends did the same, despite their burdens. Valide looked at me briefly and left. I could see she was in a terrible mood, but gave it little importance. The agha indicated I was to enter, so I walked in, my friends behind me. Once within the room, I bowed and gestured for them to set up the table, as they usually do. Suleyman stood by the fireplace, looking into the fire, his face contorted like a grim mask, too many emotions, none good. I approached, but let him dwell in his thoughts until he tired himself of his musings. He looked disturbed, and Valide Sultan had looked angry when she left these same rooms. I knew, from seeing them both, Valide Sultan had been with him to complain about something. Things had been tense as of lately around the seraglio and with the unrest in Anatolia. To Suleyman, there was no peace in the palace.

"Are you going to stand there and stare at me?" His voice echoed suddenly, and I jumped in fright. His eyes were hard, like frozen water of the ponds. His voice was cold, hard and unyielding. I hadn't heard this from him. From the corner of my eyes, I saw the two girls tremble at the tone of voice he used. I bowed again, hoping to diffuse his terrible mood.

"I apologise, my lord. I didn't want to disturb you, you were deep in thought." I tilted my head in the direction of the door. "Maybe I should go, I do not wish to anger you further." He shook his head, sighing deeply.

"Come back later." He told me shortly, turned and walked to the balcony. Nilüfer and Metike were immediately at my side, their faces grim with worry. I shrugged and walked out. I was a little upset, the sudden dismissal wounded me. But Suleyman clearly needed time to think. Outside the room, we met Hürrem walking up to the Sultan's room. She smiled, seeing me leave.

"Leaving?" She asked, amused. I smiled back.

"Sultan isn't feeling well, he asked me to return later." I had a sudden idea, I pointed to the door and smiled. "Will you ease our lord's heart?" Everyone around me stared, as if I had grown an extra head. But I simply bobbed my knees and walked away, hiding a grin. Once we were far enough, I turned and hid behind a pillar, hoping it was the perfect spot for what I wanted. Nilüfer and Metike hid behind me, but from their faces, they thought me mad.

"What are you doing?" Nilüfer hissed, angry. "You gave Hürrem an advantage-"

"No, I didn't." I cut her off quickly. "Our Sultan is clearly angry. And Hürrem is trying at best, and an eyesore at worse. I'm betting she will make a nuisance of herself." I pointed out. All we had to do was wait. I ignored their brooding silence, and watched how, minutes later, Hürrem stormed down the hall, fighting tears. I felt bad for the second kadin, knowing I had set her up for the disappointment of facing an angry Sultan, but she deserved it. Remorse gnawed at my insides for the rest of the day, however. Because it could have easily been me.

Suleyman was in a better mood the next day. Granted, he never called for me, and I heard from Daye Hatun Valide Sultan was indisposed, and had turned Mahidevran Sultan away. Daye had visited me later, she worried about my health and that of my child. It warmed me, and I told her that. She chuckled and patted my cheek.

"We must look after our own." She told me. "And you are one of our own, Mihrişah, never forget that." She was always busy, caring for the Sultanas and the harem. Such a thankless job…

"How's Hatice Sultan?" I asked. Hatice had been to the palace the day before, but had left just as fast.

"Worried, Mehmed is ill and she has been beside herself." I must've looked frightened, for she hurried to comfort me. "Do not concern yourself, they will be well. And so will you." There were no words, all I could do was nod. I had no time to fret over the subject. One of the kalfas called me to meet Suleyman in his chamber. Fatma went with me, in Nilüfer's stead. The Sultan was much better, even smiling and welcoming me with open arms. One hand on my back, the other extended in front of him, he guided me to the small intricate table, ready for us to share a meal.

"I'm glad to see you in better mood." Seeing him smile was a relief. His previous rejection stung, but I tried not to dwell on the subject.

"I'm better, after seeing my sun." He tapped me under the chin, for one moment, embarrassment coloured my cheeks.

"Will you work here today?" I asked, between bites, steering the conversation away from me.

"I will." He said, pouring some food in my plate. "But later. For now, we'll relax and share the meal." Once we ate the meal, Suleyman settled at his table, his tools put away and scrolls brought by an agha pilled to the side. He perused each one, jotting down small notes or organizing official documents with his tughra drawn perfectly beforehand. Bali Bey was admitted mid-afternoon, bearing more documents. I expected to be told to remove myself from the room while they discussed politics, but none of them gave me much attention. From what I heard, they spoke of a new rebellion in Anatolia, which was growing in such size, Behram Pasha struggled to repress it. He had sent messengers to Istanbul, asking for aid in dealing with the rebellion.

"Are things in Anatolia that bad?" I asked Suleyman, while he read one of the scrolls brought by Bali Bey. I looked from one man to the other. Bali Bey clearly deferred to Suleyman, hoping not to have to explain. Suleyman chuckled and put his free hand on my head, the other still holding the document. Suleyman nodded in my direction, a clear gesture that Bali Bey was to speak of the situation.

"Kalender Shah has been gathering support from Turkmens and Sipahis, and as he goes, more and more villages fall to him." Bali Bey spoke in my direction. "They are confined to Maraş and Behram Pasha is trying to quell it before it spreads further. Still, the peasants are gathering in force behind Kalender Shah and we should address this before it spills out of the area." I scratched my chin, while thinking of the implications of such rebellion. If it spilled out of Anatolia, not that I believed it would, the European leaders could take the chance to start eating at the European borders of the Ottoman Empire. I was brought out of my reverie by Suleyman's amused chuckle. Apparently, my expression amused him and he patted my head gently.

"Don't worry, my sun." He told me. "They won't reach the palace." I sighed. That wasn't the reason I asked, and I would've said it, if it weren't for Ibrahim Pasha arriving then, announced by the agha. He bowed in front of Suleyman's desk, nodding to Bali Bey briefly, who nodded his greetings back.

"I have assigned Ayaz Pasha to deal with this rebellion." Suleyman stopped what he was doing, and his eyes unfocussed for one moment. Ibrahim awaited his confirmation of the appointment, Bali Bey standing there, waiting for his orders as well. Then Suleyman snapped out of his thought. His clear blue eyes were on Ibrahim Pasha, determined.

"Ayaz Pasha will remain here." He said, surprising us all. "You will go, Ibrahim. Gather the necessary troops and show Anatolia your power as Grand Vizier." To send the Grand Vizier was a gesture that Suleyman gave importance to the rebellion. It also meant he wouldn't suffer traitors and riots, he would destroy them with all his might. And the instrument of his justice would be Ibrahim. Once it was spoken, Ibrahim bowed and arrangements were discussed, for the size of the army needed and provisions for the entirety of the campaign. Logistics always bored me, so I went back to my book.

Apparently, whatever disturbed Suleyman, spread like a disease. Ibrahim Pasha hurried down the corridor, looking stricken. I stepped out of the way, and he gave me no greeting, such was his hurry. Nilüfer appeared right away, her face showing confusion.

"Where were you?" I asked, annoyed. She hadn't been there when I left Suleyman's room.

"I'm sorry." She was honestly repentant for not being there, waiting for me. "I saw Hürrem walking by and I followed. I hid behind a pillar."

"What was she doing here? Sultan didn't call for her." She smiled.

"Ibrahim Pasha did. He confronted her about something." Nilüfer said, shrugging. "There was some talk about Leo."

"Who was that?" I was confused by the name. It wasn't Turkish.

"Well, Ibrahim Pasha had a Ukrainian artist paint his palace, as well as paint Sultan and Hürrem Sultan together." She shrugged. "It's said he finished the portrait and the palace, and returned to Ukraine." This was a new development.

"Portraits are forbidden." I said, confused. The story was getting more and more confusing.

"So they are, but supposedly, he was very good. He was responsible for painting Hatice Sultan's palace. And Ibrahim requested one portrait of our lord." Nilüfer told me. "Hürrem wanted one of them both. But after finishing the first portrait, he disappeared. Ibrahim Pasha said he wanted to return to his family in Ukraine, and never returned." Nilüfer shook her head. "But anyways, Ibrahim was very angry and accused Hürrem of something. From what I heard, I caught something about a guest in the Imperial Hunting lodge." Maybe that was the reason Suleyman was so distracted as of lately…

"What has Hürrem to do with whatever person is allocated there?" I asked. Nilüfer shrugged.

"I don't know either, this is all very odd."

He was constantly with his head in the clouds. His eyes seemed to look far away, as if trying to look past the walls, to something beyond the palace. He was absent from the Topkapi Palace, without telling anyone where he went. Sometimes, he took Sümbul Agha with him. Was the guest at the hunting lodge the cause of his sudden absences and distraction? I wondered about the information Nilüfer had found, snooping on Ibrahim and Hürrem, as I watched his face, while Nilüfer helped me dress for the day. I couldn't help but smile. He was so handsome, so…valiant. He caught me staring and gave me a boyish grin. I felt my cheeks burn, but I felt no shame and matched his grin with one of my own.

"What is your agenda for today?" He asked, with a playful tone. The aghas helped him dress an elegant kaftan of crimson Bursa silk and embroidered tulips in gold thread and tiny gems shone randomly with the light from candles and the sun that entered through the open windows. He was teasing me.

"Hmm…" I looked at the luxurious ceiling, feigning deep thought, before looking down at him. "I would clean the harem, then serve breakfast after dancing for Sümbul Agha." I told him with the best serious face I could muster. He blinked and let out a hearty laugh, tapping my chin with his ringed finger.

"My, why would you dance for Sümbul Agha?" He asked, amused. I shrugged.

"Maybe to learn new moves." I told him innocently. "After all, he was the one who taught us to dance. At first, I mean." He grinned again, holding back laughter. "Sümbul Agha is very talented." I deadpanned, which made him laugh again, booming laughter that filled the room easily. I laughed with him, infected by his mirth.

"My Mihrişah." He sighed, once the laughter died. Then he smiled. "After prayer, come to me. We're going out of the palace." My heart swelled. I hadn't left the palace since coming. I haven't seen Istanbul, it was such a good opportunity! I took his large hand in mine and placed kisses on his knuckles.

"My lord! Thank you!" He patted my cheek, then turned around, clearly dismissing me for the moment. I skipped out of the room (or tried to, with my growing belly), Nilüfer following cheerfully. She ran off once we reached the main room, only to appear moments later carrying veils for the both of us. She helped me put on mine, and I helped her on her turn. We joined Valide Sultan for prayer in her chambers right after, by the Sultana's request, as did Mahidevran Sultan. Hürrem was absent from the gathering, but I was too happy to wonder about her. Prayer ended, we gathered around the Valide's divan. I fidgeted, because I wanted to leave but felt it was improper to do it so soon, and I couldn't keep myself from smiling. Mahidevran noticed this.

"Why so cheerful, Mihrişah Hatun?" She asked, accepting the sherbet Gülsah served. I had refused mine, too queasy to enjoy the sweet taste.

"Our lord promised me a surprise." I spoke vaguely. "I'm anxious to know what it is." It wasn't a lie, of course. He had said nothing of where we would go. But it didn't matter, I would enjoy the excursion, even if I never stepped out of the carriage. It would suffice, anything would be better than the luxurious, yet boring walls of the harem. If they wanted to question me, however, they were thwarted, as Sümbul Agha sought entrance to the chambers.

"Sultan sent me." He announced, eyeing me, one of my cloaks folded on his arm. "He wishes Mihrişah Hatun to join him." Valide Sultan wanted to protest, but Suleyman's will was supreme. She sighed and gestured me to join him. Nilüfer hurried after us, as we walked through the halls of the Royal Wing, but Sümbul Agha stopped when we reached the double doors of the main harem room. "Nilüfer Hatun, you're to remain here." Her face fell like a sail deprived of wind. I was shocked to silence, unable to speak as he helped me put on my cloak.

"Why?" I demanded. "Am I to be unattended? Sümbul, are you hiding something from me?" I asked, feeling rather cold at the sudden change of plans. He gave me an odd look.

"Me? By Allah, nothing of the sort, Hatun." He told me jovially, but he seemed a little nervous. "Sultan ordered for you to come, I'll attend you, of course." I gave him the most suspicious look I could muster, he tsk'ed and shooed Nilüfer, who left very reluctantly, then led me to the gardens, where a luxurious carriage awaited, two aghas patiently waiting for orders to depart. I became even more nervous. Suleyman wasn't around.

"Where's the Sultan?" I asked again, now trembling in my shoes, wondering what mischief Hürrem planned this time. Sümbul tsk'ed again, raising his hand, to point at the sky.

"Allah in his Paradise, Sultan commanded to take you to him. I can't tell you where he is, you'll see for yourself." I sighed, gathering my wits and composing myself. Suleyman wouldn't betray me and Sümbul wasn't Hürrem's creature, like Gül Agha. I allowed my insecurity get the better of me. I gave Sümbul a trembling smile and let him aid me enter the carriage. He smiled back and didn't comment on the weirdness of the scene. "It's the first time you leave the Topkapi Palace, isn't it?" He asked pleasantly, and I nod.

"I've not seen the outside of the golden halls since my arrival." I told him truthfully and I peek through the lattice covering the sides of the carriage. I drink in the little I could see through the holes, all I saw was greenery. "I wonder where we are going." I turned to look at Sümbul Agha, whose lopsided smile and tilted head made me feel silly for the earlier incident. I watched, mesmerised, to the beauty of the forest park and suddenly, I missed my old life. I missed my horse and my brother and sisters…but it was folly to continue that train of thoughts. I turned to Sümbul Agha. "Are we going somewhere?" He smiled and pointed. Through the latticework covering the windows, I managed to see a building looming ahead. "What is that?" I asked.

"That is our lord's Hunting Lodge." He replied, smiling. "He wanted to show this to you, Mihrişah." I was so curious, I had to put my hands under my growing belly to stop from fidgeting. Soon, the carriage came to a stop, and the door opened. Sümbul Agha climbed down first, turned and stretched his hand. I allowed him to help me out of the carriage, suddenly amazed by the beautiful building in front of me. Unlike the palace, the hunting lodge was of a red colour, with rows of windows without latticework covering them. A change from the Topkapi Palace. Sümbul touched my sleeve to catch my attention, and I blushed. The novelty had caught me unaware, and I had to compose myself. He smiled, saying nothing of my temporary lack of composure, and guided me to where Suleyman stood, in light riding clothes and a black turban on his head, the only jewellery on his, other than the rings, was the large sapphire brooch on the turban. He stood on a platform by the lake, with benches and pillows. I bowed to him, grabbed his hand, placed a kiss on the back of his hand then brought it to my forehead. This was a more precious gift than jewels, or gold. Fresh air and the opportunity to escape the suffocating walls of the harem. Suleyman smiled fondly and held my hand.

"Do you like this?" He asked, his free hand caressing my hair not covered by the veil.

"Very much, my lord." I said truthfully. "To breathe this fresh air and walk on this ground…I wonder if this is what Allah feels when he walks in his Paradise." He grinned and placed a kiss on top of my head. I was drinking the view, enjoying the well-manicured gardens of the hunting lodge, ignoring the people around. So I was surprised when a dark gowned woman walked to us, air of wounded dignity and serious. She was dark haired, long wavy hair loose down her back, rich gown in the Spanish fashion. The dark eyes stared at us, and I could see anger and misery in there. I realized this was the 'guest' staying in the hunting lodge. She was followed by another woman, her dress not as beautiful as the first, possibly her handmaid. And Meleki Hatun following them, which surprised me. She flashed me a smile, before bowing respectfully to Suleyman. The first woman didn't even bend her knees. This was such a surprise…I looked up to Suleyman, whose amusement rolled off of him in strong waves.

"My lord?" I asked softly. "Is this your guest?" He grinned, pulling me to his side and putting his hand on my belly while his other arm was on the small of my back. The gesture didn't go unnoticed to the woman, who looked angrier than before.

"Yes, Mihrişah." He replied, nodding. "This is a guest of mine, she has been staying here for a while."

"Oh?" I was curious. A woman here and not in the harem? I wonder…

"This is Princess Isabella Fortuna, from Castile." He introduced me to the dark haired woman, and I looked up sharply. Suleyman was amused by my sudden stricken expression. "Her boat was approached by Turkish ships, and they were kind enough to bring her to me." My heart stopped momentarily. What the hell is he thinking?

This could lead to war!