Note: I'm sorry for the delay in updating, I had huge creative block (I was unable to do anything that required minimal creativity), which kept me from writing. Another aside, I don't speak Italian so I used Google Translator for this chapter and the next. Please let me know if there's anything that's not correctly translated. Please enjoy!

Chapter 15

"This is Princess Isabella Fortuna, from Castile." Suleyman introduced the forlorn looking young woman. A dark beauty of long wavy air and fiery glare directed toward the Sultan. I was in shock, mind reeling at all the possibilities in the future. War. "Her ship was captured by…Turkish ships." I understood what he didn't say. Turkish pirates, he means. Terrible. No wonder she looked so riotous, so angry, while Suleyman looked light, content, amused even. He didn't see what I saw for the future. Or maybe he did. I thought to myself. And cared not one whit. Our eyes connected and I gave her an encouraging smile, only reciprocated (weakly) by the woman standing behind her, possibly the servant captured with her. "Ibrahim Pasha brought her here as my guest." His eyes sparkled and he smiled mischievously. No wonder there had been so much drama in the Royal Family. I eyed Sümbul Agha, standing nearby curiously watching us all. I realized both Ibrahim Pasha and Şehzadeh Mustafa stood nearby with the horses. I bowed, even from afar, my sign of respect to the Pasha and Mahidevran's son.

"How thoughtful of you." I teased, smiling back at him. She was a political prisoner, possibly a slave by that point, bought from the Turkish 'gentlemen' who attacked her vessel. No wonder Seigneur Gritti spent his time visiting Hatice Sultan's palace, from what Nigar had told me.

"Tu chi sei? (Who are you?)" She asked rather rudely. The Cariyes, Melek Hatun, assigned to them opened her mouth to translate but I rose my hand to stop her, smiling at the Princess.

"Saluti, principessa (Greetings, Princess.)" I bow my head briefly, more out of courtesy than respect. "Il mio nome è Mihrişah Hatun. È un piacere incontrarti. (My name is Mihrişah Hatun. It is a pleasure to meet you.)" Both women were stunned, and Suleyman looked fairly impressed.

"Tu parli italiano? (You speak Italian?)" She asked, almost fearfully. I nodded.

"Sono nato in Ungheria, ho imparato l'italiano e il francese con mio fratello. (I was born in Hungary, I learned Italian and French with my brother.)" I told her gently, to put her at ease with us. She acted like an injured animal, snapping at anyone coming too close for comfort.

"Anche tu sei stato rapito da questi barbari? (Were you also kidnapped by these barbarians?)" She asked, looking between Suleyman, who looked fairly amused at our exchange, and me. I laughed softly.

"Qui non ci sono barbari. Ero un tributo di mio padre nobile. (No such thing as barbarians here. I was a tribute from my noble father.)" I corrected her, knowing where she came with the notion of Ottomans being barbarians. Her eyes travelled to my belly, which I held in my hands protectively. I turned to Suleyman, knowing he watched every movement and every word we spoke, despite not knowing the meaning. "My lord, do you mind if I take a walk around with Her Highness?" I asked. He chuckled.

"Are you trying to escape?" He teased, eyes shining with mirth. He took every chance he had to tease me mercilessly. I pouted, playing along. He patted my cheek gently, and I savoured the touch.

"Do you believe me so little, my lord?" I whined, also entering his joke. "How can I run when I'm so burdened?" I caressed my belly tenderly. It was not very big, but I could feel its weight very keenly whenever I moved. It was an odd, but not unwelcome, weight. He put his hand on mine, eyes shining as he felt the bump under my clothing.

"Be careful, my sun." He advised, then gestured for me to go, removing his hand reluctantly from my growing belly. He smiled to the princess once more and walked to where Mustafa and Ibrahim Pasha waited with their horses. I watched for one moment, before turning to the princess. "Vostra Altezza, dobbiamo fare una passeggiata? (Your Highness, shall we take a walk?)" I asked gently, gesturing for her to accompany me. "Vorrei vedere questo giardino e parlare con te. (I wish to see this garden and to speak with you.)" Then I turned to Melek Hatun, who was still behind the princess. "Hello Melek. I wondered where you had gone." I greeted her, and she smiled back at me.

"Hello Mihrişah, you look well." She was very kind and hardworking. We didn't always talk, which was a pity. I took her arm and made her walk by my side, keeping a slow pace for my sake and the other ladies behind us. The Princess followed, one step behind me while her servant was several steps behind us. "How is everyone back at the harem?" Her question was loaded. I smothered a chuckle.

"Everyone is fine. Hürrem is still bothering our Lord." I glanced at Princess Isabella, who watched us with suspicion in her eyes. I could feel her eyes measuring me, taking in my pregnant belly, everything. I ignored her probing looks and turned my attention back to Melek. "She hasn't noticed. But it won't be long until she does." Melek's eyes shone with mirth.

"Will you tell me what happens?" She asked, eagerly. I had to laugh, she had little love for the second Kadin, being fiercely loyal to Valide Sultan as she was.

"Of course I will. I'll visit, just to tell you about it." Then I looked at Princess Isabella, who watched us interact curiously. "And the Princess as well." Melek smiled and released my arm, returning to her position behind the Princess. The Princess matched my pace, her eyes narrowed on my belly. I was curious about the woman. So I began probing her gently, little questions about her and her family. She didn't answer much, only that she hoped her fiancé would come and rescue her soon.

"Non vedo l'ora di vedere Suleyman abbattuto dal mio fidanzato (I can't wait to see Suleyman brought down by my fiancé)!" Her words were vicious, containing too much anger. I smiled sadly, I could understand her side, after all, I had begun my time in the harem in sadness and anger. But now…my hands were under my belly and I found myself smiling softly while staring down at the growing bump. Then I realized we had stopped and the women were all watching me with very different and peculiar expressions. "Is it…Suleyman's?" She asked in a hesitant and rather broken Turkish. That was really a surprise.

"You speak Turkish?" I felt a little silly for continuing to speak in Italian, when the Princess was capable of matching (albeit not very well) our conversation in Turkish.

"Un po (A little)." She confessed. "Very little." She looked at Melek Hatun, who smiled.

"I've been trying to teach her our language at the behest of Our Lord and Sümbul Agha, but she has been rather stubborn." Melek said, shrugging, then grinned, looking at Isabella. "I'm glad my persistence paid off, even if it's a little." I grinned back.

"You did well!" She glowed at my compliment. "You speak well, Your Highness. I suggest you continue practising." It would do her good to keep busy. Learning a new language would make it like time flies, instead of focussing on her sorrow and stewing in her rage towards Suleyman. "Yes, my baby is our Padishah's. Allah willing, it will be a boy."

"Allah willing." Melek intoned, fervently. The Princess was silent and I had a hard time analysing her expression. She looked angry (still), curious and…jealous?

"Sei sposato con Suleyman (Are you married to Suleyman)?" She asked suddenly, catching us off guard. I know where the question came from. As Catholic, one would expect to only bear children for one's husband. Never taking into consideration that even Catholic husbands sought other women's beds and had children outside their marital bed.

"No." We stopped at a nearby gazebo and Melek helped me sit. I was grateful for the rest, my feet hurt too much. I swear they had swollen two sizes since the time I found I was pregnant! "The Sultan has a harem. When a woman is lucky to be chosen to spend a night with him, she becomes Gözde." Her attention to my words was amusing, for someone who was, just moments ago, saying her fiancé would tear the barbarian Sultan down for kidnapping her. "Being called several times or being singled out for special moments with the Sultan, the favoured one becomes an Ikbal, the favourite. Those lucky enough to bear a boy will become a Kadin. It's the closest to being married as we come within the Ottoman harem. But we are not married to the Sultan." The women were shocked and outraged, but a closer look to the Princess showed me she was also intrigued. The Princess was bold enough to reach for my hands, holding them tight in hers, eyes shining with determination.

"When we escape," She began, causing me to blink in confusion and Melek to gasp in shock. "I can take you with us. Save you from the barbarian!" Her words were earnest, honest and full with grim resolve to achieve her goal. All of it sounded so ludicrous, laughter bubbled inside me so much I was unable to keep it in. I burst out laughing so hard, I could see through the tears that her expression turned down, frowning at my reaction. Melek's expression showed she was torn between amusement and horror at the Princess's fervent words.

"I'm sorry Princess, I meant no foul for laughing." I apologized between my bouts of giggles when I managed to calm down enough to talk. "But why would I trade a life with the man I love for one of being a pariah and a burden to my family?" The idea never crossed her, I believed. She thought it would be a kindness to save me from the immoral court of the Ottoman Emperor. I shook my head. "No, my Lady. There is no place for me in the Catholic lands. I've made my mind when I took my path. There is no alternative to my life, other than the grave."

I remained with the Princess a while after that, our conversation growing stunted and awkward. Melek talked to me and we shared gossip from the harem, making her giggle with the little shenanigans from other court ladies and aghas, under the vigilant eye of the Princess, who listened very closely to our every word, despite not knowing or understanding most of what we spoke about. We didn't broach the subject of the Kadins, but I told her what I knew of Hatice Sultan and her baby, who was ailing from birth. Eventually Sümbul Agha was sent to find us and ushered us back to Suleyman, who had sent Ibrahim and Mustafa ahead and was eager to join them but wished to make sure I was on my way to the Palace before he did.

"My Mihrişah." He greeted me with his husky tone of voice, which gave me shivers of pleasure and giddy with desire. How I burned for the man… His lips touched mine chastely, but I could taste the same fire of desire on his lips. Always with the women watching us. Suleyman paid them no mind. "Ready to return?"

"At you command, my Sultan!" I bobbed a quick curtsey. I wasn't eager to return, but I could feel fatigue setting in my bones. And I was sure Suleyman could recognise that as well. Deception didn't work on him and I would rather be truthful than risk being discovered for a lie, no matter how small it was. I turned to the Princess, who could barely keep her eyes from Suleyman, and smiled. "E 'stato un piacere conoscerti, principessa. Spero che possiamo vederci di nuovo (It was a pleasure meeting you, Princess. I hope we can see each other again)." Isabella said nothing, she nodded and tried to get Suleyman's attention, only to be thoroughly ignored. He handed me to the carriage and swiftly mounted his waiting horse and rode off. I waved one last time to Melek Hatun and the carriage set off at a slower pace, Sümbul keeping me company once more. Once we were back to the Palace, I could barely stand. Sümbul, mindful of my condition, helped me back to the main room of the harem, handing me to the nearest kalfa with orders to take me to my room and get me comfortable and fed. I was grateful for his instructions, I was nearly dead on my feet and my back hurt more than I first thought. I was intercepted by Nilüfer halfway the room, to the kalfa's displeasure, and hugged me tight. I giggled, amused by her, pain momentarily forgotten.

"So eager to see me?" I teased, pushing her off of me so we could continue our way. She grabbed my other arm, helping the kalfa support me as we walked to my chambers.

"I was afraid." She whispered, earnest, low enough not to reach the other woman. "That Sümbul Agha had taken you to die or the sort…" She went quiet when Gülsah passed us, glaring as she walked by, nose in the air.

"I was too. It was too sudden." I confessed, whispering back. "But he's not Hürrem's creature and I felt silly for doubting him." She gave me a weird look.

"What if he was bribed?"

"Sümbul?" The idea sounded ludicrous, but not completely stupid. "I hardly think he would accept bribes to get rid of one of us. Gül Agha, I believe. But not him."

"I don't trust any of them." Nilüfer grumbled, holding my arm tight in her grasp. I smiled, slightly exasperated but understanding her side of things. She was left fretting all afternoon, not knowing whether I'd return or not. Being off of my feet was such a relief, I nearly cried. My feet and back pained me more, once I sat down on my bed, Nilüfer and the kalfa were worried. I sighed.

I wanted my baby in my arms already.

The pain from the trip only increased throughout the night, not allowing me any rest. Nilüfer wouldn't sleep, no matter how many times I told her to, to Ayşe's annoyance. I slept briefly during the night hours, managing one hour here and there, but getting no proper rest from the aches. Once the morning call came from outside the closed door, Nilüfer rose from her place at my bedside and shot out of the room, despite my protests. I could hear her voice from where she called Sümbul Agha and a myriad of voices drowned hers. I sighed and settled on the bed to sleep a little longer, as I was in no state to join the others for prayer or break my fast. Sümbul Agha woke me up, having brought the harem doctor to aid me with my issues. She took her time to examine her, then set down and prepared some pain relieving concoction. Sümbul, in the meantime, ordered food to be brought in. The buzz around my chambers was of such scale, with kalfas and aghas and the harem doctor and her assistants going back and forth, it caught Daye Hatun's attention. She was at my door in little time.

"Sümbul Agha!" Her imperious voice echoed through my room, quieting everyone's actions. She was at the foot of my bed, looking down at me with a deep frown. "What is happening? Is Mihrişah Hatun's baby in distress?" Sümbul genuflected as only he did.

"Mihrişah Hatun has been suffering with pain in her back and feet." He repeated the doctor's words. "She had too much exercise yesterday and is feeling the effects today." I shrunk under Daye's stern gaze.

"You must take better care of yourself." The scolding was expected. "Valide Sultan will be notified." Daye Hatun left not long after, evidently to inform Valide Sultan of this, who came to my room at the first opportunity and I found myself being berated for my actions further by the older woman. Or, in this case, for going with Suleyman's surprise and not taking precautions with my health. I knew it would come to this, but it still rankled anyway. Mahidevran had come following the train of Valide Sultan, smugly watching me on the receiving end of Valide's anger. In the end, she stormed out to speak to Suleyman about this. Mahidevran remained behind, her solicitous tone on her queries about my health sounding too fake for me to believe or take seriously. Still, etiquette demanded I reply politely and remain with my head held high. I was no Hürrem, but I was not someone she could walk on. And the pain was leaving me with little patience for her little games. Eventually, I had to plead fatigue for her to leave. Nilüfer was the only one allowed to remain by my side. She took her music instrument and began strumming a song. The relief from the doctor's medication and the gentle tune she played lulled me into a deep sleep.

It took two days for my full recovery and Suleyman paid me several visits, carrying gifts every time he came to see me. He fully quizzed the harem doctor on my health and it warmed my soul to hear him so worried on my behalf. Nilüfer hid her smile behind the embroidery frame she held while she worked on her project, giving the pretence of us being alone. The harem doctor came frequently throughout the two days, carrying balms for my pains and smelly concoctions to help me rest through the pain. Eventually, I would be allowed to walk freely, but Daye Hatun made the point of coming to me frequently during the day, quizzing me about my comings and goings. I was unable to move around with the same freedom as before, since Valide Sultan kept me in her chamber for far longer, so Suleyman ended up visiting his mother many times just to see me. One day, I sat embroidering with Nilüfer, both sitting near Valide Sultan's divan. Mahidevran came later on, sitting opposite to us, Hürrem following on her heels like a bad omen.

"Mihrişah Hatun, I heard you were ill." Her sickly sweet voice grated my nerves and turned smiles into frowns. "Are you well enough to be out of bed? You can lose the baby if you exert yourself." Her mock concern was nothing new, Valide's eyebrows shot to the top of her hairline and Mahidevran frowned. I swallowed the bitter words that nearly spilled out of my mouth. I couldn't lower myself to her level. She did that to Mahidevran and everyone could see the result.

"No worries, my Sultana." I riposted, using my own sickly sweet tone. "Our Lord has been very conscious of my health and my baby's, we will be fine and he will be born healthy and strong, like our Lord."

"Allah willing." Valide Sultan intoned, smiling at my answer to the rebellious Kadin.

"Allah willing." Mahidevran echoed, a bittersweet expression souring her beautiful features. Hürrem didn't bother echoing Valide's words. Sümbul arrived then, grinning cheerfully. Hürrem perked up, I was curious at his arrival. He looked too happy.

"My Valide...Sultan is calling Mihrişah." He said, toning down the cheerfulness of his demeanour. I turned my gaze to Valide, who had hardened her expression.

"Mihrişah is still recovering from the exertion from several days ago." She chided Sümbul, aggravated by the Sultan's summons. "He cannot take her out like this, it'll be bad for the baby."

"My Valide, she should go." Hürrem said, giving me a wicked look. "Perhaps the exercise will be good. Air is good for babies. I can say, after giving Suleyman 4 healthy children." She used the amount of offspring she gave birth as a weapon against the Bas Kadin.

"The quantity of babies isn't as important as how these new beings end up being." I told the second Kadin. "After all, only the smartest and best Şehzadeh will inherit the throne. And Mustafa is the best choice. Because you're not his mother." I gave her a pointed look, along with my sharp insult, before leaving with Sümbul. I would pay for the insult, but I cared less.

"How is the Princess?" I asked Sümbul.

"She's the same. Causing trouble whenever she can." He 'tsk'-ed and I felt bad for him. Having to serve the harem and shuffling back and forth to the hunting lodge wasn't easy. And seeing Gül Agha, through the corner of my eyes, watching us like a hawk, I thought Hürrem should be making his life even harder with her lackey on his tail. I didn't dwell on it too much. Such things would happen frequently within the harem. All I cared for was spending time with Suleyman. He had called me simply for company while he worked. When I arrived to Suleyman's door, Sümbul bade me wait and entered. He came out one moment later, smiling.

"Sultan is with the Grand Vizier, he will call you as soon as the meeting ends." He said, smiling. I nodded and hoped not to wait too long. He didn't take much until the doors opened and Ibrahim exited Sultan's chamber. I bowed respectfully and Ibrahim nodded in my direction.

"How is Hatice Sultan? And Mehmed?" I asked, hoping for good news on the Sultana.

"They are improving. Allah willing, they will be recovered soon." From what I knew from the brief reports I've heard, Hatice was going crazy with worry over the baby, who had been ill since birth. "Nigar Kalfa and Gülfem will be with them, while I'm off on Sultan's business." Oh yes, the rebellion.

"Are you leaving now, Pasha?" I asked cheerfully. He smiled.

"Indeed, Mihrişah Hatun."

"I hope you come back in time to see the next child being born." I told him jokingly. "Or you'll miss the celebrations." He laughed wholeheartedly, but it was cut short quickly. Looking over my shoulder, I had to stop myself from groaning. Hürrem was walking in our direction, a smiling mask on her face.

"Pasha!" She called cheerfully. "It's good to see you before you leave." Her fake smile didn't reach her cold eyes. I wish I could match her fake smile but at least I tried not to frown at the interruption. Ibrahim, however, managed to match her cutting words with his own.

"Likewise." He nodded. "Because I'd like to leave with your blessings."

"Of course, or else you might not return." She wiggled her eyebrows. "But don't be sad, the icons you set in your yard will save you." I bristled in Ibrahim's defence. That was a low blow, even for her. The veiled insult was not dismissed as easily by the Pasha, who sighed but kept his cool.

"His Majesty is not available." He told her. "As you know, he is very busy nowadays, right, Mihrişah Hatun?" I inclined my head in agreement.

"He is very busy." We shared a knowing grin, thinking of the issue with the Princess and the rebellion.

"He won't be able to allocate time for you." He told her, then turned to me. "He did call you to meet him, Mihrişah Hatun. About that subject…?" He told me tentatively.

"Ah, yes, I know. Thank you for telling me." I turned to Hürrem, whose mask had shattered completely and she looked positively furious by the dismissal by a mere Ikbal and the Grand Vizier. "If you excuse me, Sultana…" I bowed and walked into Suleyman's room, not daring to look back, at the amused face of Ibrahim and Hürrem's scowl.

I was sewing a small gown in the main harem room, surrounded by my friends, when Mahidevran Sultan approached us. I lowered the cloth and paid the attention she obviously demanded with her presence.

"Mihrişah Hatun, are you well?" She asked, all solicitous. I smiled and nodded respectfully.

"I'm alright, my Sultana." I caressed my growing belly. "This ruffian kicks plenty of times. I'm bruised all over." We shared a giggle among ourselves then I jumped. "Again! He just won't stop."

"Where?" Metike asked eagerly, hands hovering over my belly. "Can I feel?" I nodded and guided her hands to where my baby kicked more frequently and her eyes widened. "It tickles!" Suddenly, everyone clamoured to feel my baby, leaving Mahidevran out of the conversation. I looked up at her and smiled while they all argued among themselves about feeling the baby. From her expression, I could see that she wanted to talk to me, but crowded as I was by the girls, she was reticent to order them away, lest everyone believed she had nefarious intents.

"Where is Şehzadeh Mustafa?" I asked, voice sounding over their voices. I wondered if the Şehzadeh was with the tutor or with Valide Sultan.

"Sultan took him for a horse ride through the Imperial park." She told me proudly, hoping to rile me up apparently. It would take much more than that.

"I'm glad, Şehzadeh should see his father more." I simpered, annoyed at myself for falling to that. "Do you know where they went?"

"I think they would go to the hunting lodge." She tried to sound mysterious and failed miserably. So, Suleyman took Mustafa to see Isabella again. "Mustafa said Sultan is hosting a female guest there."

"Oh, I know." I told her simply, to her surprise. "I've met her already."

I was walking to Bali Bey's room with Sümbul, when I saw Suleyman had returned from his ride with Mustafa, but he was scowling deeply. I wondered what had happened. I looked at Sümbul, who shrugged, not knowing what had happened.

"My Lord?" I called tentatively, wondering what had happened to have him so aggravated. He looked over at me, eyes flashing in anger briefly before they softened.

"My sun." He took my hands in his and kissed them briefly, after I bobbed a quick curtsey. "bring her later, Sümbul." He addressed the agha, smiling at me. "I have business to attend and I would like to see you once all is over." He was preoccupied, I could see it in his eyes. But I didn't take it personally. Still, his forehead was wrinkled, as he kept frowning while talking to us. I reached up and caressed the wrinkles, to his amusement. They vanished completely once his smile became honest and wide.

"If you need me, I'm here, my love." I told him earnestly, boldly forgoing the title. It had the desired effect. The weight he had on his shoulders was lifted and he looked radiant.

"If the sun doesn't shine for me, the eternal night would leave me in sorrow." He said, pulling my face so he could place a tender kiss on my forehead. "Now I must go. Bring her later, Sümbul." He gave the agha a pointed look and vanished into his room.

"Sounds like something terrible happened." I said, curious. Sümbul shrugged.

"Princess Isabella has a nasty habit of riling our Lord up." He told me, annoyed. "She should behave according to the situation."

"She has a hard time accepting it." I explained as he knocked on Bali Bey's door. "It's not easy for those of European nobility to find themselves in slavery." Sümbul gave me a sidelong glance and I grinned. He understood I spoke of myself. My own situation had been terrible, despite not being as brutally captured as Isabella had been. Still, I made the best out of a terrible situation. It would take some time to convince her to do the same.