Chapter 18
The proclamation throughout the lands brought good fortune to me. Daily were the gifts arriving from the pashas and viziers, wishing to honour the new Şehzadeh and the lucky mother of the Sultan's new son.
"I'm curious." Nilüfer said as the convoy of aghas brought in chests after chests filled with precious gems and other treasures offered by the nobility of the Ottoman Empire. Sümbul Agha and Daye Hatun oversaw the organization of the new treasures, preparing the inventory and handing the scroll to me at the end of each day. Storage had to be cleared for the chests.
"About what?" I asked, while surveying Husni and Fatma unloading one of the large chests that had been filled with gorgeous silks of many colours, on a freshly laid Persian rug that had been a gift from the Caliph of Baghdad. The Crimean Khan, from Valide Sultan's family, had sent a small polished cedar chest of beautifully crafted jewelry, which sat on top of two other similar small chests on the metal table where I usually took my meals. One agha sat nearby, documenting all of the silks, with one of the palace seamstresses measuring the quantity of each bolt and relaying the numbers to the man.
"This is an unusually large amount of gifts for a Sultan's son." She said, standing next to me. "Hürrem gave birth to three boys already, but she has never received so many tributes as you are receiving." I blinked, confused.
"Maybe that wasn't relayed to the rest of the seraglio?"
"Oh no, it was." Nilüfer snorted. "Hürrem never failed to brag on the newfound wealth whenever her boys were born. Mostly to annoy Mahidevran Sultan. From what I know of past tributes to Sehzadehs, nothing really came close to this. I have no clue whether Mahidevran or Gülfem have received as much bounty as you have, but at the time they belonged to a Sehzadeh's harem, so it can't be compared."
"You are looking too much into it, Nilüfer." I chastised her lightly, not wishing to compare situations. "Whatever Hürrem received, it's hers. Whatever I received, it's mine. If you continue down that path, it will only breed resentment. And we already have enough of that coming from all sides. Let's try not to create bad emotions within our group as well." I told her, smiling.
"Count our blessings without comparing, huh?"
"Something like that, yes."
Due to the complicated birth and the events caused by Hürrem, my recovery was delayed. Both the harem doctor and the midwife were adamant that I rested and moved as little as possible. I stayed in my rooms most of the time, only leaving from time to time to visit Valide Sultan or go to the hammam. I would only leave the chambers as long as Murad was in my arms. I was adamant about never leaving him behind at any given time. My attendants made no attempts to stop me, after the one time I nearly threw one of the jewelry cedar boxes at Metike for suggesting Murad stayed behind with his nurse. I gave Hürrem or Mahidevran no chance to touch my boy with or without my consent. Hürrem had been at the end of a reprimand from Suleyman for the incident where she took my baby from the care of my attendants and nurses, which led to her resentful stares and glares thrown my way the few times we crossed paths inside the Royal Wing. Even so, I was called to Valide's chamber due to the influx of gifts and we sat together with Daye Hatun, Murad went along, which was fine by Valide Sultan as she enjoyed seeing her grandchildren as frequently as possible. A gurgling baby, being handed from lap to lap, brought her more happiness than the royal gifts I brought to her chambers every now and then, since the storage allocated to my bounty was already overflowing and the influx seemed endless. The inventory of the treasure I receive was prepared by the aghas, then handed to both Valide and Daye Hatun, so we could go through the documents and work around what could be sold and what could be used in the harem. Plates and goblets were used for my table, the surplus sold and the money would be invested in merchants. I chose the most beautiful tapestries and gifted them to Valide, the aghas holding them out for Valide to see. She touched the gorgeous and well crafted fabric, marvelling over the finely embroidered imagery. Everything I did those days opened my eyes to the newfound wealth I was receiving due to my son's birth. I had more gold than I could ever spend. I wondered what I could spend the gold on.
"My Valide, do you have a suggestion?" I asked, one day, as she played with Murad, who gave a wide gummy smile to his grandmother. We had just finished working on the money ledgers for the treasury I had in my name within the Topkapi Palace. "With the investments on the merchants, I will have too much around and I'd rather put it to good use." I told her honestly. She gave me a speculative glance, then exchanged glances with Daye Hatun.
"Kadins are known to dispense charity towards the good of the people." Daye Hatun explained. "For this, you must request permission from the Sultan, then you must decide what kind of charity work you wish to do. Set a foundation, build public hammams and other such buildings that can be used by our people." I considered this. I knew Mahidevran had received the funds and permission for this from Suleyman, due to her 'exemplary' behaviour as Bas Kadin, as she and Gülsah bragged very openly on the buildings and the charity work she did. Well, paid others to do. I knew Valide Sultan didn't go out either for this, but I knew she sent Daye or one of the aghas to oversee the constructions and the correct application of her money for the relief of the orphans and poor in Istanbul. She was, albeit indirectly, connected to these good works and made sure everything was done for the good of the people and didn't brag about it. In fact, Valide Sultan was very humble on her power and her work, overall. And that was a virtue I should strive to emulate. I lowered my head and smiled.
"I will address this with Sultan, when we next see each other." I told Valide, smiling. "May I also use the money for the harem?" They were surprised by my question.
"Why?" Valide asked, frowning. Did I say something I shouldn't?
"I'm sure the people of the harem receive money from the harem treasury. I would contribute towards this fund, so the people can receive a raise from time to time." I shrugged. "I'm already gifting my attendants and Murad's nurses for their help. But this would be an extra to the treasury, not just to pay the Cariyes and Gözde, but the aghas and the kalfas as well. I require no open recognition of this help." I told Valide, thinking to myself that I wouldn't need to brag about it. My ladies could be very vocal, if they wished to and if I allowed them. So, indirectly they would all know, even the kadins, that I would be paying their raises out of my newfound wealth. When the time came, this could be beneficial to me and my future offspring. I watched the older women exchange glances and return their attention to me, smiling. Valide seemed to like the idea.
"I think it's a good way of helping the harem. All of them would enjoy a little more monetary compensation thanks to you."
"Yes, my Sultana." Daye enjoyed calling me Sultana now, and everytime the word came out of her lips, she would say it with pride. "We would all be thankful towards you, even if you are not hailed as the bringer of this wealth."
"As long as I can help the people surrounding me, the happiness will be mine." My idea was put into action. Valide, Daye Hatun and I calculated part of the funds earned from the merchants to be channeled directly to the harem treasury. Nilüfer, Husni and Fatma, my closest friends, had been present on that meeting, listening to every word spoken by the three of us on how the money would be spent in the seraglio, how much would be used for the monthly stipend given to the women, the kalfas and the aghas, among other things. So they heard how I would be responsible for the extra income entering their pockets. Valide Sultan wanted no factions to open in the seraglio for the kadins, I was not to breathe a word on this action. However, she said nothing of my maids. While I would speak nothing on the subject, rumours managed to spread through the harem like wildfire, of how, the next month, they were given extra money for their spending. A whispered word here, a gasped sentence there, it was well known who had been responsible for the increase in payment. My name and Murad's name were elevated in people's minds, for the generosity given to those below. I grinned wickedly as Nilüfer reported the gossip. I didn't have to breathe a word on my gesture. Allah would do it for me.
Weeks passed, since the birth of my Murad. Suleyman was a constant visitor of my chambers, checking on my baby and keeping me company. I couldn't grace his bed, not for a while, but I hadn't been quite well. The incident where Hürrem took Murad out of my room had slowed my recovery. Childbirth had torn me quite a bit, to the concern of the midwife and the harem doctor, who visited me almost daily. My moment of fury at Hürrem's attempt to have the upperhand caused me a lot of issues. I bled for a while, pains flared frequently and I was kept in bed when I wasn't visiting with Valide Sultan. Suleyman took to quizzing the harem doctor, to her chagrin, as she nervously answered his questions with a stutter and nervous tone, eyes downcast. I was amused by his questioning, but pitied the woman who wanted nothing more than to leave the room. Which she did as soon as the Sultan was satisfied and dismissed her. He joined me on my couch, my maids/friends bowing and backing out of the room in silence. Murad slumbered peacefully in his cradle, under a little blanket embroidered by Fatma. Valide Sultan gave me permission to use the royal hammam in the Royal Wing, which kept me in close distance to my chambers and, therefore, close to Murad. It was also for my comfort, as walking that far hurt more than I could explain. Nilüfer never left my chambers unless I had Murad on my lap or if I was at Valide Sultan's rooms. Suleyman came as frequently as possible.
"You have to listen to the doctor." He scolded sternly, pulling me to lay on his lap. I grinned, his concern was cute and made my heart leap. I was laying on my bed on that day and he crawled to me, to my amusement, then I rested my head on his lap, grinning up. It was quite the homely picture, a swaddled Murad sleeping right next to us as we chatted.
"I do try." I told him. "But I've been working on cataloguing all the treasures Murad received. And thinking of how to spend the money I've earned from investing on the merchants." He smiled fondly, caressing my hair. The gesture was making me sleepy, but I struggled to stay awake.
"And what are you going to spend the money on?" His tone was curious, not critical. He was quite a liberal man, despite being the leader of Ottoman Empire.
"I've been channelling part of my earnings with the merchants to the harem treasury." I explained. He nodded.
"That makes sense. The harem needs all the money we can spare." He agreed with my action, obviously complimenting my decision. "Well done."
"Thank you, my Padishah." His words were the biggest reward I could have. That and his constant presence. "I have a request, however." I dared to say. He looked at me expectantly. "I wish to do charity work. There is plenty of money left, more than I need. I'm earning quite a lot from the merchants I invested in. I want to give back in any way I can. If you allow me, of course." I was nervous at his reaction. I tried to sit up but Suleyman's hand on my head kept me laying on his lap, his blue eyes shining as he stared at me with a serious face. My heart dropped, he was silent. Did I overstep my boundaries? Was my request out of hand? I was about to apologise when his face opened in a wide smile.
"That's a very good reason to channel your money." He said, finally. "To give back to the people is what we should do. We are only ruling by the people's grace, and that of Allah. Helping the people will win you their prayers. It will guarantee you a place in Heaven."
"I already have Heaven here, when your eyes look in my way." I blurted suddenly, which caused him to burst out laughing. Oh, my big mouth...I covered my face with my hands, mortified at my outburst. But it amused the Sultan.
"I'm glad my Sun thinks so highly of me." He said.
"Of course!" I reinforced. "There is no life in the harem when you are away. Your presence is the breeze of spring, wonderful and warm. Your absence is winter, for the warmth is replaced by cold loneliness and the barren silence of the golden presence. Much like the sun is covered by the dark clouds." I wasn't very eloquent that day, tripping over my words as I tried to explain what I felt whenever he was away. Nowadays, he would be away most of the day, either due to work or to visit Isabella.
"My Sun is poetic today."
"My love for you inspires me." I told him coyly.
"Like Muhibbi, who lives for the love of his Sun."
For weeks, both before and after birth, Isabella sent me several letters. With the problems raised by the viper Hürrem, I forgot to reply to several of them. They were always delivered either by Sümbul Agha or the Sultan, who was amused by our unlikely friendship. One day, Husni allowed Sümbul in my chambers, who smiled as he bowed deeply, in his outstretched hands a scroll, tied with a pretty black bow. I had been sitting on my couch, reading with Murad sleeping sweetly in his cradle, when he arrived, I beckoned Husni to approach so she could help me rise from my couch. He approached quickly, holding the scroll in my direction, only raising his head when he came to the edge of the sitting area.
"My Sultana." He greeted with evident pleasure (but his pleasant expressions were all the same, I never knew whether he faked them or was genuine, Sümbul was such a puzzle!), while handing me the scroll. I picked it up and quickly opened it, only to recognise Isabella's pretty calligraphy littering freely the page. "Princess Isabella is very concerned for your health. She says you haven't replied to any of her letters and has feared for the worse. She asks you to reply or visit her, at your pleasure." I had completely forgotten Isabella. By Nilüfer's amused expression, she hadn't. My Cariyes was a nasty person when she wanted to be.
"Thank you Sümbul!" I sighed, fiddling with a small pouch tied to my belt. I untied it and threw the little bag at the man, he deserved it. The agha took it gratefully. "Why don't you ask Şeker Agha to give you a sherbet as a token of my appreciation for all your hard work." His face lit up and he backed out of the room, mumbling his gratefulness. I could hear him even after the doors closed. Nilüfer roared with laughter when the doors closed, not able to contain her mirth.
"He's a funny one." She said between bouts of laughter. "Gül Agha is an annoying twat, Sümbul can be lazy but at least he tries." I had already unfurled the scroll and was reading the letter, written by Melek, dictated by Isabella. The Princess was learning the language fast, but writing was something else. She spoke of how her days were lonely, being a prisoner and slave to the Sultan, asking for news on my health and my son (either Suleyman or Sümbul had told her about my lion cub), finishing with a desperate plea for me to visit her. I sighed, having finished reading it.
"I feel bad for not replying earlier." I confessed to Nilüfer, who was not as sympathetic to the other woman's situation. She was unmoved by my tales of her plight. But, then again, the seraglio had more immediate problems, which kept the residents busy and uncaring someone else's problems. Outsiders' troubles didn't move them, unless the trouble came to them. "Bring me my writing material, I'll do it now." Husni was the first to reach the chest where the materials were kept and brought them to me. The letter was easy and fast to write, once the ink dried, Nilüfer rolled the parchment and tied a pretty silk red ribbon around it.
"I'll get this to Sümbul Agha immediately. With our luck, he's pestering Şeker Agha and will take it to the Princess today." Nilüfer said, bobbed a quick curtsey and walked out. I wondered if the Sultan would ever release the woman, or use her for political games. It made sense to use her as a pawn, thinking about it, since she was a precious person in the Empire. The Ottoman Empire could gain something out of the exchange, whether it was gold, land, or simply having stricken fear in the Europeans' hearts. After all, having stolen royalty in the middle of the Mediterranean meant that the sea was Ottoman territory, all who sailed through was subjected to Ottoman rule. The idea saddened me, I knew what it was, first hand, to be used as a pawn in politics. In my case, I was given as tribute, a gift, for a new sovereign from the vassals. A little trinket for an already overflowing seraglio with two warring kadins. Only by the hand of God did I manage to crawl up to where I stood, surrounded by friends (or so I thought), with my lion cub and the Sultan's love, however long it lasted. Valide Sultan at my back, I could weather the incoming storms. Hopefully, Isabella could weather the storms coming for her.
The following day, Sümbul Agha didn't wait until my attending Cariyes to open the door. He barged in, hurrying to the feet of my bed like he was being chased by demons. Or Hürrem Sultan.
"Sümbul?" I asked, concerned. "What's wrong?"
"Sultana…" He began, out of breath and deep bags under his eyes. He didn't sleep, most likely. "Princess Isabella…" He hiccupped, putting his hand to his face. My heart stopped.
"What happened to the Princess?" I asked, voice raising in fear.
"The hunting lodge caught fire." He said, eyes jumping from me, to Nilüfer, who walked in after Sümbul and came to stand by my side, to Husni, who stood on the other side of the bed. "No one knows how it began and she was barely able to get out alive." I breathed and scowled.
"Don't scare me like that, ¨Sümbul, it's not pleasant!" I scolded the agha, then sighed. "Where is she now?"
"Sultan ordered her to be hosted at Hatice Sultan's palace." He answered. "She'll stay there until the hunting lodge is repaired, according to the Sultan."
"She's in good hands, then." I said, hand on my chest. My heart was jumping up and down, thanks to Sümbul's dramatic display. "Do you mind delivering a letter to her for me?" I gestured to Husni to get my writing material. Sümbul bowed.
"Sultana, it will be my pleasure." He drawled. I stretched to the side table, where a small pouch of gold coins had been left by Fatma earlier that day. I threw it to Sümbul, a reward for the hard work. Poor man, being ordered back and forth with little to no rest. "You should get some rest, Sümbul, before the purple under your eyes won't ever leave." He gasped, quite dramatically, holding his face with a panicked expression. I couldn't help but laugh at his reaction. The Cariyes turned their faces away, hiding their laughter.
"My Sultana, don't say that" He whined, his fingers massaging the bags under his eyes in a frenzy. I laughed again.
"Don't worry, Sümbul, you can sleep in Murad's room if you need to hide, as long as you don't snore." I warned. He bowed.
"Thank you my Sultana, I may have to take you up on that offer."
It took me two months for the harem doctor and the midwife to give me permission to return to the Sultan's bed, provided we were gentle. They spoke at length of the care we should have, listing foods I should eat to strengthen my body, the schedule of exercises I should have, among other things. Sümbul Agha was present when they announced I was available to walk the Golden Road, along with the endless lists given by the women and he would definitely make every single word reach the Sultan. I was nervous. Would he call me soon? Sümbul had a big mouth, especially when it came the Sultan.
"Ah, my Sultana." Sümbul Agha drawled, grinning. "This is good news, the Sultan will be overjoyed about your recovery." I gave him a weak smile.
"I'm glad to be better, indeed." I told him, looking at Nilüfer, who seemed preoccupied. Even with the doctor's verdict, I kept to my chambers, resting some more. However, it was as I thought. The word for my recovery reached Suleyman's ears, whether by the agha's own mouth of the harem doctors, I didn't know. Sümbul Agha returned the following morning, a grin from ear to ear. Fatma was with me, serving my food when Husni allowed him in.
"My Sultana." He bowed respectfully. I put down the piece of bread I was eating, my attention on the agha. "I have come with orders from the Sultan. You are to prepare, for you will walk the Golden Road tonight." He must've expected a joyful reaction, because his expression fell when I didn't welcome the decision effusively. I gave him a little smile, mostly a façade.
"Thank you, I will prepare." Nilüfer arrived at that moment, in time to hear the Sultan's summon. She gave me a wide, victorious grin, which faded as quickly as it appeared. Sümbul left us, having delivered the message, I dismissed him, so it was just us and little Murad. I held my little lion close, fretting. What would happen while I'm not here? Will Hürrem barge in and take little Murad? I couldn't allow her to touch my son! I couldn't!
"Mihrişah!" Nilüfer's voice brought me out of my reverie. Murad cried in my arms and I realised I was squeezing against my bosom. Oh my...rocking him back and forth, whispering sweet words, Murad eventually calmed down and went back to sleep. I looked up to see Nilüfer's eyes shining in my direction. Waiting. Her calm expression brought out a bout of tears and hysteria I held in. The seraglio was dangerous to grown women. What chances did my boy have if he had no one to protect him? "Mihrişah! Mihrişah!" Nilüfer's hands cradled my face tenderly, her face close to mine, eyes wide. My tears subsided and my heart calmed down at the sight of her strong expression. She held a determined, yet loving expression that calmed my fears immediately. "Go to the Sultan, enjoy your night with him. I will stay with Murad, he will never, ever leave my side." Her words, the vow put my heart at ease and then…I felt foolish. Like I was wasting fearful tears for no reason. Nilüfer's fierce glare did something to me. For the first time in weeks, I felt at ease, even a little silly for worrying to the point of panic. It was as if the worry seeped out of my body like poison being drained out of my veins by the grace of Allah. To fear for my life and my son's, knowing Nilüfer wouldn't rest if we were in danger. Sighing in relief, I rest my forehead on hers, my head spinning from the sudden change from deep fear to relief.
"Oh Nilüfer…" I whispered, my heart slowing to a gentle rhythm after beating like drums of war echoing through the valley of death that were the battlefields. "What would I do without you?" She giggled in response.
"Plenty of things, like juggling daggers and fighting tigers." We both laughed at the joke, she sobered quickly. "Rest assured, your son is safe. Valide Sultan will never tolerate violence against a Şehzadeh. And neither will I."
"I know. Forgive me." I felt contrite for being so fearful all the time, so nervous and jumpy. Her confused expression was endearing.
"Why?" She asked. "You are right to be fearful. But I'm here for you." She glanced at my slumbering baby, the little lion created from my love and Suleyman's. "And your child will never want for anything while we live, he will fear nothing. This I promise."
"I know that now. Thank you."