3-2. A marriage proposal
The Valide enters our part of the harem shortly after breakfast the next morning. We all assemble on the lower level to hear what she has to say. The girls from the other wing of the harem join us. Even Mahidevran and her maids attend the gathering. It is the first time the entire harem has come together since the sultan departed for the war. The drop in the number of women in the harem over the last month is now visible and gives several of us cause for concern.
"I have received news from His Majesty," says the Valide. "The war is progressing well and our army is marching on Belgrade. The Hungarians are fleeing before our advance. In recognition of this good news we shall hold a small celebration in the harem this afternoon."
The Valide then takes Nigar Kalfa and Sümbul Aga aside to give them instructions about the celebration. I look towards where Mahidevran is standing. From her smile I suspect she knows that the Valide will use this afternoon's celebration to announce that Hürrem is to be discharged from the harem. I look at Hürrem and see that she has also noticed Mahidevran's look of delight. As if to confirm our fears, Daye Hatun comes over to where Hürrem and I are standing.
"Hürrem. Gülnihal. The Valide wishes to see you both in her room as soon as she has finished here."
I look at Daye Hatun in surprise. I have been worrying about Hürrem's fate after what Gülsah had boasted yesterday, but now it seems my own future in the harem is in doubt as well. We have no option but to obey the Valide's summons and we follow Daye Hatun back to the Valide's personal suite of rooms. The Valide, Mahidevran and their maids join us a short while later. Gülsah can hardly contain her glee at what she anticipates is about to happen.
"As you are probably aware, I must reduce the number of girls in the Old Palace harem," begins the Valide. "There simply isn't the need for so many girls in the harem while my son and many of his officials are away. I have sent a dozen girls to the Ottoman harems in the provinces, but none of the palaces have a need for any further girls."
Hürrem and I look at each other as though our world is about to end.
"There is a young pasha here in Constantinople who I wish to reward for his loyalty to my son," continues the Valide. "Tragically his wife recently died of a fever and he is left with three young children to look after. He has seen you and is attracted to you, Hürrem. The prospect of marrying a hatun from the royal harem pleases him greatly. He has also accepted my offer to provide a maid to help look after his children and new wife. That maid will be you, Gülnihal."
"What if I don't wish to marry this man?" asks Hürrem.
"Then your possessions will be confiscated and you will be sent to the slave market to be sold like the ignorant little whore that you are," sneers Mahidevran.
"Silence, Mahidevran," snaps the Valide. "I have warned you about your jealousy clouding your actions. I shall deal with this matter. You have been allowed to witness this meeting, but you are not to interfere. Hürrem. If you do not wish to marry the man I have selected for you then I will choose another. But you will marry … and soon."
"I haven't finished my training yet," says Hürrem clutching at straws. "You told me that I can't be a hatun until I've completed my training. You refused to increase my stipend because I'm not a hatun."
"As of this moment you and Gülnihal are no longer in training and you are both hatun. Your stipends will be increased from today," says the Valide, easily circumventing Hürrem's objections.
"Suleiman will be unhappy when he discovers that I've been married off like this," says Hürrem.
"How dare you refer to his majesty by his name alone," warns the Valide, but with less venom than when she reprimanded Mahidevran a few moments ago. "Have you forgotten your training so quickly. As for whether my son will be unhappy at your departure, then I'm sure we can provide many other pretty girls to console him."
"Why me?" continues Hürrem, determined not to give in without a fight.
"The man I wish to reward has chosen you," says the Valide. "I am doing you a favour. You are of lowly birth and are too rebellious to be anything more than a brief passing fancy for my son. He must provide more heirs for the dynasty. Heirs sired on mothers who can nurture and guide a royal prince."
"I can provide an heir," says Hürrem. "I can learn how to protect and guide a son worthy of becoming the next sultan."
Gülsah can't prevent herself from letting out a snort of derision at Hürrem's statement. Mahidevran is obviously of the same opinion, but she is more skilful at disguising her thoughts. The Valide looks at Gülsah dangerously.
"Mahidevran! You and your maids may depart," orders the Valide. "I will see you at the celebration this afternoon."
Mahidevran is shocked by her sudden dismissal, but knows better than to object. I suspect Gülsah will feel Mahideran's wrath for her outburst when they are back in their room. The Valide waits until Mahidevran and her maids have departed before she continues.
"Hürrem. Why are you being so difficult?" says the Valide in a more conciliatory voice. "You are only one of many slaves who have been brought here to entertain my son. You have performed your duties admirably. And now you are to be rewarded by being married to a man of noble birth."
"But I love Suleiman," protests Hürrem.
Now it is the Valide's turn to hastily disguise a look of disbelief. I'm sure the Valide has heard many girls profess love for her son over the years. Fortunately she doesn't reprimand Hürrem for referring to her son by his name alone. The Valide looks towards me as though asking for my support. Unfortunately I'm still too much in shock at the news to be able to offer any advice to either Hürrem or the Valide.
"I shall allow you a few hours to consider what I have said," says the Valide. "You may go back to the harem. Return here after your midday meal and we shall discuss this further."
Hürrem and I give a small curtsy before leaving the Valide. I wait until we are back inside our part of the harem before talking with Hürrem.
"What are we to do?" I ask. "The Valide seems adamant that you will marry someone before the sultan returns from the war."
"Yes," agrees Hürrem. "But I wonder how much of this is being done to placate Mahidevran."
"But the Valide rules the harem." I reply. "Mahidevran has no power over the Valide."
"Mahidevran is the mother of Suleiman's only heir. While Suleiman is away fighting a war then there is always a risk that he might be killed. If Mustafa dies as well then the Ottoman Empire will collapse into a bloody war of succession. The Valide will do anything to prevent that from happening. Mahidevran can make any demands that she likes under the guise of protecting her son. The Valide must humour her or risk the consequences."
"What consequences?" I ask. "Surely Mahidevran wouldn't harm her own son?"
"No, she wouldn't harm Mustafa," replies Hürrem. "But we have all heard rumours of uprisings in the provinces. And we can't be certain we are safe here in Constantinople. Some of the rumours talk of riots and disturbances among the local citizens. My proposed marriage may be part of a wider political move to calm the trouble. Mahidevran will have the Valide sacrifice every girl in the harem if Mahidevran believes it will protect her son's interests."
I can't argue with Hürrem's logic although I'm surprised the Valide has given in to Mahidevran's demands so easily. Perhaps there is more to this situation than Hürrem and I know about. Our discussions are interrupted by the arrival of Sümbul Aga.
"You two should be at your lessons," he chides.
"The Valide says we are no longer in training," replies Hürrem. "Gülnihal and I are now hatun."
"Well then, Hürrem Hatun and Gülnihal Hatun," says Sümbul Aga in a mocking tone. "Since there are still many things you do not know, I suggest you continue to attend your lessons. Now, go!"
Sümbul Aga is right. The Valide may have said we have finished our training, but we both know we still have much to learn. Besides, it isn't uncommon for the favourites and the older hatun to attend lessons from time to time. While Hürrem and I can both hold a reasonable conversation in Turkish, neither of us can write more than a few words. We persuade our tutor to start teaching us how to write. It takes our mind off worrying about the Valide's plans for our future.
Hürrem and I return to the Valide's suite at the appointed time. She makes us wait for a few minutes before turning her attention towards us.
"Have you considered what I told you earlier?" asks the Valide.
"Yes," replies Hürrem. "I cannot marry any man other than Sultan Suleiman Khan."
"Really?" says the Valide with barely disguised impatience. It is fortunate Hürrem used the sultan's correct form of address. "And why is that the case?"
"I cannot marry another man because I am pregnant with Sultan Suleiman Khan's child. Early in the new year, I shall deliver a son and heir for the Ottoman dynasty."
The Valide and I look at Hürrem in disbelief. Surely Hürrem is making this up. She never mentioned anything about a pregnancy when we were in the harem just now. But what does she hope to gain by lying? One of the harem women skilled in midwifery will soon be able to disprove Hürrem's claim. All Hürrem will have gained is a few hours delay.
"Are you sure?" asks the Valide. "If you are lying I shall be very angry with you."
Hürrem refuses to retract her claim although I can tell from her body language that she is making up her story. I suspect the Valide knows that too. I'm in a difficult situation. I won't betray Hürrem but I risk the Valide's anger by saying nothing.
"Bring one of the midwives here," says the Valide to one of her maids. The maid leaves on her errand immediately. "You two can wait in the side room until the midwife arrives."
Hürrem and I go into the side room to wait. Hürrem starts to pace about.
"What are you playing at, Hürrem?" I ask. "You never mentioned anything about being pregnant until just now."
"I know, but I can't let the Valide send me away from the Old Palace," she replies. "My destiny is at Suleiman's side. I will provide him with sons, and I shall earn the title of haseki."
I sigh in exasperation. I admire Hürrem's determination, but this ruse is never going to work.
"Is there any chance you might actually be pregnant?" I ask.
"There's a chance. I haven't had my monthly flux since Suleiman left for the war. I'm a few days late, but that's all."
"Has your flux been late before?" I ask.
"Since we were captured and brought here I've been up to a week late on occasion. Which means it is too early for me to tell whether I am pregnant or not."
"Then why didn't you admit that to the Valide?"
"I don't know," replies Hürrem. "It just seemed the right thing to say."
The arrival of the midwife halts further conversation. In compliance with the Valide's order, she sets about examining Hürrem.
"Well?" says the Valide as soon as the midwife has finished her examination.