|Helena's POV|

-Five months later-

"Come in" I said a bit louder as I finished the last word of my letter, then raised my eyes to see who would enter... In the end, it was no one other than Anastasia.

"Your highness" she bowed slightly, then gestured toward the door with a smile on her face "The cradle has arrived"

"Oh" I found myself standing up, a wide smile spreading across my face at the news "Bring it in" I said, looking toward the door in eager anticipation.

The preparations for my child's cradle had started about a month ago... I had instructed the carpenter to make it from oak wood, just like the one I had when I was an infant... It would also include some silk fabric and other touches I had personally chosen.

Despite Turhan Sultan advising me to let go of these details since everything would be ready before my delivery, I wanted to oversee everything myself... I was truly excited about this.

Two aghas entered with Sumbul Agha, carrying the cradle... its frame crafted from rich, dark oak, its wood polished to a gleaming sheen... the intricate carvings on its sides were delicate, showcasing the skilled craftsmanship that had gone into its creation.

Soft silk fabric adorned the interior, a combination of royal beige and ivory while the canopy above was trimmed with fine lace, adding a soft, ethereal touch, while gold accents along the edges gave it an air of regal sophistication.

I had asked them to place it next to my bed while I was caught in a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions... As soon as they all left, Isabel and Sybil, who had gone to the market two hours earlier out of boredom, returned.

"It has finally arrived" Sybille said, quickly releasing Isabel's hand and walking over to me to take a look at it, while I gently ran my fingers over the soft wood.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" I smiled, turning to them... I didn't need many words.. by the looks on their faces, I could tell that my taste and choices had been spot on.

I turned my gaze back to the cradle, placing my hand over my belly, which had grown noticeably and quickly in the past few months.

The sensation of what was beneath my hand and what was before my eyes made me realize that it was real... it's happening... I'm so close to it... In just two months, a baby will be lying in this cradle, filling this room with an angelic little voice... I could almost hear the soft coo of my baby and feel their tiny hands clutching mine.

After all of this, each of the girls got busy with her own affairs, while I was waiting for a guest I had been eager to meet for weeks... Although I had received permission from Turhan Sultan, I was still hesitant and unprepared for the questions I might ask her.

Her name is Hafsa... she is a close friend of Turhan Sultan, even though she is in her sixties... She is said to be wise and well-educated, having memorized sixty parts of the Qur'an.. Everyone knows how devout she is and how much she understands about Islam.

I sat with my left hand on my belly, holding a small notebook in my right hand, where I had written down all the questions I wanted to ask her regarding religion.. I know the journey will be long, but I am doing this for my child, who deserves an informed mother, especially in a place where the last thing they need is a mother who knows nothing about their faith and culture.

»»-----　♔　-----««

-The next day-

"Come in, Helena" Zeynep greeted me warmly, placing a small object on the table as she rose to her feet "How is my niece or nephew doing?"

"We're doing well" I replied with a wide smile, trying to hide my nervousness... I wasn't even processing what I was saying, as my mind was preoccupied with why I was here and what I had planned to do.

"Would you like something else besides juice?" she asked, her gaze scanning the table because throughout my pregnancy, Zeynep had been a constant source of concern, ensuring I had access to whatever I craved.

"No, no, don't worry I'm fine" I replied with a smile, gently placing my hand over hers... the sweet, lingering taste of honey-soaked pastries still danced on my tongue because lately, I couldn't seem to resist anything drizzled with honey.. my cravings for it had become impossible to ignore.

"Only a few weeks left" she said with excitement, placing her hand on my belly just like everyone else "What do you think, Helena? Is it a girl or a boy?"

"I honestly don't know" I confessed, a hesitant smile playing on my lips.. everyone seemed convinced that a mother should somehow instinctively know the gender of her child, but I hadn't focused on such details "What do you think?"

"I really don't know" she replied with a laugh, then added with a small wink "When I have my first baby, I'll gain some experience"

Despite the laughter filling the room, I felt guilty because I was about to use what she had just said as a way to lead the conversation to the topic I had been avoiding.

"Is that going to happen soon?" I said playfully, knowing exactly what she was thinking as her cheeks flushed.

"Actually" she smiled a little and lowered her voice "Mansur told me it will happen soon"

"Are you still talking to him?" I raised an eyebrow in feigned surprise "I thought you no longer cared about him"

"No, Helena, I love him, and I won't stop loving him" she said with a laugh, then picked up her glass and took a sip while I was on the verge of tears seeing this sweet, innocent girl, who was about to throw herself into the selfish game of that greedy man.

"Are you sure about that, Zeynep?" At this point, the seriousness and concern were clear on my face, and it seemed to have reflected on hers as her smile faded "You're a Sultana ... you have thousands of options... You don't know if you'll really be happy with him"

"But he's the one I want, Helena" she replied, holding my hand with her fingers and giving me a beautiful smile "Don't worry... I'm sure I won't regret this for the rest of my life"

Her words seemed to seal the conversation... I felt a pang of guilt, knowing my concerns were likely to fall on deaf ears... Love, I knew, often blinded people, making them oblivious to potential pitfalls.

I was still convinced that he wasn't the right choice for her, but at the same time, I knew she was the kind of person who needed to see his true nature for herself when the right time came.

»»-----　♔　-----««

-In the evening-

I was watching the sunset from my favorite spot, Orhan's balcony... Lately, I've been spending some evenings here with him, chatting as the weather has been quite pleasant.

"Do you think next month would be suitable?" he asked, answering my earlier question "I'm just worried if Ahmed is ready for it"

I looked at his features, which despite their stillness, held a hint of worry, especially in his blue eyes... To be honest, I've felt the same anxiety since Orhan told me we should start preparing for Ahmed's circumcision... though I knew it was a necessary step, the thought of our little boy undergoing such a procedure filled me with anxiety.

"Don't worry... everything will be fine" I said with a smile, pressing his fingers that were already placed on my belly and before I could add anything, I pressed my lips together because of a slight pain I had grown accustomed to.

"Are you okay?" Orhan asked with concern, noticing the change in my expression "Is the baby kicking today?" he asked, looking into my eyes with a small smile because the moments when the baby moves are his favorites.

"Yes... a little" I replied with a warm smile, placing my hand over his and then moving it to the spot where I felt those small, slightly painful movements.

After a few moments of spying on this little being, we returned to planning that very important event... Although I don't have much knowledge about it, I felt at ease asking Orhan many questions, and he, in turn, answered me in detail and told me about the gift he wanted to give his first child, his son, his friend, and his pride, Ahmed.

"I feel like you want to say something, Helena" For the thousandth time in such situations, his question came unexpectedly, making me feel as if he could read all my thoughts through my facial expressions, which I always fail to hide.

"Yes... actually" I paused for a moment, collecting my words and thoughts, then looked into his eyes "I need your permission to do something I've been thinking about for weeks"

"Yes, of course, just tell me" he said, sitting up straight and interlocking his fingers, seeming to listen attentively.

"I was thinking about getting a painting of myself while pregnant" I smiled, placing my hand on my belly tenderly "I was thinking of sending it to my mother"

When I finished, I was still looking at him expectantly, while he had remained silent for a while, as if thinking about it... For a moment, I felt my smile falter and anxiety wash over me.

"If it will make you happy, then let it be" he finally said, nodding and fefore I could react, he had leaned in and pulled me into a long kiss.