|Helena's POV|

After everything I had been through, it was only natural that I should get some rest, but what I didn't expect was for my sleep to stretch on for hours.. When I finally awoke, I found that nearly the entire day had passed.

I was still unable to stand or move without assistance, so I settled for a quick, brief bath, after which the girls helped me change into a new dress.. I then returned to my bed to rest beside my beloved daughter, who also seemed content to sleep peacefully.

"Finally" I said with a wide smile... despite my exhaustion, seeing Aysel and Ahmed walk through the door filled me with an immense sense of happiness and excitement to introduce them to their new little sister.

Aysel, always the more expressive of the two, was the first to reach my side.. her small hands clasped together in front of her chest, her wide blue eyes glistening as she looked at me, then at the little baby I held in my arms.

"Good evening... Is this the new girl?" she asked, her voice filled with awe, her blue eyes still wide with a mix of wonder and curiosity.

"She’s so small" Ahmed whispered, turning to the other side as he climbed onto the bed beside me.

"Yes, this is your little sister" I said softly, looking at both of them with a gentle smile "Her name is Nuray"

"She’s so pretty" Aysel smiled innocently, slowly reaching out her hand, her fingers brushing the soft fabric of the baby’s blanket.

"I don't think she looks like you, Aysel" said Ahmed, extending his hand as well, his fingers gently touching the small baby’s hand.

I chuckled softly at his observation, glancing at the baby’s features.

"Can I hold her?" Aysel asked curiously, her eyes looking into mine before returning to gaze at the baby in my arms.

"Let’s wait a little while, darling" I replied gently, balancing the baby in my right arm while using my left hand to tuck a strand of Aysel’s golden hair behind her ear "She’s still very small, but you’ll be able to hold her soon"

"Okay" she responded with a smile, nodding her head before standing up... We carefully placed Nuray in her cradle and sat on the couch for a moment to talk and catch up on what they had been up to throughout the day.

»»————-　♔　-————««

|3rd Person POV|

The heralds were dispatched throughout the empire at the command of the palace.. News like this was to be shared immediately.. spreading the news, whether joyful or sorrowful, was always their task.

In one of the bustling markets, a herald stood at a fountain, preparing to announce the latest royal news to the crowd that had gathered, eager to hear the latest developments from the palace.

"Let it be known that His Majesty, Sultan Orhan Khan, and his wife, have welcomed their daughter, Nuray Sultan... The entire empire rejoices in her arrival, and all shall celebrate this blessed occasion... May her life be filled with light and prosperity"

"Did you hear? The Sultan’s daughter is here, but with a Christian mother... I wonder how that will affect her upbringing"

"Thank God it’s not a prince! At least we don’t have to worry about the line of succession... for now"

"A child is a child, no matter if it's a girl or a boy.. The Sultan’s family has been blessed with a healthy child, and that’s all that matters"

"I’m just relieved the Sultan has an heir already"

"Will she grow up to embrace our ways, or her mother’s?"

"A daughter might be a blessing for the Sultan’s heart, but not for the future of the empire.. Our real hope lies with Şehzade Ahmed"

"Congratulations to his majesty"

"I’m confident our Valide Sultan will ensure Şehzade Ahmed is safe from any foreign influence"

These were the varied reactions that spread through the crowd... Though the herald had already moved on, the people continued to stand in groups, discussing the news, for it concerned the very future of the empire.

Among the crowd, there were those who pledged their loyalty to the Sultan, declaring that they would defend Nuray Sultan as part of the dynasty... For them, the child's heritage was sacred, and regardless of the circumstances, she was to be embraced and protected as one of their own.

»»————-　♔　-————««

|Helena's POV|

"You should've seen them" I said, laughing softly as I watched Orhan move quietly in front of me, carrying Nuray in his arms to help her sleep "Ahmad told Aysel that Nuray doesn’t look like her, and I was really surprised by his observation"

"It’s still too early to know who she’ll resemble" Orhan said with a smile, glancing at me before lowering his eyes back to the baby "But I think she’s calm"

"She really is" I smiled, nodding "She hasn’t even cried all day, although I don’t know if that will change later"

"Maybe" he whispered gently, seemingly careful not to wake her "My mother has already started preparing for a celebration for this little one"

"I know... It will happen next week when I’m feeling a bit better" I replied, reaching for a glass of water before returning to watch them with a warm smile.

Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything more beautiful than this.. And because I’ve seen Orhan as a father to his children for so long, I just know that Nuray is lucky to have him as her father.

A few moments later, he carefully placed her in her cradle, and after making sure she was asleep, he approached my bed and sat at the edge in front of me, his posture open and relaxed.

"It’s good that your gift was ready weeks ago" he said with a small, knowing smile before pulling out a small box and handing it to me.

At first, I didn’t know how to respond, but before I realized it, a smile crept onto my face as I took the box, opened it, and saw two earrings set with red stones... I could tell right away that they were rubies.

"I chose the red rubies.." he said, his voice a low murmur as he leaned closer "because I couldn't help but remember the red dress you wore in Bursa" He gently traced a finger along my arm.

"Thank you" I breathed, feeling a blush creep up my neck... It was thrilling to know Orhan paid attention to such details.

"My important gift for you isn’t ready yet, it will take some time" he withdrew his hand from my arm, raising it to gently stroke my cheek "But I’m sure you’ll love it"

"I’m really grateful" I said with a wide smile... despite the overwhelming surge of curiosity, wanting to know what the gift was, I held it in, knowing he wouldn’t reveal it.. Instead, I leaned closer to him, settling in his embrace for a little while.