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The morning light seeped through the silk curtains , casting a warm glow over the chamber . I was still exhausted yet sleep had evaded me .

Beside me , Mehmet stirred in his crib , his tiny fingers curling into fists as he let out a soft whimper . I smiled to myself and called in the girls to help me get up .

« Sultana you should rest » the girl reminded me as she walked towards me .

« I have rested enough » i murmured though my body protested as i shifted , the other girl came to my side adjusting the cushions behind my back before helping me get up .

The girls helped me get ready and lastly brushed my hair gently « Did nergisşah sleep well ? » i asked as i put my earrings on .

« Yes sultana she did sleep well but woke up many times during the night » the doctor told me this already and it was just a matter of time before she gets past this .

My door opened suddenly revealing the harem agha « Sultana , Mahidevran sultan wants to see you » my gaze shifted to the door and i nodded signaling him to let her in .

As soon as she stepped in , i realised her uneasiness . « You can all leave » i ordered the girls and got on my feet to invite the sultana in .

« Sultana what is it you look pale »i grew more worried when she didn't answer « Disaster »

The only word that came out of her mouth , she grabbed my hands pulling me towards her , her fingers tightened around my hands .

« There is something you must know but i do not wish to burden you so soon after giving birth » a strange feeling settled in my chest and i felt more at discomfort.

« Please tell me , is it related to mustafa ? » she nodded barely stopping her tears « The sultan has suspected that mustafa conspired with the persian shah » my heart dropped when i heard her words .

« This is not real right ? Mustafa would never do this » i had full trust in him and knew he wouldn't do such a foolish mistake « It's all fake , they are trying to frame him and it is working »

A hand flew to my mouth unconsciously, i felt my world crumble infront of me . this was a very serious accusation that can cost him his life . I felt blood drain from my face , a deep dread took hold of me .

« We have to protect Mustafa , we can't let him fall into this trap » Mahidevran sultan was silent for a moment , her lips pressed into a thin line trying to maintain her composure .

« I have tried » she whispered , voice laced with desperation « I have written letters to anyone who hold influence and i am waiting for answers » I felt so powerless and helpless but i was not going to stay idle and wait for death to come knock on our door .

« I need to see mustafa » i said already walking towards the door , my heart pounding in my chest .

I went to his chambers but the agha stepped infront of me «  Sultana , his highness is with his advisors » he stopped me from walking in .

« Get out of my way before i empty all of my anger on you » He looked at me hesitant before stepping aside . As soon as i opened the door i got welcomed by Atmaca , Yahya and Mustafa talking .

« What are you doing here ? » Mustafa asked surprised when he saw me standing there .

« Is it true ? » was the only thing i could say , i wished he could tell me no but from his expressions i knew this was far from possible .

Mustafa's expression shifted , the weariness in his eyes deepening « Yes » .

the weight of that single word crashed over me like a tidal wave .

« The sultan is summoning him to join the camp in Konya » I looked at Yahya who spoke to me « That means the sultan already took a decision » i murmured .

« I will not let you go » We all turned around as we heard Mahidevran sultan's voice . She walked inside the room taking my side

« You can't trust his majesty , It is clear that he sees you as a threat to his power and Hurrem and rustem set him up against you » She exhaled « He will not spare you and will kill yu without thinking »

« My trust in him is boundless , he made a promise that he'd never kill me no matter what happens » I grew more irritated at his words , because in such circumstances he should trust anyone .

" Mustafa , not everyone is as honest as you . He can definitely breach the rules and kill you" I said growing more worried . "Devotion has blinded you mustafa i can not believe it" and with that i retreated from his chambers , i felt like i'd explode in tears inside .

I couldn't believe that he was walking towards death willingly . I stopped on my tracks feeling my body felt weak , the weight of my fears pressing me down like an unbearable burden .

I rushed back to my chamber , my mind racing with urgency . The moment i stepped in , I ordered the girls to prepare the ink and parchment . My hands were shaking but i forced myself to stay still

If mustafa refused to see the danger he was in then i had to take the matter in my own hands.

To his majesty King Alexander

My dearest brother ,

I write to you not as a sultana or a princess , i write to you as your sister , as the girl who once ran through the halls of our palace , laughing at your silly jokes . I need you now  more than ever

My husband , Prince Mustafa stands at the edge of a terrible fate . He has been framed by his enemies , who seek to destroy him .

The sultan has ordered him to go to Konya and we fear this is a trap , a path leading to death . I know what i am asking for is dangerous but i ask you to send your men , your soldiers not to war but to stand with Mustafa .

In worst cases we are thinking of enthroning mustafa if his life is at risk , we will be left with no choice but to rebel .

I beg you alexander don't leave me in this alone and if i ever meant anything to you help me now to save him .

I signed the letter and closed it handing it to one of the girls "this should reach my brother tomorrow" She nodded taking the letter and leaving .

I had no choice but to arm myself, i was not going to watch my husband go to death and not do anything, my mind was racing with thoughts and i felt my world becoming small as if the walls of this palace were closing on me .

A soft cry pulled me from my thoughts , Mehmet .

I rose from my seat and walked over to his crib , lifting him in my arms . His tiny fingers grasped at my hair grounding me in a way nothing else could .

" You came to this world in the darkest times , i will make sure you don't grow up without a father . I promise you" though i knew he couldn't understand me but at least i needed to reassure him .

I fed him before i rocked him back to sleep , my mind wasn't in its right place now but mehmet brought me peace and put me at ease .

Every minute felt like nearing death and if suffocated me , thus i decided it was time for me to seek atmaca's and yahya's help .

The candlelight flickered as i walked through the dimly lit corridor , i asked for their whereabouts and found out they were outside in the gardens discussing with some guards .

"Sultana" Yahya greeted cautiously bowing down to me , Atmaca remained silent but greeted me by bowing his head.

"I need your help" before i can continue they knew what i was referring to . "We are doing everything to protect his highness"

" It is not enough , we're reaching a dead end we can't get out of" they exchanged glances "The sultan has made his decision , we all know that once mustafa sets a foot in konya , there'll be no turning back" Yahya sighed rubbing his forehead in frustration .

"Sultana this is the sultan's command and Şehzade Mustafa is right , if he doesn't go he will be labelled as a traitor and they will come get him" Atmaca explained

"and if he goes he will die" the silence stretched between us .

" I have something in mind but the prince will refuse it" Atmaca voiced sparking my interest .

"A rebellion" I whispered knowing exactly what he was thinking about , he nodded after my word and glanced at Yahya

"The janissaires love Mustafa and if we play it right , the sultan will definitely reconsider his decision" Yahya added .

"Then it will be considered as an act of treason leading to his execution with no doubt" the plan was dangerous and after all we were plotting against the sultan. The most powerful emperor

" On my side i can bring soldiers to stand with Mustafa , i asked my brother and hopefully he can help" Atmaca nodded agreeing "This is great , i will set before the prince and talk with the janissaries"

"You have to be careful , if Rustem pasha sees you you'd definitely get yourself killed" Atmaca was aware of the danger he was going to throw himself in but his dedication to mustafa was way too strong.

" And if the rebellion fails ?" i asked thinking of the worst case scenario . " Then The prince and all who follow him would be slaughtered"

"But if we are truly willing to go against the sultan's word then we have to be ready for the consequences" Atmaca warned .

"They left us no choice , we will make sure to crush Hurrem and Rustem at once" i said anticipating the final blow we'd give them

What we were planning was dangerous but what was more dangerous is me living without Mustafa and getting separated from my children because at the end of the day , they were from the dynasty and even if i wanted to go back home, they wouldn't let me take them .

The game was dangerous but i was ready for anything .

" You will keep us updated Atmaca , take care of yourself" I said before leaving them heading back to the palace .

As i was heading back to my chambers i saw Mustafa and Mahidevran sultan walking around making me halt .

I exchanged looks with mustafa whom i was mad against , mad at him for not being selfish and for putting himself in danger .

Mahidevran sultan stopped in her tracks and let us speak face to face .

"Are you still mad at me ?" Mustafa asked and i looked away , he grabbed my chin pulling my eyes towards him .

" Is this a question ? You're walking into the fire and you're not realising it . You're throwing all of us on fire , me , your mother , and your children . All because of an empty promise your father gave" He looked around and gestured that we go inside my room .

I walked away making him follow me to my chambers .

"Is this what you want ? do you want mehmet and nergisşah to grow up without you ? away from me and from you ?" i looked at mehmet peacefully sleeping on the other end of the room.

" You know that it's not my intention , put yourself on my shoes stella" Mustafa continued , his face laced with frustration "If i refuse to go i will be branded as a traitor . Do you think they will spare you or my children. ?" Do you think Rustem and Mustafa will allow you to live in peace ? they will haunt you"

I clenched my fists , nails digging into my
palms as i fought back the sting of tears " and if you go ? what then ?" I whispered .

"Do you truly believe that you will return home to us ? that your father will embrace you as his son one more time ? The arrow has left the bow already"

A long silence settled between us and i didn't want to tell him about our plan , i'd let him believe that he can change his fate with words .

" You act like i have a choice"  i stepped closer and whispered " You do have one , for once in your life choose us"

Tears welled in my eyes as i buried my head in his chest clutching the fabric of his kaftan , His hand came to cradle the back of my head "If i could stay by your side for eternity , i would"

I melted into him as this was the last time , but i knew that no matter how tightly i held on . Time will take him away from me