"The Sultan will receive no one," said the eunuch who stood guard in the blue salon, outside the Sultan's door. He glanced about anxiously, frightened by Peresto's quiet but firm voice demanding to be admitted into the presence of God's Shadow on Earth.

It was already whispered that the Sultan was unwell. At the War Office, after his ministers had sworn allegiance to him, Murad had refused to greet his people on the balcony. He was exhausted, his nerves frayed. Instead, he returned to the harem and settled into the Sultan's apartment. Now, his hopeful subjects waited to glimpse him, gathered outside the palace gates and in dinghies on the water by the palace quays. In vain. Murad had not been seen since he retired to his new rooms.

In one day, his mother, Sevkefza, had moved into the apartments of the Valide, bringing with her hundreds of women. The harem belonged to no one, it was like a pigeon loft where, when one group of women left, the next arrived. Following a ruthless tradition, Abdulaziz, his mother and his women had been moved to the Palace-of-Tears where they would live out the rest of their lives imprisoned and forgotten. Not for an instant did Peresto mourn for them. She was hungry and irritable, she hadn't slept since before the coup and, she vowed, would neither eat nor sleep until certain that Hamid would live.

"Then let me speak with the Valide," she insisted. Again, the eunuch shook his head.

She was frustrated, though not surprised. Most likely Sevkefza, a timid person who was uncomfortable with power, felt overwhelmed in her new position as Valide. She would be an easy prey for power hungry advisors manoeuvring to control her by keeping her isolated. The newly appointed Kizlar Agha, for example, would keep a rival like Peresto at arm's length from the Valide.

Peresto would have to find another way to reverse Hamid's death sentence. Midhat Pasha? He had negotiated with her, but he had also said he would try. She frowned and felt her heart beat faster. With no other options, she had to head over to the selamlik and find him.

A sudden commotion behind her drew her attention. The Kizlar Agha entered the blue salon, and behind him, in a wash of flowery perfume, a tall, slender woman, the Valide Sevkefza. Her face was covered by a thin, white veil. In her tow was a man carrying a doctor's bag. Peresto recognised Murad's personal physician, Doctor Capoléone.

She fell into a deep curtsey. Ignoring her, the group entered Murad's apartment. Through the glitch in the door before it closed, Peresto caught sight of the Sultan, or what she thought was him, because all she could see was a sprawled out body under silk sheets, and by his side, Ayse.

Minutes later, as she exited the blue salon, the door to Murad's apartment opened, and, screaming and struggling, Ayse was catapulted out of the room. She landed in a pitiful heap on the blue carpet.

Peresto rushed to her side.

"They threw me out," Ayse said, weeping uncontrollably. "They said I was to blame for Murad's poor health, but it's not my fault." She turned her gaze to Peresto, her eyes like large, black wells. "I only did what you told me."

"What I told you? Is that what you said to the Valide and the Kizlar Agha?"

"No. Princess Peresto Sultana, you've always been good to me, I would never betray you." She spoke in breathless whispers, all the muscles in her face trembled as she grabbed Peresto's skirt. "If not for the Sultan's plea, I would have been thrown into the Bosphorus. Peresto, please help me. I'm so afraid. It's not my fault the Sultan is sick. You know it is not." She looked wretched - and dangerous.

"How is Murad?"

"They've taken away his drops." Ayse shook her head in despair. "I begged them not to. Without them, the demons won't leave him alone." Horror came over her face. "I tried to explain his suffering, I tried to help him, but they dragged me away from his side. What will happen to him now? What will happen to me? I am so afraid."

Smiling reassuringly, Peresto contemplated her briefly. "You've done well, Ayse. Go to my apartment and find Mustafa. Tell him I sent you, he'll know what to do."

Her expression, she knew, was truthful and gentle, but her gentleness had a deliberately calm tone. And she felt sad; there was nothing she could do for Ayse anymore.

She made her way to the selamlik to find Midhat even if it meant supporting a constitution to save Hamid's life. She found him in the Panoramic Salon together with seven Ministers and two Ulema.

Through conveniently placed holes in the silk screen, she secretly watched the meeting. The co-conspirators were negotiating the new government.

Most of the men seated around the table camped in the selamlik, should the Sultan need them. Truth was they jealously guarded each other. They had been united in the desire to depose Abdulaziz. Now they were rivals jostling for influence, with radically different visions of the future of the empire.

Presiding as the new Grand Vizier at the head of the table, was the sapless Mehmed Rusdi. That meant that they had likely already agreed on the distribution of key ministerial posts. The only way Rusdi could be presiding was because the man next to him, Huseyin Avni, had told him to. Huseyin, in control of the army, was the government's true leader. Whenever he spoke, the others deferred to him. Further down the table sat Midhat Pasha - demoted. Peresto smiled internally; with the support of the other ministers, Huseyin must have outmanoeuvred him.

The silk screen muffled the men's voices, but she understood the general meaning of what was said. Undeterred by the humiliating demotion, Midhat Pasha had tabled his proposal for a constitution. Based on his brief presentation, she understood it was a lean document of nineteen articles which established a constitutional government through a National Assembly, with equal rights for Christians and Muslims. Exactly as Midhat had described it to her when they met in his home.

Only one minister, the Director of the Military Academy, Suleyman Pasha, supported the proposal, and to her surprise, defended it with more fervour than even Midhat himself. "We need real political reforms to hold the Sultan and his government accountable. It's the only way to manage the empire's finances, and protect it from the palace corruption, which is destroying us all."

It was of no use; Midhat and Suleyman stood alone against the others. The two Ulema declared their opposition, arguing that in affairs of state, only the traditional body of Ulema was equipped to advise God's Shadow on Earth who was accountable only to God.

Huseyin Avni turned to Midhat and declared on behalf of his colleagues: "Our people are not ready for constitutional responsibilities. We aren't like the Europeans and we don't need to copy them. We will grant equal rights to Christians the day Muslims are granted equal rights in Europe."

Of course, Mehmed Rusdi chimed in, wise not to bite the hand that fed him. He was nothing more than a do-nothing, over-cautious complainer, but for now, his pathetic weakness suited Peresto.

Midhat tried another approach. "If we can't agree on a text for a constitution at this meeting, let us at least have the Sultan commit to introducing a constitution in his investiture speech. Let me remind you our British allies supported this coup by sending a squadron to Biscay Bay. This alone deterred the Russians from interfering to protect Abdulaziz. In return, they expect a constitutional monarchy." He distributed a new document and returned to his seat.

With a sly smile, Huseyin said: "Expect? I certainly made no such promises to the British before the coup. Did you, Midhat?"

Peresto felt her own face flush red with anger. She did not know the British had sent a squadron to Biscay Bay. Had Midhat promised the British a constitution in return for the support? It felt like a dagger in her heart. Midhat might disagree on policy, and even scheme to push through his ideas, it was all part of the political game, but to betray his Sultan and the dynasty to the infidel, she hadn't seen it coming. Dazed, she forced herself to keep her attention on the discussion.

Midhat paled. As anger welled up, his face reddened. "In the streets of Stamboul, people demand a constitution."

Around the table, the men glanced sideways at Huseyin. He shot Midhat a cold look.

"When you say 'people', are you referring to the rowdy bunch of softa who roam the streets, chanting Midhat Pasha?" There was scorn in his voice.

"I am," Midhat said. "The softa speak for the people, and they demand a constitution. They trust I will deliver it to them."

Huseyin looked around the table. "Gentlemen. Evil forces are attacking the Ottoman empire. The army will destroy these forces, just as the army has always protected the empire. What we need now, are firm and vigorous measures." He fixed his steely gaze on Midhat. "Not assemblies and endless, futile discussions. Or rowdy students roaming the streets."

Midhat's eyes gleamed with anger and pride. "Huseyin, your army has no power over the spending of the Sultan, of the palace, or of our Ministers. It cannot pay our creditors or put food on the table of starving peasants. For that, we need good governance and control over the palace and our government." He slammed a fist on the table. "For heaven's sake, Huseyin, we need a constitution. Look to Britain, France, Belgium, their monarchs have all taken this path, because they know there is no other way."

Incredulous, Peresto shook her head.

Huseyin gave Midhat an unctuous smile before directing his words at everyone present. "What we need is a holy war against those who threaten the foundation of our Islamic empire. In the name of Allah, our valiant soldiers will chase the infidel from this land. That is what the softa want."

The Ministers and Ulema around the table nodded and murmured their agreement. Mehmed Rusdi pushed aside Midhat's proposal and offered to draft a new investiture speech for the Sultan, one that did not make any mention of a constitution. Huseyin declared the meeting adjourned.

Midhat had lost. When comprehension came, he shot a glance in the direction of the silk screen. It made Peresto recoil even though she knew he could not see her. He said: "May I remind you of another pressing matter. This morning, the Sultan accused the Crown Prince of treason and condemned him to death. We must spare the life of Prince Hamid."

She blinked and swallowed hard.

Midhat turned to Mehmed Rusdi: "Grand Vizier, allow me to raise the matter with the Valide. Perhaps she can reason with the Sultan before it's too late."

Flattered to be addressed by his new title, Mehmed nodded with a nervous glance at Huseyin. "Perhaps Midhat Pasha is right? This government does not stand to benefit from the death of the Crown Prince."

"Alright Midhat," Huseyin said. "See what you can do."

Midhat pushed back his chair and, without another word, he bowed and strode from the Panoramic salon.

Behind the silk screen, Peresto inhaled sharply, stood and quietly left the room.

______________________

Author's note

In this chapter, Sultan Murad V is referred to as God's Shadow on Earth.  As the empire expanded, the Sultan became a man of many parts as a way of asserting the empire's imperial status and authority among his diverse subjects. Here are some of his titles, or names by which he was referred.

Sultan - The primary title used for the ruler of the Ottoman Empire.

Padishah - A Persian term meaning "great king" or "king of kings," often used interchangeably with Sultan.

Khan - A title derived from Central Asian tradition, denoting a sovereign or military ruler.

Sovereign of the House of Osman - Referencing the ruling dynasty of the Ottoman Empire.

Sultan of Sultans - Emphasising the Sultan's supreme authority over other rulers within the empire.

Khagan - A title of imperial rank, originally used by Central Asian nomadic rulers.

Caliph - A title adopted by Ottoman Sultans, positioning them as the spiritual leader of the Islamic world and successor to the Prophet Muhammad.

Shadow of God on Earth - A symbolic title emphasizing the Sultan's divine right to rule as God's representative on Earth.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques - Referring to the Sultan's role as the protector of the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.

Emperor of the Three Cities - Referencing the Sultan's rule over the three major cities of Istanbul (Constantinople), Edirne (Adrianople), and Bursa.

Both the titles Khan and Khagan were originally used by the rulers of the nomadic empires of Central Asia, particularly the Mongol and Turkic states. Khagan, which is a title of imperial rank, is often considered a higher or more prestigious title than Khan, denoting a supreme ruler or emperor. The embedded image is of Genghis Khan (1206 - 1227), great Kahn of the Mongol Empire.