|Victoria's POV|

After we remained in shock for a while, my aunt Catherine, our guard Henry, and I thought we needed to go into hiding and find a suitable place to stay while we devised a plan... Even Mehmet Pasha wouldn't know we had arrived today, as it was planned for us to come next week... However, due to the raid on the place where I was hiding, we had to escape quickly, which led to our early arrival.

Our guard managed to secure a small house for us to stay in, where we would reorganize our plan due to the recent events... I was supposed to meet Sultan Ahmed, not the new Sultan Mustafa, and on top of that, they say he is insane... But Mehmet Pasha is the one who will provide us with accurate information; he certainly knows that the state's interests lie in the documents I possess.

-Two Days Later-

"I can't stand being within these four walls for another day" I admitted, pacing the room back and forth, feeling restless.

"We've just begun, Victoria" my aunt said as she approached me "You need to be patient"

I shook my head, the door opened, and our guard Henry entered.

"I have good news, Your Highness" he said, moving closer to us "I finally managed to contact Mehmet Pasha"

"Thank God, finally" my aunt placed her hand on the cross around her neck "Our prayers have been answered"

"What did he say?" I asked quickly, as there was nothing to be excited about, the entire plan had turned upside down.

"I gave him our address, he will come shortly to discuss some details" Henry replied calmly... We then sat waiting for Mehmet Pasha to arrive.

We spent the entire day waiting, but no one came, and we received no news... We had dinner that Henry bought, and then we went to bed.

In the middle of the night, I heard a knock on the door... I quickly got up and looked at my aunt's bed, she seemed to be sleeping soundly.

I crept out of the room, and when I reached the middle of the stairs, I saw Henry had gotten there before me... He was holding a dagger and signaled for me to be quiet and keep still.

He stood behind the door and placed his hand on the handle "Who are you?" was all he whispered.

"It's me... Mehmet Pasha" We sighed with relief as he entered when Henry opened the door "I couldn't come during the day"

"You left us waiting all day... you could have said that from the beginning" I said with some anger.

"As long as you have a vested interest, you need to calm down... I am here only to help" replied Mehmet Pasha in a strange tone, as if mocking me.

"Don't forget, Mehmet Pasha" I said with a smile "You are not here to help... you are here for mutual interests" I raised my eyebrows "You need the documents I possess more than I need you as allies"

The tension in the room grew due to the looks we exchanged, prompting Henry to intervene.

"Okay, okay..." He raised his hands "Let's sit down and discuss this rationally... it's beneficial for both of you"

Mehmet Pasha nodded, then went and sat on a sofa, and so did I and Henry.

"I heard Sultan Ahmed has died" I raised my eyebrows "They say the new Sultan is insane... Is that true?"

"Yes, it's a disaster..." He sighed deeply "Now we will be dealing not only with the Sultan but also with his Grand Vizier, Davut Pasha, and his mother, Valide Halime Sultan"

"Is it difficult to deal with them?" I intertwined my fingers, intrigued by this new information.

"It's like dealing with two devils at the same time" He paused, leaving Henry and me exchanging glances, then added "Tomorrow I'll open the discussion with the Sultan and his vizier...I'm sure they will welcome the idea, especially since the state is currently weak and needs any useful informations"

°°°°

-A Week Later-

Finally, the day I had been waiting for had arrived... Today we would meet the Sultan, as Mehmet Pasha said... He had opened the topic with them, and they were ready to meet with me to discuss what I had and what I wanted.

As I walked through the grand halls of the palace, my heart raced with a mix of fear and anticipation... I was about to meet Sultan Mustafa, the man who had taken the throne after the tragic death of his brother, Sultan Ahmed. The whispers of his madness filled the air like a cold wind, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I was stepping into a lion's den.

Mehmet Pasha led my aunt Catherine and me through the opulent corridors adorned with rich tapestries and flickering candles... The palace was a labyrinth of splendor, but I felt trapped within its beauty, knowing that danger lurked behind every corner.

"Remember, Sultan Mustafa is unpredictable" Mehmet Pasha warned, his expression serious "One moment he can be charming, and the next, dangerously volatile... Stay alert"

I nodded, trying to absorb his words... I had come here with a purpose, but I felt the weight of that mission pressing heavily upon my shoulders... I was no longer just a hidden princess... I was a player in a game of power that could change history.

As we entered the Sultan's meeting room, I was struck by the sight before me... Sultan Mustafa sat on his throne, his wild hair framing a face that oscillated between childlike glee and unsettling intensity. The colorful robe he wore seemed to clash with the chaotic energy that radiated from him.

"Welcome! Welcome!" he exclaimed, his voice booming with excitement "I'm so glad you could make it! Have you come to perform for me? I love a good show!" He twirled around, arms flailing in a bizarre dance that made my heart race with anxiety.

I exchanged a worried glance with Aunt Catherine... This was not what I had expected.

"Your Majesty" Mehmet Pasha bowed his head "this is the princess I told you about"

"Your Majesty... we come with important news" I managed to say, trying to keep my voice steady despite the turmoil in my chest.

"Important news?" Mustafa paused, his eyes narrowing with curiosity "What could be more important than a dance? Or perhaps a riddle? I love riddles! Tell me a riddle, and then I'll decide if your news is worth my time"

"Your Majesty, please" my aunt Catherine interjected, stepping forward "We have some information that concerns the stability of your reign and the safety of your people"

Mustafa tilted his head, intrigued "Stability? Safety? Those are such boring words! But go on, I'm listening" He plopped back down on his throne, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment "I am Princess Victoria Stuart, the daughter of King Jacques V... I have information that will help you deal with the traitors surrounding you and some plans devised by your enemies that they will soon execute"

Mustafa's expression shifted, curiosity glimmering in his eyes "Ah, a princess! And you come to share secrets? I do enjoy secrets!" He leaned closer, his eyes wide with interest "What kind of secrets? Are they juicy? Tell me!"

"Juicy, yes" I replied, forcing the words out "I possess documents regarding military expansions that could put your reign at risk..."

"Enemies! Enemies everywhere!" he exclaimed, throwing his arms in the air "They're under the bed, in the walls, even in my juice! I don't trust anyone! But you..." His demeanor suddenly shifted, his expression serious "You seem different... What do you want?"

I felt a surge of determination "I want to help you secure your throne... I can provide you with the information you need to navigate the treachery surrounding you, and in return, I want your help to get what I want"

Just then, the doors swung open, and a regal woman entered... Her presence was commanding, her gaze sharp as she surveyed the room... I felt a chill run down my spine as she approached.

"What is this commotion, my son?" she demanded, her voice authoritative.

Mustafa jumped to his feet, his playful demeanor replaced with defensiveness "Valide! I was just having a delightful conversation with the princess!"

Halime's eyes narrowed at me, suspicion flickering in her gaze "A princess? What business do you have with my son?"

"I have news that could be of great importance to the Sultanate" I replied, attempting to maintain my composure under her intense scrutiny.

Halime stepped closer, her presence both intimidating and captivating "And what news could a mere girl bring that would interest me?"

"Before my escape, I obtained information concerning the Ottoman Empire... they want your downfall soon" I asserted, my voice gaining strength "With this information, we can secure sultan Mustafa's position and ensure that he remains in power"

Halime studied me for a moment, then smiled...a disconcerting expression that sent shivers down my spine "You are bold, Princess... I admire that... But... nothing comes without a price, right?"

As I began to divulge the details, I noticed Sultan Mustafa's attention drifting, his gaze flitting around the room "Do you see that shadow over there?" he suddenly exclaimed, pointing to a corner "It's watching us! Don't you see it? It wants to take my throne!"

Halime sighed, her patience visibly thinning... She did not want anyone to see her son like this "Mustafa, focus! We have more pressing matters at hand"

I seized the opportunity "Your Majesty, I assure you, I can help you eliminate any threats, both real and imagined... If you accept my assistance, I can provide the necessary support to solidify your reign... I only want your help in return"

Halime exchanged a knowing glance with her son, then nodded slowly "Very well, Princess... We will consider your offer... But know this: if you fail to deliver, the consequences will be dire"

I nodded, determination coursing through me "I will not fail... This is so important for me"

"Prepare a palace for the princess to stay in while we make a suitable decision" Halime Sultan commanded one of the guards, who nodded his head.

As we concluded our meeting, I felt a mix of triumph and unease... I had gained an audience with the Sultan and his mother, but the path ahead was fraught with peril... Mustafa's unpredictability and Halime's ruthless control over the palace were challenges I had to navigate carefully.

Once outside the chamber, Aunt Catherine and I walked briskly down the corridor, our hearts racing "That was... weird" she said, trying to catch her breath "Are you sure this was the right move?"

"I had no choice" I replied, my mind racing "If I can play this game right, I could gain the power to reclaim my place in this world... But I must be vigilant"

We stepped into the cool night air, the stars twinkling above us... I knew I was now entangled in a web of danger and deception, but my resolve only grew stronger... I would find a way to turn the tides in my favor and protect my future.