|Victoria's POV|

-The Next Day-

I woke up early in the morning feeling much better... Yesterday, my auntie played with my hair until I fell asleep peacefully, and thank God, I didn't have any nightmares... I had a good night's sleep.

Taking advantage of the fact that everyone was still asleep, I went to the hamam.. I relaxed a bit and tried to release my negative energy before heading back to my room to get ready.

"Oh, your highness!" Nisa exclaimed in surprise when she entered my room "You're awake"

"Yeah" I replied with a small smile as I fixed my hair in front of the mirror.

"You look beautiful" she smiled and placed a cup of coffee on the table for me, just like she always does to wake me up.

"Thank you, Nisa" I sighed and sat down to sip from the cup.

"Okay, I'll go prepare your breakfast" she said, bowing slightly before leaving.

I picked up a book and started reading to distract myself from all my thoughts, feelings, and internal struggles, while sipping coffee from time to time.. Suddenly, the door opened, and Nisa appeared again.

"You're back quickly" I said with a smile "Looks like I'm not the only one feeling energetic today"

"I guess not, your highness" she laughed, moving closer to me "Actually, I've been informed that His Majesty is waiting for you"

I felt the coffee catch in my throat, and I quickly raised my eyes. It had been many days since he last requested to see me.

I stood up, feeling a bit nervous for the first time.. I was used to going to see him happily, knowing we would exchange meaningless conversations.. But this time, I felt fear.

We had lost our connection, and my feelings had suddenly surfaced.. I wouldn't know how to behave in front of him.

"Why?" I finally asked Nisa.

"I don't know" she replied, shaking her head "But since he asked for you so early in the morning, it must be something important"

I nodded and left the room, but just as I was about to head to Mustafa's chambers, Nisa stopped me "He's not waiting for you in his chambers, your highness, but in the Sofa-i Hümayun"

"What?" I raised my eyebrows and turned to her "Where is that place?"

"It's very close to the palace, about a 15-minute walk, but the carriage will take you there much faster" she replied, gesturing for me to follow her.

"Wait, I'll put on a cloak" I said, feeling a bit anxious.

All I could think about was whether this was a trap.. I wasn't afraid of Mustafa, but what if someone else was waiting for me? I could trust Nisa, but maybe they had manipulated her too.

"No need, the weather is very mild, and no one will see you" she replied with a smile.

"Alright then, if my aunt wakes up, tell her" I said, trying to keep calm as I headed outside where the carriage and a few guards were waiting for me.

As I sat in the carriage and it began to move, I kept talking to myself... Okay, nothing will happen to me, and if it does, I know I'll leave good people behind who will finish what I started, and the throne of Scotland will be safe.

The carriage stopped, and I felt my heart stop with it.. The door opened, and as I stepped out, I tried to understand where I was, but nothing indicated that I was about to face danger in this beautiful place.

"Sultan Mustafa is waiting for you inside" one of the guards said without looking up, pointing for me to go in.

"Thank you" I replied with a smile, trying to hide my nervousness..After taking a deep breath, I walked inside.

A silly smile spread across my face when I saw Mustafa standing, looking at something, but all I could see was his back... I was sure it was him.

"Good morning" I said softly to break the strange silence and get his attention.

"Victoria" he turned to me with a smile and came closer, giving me his hand "Finally, you've come"

I looked at his hand and then placed mine in his, wondering where we were headed "What are we doing here?"

"Look, Victoria, all I need is one word from you" he said quietly, but I didn't understand anything.

We stopped in front of a revealing wall, and I saw some men sitting quietly.. I then turned to Mustafa as he said "I don't think we can hide this any longer"

"Victoria" he said, his voice steady yet filled with emotion "You have captivated my heart, and in your laughter, I have found my joy"

He stepped closer, his eyes locked onto mine "I cannot imagine a life without you by my side.. You are my muse, my confidante, and the love I never knew I was searching for I don't even know what I was doing before meeting you... I want to take you as my wife .. not tomorrow, not in a week, but right now... All it takes is your acceptance, and I will move mountains to make every dream of yours a reality"

He sighed slightly "I know this is difficult and almost impossible... I know it won't align with your plans and the future you were talking to me about, but..."

He took my hands in his, warmth coursing through us "I promise to cherish you, to honor your wishes, and to protect you with every ounce of my strength... You deserve a love that is fierce and unwavering, and I vow to give you that and more.. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife, today and always?"

The least I can say is that I'm shocked... Am I dreaming like usual? Am I dead right now?

"Is this real?" I whispered, unable to tear my eyes away from his.

"It's definitely real" he sighed a little, a smile appearing on his face "Don't think about any conditions or anything else; I'm okay with all of it... if you agree, of course" he added with a small laugh at the end.

"Mustafa" I whispered, my voice trembling with emotion "I stand here, completely captivated by you, and I cannot imagine my life without you"

I stepped closer, a whirlwind of thoughts swirling in my mind... my help for him that he knows nothing about, all he believes is that his mental state has improved greatly lately... then the truth about his mother, which he knows nothing of... my last decisions that I wanted to share with him... but none of that mattered at this moment.

I knew and was certain that I wanted Mustafa in my life and I could never refuse, even if they held a sword to my neck.

Just yesterday, I was thinking about my feelings future, and now my miracle was coming true.. He was breaking and transcending all barriers, laws, and traditions for me.

"With all my heart, I choose you, Mustafa, now and for all eternity" I replied with a smile, which brought a wide grin to his face.

As if he didn't want to waste any time, he signaled one of his guards, who then signaled the other men, and they began the ceremony for our wedding... I couldn't believe this was happening at that moment.

Once it was finished, they all stood up, raised their hands, and began to pray, and Mustafa did the same while I watched them with a broad smile... in that moment, I forgot about everything and everyone.. All that mattered was that I did what I wanted.

Finally, we looked at each other again, and I couldn't believe that just moments ago we were only Mustafa and Victoria, but now we were husband and wife.

As I felt Mustafa lean in, a wave of longing washed over me.. this time, I wanted this kiss more than anything..to feel his warmth, to be wrapped in his embrace, to taste the sweetness of our connection... Every fiber of my being craved it, and as our lips finally met, it was everything I had hoped for and more.. I really love that man.