Somehow, word spread around the harem that I was at the scene of the Sultan putting Hürrem in the dungeon, and now practically everyone knew that I am his new favorite, so much for privacy I guess. Girls looked at me, and now that everyone knew, Nigar Kalfa assigned me two maid girls to follow and look after me, though based on how zoned out they looked by just walking, I could tell they were kind of useless. This world was one I have to navigate on my own.

Mahidevran Hatun came out of her chambers the moment I began to descend down the hall, and when she saw me I began to back up a bit as she approached. However, I found myself eventually blocked and pushed up against a wall as she stood face to face with me. 

I straightened out and made myself appear taller than her, though we were about the same height.

"What do you want, Mahidevran?" I asked, putting on the most sarcastic emphasis on her name. It was truly a beautiful one, and served well to it's meaning. Mahidevran means 'one who is always beautiful, one who's beauty never fades' I recalled.

Her look softened slightly as she didn't approach any further.

"I'm glad you stood up, Francesca Hatun. I am sure you are well aware of the relationship I had with Hürrem and all..." She trailed off as I nodded.

"Yes well, I just want to say thank you for doing that. I know the Sultan would be awfully mad if I tried to confront his new interest." Mahidevran choked briefly then continued. "But also a proposition to you is what I seek."

I looked at her quizzically. "What do you mean?"

"What I mean is, in the present state of things, we should not try to hurt each other. Possibly even work together-"

"Against Hürrem?" I interrupted.

"Yes, that's what I mean!" Mahidevran Hatun nodded enthusiastically. "And nobody else would mind that, would they?"

I tapped my chin. "Perhaps I will think about your proposition for a little while longer, and get back to you later tonight?"

She inhaled deeply looking down in thought, than back at me. "Fine, but as soon as possible. I will send Gülsah at sunset, is that alright with you?"

"Your maid?"

"She is my most trusted maid. And besides, we should keep this a little secret, you know, just between the two of us."

"Alright," I said, a little smirk playing at the ends of my lips. I began to walk back to my room to think about this.

Mahidevran wants to play a little game. She wants an alliance, but to keep it secret so that she wouldn't be revealed as disloyal to the dynasty. She wants to get rid of Hürrem and so do I.

I held these thoughts in mind as I returned to my room and had my maids summon Nigar Kalfa.

"Congratulations, my Sultana." Nigar huffed. "Now you must play the devil's game to stay safe in this harem."

"You are right my dear Kalfa, but not the devil you are probably thinking of."

Nigar raised her brows as if begging for a follow up.

"Mahidevran Hatun proposed an alliance, to get rid of Hürrem." I repeated my previous thoughts to her. 

"So now Nigar, tell me, should I accept this offer?"

"I will not tell you. I will leave you to figure it out on your own."

My mouth fell open in surprise. "B-b-b-but you must help me Nigar! You promised you would."

Nigar bowed and then in the blink of an eye had vanished from my view as my hands fell down onto the sides of my waist and I groaned. Well, that must be wonderful. I needed to think, and very well. I had to get this in my favor and out of Mahidevran's and I know that she will not stop to drag me down once she is through.

Or perhaps, I thought, this was her grand plan to get me out of the game. She suspected I was a far greater enemy in the game than Hürrem. So now then, what do I do with her offer? 

I have put myself in a position of suspicion if I reject it, and by accepting I spread my arms to any vicious attacks she may throw at me. 

Oh, si tan solo tuviera uno de los increíbles asesores españoles de mi padre. O quizás una de las astutas damas de la corte de mamá.

I straightened out. Nobody is here to solve my problems but me. And here is what I resolve: I shall accept her offer, but I will let her be the big brain here. I will instruct Gülsah to do things the way I want them to be carried out, and in the meanwhile I can get rid of both Hürrem and Mahidevran. 

~

I held onto my plans internally until I saw through the window that the sun was beginning to set, and waited for Gülsah Hatun to come.

A soft knock on my door prompted me to open it, and Gülsah swiftly swooped in and shut the door behind herself as not to let anyone see.

"So Francesca, what of the offer of my Sultana?"

"You can tell Mahidevran Sultan that I accept her offer," I smiled and Gülsah's lips turned up. "However, I do offer a caveat."

"And what shall that be?"

"I would like all our letters to be delivered in paper. I know there have recently been many instances where women around have been listening in, through pipes or what not."

I leaned in closer, whispering, "Perhaps even now."

Gülsah looked a little concerned, in a way that I could tell she was falling for my ploy.

"If it is in paper, I will be able to burn it afterwords, and we will get rid of Hürrem without a trace, and I'm sure Mahidevran would also very much like that."

The Hatun nodded eagerly like a puppy, and with that I nodded her off and to deliver the news to her beloved Sultana tan rápido como puede correr un perrito.

Because that is what she reminded me of in her little pitter patter. 

In the meanwhile, I would simply attend to my own things, and wait for more news from the others.