I got it. I got Sultan Süleyman's legendary purple handkerchief. I was on my knees at that moment, and bowing my head to the Sultan, though from the top of my eyes and through my eyelashes I could vaguely see the figure of a solid looking man in a long gold and turquoise robe, who seemed like he had a good night watching our performance.

I slowly got up off my knees and keeping my head still bowing, with the lovely purple satin relic crumpled and held tightly in my fist, I gracefully took step after step backwards, still a little behind the other girls as there was an awkward silence amongst all those who remained. I froze for a few minutes to look through my mask at the Sultan himself in awe though he had turned his back towards me so I couldn't see his face. I heard he had the most handsome face, and was a glorious young man, so hopefully eventually I will see for my self. 

As a Spanish princess, that's good for... diplomatic purposes. Oh who am I fooling? Madre the Queen, Padre the King, and certainly not my haughty sister Isabella know of my whereabouts, or in this case my being a literal concubine of our sworn enemy, so what's the worst that could happen? Now, I can probably say I have my own interest in mind over Spain. They practically abandoned me, at least for the time being. 

When they save me, I will join their side again. But for now, Francesca Fortuna works alone in her mission. Alone, but not really because I have God and his faith placed in me. And that's all that counts.

The doors began to shut to the Sultan's grand rooms, and he began turning back in my direction, but unfortunately the stupid guards shut the doors before I could see his face.

"Ugh." I huffed to myself quietly. "Couldn't keep the doors open for another couple of seconds, could they?"

"Shush, be glad that you even had the opportunity to be in the midst of the Sultan of the World!" Nigar hushed me. Oops, I guess she heard my rant.

 However, it wasn't in a Princess's interest to be 'hushed up' and done away with. I could say what I want, when I want. However, not at the moment. When I regain my power, become a princess or queen of sorts here, then I will show everyone.

Sylvie and Alsu were chatting excitedly, while the other two girls were kind of quiet but still held on to each other like orphans who had nowhere else to go. Francesca, es una comparación bastante desagradable, I scolded myself in Spanish. Francesca, that's a rather nasty comparison to make. 

Nigar was smiling when I caught up to her. "You happy about the dance?"

"Yes!" I chimed. "I can't believe I even got the-"

Nigar quickly put her hand over my mouth, rudely honestly.

"Hush. We can talk later. For now, don't saying anything about it. To anyone, not even your close friends. If rumor gets out, you may be in trouble."

I nodded, albeit a bit disappointed that I couldn't gloat. And a bit surprised. So I guess the other girls didn't see me get the handkerchief? And why was it such a secret thing?

~

Nigar Kalfa was true to her word and after the other girls went back to the harem to chat about the dance to those who would listen, Nigar pulled me over to a private room to speak. She first strangely checked the doors, windows, and even walls, and then began speaking.

"Sorry for the confidentiality, but here in Topkapi harem, we have a lot of spies."

"Why would anyone care so much?"

"Anything for power," Nigar responded, sighing. "It's a sad process. That's also why I didn't want you to go out there and talk about the handkerchief. If the wrong person finds out..."

"Who?" I asked dumbly. I honestly couldn't suspect anyone. Perhaps Mahidevran? Perhaps even Amia? Though I honestly didn't see that annoying girl as much of a threat to me, especially now that she's been put in her place for her nastiness and won't get any similar future opportunities to be with the Sultan.

Nigar Kalfa slapped her forehead. I knew it, it sounded like a very dumb question to her.

"A certain bold redhead who would do anything to stay with the Sultan for eternity."

I gasped. "Hürrem Hatun?"

She slowly nodded. Hürrem, who I had literally saved from imminent death by a creepy man on order of Valide, could very well be my enemy if she knew it was me who could steal her one true love.

A smirk began playing on my lips. "Well, this isn't as bad as I thought it could be. Why don't we keep playing this game with her?"

Nigar looked confused for a second, then her facial expression cleared up a bit. I know Nigar didn't dedicate her loyalty to anyone, she was pretty nonpartisan and adhered strictly to harem rules, she knew that I was asking for her help.

"Well Hatun, I don't know. This seems like a conversation for another day..."

"No, we can do this today!" I quickly interjected, pulling Nigar Kalfa's arm down to seat her with me on a random cushion in the room. Really I don't know what's up with their sense of furnishing, but they should take a page out of Spain. God willing when I come in some sort of power I will do that.

"Fine. What do you need help with?"

I was giddy waiting for this moment. I pulled out my now treasured purple handkerchief, which was unfortunately slightly crumpled from being crushed in my fist for so long, and then waved it in the air.

"So what will happen next?" I asked. "You aren't quite clear of my fate with this."

Nigar looked rather pointedly at my precious handkerchief.

"This is a sign from the Almighty. You need to make the right choices about how to proceed. You will go to the Sultan again in 2 days time, and you will be prepared with a night with him. Not dancing, just a night. If he likes you, he will call you over and over." She took a pause to breath.

"You will become what is called a 'favorite' and get a room, though you may or may not have to share it. New clothes, gifts, that kind of thing too. God willing you will be pregnant too. If you have a son, known as the Sehzade, which is an heir to the throne, you will become a Sultana, which is like a royal title for woman. You will have your own room, servants, gifts, and lots of power. You absolutely cannot blow your chances."

I nodded. "I will be ready for that night like none before."

________________

a/n: sorryyy for the delays in updates. Will be more time conscious. Are you guys excited about the next night?? After this chapter things will start to move more quickly, so this book will probably cap at like 50 or 60 chapters, and as you saw in the cast, with children as well and our beloved Francesca will be like a phoenix that rises from the ashes in a new form! Enjoyyy and more coming soon!