I was officially pregnant. This was big news for me, and of course news spread around the harem so fast. Though some were excited for the party, many girls were naturally jealous of me, being the first favorite since Mahidevran to get pregnant. And if I had a son, I would immediately skyrocket even higher. However, I needed to make sure I still remained in the Sultan's favor regardless.

It was already 5 in the evening and the party would be starting soon, so I selected a simple red satin dress, a few bits of jewelry, and then looked myself into the mirror. Yes, it was good. I needed to make sure I stood out, but showed respect to the Valide Sultan, Hatice Sultan, and others that I don't overshadow them, especially with all this pregnancy business. And I just know Mahidevran will try to seem better by wearing flashy clothes and show off Mustafa as the eldest, but this could also be her weakness.

In reality, Mahidevran was really lucky for the Sultan to notice her. Unlike Hürrem, who was stubborn and very strong, Mahidevran was weak minded and wasn't able to put 2 and 2 together to hatch good plans. I need to make sure I become as Hürrem was to Süleyman, or no- I needed to be better, strong, but also humble, loyal, but also independent. And through that I would eventually rule this land if I wanted to.

My chambermaids went about to make sure my makeup looked nice, and then Fatma Hatun escorted me to the main hall, where a dance was taking place. I made sure to quietly, but confidently stride in to not make a fuss, while simultaneously making one.

The girls around me all whispered and pointed, but I held my chin up high till I cam to the main table, where Valide was sitting at it's head, beside her left was Hatice and Gülfem, and to her right was Mahidevran. I bowed.

"My Valide Sultan, it is a a great honor you bestowed to invite me here. Thank you."

Valide smiled. Internally, I was growing ever tired of praising and belittling myself, but I knew that this would all pay off eventually, and for now at least Valide was falling for it.

"Thank you, Zevki. I'm glad that the bearer of my grandson or granddaughter is here. Mahidevran, move over down so she can sit beside me."

Mahidevran gaped at Valide's request. "But Valide, I am the mother of the Sultan's first heir-"

"Now." Valide ordered. Mahidevran nodded slightly and complied with her request, but not without giving me a mean glare. I smirked slightly at her as I took my seat next to the Sultan's mother. Hatice looked at me and I gave her a warm smile which she returned with slightly perked up lips, though I could tell she still felt bad for Mahidevran being disgraced by her mother thanks to me.

We watched dancers go on and on for about 15 minutes, then dinner was brought to us and the rest of the girls and everyone ate while talking except our table, which was consumed by awkward silence until I finally opened my mouth to ask some questions.

"So how does the naming process for a child go, my Valide? Do I, or Sultan Süleyman choose the name of the child?"

"Well-" Valide started, but Mahidevran interjected.

"Don't consider yourself high and mighty to name a child that anyhow won't ever get the throne. You are simply just another slave, and only real royalty around here get the privilege to choose names!"

"Mahidevran!" Hatice barked. Everyone around stopped what they were doing to see the normally quiet Sultana, show a darker side. 

"You are no Sultana yourself, know your place! If you knew anything of the Ottoman law, which as a mother of a Sehzade you should, you would know Mustafa may be eldest but that guarantees nothing. And nothing for you too."

The Valide Sultan inhaled deeply, as did many around. She was about to speak once more, probably to reprimand Mahidevran again, but Sumbul Aga rushed in before anything could be said, bowing to the Sultana.

"Uh, Valide Sultana," Sumbul chuckled nervously looking around our table, till his gaze locked with my own. "There is a bit of a problem."

~ earlier ~

Sumbul Agha was walking the halls of the harem, scurrying at times, dancing at others, barking at people who were out of line. This was his job, something he had grown used to for years at the Harem. Though it was tiring at times and Sumbul really wanted nothing more than to lay on the couch with some sweet treats from Shakir Agha and a nice long nap, he got a lot of pay here in the harem, and especially for loyalty and being around.

So that's what he did. He was everywhere, but sometimes in places he didn't want to be at. Like in the hallway beside the basements, Sumbul was whistling to himself, but then suddenly appeared someone he didn't expect.

Hürrem. She was strutting down the hall like she owned the place. Flanked by her loyal servants like Gülnihal and Esma Hatun.

Hürrem. Out of the dungeons and back into the real world. This was going to be a big problem.

~ Now ~

"What is it Sumbul? Speak up!" Valide demanded. Sumbul slaps his cheek.

"Forgive me my Sultana, but Hürrem has been freed from the dungeons by the order of the Sultan himself!"

I stood up quickly, not minding the looks anyone else gave me. "W-w-w-what? Why?"

"Well you see, Hürrem fainted in the dungeons. The doctors checked her, and said that she is pregnant. With a child as well as yourself, Hatun."

I felt my own face pale at his words. Pregnant. And since the Sultan has only been spending time with me recently, the child must be older than the one I am carrying. Hürrem will be ahead of me in this race. And there isn't much I can do against it.

Everything was quiet now, and footsteps in the hallway were heard. It was Hürrem.