|Ayleen's POV|

-A Week Later-

I stood quietly in the upper section of the harem, my gaze sweeping over the scene below.. The concubines and maids were gathered, waiting for me to carry out the same ritual I had followed when I got married, when I became pregnant, and when I gave birth to Nuray.

Isabel handed me one of the small, brown leather pouches filled with golden coins, then I began distributing them to the others... I tried to summon a smile, though the atmosphere was hardly conducive to the celebration of my conversion to Islam, which I had announced to the family the day before.

I missed her.

That thought crossed my mind as my eyes fell on the entrance to the harem... Gisela had left three days ago, after we received a letter from my father, informing us it was time for her to return home... Although I had known from the start that this day would come, the reality of her departure had hit me harder than I expected.

Gisela had been my constant companion these past weeks.. We spent nearly every moment together.. saying goodbye was agonizing, but I knew I had to be grateful for the time we shared.

"Will I leave you to face this storm alone?" she had asked, her gaze fixed on mine the night before she left.

I understood exactly what she meant... She was referring to Orhan's aunt, her daughter, and the ongoing drama that had plagued us, especially in light of recent events.. She had wanted to protect me.. and Nuray.. from everything threatening to engulf us.

Actually ever since Fatma and Rana had arrived, I had kept Gisela away from them as much as possible.. I didn't want any conflicts that might make me seem fragile.. I needed to prove that I could handle everything myself.

"I need to face this on my own, Gisela... I don't want to be a weak woman, dependent on her family or the privileges she was born with" I had replied.

There was also a lingering anxiety in my chest, one that had been growing since the morning Gisela left... Before she climbed into the carriage, I had given her a private letter, telling her "Read it on the way"

I knew that once she opened it, I would no longer be Helena.. And though I was certain of her unwavering support, there was something inside me... Gisela had always seen me as her role model in every way... The thought that her perception of me could change terrified me.

I sighed softly, trying to push those thoughts aside and refocus on the present.. My hands rested against the low stone wall as I watched Sumbul Agha and Anastasia distributing gifts to the girls below and after a moment, I turned and made my way back to my room.

"Any news?" Sibylle asked as she sat beside me, her gaze soft as she observed Nuray sleeping peacefully in my lap, her tiny hand clasped gently between my fingers.

"Not yet" I replied, my voice calm, though my mind was far from at ease.. I met her gaze for a moment before sighing deeply and turning my eyes back toward the small window.

Thoughts of Orhan and the overwhelming concerns he had been carrying this week consumed me, especially after the events of the past few days.

「Flashback」

-Six Days Ago-

"They say he was poisoned" Orhan said, his voice steady, but the tension in his posture was unmistakable.. he stood facing the dark sky, his hands gripping the marble railing of the balcony as if holding onto it for stability.

I sighed, my fingers nervously toying with the ring on my finger, my thoughts tangled in the chilling story.. His wife had discovered him that morning, lifeless on the floor of his office.

"I've only heard praise for him all year.. They even said he would become one of the greatest grand viziers" I murmured quietly, my words almost a whisper.. why did such a distinguished man have to meet such an end?

"Ali Pasha was one of my most trusted men... He knew everything, every secret I held... It doesn't make sense for someone to target him unless they were trying to send a message" Orhan said, his gaze fixed on the sky.

His tone was quiet, but the anger simmering beneath it was palpable... Losing Ali Pasha felt like a personal blow.. one of his closest allies, a man with whom he had hoped to make history.

"So, their primary target wasn't him.. it was you" I said, piecing the puzzle together "To eliminate you, they had to remove him first"

Orhan's enemies were the same as Ali Pasha's, especially now, with the state finally experiencing stability after years of turmoil under Sultan Ibrahim's chaotic rule, which had left the empire fractured and weak.

"But something doesn't add up" Orhan said, turning to face me, confusion clouding his usually resolute expression "If they were external enemies, they would have searched through all of Ali Pasha's important documents... But they didn't"

I was silent for a moment, my mind racing to connect the dots... What was he suggesting? Why hadn't the attackers searched through Ali Pasha's papers? My stomach tightened with unease, and then, the realization hit me, making my breath catch in my throat.

"It's someone from the inside" I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Orhan's eyes met mine, a silent confirmation passing between us.. It was someone close.. someone who didn't care about Orhan's plans or Ali Pasha's secrets... All they wanted was to eliminate him, clear the path for their own ambitions.

「End of Flashback」

"She's three months old today" Isabel said with a smile, pulling me from my thoughts as she bent down to plant a soft kiss on Nuray's cheek.

"I can't believe it" Sibylle replied, placing her hand on her chest, which made me chuckle at the sight of her.

"Hel... Ayleen" Isabel sighed, as she had forgotten my name for the thousandth time since yesterday.

"Hey, you don't have to do that, it's okay.. Call me whatever feels easiest for you" I said with a smile, placing one of my hands gently over hers.

"I just need to get used to it" she laughed lightly before moving her hand "Anyway, when you come back, I need to talk to you about something important"

Despite my surprise at the seriousness etched on her face, I was even more shocked by the fact that I had completely forgotten about my outing with Zeynep.

"I completely forgot about that... Okay, we can talk later, Isabel" I replied quickly, standing up to place the baby in her cradle "Girls... Take care of Nuray, and soon Aysel will finish her lesson and Elena will bring her here.. She wants to spend some time with you"

"Don't worry, everything is under control" Sibylle said with a reassuring smile, placing her hands on her hips as she stood.

"And look.." I moved closer, speaking in a warning tone "If anyone comes in other than Turhan Sultan, do not let them near the baby, especially Fatma Sultan and Rana"

"Isn't Rana Hanım Sultan coming with you?" Isabel asked, her face showing visible surprise as she helped me get ready.

"No" I replied, adjusting the veil on my head "Yesterday, she said she didn't want to leave the palace.. She's in a mood that doesn't permit it" A deep sigh escaped me, as my gaze lingered on Nuray's innocent face, and I bent down to place a lingering kiss on her tiny hand.

For reasons I couldn't explain, a feeling of dread settled in my chest, as if leaving her would bring trouble.. The feeling was strong and impossible to ignore.. Even though every instinct in me urged caution, Zeynep's eyes were pleading with me, silently begging me to agree in front of her mother.

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"Finally, we've arrived" Zeynep said happily, looking out the window at the bustling market, always noisy, especially at this time of day.

"You look really happy" I remarked with a smile, raising an eyebrow playfully before making sure my face was well hidden as I stepped down from the carriage.

"Of course, I'll be happy" Zeynep said with a small smile before we began walking calmly "Do you want to go on your own while I finish quickly, or would you prefer to stay with me?"

At first, I couldn't respond, as a wave of surprise washed over me... How had I missed this? She was here to meet Mansur! I had assumed we were simply out for a walk.

"You're meeting him?" I asked, my hand instinctively reaching for hers before I even realized what I was doing "You didn't mention this, Zeynep"

"I thought you understood" she replied with a faint smile, her eyes fixed ahead as she walked "Why else would I come here... you know we can't meet in the garden after Orhan nearly caught us. So, we decided to meet at that old shop"

"You'll be done with this quickly, right?" I asked, a wave of discomfort and anxiety rising within me as I observed her reckless behavior and blind love, knowing it could lead to disaster.. I couldn't bear to leave her alone; I would stay by her side, make sure everything ended swiftly, and if necessary, put Mansour in his place.

As soon as I entered the old shop, I shot Mansur a cold, piercing look before continuing on my way, doing my best to distract myself and avoid glancing in their direction... I wanted to withhold any more attention from Mansur than he deserved while trying to calm the rising anxiety within me... The entire situation unnerved me, and I don't know why but an overwhelming sense deep inside urged me to hurry back to my daughter.

Suddenly, the door slammed open with such force that we all turned in terror, expecting the guards to rush in to handle whatever danger had arrived... But no.. standing in the doorway was the last person I ever expected to see here.. Orhan.

His gaze first found Mansur, sharp as a knife, filled with nothing but cold fury... Then, his eyes shifted to Zeynep... She was standing too close to Mansur, her hand still near his.

For the briefest moment, Orhan's gaze softened... That look.. disappointment, hurt, and betrayal.. flashed across his face, and it was almost worse than the fury he had shown Mansur.

And then his eyes found me.

There it was.. the look I had feared.. The shock, the disbelief... I couldn't look away, even though I wanted to, even though I feared what I would see.

His eyes... they were filled with more than anger.. something else I couldn't quite name.. It was like he saw right through me, like everything I had done was laid bare for him in that one piercing look.. My chest tightened painfully, and the guilt hit me harder than anything.

How did I let this happen? How could I have been so blind? How could I have stood here and allowed this betrayal to unfold? I wanted to explain, but my voice was gone.. I couldn't find the words.. What could I say? How could I justify this?

I had failed him.

The guards had entered and quickly seized Mansur, while Zeynep collapsed to the floor, falling to her knees and burying her face in her hands as her silent sobs filled the room.

I had clung to one of the shelves behind me, my fingers gripping the wood as my knees buckled beneath me.. I had been on the verge of collapse... Orhan's gaze still haunted me, and worse than that, he had left without uttering a single word.

Of course, we hadn't needed him to say anything.. I tried to control the tears that had welled up in my eyes, my legs moving almost of their own accord as I stumbled toward the door.. Zeynep, helped by one of the servants, struggled to rise, and together we made our way to the carriage.

The road had felt endless, as though the air had been sucked out of the world, leaving me breathless.

I had never, in my life, found myself in a situation like this.. I had spent my entire life confined within the walls of my room, surrounded only by my friends, careful to avoid any trouble.. And now, here I was, a grown woman, allowing myself to fall into this nightmare.

"What are we going to do?" Zeynep had spoken for the first time since we climbed into the carriage, her face still flushed and streaked with tears "What will happen to Mansur? We were supposed to be married in less than two months... I..."

"Are you serious?" I couldn't hold it in any longer.. I exploded, my voice trembling with fury, my own tears spilling "Can't you see what's happening?! He is not good for you! Why is it that everyone can see this but you? You should not marry him!"

"How can you say that?" she had begun, her eyes wide with disbelief "Why are you standing in the way of my happiness? I will marry him. no matter the cost, even if I have to run away with him! You don't understand love, because you've bent to the will of your parents, living your life by their decisions.. But I refuse to live like that.. I will never be like you!"

For the hundredth time that day, I had felt dizzy from the weight of her words. How could she say that? Was this truly Zeynep sitting in front of me, or was I in the presence of a stranger.. blind .. selfish girl? Was this what toxic love had done to her?

I couldn't bring myself to speak after that, my mouth dry, my hands clenching nervously... I turned to look out the window.. My marriage, my reputation.. everything had been at risk because of her, and she had still been thinking only of herself.. I couldn't believe that I had risked everything for someone so ungrateful.

When we entered Orhan's chambers, I could feel my body trembling, despite every effort to remain composed.. But the moment my eyes met the scene before me, all that control shattered.

There she was.. Turhan Sultan, standing beside Orhan... her face was a perfect mask of shock and deep, unspoken disappointment... She didn't need to speak.. her gaze alone was enough to cut through me.

It was Zeynep who shattered the silence.. She dropped to her knees before Orhan, her sobs wracking her fragile frame as she reached for his feet.. Her hands trembled uncontrollably as she clutched at his legs, looking up at him, her eyes wide with desperation.

"Please, your majesty... Please" she begged, her voice breaking with raw emotion "I love him... Don't take him away from me... I can't bear to lose him .. The only crime we've committed is loving each other.. I swear, we never meant to disrespect you, never meant any harm... Please, this is all I ask" Her tears flowed freely now, her words dissolving into choking sobs.. She was drowning in her desperation, pleading for a mercy I knew was already slipping through her fingers.

Orhan stood motionless, his expression unreadable, his gaze fixed somewhere far beyond us.. He didn't look at Zeynep.. He didn't seem to hear her cries, or maybe he couldn't bear to.

"All of you... out" Orhan finally said... there was no anger in his tone, no fury, nothing.. just a cold, detached finality... It was as if he had already decided, and nothing anyone could say would change that.

Turhan Sultan, though stunned by the scene before her, seemed to gather herself quickly... She moved toward Zeynep with an unyielding coldness, grabbing her arm and yanking her to her feet.. A single, heavy glance was all it took for her to command me to follow, her eyes brimming with disappointment too weighty to endure.

"Your majesty" I turned to him, finally desperate to speak, to explain myself.. but before I could say a word, he raised his hand.. this time, without even glancing in my direction.

My mouth went dry.. the words I had meant to say.. whatever they were..caught in my throat.. I couldn't make a sound.. Not when Orhan's back was already turned to me.

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Okay so like as a couple of u asked the next chapter is gonna be all Orhan's POV.. it's turning out super long so it'll just be him throughout the entire chapter!!😂
Much love babes 💌