|Ayleen's POV|

-Two Weeks Later-

"As much as I love you, I must tell you that despite your feelings, something like this is nearly impossible here, Ayleen" Zühre spoke gently as she walked alongside me in the garden.

She had patiently listened to my grievances since her visit this morning.. Ever since that day of the celebration, my mood had been cast into darkness.. The thought of Orhan with another woman is something I simply cannot bear, not after everything we’ve been through.

"But it's not impossible" I halted, turning to face her, struggling to collect my thoughts "I understand the rules clearly, and I've come from a place where I followed them all.. but I cannot reconcile myself to this way of life..  I won’t stir trouble or hurt anyone for the sake of my own desires, but the moment Orhan lays a hand on another woman, I won’t be able to bring myself to even glance at him.. Would you be able to endure seeing your husband with another woman?"

"My husband scarcely has time for such matters, he is perpetually consumed by his duties.. truly, I daresay he spends more time in the company of His Majesty than he does with me" She remarked with a playful tone, and her words managed to bring a smile to my face and a soft chuckle from me "Fear not, everything will unfold as it should.. Moreover, in my humble opinion, his love for you runs deep, and I am certain he would never do anything to bring you harm"

"Thank you for coming, Zühre" I said with a smile, before we shared a brief embrace.. she departed in her carriage, and I made my way back inside with Ebru.

"I've spoken with the Valide Sultan" Sumbul said quickly as soon as I entered the harem, where he had been conversing with some of the girls.

"Alright, let's talk in my chambers" I nodded, continuing toward my room.. as soon as I opened the door, a wide smile spread across my face at the familiar sight before me.. a sight that never failed to soothe my worries.

Nuray sat on one of the couches as Aysel gently combed her hair, clearly having just convinced her to sit still.. Selim played with Sibylle, while Osman enjoyed some fruit, with Buşra helping him.

"So, what did she think of your suggestion?" I removed my veil and settled onto one of the couches, eager to hear his response.

Just two days ago, Sumbul suggested that the two rooms were inadequate for me, the children, and the maids.. he recommended I have a separate room exclusively for the children.. Honestly, his proposal came at the perfect moment, as I had already been feeling the same way.

"She agreed and mentioned there’s a spacious room next to yours, once belonging to one of the sultanas.. She suggested we renovate it, adding a new door from your spare room that will lead directly into it.. If you’re free now, you can take a look and tell me what changes you’d like to make, your highness" He explained, gesturing as he spoke.. I nodded in agreement, finding the idea ideal.. It felt far more practical than having a room situated farther away.

"Very well, let’s go" I replied softly, rising with a quiet grace as I left the room.. we paused before a door I had passed countless times, yet it had always remained shut, holding its secrets within.. with a subtle gesture, Sumbul unlocked it, silently inviting me to step inside.

As I stepped inside, I took in the vastness of the room, my gaze lingering on every corner.. It didn’t look as though it had been locked away for years.. The space had been well cared for, everything gleaming and in place, yet there was something missing.. It felt lifeless.

I couldn’t help but imagine that once, long ago, this room had been full of energy, laughter, tears, and the endless flow of a sultana’s daily life.

"The door will be constructed in this wall, Your Highness, and the work is set to begin tomorrow" Sumbul's voice pulled me from my thoughts as he gestured toward the right wall.. there, a large golden mirror stood, its reflection catching the light, with a small couch positioned in front of it and an empty bookshelf beside it.

"Yes, this will do perfectly" I replied, nodding in approval "Additionally, have the workers enlarge this window to allow more sunlight into the room" I instructed, pointing to one of the windows "As for the furniture, it should all be replaced.. However, the bookshelf and the mirror may remain; I’m certain the children will enjoy them.. for the curtains and bedding, they must be in royal blue and gold, and..."

Before I could continue, Anastasia entered, bowing respectfully before meeting my gaze, her expression indicating she had something of importance to share.

"Your Highness, His Majesty has arrived in the garden with Şehzade Ahmed and is requesting the children to join him" she said, meeting my gaze.. I signaled to Sumbul, indicating that we would resume the planning later, before turning and making my way back to my chambers.

"Come on, children, your father is asking for you in the garden" I said, my lips curling into a smile, watching their faces brighten, especially Nuray's, who always loved spending time with him.. she couldn’t get enough of being carried around.

The twins were still adjusting to Orhan’s return.. they were only six months old when he left, and now, two years and two months later, their faces still carried a hint of confusion whenever they saw him.. Despite my repeated explanations, telling them to call him "father" they were just two small children, unable to fully grasp the significance of it all.

"But we were supposed to choose a gift for Ahmed" Aysel remarked, her tone laced with concern, as I carefully cleaned Osman’s face and changed his clothes.

"We'll take care of that later, don't worry, darling" I smiled at her, touched by her thoughtful nature.. even though Ahmed's tenth birthday was still a week away, Aysel was eager to pick out a gift in advance, wanting to keep it a surprise for him.

I glanced at them all, my attention eventually landing on Selim, who was being carried by Buşra.. his tiny hands were wrapped around one of her locks of hair, a clear sign of his constant need to keep moving.. He couldn’t stay still for a moment, and it seemed as though everyone had long since adapted to his energetic nature.

I watched them leave, and despite Aysel’s insistence that I join them, I feigned tiredness and claimed I preferred to stay behind with my book.. the truth was, I just wanted to avoid Orhan.. but, as I sat with my thoughts, unsure of what was troubling me, an undeniable curiosity tugged at me.. before long, I found myself stepping onto the balcony, unable to resist watching them from afar.

"Your Highness" Anastasia's voice called from behind, prompting me to turn "There’s an agha here who claims to have something for you"

Despite my surprise, I nodded, signaling him to come in.. As he drew closer, my gaze fell upon Faruk agha, a figure I frequently saw attending to Orhan and Turhan Sultan.. It was evident he had long been a fixture in the harem, earning Orhan’s deep trust over the years.

"His Majesty instructed me to deliver this to you" he said, offering a medium-sized silver box.

I raised an eyebrow in surprise; I had been deliberately avoiding Orhan since that day.. I had convinced myself he no longer had anything to say to me.. or perhaps, that he simply no longer wished to.

"Alright, thank you" I murmured with a soft smile, gesturing for Anastasia to take the box.. after watching the messenger depart, I carefully retrieved it from her and stepped onto the balcony.. with a sense of anticipation, I lifted the lid, eager to discover what lay within.

As I opened the box, I saw two things inside, a small letter and a golden letter holder that looked official.

The first thing I reached for was the letter, its seal bearing Orhan’s mark.. A sudden urge to read it gripped me, as if I sought something that might soothe the turmoil inside, words that could calm the storm within.. he had always possessed a unique ability to ease my worries, and the thought that he might someday be the cause of my anxiety unsettled me deeply.

You have remained in my thoughts, constant and unwavering, throughout this time apart.. Perhaps you wonder why my words have come so late, why I have not acted sooner.. but in truth, I have been waiting for something that befits you.. Not to win your favor, for nothing in this world could ever replace the value of your feelings, but because I have come to understand that there is no treasure, no jewel, no creation that could ever hold a candle to you.. You are beyond all of that.

Yet, still, I wish to offer you something small, a token that might bring you a fraction of the joy you have brought me.. And so, I will wait until you are ready once more to bless me with your presence.

I stared at the letter for what felt like an ages, my eyes tracing each word over and over.. Despite the beauty of his words, it wasn’t quite what I had imagined.

A strange sense of happiness stirred within me, but also confusion.. Was he suggesting that, somewhere within all of this, we should sit down and talk.. whenever I was ready? Not like this, not through a letter… but face to face.

I took the golden holder, opened it, and gently unrolled the parchment inside.. my eyes first landed on Orhan’s seal, and then I began reading.. With each word, a smile grew on my face.

In honor of his victory, he had ordered the construction of a magnificent mosque, to be named after me... Ayleen Nura Sultan Mosque.

I raised my eyes with a gentle smile, and as the sun dipped toward the horizon, the sky unfolded in a breathtaking display of color.. Below, Orhan stood with the children, his every gesture filled with a deep, earnest longing to make up for lost moments, cherishing each precious second as if it were his last.

»»————-　♔　————-««

"Alright, my precious Nuray, that’s enough for now.. it’s time for you to sleep" I whispered, pressing a gentle kiss to each of her cheeks and tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

"But I’m not sleepy" she protested, crossing her little arms and gazing up at me with her beautiful gray eyes, her expression full of innocence as she tried to convince me otherwise.

"But you look so tired" I said softly, lifting her into my arms and carrying her to her bed.. she always claims she’s not sleepy, yet the moment her head touches the pillow, she drifts into a peaceful sleep.

"Okay, promise we’ll go to the garden tomorrow and find a kitty or a bird?" She said, as she always did before bed, her voice soft and hopeful, asking for a promise.. this time, her little heart was set on getting a pet, as she’d been dreaming of having a cat or a bird for as long as I could remember.

"Alright, I promise" I murmured with a smile, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead and gently running my fingers through her hair until she drifted off to sleep.. unlike her siblings, she preferred the quiet comfort of my touch over stories or songs before bed.

I quietly slipped away once I was certain she had fallen asleep, then checked on Selim and Osman, placing a kiss on each of their foreheads.. But when my lips met Osman’s, I froze, feeling the warmth radiating from his body.

"What’s wrong, Sultanim?" Buşra asked, her voice laced with concern as she approached me.. I quickly unbuttoned the top of Osman’s shirt to check his temperature, and to my shock, it was dangerously high.

"He’s burning up!" I exclaimed, panic rising in my chest as I struggled to think, the fear and helplessness clawing at me, as they always did in moments like this.

"Calm down, Ayleen" Sibylle said gently, placing a steadying hand on my arm to stop me from picking Osman up.. her voice remained calm, but her eyes were filled with concern as she turned to Buşra "Call the doctor, quickly"

I ran my hand over Osman’s forehead and cheek again, each touch intensifying the searing heat against my skin, as if it were burning me from the inside out.. time seemed to stretch on endlessly, each second dragging by painfully as we waited for the doctor to arrive.. and when she finally did, her examination felt like an unending ordeal, each minute felt like a brutal reminder of how powerless I was.

I turned quickly toward the door as soon as I heard Orhan’s arrival.. It was clear the news had reached him, and in that moment, I desperately needed him here more than ever.

"What happened?" His voice was thick with concern as he hurried over.. Before I could answer, Turhan Sultan entered the room, already dressed for bed, as if she had been prepared to sleep before hearing the news.

"Şehzade Osman has a high fever, likely from the sun" the doctor murmured, lowering her head in deference to Orhan.. her words offered no new insight; he had already known the child’s temperature was dangerously high.

"Do something! Try to bring his fever down" I pleaded urgently, stepping closer to her, my voice trembling as tears filled my eyes "He’s burning up... I can feel it... it’s like he’s on fire"

"I will do what I can, Sultanim" she reassured me, her hands moving quickly "I’ll wipe his body with cold water to bring his temperature down from the outside, and then we’ll give him medicine to lower it from the inside" She began unbuttoning his clothes, gently moving them aside, when Orhan carefully lifted Osman into his arms, his face paling as he felt the searing heat radiating from his body.

"Quickly" Turhan Sultan said, her voice steady despite the deep worry in her eyes.. she glanced at the little boy with pity before turning to Anastasia "Take the children out of here.. allow the doctor to do what she must" her gaze softened as she looked at me "Don’t worry.. This is common for children his age... he’ll be fine"

Her words did nothing to ease the turmoil inside me... It’s my son... a part of me, and there he lay, burning with fever.. his body trembled, his mind already slipping into delirium, and I could feel the sickness tightening its grip on him.. each moment felt like an unbearable lifetime.. no one could possibly understand the agony I was enduring, watching him suffer like this.

Tears flowed relentlessly as Orhan’s hands gently wrapped around me, guiding me to another room.. He signaled for Ebru to bring water, then helped me sip it before pulling me into his arms, his touch tender as he ran his hand through my hair, offering comfort without a single word.

It was as if he understood the depth of my fear, that my emotions weren’t just a reaction, but a raw part of me in that moment.. He was his father too... and perhaps, with his greater experience, he knew how to carry us both through this.

I found myself clutching his clothes, pressing my face into them, desperate to hide my sobs.. his presence and support were exactly what I needed in that moment.. the past two years had felt like an endless nightmare.. Every time one of the children fell ill, I froze in terror, feeling as though no one truly understood or shared my fear.. But now, things were different.. Orhan was here too, and as the child's father, I knew he felt that same deep fear, sharing in the worry that only a parent could know.

The time stretched on as the doctor, Orhan, Sibylle, and I kept vigil over the child.. Sometimes his fever would drop, and we’d breathe a sigh of relief, only for it to spike again, leaving us in a state of constant unease.. My mind had become a maze of "what ifs" and "maybes" each thought more terrifying than the last.. I felt so helpless... unable to protect my son from this sudden illness.

I slowly opened my eyes, the soft warmth of the sunlight filling the room, and for a moment, I was puzzled.. wondering when and how it had crept in.. but then the memory flooded back.. I had been sitting on the sofa with Orhan, his voice gentle but insistent as he convinced me to rest, promising that his watchful eyes would never leave our child.. Though I had resisted for what felt like ages, in the end, exhaustion had claimed me, and my eyes closed against my will, surrendering to sleep.

I sat up, my hand instinctively pressing against my sore neck, and in a rush, I stood and hurried to Osman’s room.. A wave of relief flooded through me when I saw Orhan cradling him in his arms, gently pacing around the room.. the doctor, however, was nowhere to be found.

"How is he?" I asked, my voice trembling with worry as I moved closer, reaching out to take Osman.. he was asleep, his small body now cool to the touch, his fever finally having subsided to normal levels.

"He’s fine now.. the doctor gave him some more medicine before she left" Orhan replied softly, running his hand through Osman’s hair.

I pressed a kiss to my son’s hand, then, with great reluctance, lifted my eyes to Orhan.. he looked utterly drained, as if the strain of the night had taken everything from him.

"You need to rest" I said softly, my concern evident as I gently traced his features with my eyes, careful not to raise my voice so I wouldn’t disturb Osman.

"I have a pressing matter to attend to, followed by a divan" he replied, his hand instinctively massaging his neck, the familiar gesture of someone weary "I’ll prepare myself and make sure to check on Osman before I leave"

"Good luck, and please, try not to overexert yourself" I murmured, my eyes following him as he nodded and leaned in to press a tender kiss on my forehead before turning to leave.

I stood there, watching him walk away, a wave of sympathy washing over me.. he hadn’t even had a moment’s rest, yet he was still pushing forward.

Despite the exhaustion I could see in him, a part of me was thankful that Osman’s fever had finally subsided.. With a quiet sigh, I gently placed him back in his bed, then I reached for the Quran, hoping to find some solace in its pages as I prayed for the health and well-being of all my five children.

»»————-　♔　————-««

-A Week Later-

"I truly have no desire to go there; her words from that night still linger in my mind, and I cannot forget them" I muttered, staring at my reflection in the mirror while Sibylle and Anastasia helped me get ready.

Turhan Sultan had invited me to lunch, where they would finalize the details of Rana’s upcoming wedding, which, to my surprise, was approaching quickly.. I’d also learned that both Rana and her mother would be staying here until after the event.

"Ayleen, listen" Sibylle said, her hands gently smoothing over my shoulders as she met my gaze in the mirror with a reassuring smile "You need to let her words go.. Remember, she herself acknowledged that you will always be the first lady.. I’m not one to offer advice like this, but trust me, no matter what she says, the final say is His Majesty's.. don’t let this turn into something bigger"

Though I was taken aback by Sibylle’s words, there was undeniable truth in them, so I gave a small nod of agreement.. Once we finished the final touches, I made my way to check on the children.

Just as I was about to leave, Sumbul appeared at the door, his posture rigid, his lips pressed together as though holding back something important.

"Sultanim" he began, his hands respectfully positioned in front of him as he lowered his head.. raising his eyes to meet mine, the intensity in his gaze made it clear that what he had to share was urgent and could not wait.

"Go ahead, Sumbul.. I trust everyone here" I murmured, stepping back and sitting on the sofa, taking a deep breath as I braced myself for whatever news he carried.

"As I walked through one of the hallways, some whispers caught my attention, drawing me toward them.. It felt as though something guided me, urging me to uncover what was happening" he said, raising his index fingers with a dramatic flair, his eyes widening "It was as though fate itself had destined me to overhear this"

"It’s just your curiosity that led you to eavesdrop, Sumbul" Sibylle remarked with a playful tone, causing a soft laugh to escape me.. However, Sumbul shot her a sharp glare, and I quickly gestured for him to continue.

"I overheard Rana Hanım Sultan speaking with one of her mother's servants" Sumbul continued, his voice tense "She said she needed to find proof that it was Mansur Pasha who was behind the death of the former grand vizier, so she could threaten him into helping her avoid the marriage" Sumbul continued, his expression changing with each word, as though he, too, was waiting for my response.

I was frozen, unable to conjure any immediate response.. the shock rendered me speechless.. I wouldn’t put it past Mansur, of course.. a quiet suspicion had lingered in my mind ever since that incident three years ago, but as time passed, the weight of other concerns had pushed it deep into the recesses of my thoughts.. Yet here it was, resurfacing with a vengeance.. No one had forgotten, it seemed.. such a heinous crime was not so easily buried.. Orhan, still tirelessly pursuing the truth, had never wavered in his belief that the culprit was someone within our own circle.. but did he suspect Mansur? Somehow, I doubted it.

"What proof? How does her mother’s servant plan to get it?" I asked, rising to my feet and pacing a few steps toward him, a surge of urgency flooding my chest.. If we could gather all the details, we could expose both Mansur and Rana, eliminating two traitors driven only by their selfish desires.

"Probably letters, perhaps confirming his involvement, along with some other pashas.. It seems he keeps everything in his office or another secure location" This wasn’t exactly the clarity I’d hoped for, but it was enough to set our plan into motion.. we had to act swiftly and secure the evidence before Rana could.

"Alright, I’ll take care of it.. we need to get those papers as quickly as possible; we’ll sort the rest later.. but for now, I’m already late for lunch" I said, straightening my dress and smoothing my hair as I prepared to leave.

Just as I reached the door, Sumbul stopped me, his face pale, as though he had more to share.. and from the look of it, the news wasn’t good... again.

"The unexpected news is that, just moments ago, some unanticipated guests arrived" he said, his expression now composed.. Yet, there was a curious glint in his eyes, as though he harbored many unspoken questions.

"Who are these guests?" I asked, raising an eyebrow in surprise.. I had expected someone from Orhan’s family, and as I exchanged a glance with Sibylle, I saw that she had the same thought.

"Three ministers from the Brandenburg-Prussia kingdom have arrived, handling political matters tied to His Majesty’s campaign in Poland" he explained while I listened intently, curiosity stirring within me, wondering how this news might be relevant to me "What’s peculiar, however, is that they brought with them a princess.. Theodora of Prussia, the younger sister of King Frederick William of Prussia"

The news left me unsettled, a cold shiver running down my spine.. It felt strange, almost foreign, as if my instincts were screaming at me.. I listened absently as Sumbul continued, explaining how Turhan Sultan had already welcomed her.. but my thoughts were consumed by a single, burning question.. why had this stranger come, and what was her true purpose in being received with such formality?

As I entered Turhan Sultan’s chambers, all eyes turned toward me, and my gaze immediately sought out one face among the others... and there she was.. the only face I didn’t recognize, standing among Turhan Sultan, Fatma Sultan, and Rana.

She sat gracefully beside Fatma Sultan, wearing an elegant gown that seemed to have been chosen especially for this occasion.. at least, that’s what my mind tried to convince me.. her eyes, though curious, held a calm smile as I approached.

"You arrived just in time, Ayleen... Join us" Turhan Sultan's voice drew me back from my thoughts, grounding me in the present.

"This is our new guest, Princess Theodora" Turhan Sultan said, gesturing toward the young woman who stood with a warm smile, her gaze meeting mine with a quiet confidence "And this is Ayleen Sultan"

I nodded politely at the princess, returning her smile with a slight, guarded one of my own.. as she hesitated, I motioned for her to sit before taking a seat beside Rana, keeping my eyes on Theodora.

"So, where were we? Ah yes, you look so young.. how old are you?" Fatma Sultan asked, her face lighting up with a bright smile, as if she had been deeply engaged in conversation with Theodora before my arrival.

"I’m seventeen" the princess responded with a gentle smile, briefly meeting Fatma Sultan's gaze before gracefully taking a bite of the food on her plate.

I folded my hands in my lap, letting my plate go untouched as I quietly observed the scene.. the young princess spoke with a slight accent and occasional missteps in her words, a reminder of myself when I first arrived here.

I was about to ask one of the many questions swirling in my mind when my gaze met Rana’s.. She was watching the princess intently, her expression fierce, as though she were ready to pounce at any moment.. A chill ran down my spine.. wait, does she know something I don’t? Should I feel threatened right now? Why would they be welcoming a stranger like this?

I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

"Alright, they’ve prepared a room for you to rest after your journey.. we’ll discuss the important matters later" Turhan Sultan remarked, standing and making the rest of us follow.

Our eyes stayed locked on the unexpected guest, who gave us one last smile before leaving with her two maids and one of Turhan Sultan’s servants.

»»————-　♔　————-««

You have no idea how much I’ve missed being here with u all!! I didn’t want this chapter to be this long so I shortened the final scene and left some things for later.. u have no idea how excited I am for this event exactly and for the upcoming chapters... love u all 💌