|Ayleen's POV|

-Four days later-

"I regret ever showing you how to play" I muttered with a playful pout, watching Orhan move one of the pieces in a final move to seal his victory in a game I had once taught him all about, making it way too easy for him to beat me.

"You just weren't focused" he teased, leaning back slightly, holding back a laugh at the look on my face.. then he gently raised his hand, brushing his fingers across my cheek "You've been looking tense for days.. what's going on?"

"Um..." I lowered my gaze, feeling that all-too-familiar weight pressing on my chest once again.. when I'm with Orhan or the kids, I can push everything aside, but as soon as the issue enters my mind, my mood shifts in an instant.

"Hey" he slid his fingers under my chin, lifting my face just enough for our eyes to meet "You can tell me, and we'll figure it out together"

I lingered, lost in his eyes for a moment.. although I had made up my mind to bring it up, I kept postponing it.. each time, I hesitated, unwilling to disturb his peace.

I didn't want him to think I didn't trust him, yet I couldn't bring myself to burden him with something so tied to the state.

"Turhan Sultan wants something" I began, absentmindedly fiddling with the ring on my finger, trying to ease into the words.. when he noticed, he gently took my hand, calming my nerves "She wants you to marry Princess Theodora"

"Ayleen" he paused, his gaze lingering on mine with an emotion I couldn't quite place.. something like pity, sending a shiver through me.

"The key word is already there... It may be her wish, but it hasn't come from me" He leaned in, his fingers grazing my cheek as he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.. with a tender kiss on my forehead, he pulled back, his gaze locking with mine "Please, don't let these thoughts take over.. they're only draining you"

"I'm trying" I whispered, as he pulled me closer, letting my head rest gently on his chest.

His hand running through my hair and the soothing words he murmured were enough to make me want to stay there forever, lost in his embrace, and sleep as long as I could.

"I'll talk to her to stop bothering you" he murmured after a long silence, one where I was on the edge of sleep.. his words pulled me back, and instead of offering comfort, they stirred something else inside me.

"No, don't" I protested, lifting my head to meet his gaze, holding his hand gently.. I knew all too well how close he was to his mother and how much they meant to each other, having endured so much together.

I never wanted to be the kind of woman who would ask him to choose between me and the people he loved.. I longed for a solution, but I couldn't bear the thought of him saying something that might hurt her or make her believe I was turning him against her.

"Why?" he asked, confused, as if my earlier complaint had led him to believe that's exactly what I wanted.. for him to put an end to her actions.

"I don't want your mother to be upset with you, nor do I want to be the source of any tension between you two" I replied gently, playing with the black ring on his right hand "I'm fine as long as I trust you.. as for my issues with her, I'll try to find a solution soon.. I've been avoiding her as much as I can lately anyway"

"Alright then" he replied with a little smile, lifting my hand to place a gentle kiss on it "But if things get worse and you start to feel overwhelmed, tell me everything"

I nodded with a smile before resting my head on his chest, feeling his arms wrap around me.. Although we were sitting on the couch, I decided I'd sleep right there, trusting that by morning, I'd find myself settled comfortably in bed.

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-The next day-

"Stop, Ayleen, you're making me dizzy" Sibylle remarked, her eyes following my restless movements around the room with a hint of concern in her voice.

She could tell I was on the edge, clearly sensing that I was losing my composure.. she knew, just as well as I did, that Orhan had likely already found out everything.. after all, Yunus Pasha would be the one to tell him.

-Flashback: Two days ago-

"I have the letters, Your Highness" Yunus Pasha said the moment he laid eyes on me, his tone direct and urgent.. he knew we couldn't waste any time.. we needed to act swiftly.

"How did you manage it, and where did you find these?" I asked in surprise, my gaze falling to the bundle in his hands.. I couldn't conceal my astonishment at how quickly he had managed to pull this off.

"Your Highness... Mansur Pasha shares an office with Ömer Pasha, where they work throughout the day.. that's where I knew I would find what I was looking for" he began, carefully handing me the papers one by one "He had concealed them among a collection of old, unused books, and it appears he's been keeping them there for quite some time.. I found them scattered in various places, so I cannot say with certainty if this is everything.. However, what I do know is that what we have now is more than enough"

"You've done excellent work, Pasha" I said, offering a faint smile as I skimmed through the letters, carefully selecting those pertaining to Rana.

Perhaps, in the end, she didn't just need something to use against him.. she also needed to cover her own mess.

"I have a suggestion, Your Highness" he murmured, his tone measured, clearly choosing his words carefully "It would be wiser for you to stay out of this and allow me to handle it with His Majesty.. A matter of this kind could bring trouble from all sides"

I fell silent for a moment, mulling over his words.. Indeed, to involve myself so deeply would surely lead to complications I was not prepared to face.

Moreover, I had no wish to take a direct role in such matters.. the affairs of state held little allure for me.. my only desire was peace.. a life spent in the company of my family, free from these burdens.

"Very well.. you speak to His Majesty, and try to handle it in a way that won't provoke him too much" I responded, my voice laced with a trace of exasperation.. though my words might have sounded somewhat naive, I knew there was no way Orhan wouldn't be furious.

After all, the traitor he had been hunting for over three years was a member of his own family.

I kept the letters pertaining to Rana, intending to read and handle them as I saw fit, then returned the rest to Yunus Pasha.

He lowered his head in respect one last time before departing swiftly while I made my way back inside the palace, my thoughts swirling, awaiting the moment when Yunus Pasha would reveal everything to Orhan.

-End of Flashback-

"I can't control it" I responded, my voice betraying the calm I was trying to maintain.. I moved toward one of the couches to sit, but froze when the door creaked open, and Sumbul Agha stepped inside.

"Sultanim, His Majesty has just summoned Zeynep Sultan" he announced, his words landing heavily on me and sending a wave of anxiety crashing over as a whirlwind of thoughts spiraled in my mind.

The letters contained damning evidence against Mansur.. whether it was related to the plot to assassinate the former Grand Vizier, his other illicit dealings, or even his betrayals toward his wife. In his arrogance, he had exchanged letters with his mistress.. yes.. In his recklessness, he had exchanged letters with his mistress.

As I sifted through the papers, I couldn't help but wonder how much foolishness it took for someone not to destroy such incriminating evidence.. Yet, in that moment, a realization dawned on me.

As much as these letters served as a shield for Mansur, they also stood as damning proof against his allies.. perhaps he had kept them, anticipating the day when he might need to use them as leverage against those who had once stood by him.

Orhan must be questioning Zeynep about the matter now.. had I made a mistake by bringing it to his attention before she was prepared to act? I couldn't say for certain, but what I did know was that my actions, though difficult, were for the greater good... even for Zeynep.

My anxiety lingered for hours, with no news of Orhan except that his conversation with Zeynep had lasted longer than anticipated before she returned to her room.

As for Orhan, I had no way of knowing.. no decisions had been made, and he hadn't left his chambers either.

»»-----　♔　-----««

|3rd Person POV|

-The Next Day-

The first piece of clothing was placed on Orhan's shoulders, the striking red of the kaftan standing out against the dark tones of the room.. A single glance was enough to understand its significance: the blood-red hue of the kaftan was not worn lightly.. It was reserved for days such as this.. when life and death would be decided, and today, it heralded a death.

As the two men fastened the buttons and adjusted the shoulders before draping the second piece, Orhan's mind was consumed by thoughts darker than the very fabric of his kaftan.

Fury, disgust, and the suffocating presence of betrayal filled his every thought.

He had known Mansur for almost ten years, yet only yesterday did he realize the true extent of the man.

Mansur's arrogance had always been apparent to Orhan, something he had never overlooked.. It was precisely why he had kept him away from positions of real power.

Though he kept him nearby, he never allowed him to get too close.. he never trusted him.

Yesterday, everything shifted.. It was as though a veil had been torn away.. Orhan had entrusted Mansur with the most precious thing he had.. his sister... his beloved sister, whose choices had never been the wisest, but he had always refrained from intervening.. he had even tried to reason with her, but after their conversation yesterday, it became clear that keeping her distant from all of this was the only option.

Orhan turned towards the mirror, his gaze fixed on his reflection.. the sight of himself draped in red only intensified the fury that gripped him.

The color felt like a death sentence.. and indeed, it was.

This wasn't just about justice; it was about family, honor, and the reputation of their name.. the cost of this justice would be high, and it would be paid in blood.

His thoughts had been simmering with rage since yesterday.. three years ago, he had spared Mansur's life, believing that his actions didn't deserve such severe punishment.

But now, Orhan saw the truth.. Mansur's loyalty had never been to the state, to him, or to the dynasty.. It had always been fueled by a relentless hunger for power.

How could Mansur have thought he would escape something like this? How dare he manipulate and deceive, hiding such a vile secret from him? Orhan had never truly trusted him, but he had given him a place, a chance. Mansur had squandered it all for what?

Greed.

Ambition.

Orhan's reign had no room for such weakness.. only men with strong minds and the ability to control their desires could stand by his side.

Such moments always made Orhan overthink, pulling him back to the early years of his reign, when he had believed he could swiftly and forcefully control everything.. he had thought that as long as he remained just and fair, betrayal would never find its way into his realm.

But with time, he learned that betrayal would always exist wherever power was at stake.. Mansur allowed his ambitions to control him, and now he would learn the hard way that no one sets their eyes on something belonging to another and lives to tell the tale.

The two men stepped back as they finished fastening the final button on his kaftan.. Orhan gave his reflection one last glance before leaving the chambers, his steps firm but quick, the resolve in his mind propelling him onward.

His will, in this moment, was to erase every trace of Mansur from existence.. If blood had to be spilled to ensure that his power remained unshaken, so be it.

As was customary every morning, the members of the divan were already gathered, exchanging quiet pleasantries before the announcement of the Sultan's arrival.. At once, they rose to take their positions in an orderly manner, each mindful of their rank within the state.

It wasn't necessary for them to lift their eyes to notice the difference today.. the bright crimson red moved toward his seat like a mirage, visible even from beneath their lowered gazes.. In moments like this, it was no longer about the Sultan himself; the fear had transcended to a whole new level.

Orhan did not sit upon his throne but stood before it, offering no signal for them to lift their gazes.. Instead, he watched them, though perhaps they only believed that.

His eyes sought only one face among them.

"Ömer Pasha" The name slipped from his lips, causing a ripple of unease among the men, though none felt it more than Ömer Pasha, who stumbled to find his response "Have there been any updates on the death of Okan Pasha?"

"Your Majesty" Ömer Pasha stammered, stepping forward with his head lowered, his neck slick with sweat "Not yet.. the investigation is ongoing, every day..."

Orhan raised his hand, silencing Ömer Pasha, and then motioned for Yunus Pasha to step forward, signaling him to reveal the truth he had uncovered.. the truth that had been concealed for so long.

"Your Majesty" Yunus Pasha inclined his head respectfully before speaking with measured clarity "It has been confirmed that Mansur Pasha, Ömer Pasha, and Şahin Pasha were directly involved in the orchestrated death of Okan Pasha"

No further words were needed; the verdict was as clear as the moon in the night sky.. Even the Sheikh al-Islam, who had been on the verge of speaking, was silenced by Orhan's raised hand.. After all, what need was there for a trial when the Sultan's word was law?

Yunus Pasha stepped forward, offering Orhan's sword.. In one fluid motion, Orhan unsheathed it, his eyes never leaving Mansur as two aghas pushed him to his knees before him.

Without wasting a moment, Orhan's sword swung swiftly, separating Mansur's head from his body in the blink of an eye.. blood sprayed across the floor, and the room recoiled in shock, stepping back instinctively.

Orhan's intent was unmistakable.. this was a lesson to all who thought they could betray him without consequences.. no one was above his wrath, and no one who crossed him would go unpunished.. Just as he sent Mansur to rot in the deepest pits of hell, he would do the same to anyone who let their greed weaken them.

Orhan gestured to his aghas to take the other two, who were to face their fate in a public execution.. he handed his sword back to Yunus Pasha and silently exited the divan room.

The task for the day was done, and his blood-red kaftan was already marked with blood.

»»-----　♔　-----««

|Ayleen's POV|

"Allah Allah!" Sumbul exclaimed, bursting into the room with an urgency I had never witnessed before.. the moment his gaze locked with mine, he froze, breathless "You won't believe this, Your highness.. his Majesty just left his chambers, heading to the divan... wearing a red kaftan"

I stood there, momentarily stunned, trying to make sense of what was so significant.. what was I supposed to find shocking? Was it the fact that Orhan had left his chambers, a routine he followed every morning? Or that he was heading to the divan, as he always did? Or was it the red kaftan?

"What does that even mean?" I asked, raising an eyebrow, my gaze fixed on Sumbul, who was still struggling to catch his breath.. the moment my words reached him, it was as if the full weight of the realization struck him like a thunderclap.

"Aah, Your highness, you don't know this?" He raised his hand, his gaze intense as it met mine "It's a centuries-old tradition, the Sultan wears the red kaftan when a traitor is about to meet his end"

In that instant, I truly understood the gravity of Sumbul's shock.. while I had assumed Mansur would face a public trial, imprisonment, and execution, it seemed Orhan had already made his choice.. he hadn't hesitated for even a moment, nor had he made any grand declarations..

He simply knew, and he had put an end to it.

I sent Sumbul again to gather any new information, then collapsed onto one of the sofas, letting Ebru massage my temples, which felt like they might explode.

Nothing else mattered at that moment.. only Orhan, who I knew must be like an unstoppable force now.. a lot of people would soon face his fury.. and well... they deserved it, but I just didn't want him to be this angry.

When Sumbul finally returned with the news of Mansur's death, it hit me in a way I didn't expect.. It wasn't that I felt bad for him, but rather the stark realization of the reality of the situation.

"I can't believe it's over" Sibylle murmured, sitting in one of the corners with her hand covering her mouth, as if the gravity of the past years had yet to sink in.. after everything that had happened, it all ended so suddenly.

To be honest, it had been startlingly swift.

"He deserved it, without a doubt" I replied, rising to my feet and making my way toward one of the medium-sized boxes "The horrors he inflicted and the chaos he sowed have left scars on many" I opened the box slowly, my voice steady "Yet, even in his death, we will face repercussions.. his actions will tarnish the dynasty's reputation, and soon, the rumors will begin to spread"

"People will talk, but they'll tire of it soon enough and move on" Sibylle replied, rising to pick up an apple before heading to the balcony.. It was clear she needed some solitude to think, as she often did from time to time.

I collected the letters from the box and left my room with Ebru, a turbulent blend of relief and fury swirling within me.. relief, because I now possessed enough evidence to lift a significant burden from my shoulders.. but anger.. raw, consuming anger.. because every word in Rana's letters was as repellent as it was chilling.. she was nothing short of a monster, and I knew without a doubt that she needed to be removed from this place.. immediately.

"Ayleen Sultan, what has prompted such an unexpected honor of your visit?" Rana sneered as she rose from her seat the moment I stepped into her room.

It was the first time I had ever entered it.. after all, I had never seen any reason to grace her with my presence before.

"Enough of this" I said, irritation lacing my voice, as I gestured for all the maids to leave the room.. Ebru obediently stepped back, but Rana's maids lingered, waiting for her signal.. only when she gave them a dismissive wave did they finally retreat.

"What's this about?" she said, placing the mirror she'd been holding on the table before taking a few steps closer "Do you have some frustrations you need to take out on me? Did the princess upset you, and now I'm your only target for all your anger?"

"If I were in your position, I would feel a deep sense of shame and remain silent" I replied, raising my hand to reveal the vile letters I held in my grip.. proof of the horrific actions she had committed, begging Mansur to erase her wrongdoings.. As I read through them, I was horrified to discover that it was she who had orchestrated the attempt on my daughter Nuray's life.

"What is this?" Her eyes widened in shock, and though a flicker of worry flashed across her face, she quickly masked it with a veneer of irritation, attempting to act as if she were completely unaware.

"How could you bring yourself to target innocent people who were completely unaware?" I took a step forward, my blood boiling at the very thought that, because of her, I could have lost my daughter "You're despicable.. did you think I wouldn't suspect you? What about when you tried to poison me several times during my pregnancy? Are you stupid enough to think I'm too naïve to fall for such a pathetic trap?"

"This is ridiculous" she screamed, her face paling as she looked at me with a fear I had never seen before.. In that moment, uncertain of how to respond, she grabbed my arm desperately "You just hate me and want to ruin me.. I won't let you!"

"What are you planning to do?" I moved my hand, attempting to break free from her grip, which coiled tighter around my arm like a serpent "I will make certain the truth about you is exposed for all to see" As soon as I pulled my arm free and felt the pain shoot through it, I lifted my hand and slapped her across the face "This is because you dared to meddle with someone far above you"

She placed her hand on her cheek, her eyes wide, about to speak when the door suddenly creaked open.. Turhan Sultan entered, her brow furrowed with concern, as if she had come for a specific purpose.. but as soon as her eyes met the scene before her, a look of confusion spread across her face.

»»-----　♔　-----««

okay so I totally took some inspo from that Sultan Ahmed scene and I've gotta say that episode was everythinggg definitely one of my favorites in the whole series! the intro alone? Chef's kiss.. seriously though every episode had such a great intro <33

Now I'm kinda craving a Kösem rewatch 😭💌