|Ayleen's POV|

It was the end of a long day as I made my way through the halls leading to the quarters designated for the concubines in the harem.

I hadn't given it much thought before, but now, the matter that had been on my mind for days was finally at hand. Ahmed had come of age, and the time had arrived to consider the delicate task of choosing a concubine for him. It was a decision of great significance. Though I had initially assumed that Turhan Sultan would take on this responsibility, she had left it for me to handle.

"Sultanim, the girls are prepared and awaiting your inspection" Suna Kalfa's voice interrupted my thoughts as I stood at the door.

I nodded, taking a deep breath as I approached her. A sense of unease stirred in my chest, intensifying with every passing second. The thought of choosing a concubine for my son felt overwhelming, just years ago, I had been selecting a caretaker for him, and now, it all seemed to be moving so quickly.

"Suna Kalfa, are they all here?" I asked, my fingers absentmindedly playing with the ring on my finger.

"Yes, Sultanim"

I nodded in acknowledgment, offering a faint smile, before gracefully moving forward to observe the young girls before me.

I was not here to question their backgrounds or assess their skills, that could come later. Today, my role was simpler... to observe.

I needed to see them through the eyes of a mother, one who understood the gravity of choosing with care. My task was to find someone who would embody the qualities my son truly needed.

What mattered to me now was their appearance, the way they carried themselves, and the expressions on their faces. Were they bold or shy? Did they seem composed and respectful, or were they overly eager, hungry for attention? I could tell much from their posture, the way they held themselves, and how their eyes met mine.

I moved slowly through the room, taking in each of them. Some were stunning, their features delicate and symmetrical, their eyes wide with innocence, almost inviting. Others possessed a more striking, bold beauty.. proud, confident.

One girl caught my eye, a tall, slender figure with dark, wavy hair cascading down her back. There was a quiet elegance to her, a subtle grace that I found intriguing.

Next, I noticed a girl with striking green eyes. Her pale skin contrasted sharply with her raven-dark hair. Her posture was straight, and as I walked past her, her eyes met mine boldly. She was undoubtedly beautiful, but there was something sharp about her.

Then, a girl slightly shorter than the rest captured my attention. Her soft blue eyes held a quiet beauty, one that grew on you the longer you observed her. Her hair was tied back simply, and while she wasn't as striking as the others, there was something comforting about her, something trustworthy.

"What is your name?" I asked quietly as I stopped before her.

"Nisan, Sultanim" she replied softly, meeting my gaze with a small smile.

I nodded in acknowledgment, my expression soft and unreadable as I continued to study her. After a moment, I turned to Suna Kalfa, silently signaling her to follow me.

"What do you think?" I asked, glancing at her for her opinion, though I sensed my decision was already quietly settled.

"Sultanim, I believe she is a perfect fit" Suna Kalfa replied with a reassuring smile, her words easing the tension in my chest. She knew these girls far better than I did, and if she deemed Nisan suitable, I trusted her judgment implicitly.

"You know what needs to be done" I instructed with a nod.

She mirrored the gesture, her understanding clear. The girl would be sent to Ahmed tomorrow, and the rules were simple, she must not conceive.

»»-----　♔　-----««

Once I returned to my chambers, the first thing I did was check on Seyfeddin, gently lulling him to sleep. Only then did I face the inevitable, reading my brother's letter, the one I had been avoiding for the past three long days.

I held the parchment in my hands, my fingers trembling ever so slightly, not from nervousness, but from pure, unrelenting rage.

Lately, reading his words had felt like a death sentence. It was as though he had transformed into someone entirely different, not the Mattias I once knew.

My dear sister,

Sultan Orhan's actions are nothing short of reckless, and as his wife, you are in a unique position to influence him. I do not ask this lightly, but the situation has escalated beyond tolerance. You must use your position to force your husband to abandon his dangerous ambitions.

I have aligned myself with my wife's family, whose interests stand in direct opposition to your husband's. As an emperor, allied to both the Ottoman Empire and the Kingdoms of Sweden, it is my firm belief that your husband must retreat from his plans immediately.

The purpose of your marriage from the very beginning was clear.. you must take control and know when to intervene in order to resolve the pressing matters at hand. And now, that is all I ask of you, do what is best for the future of the empire and the preservation of our bloodline.

Do not forget, you are bound by duty to your family and the empire, and your failure to act will not be overlooked.

Sincerely, Mattias V, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.

I clenched the letter tightly in my hands.

How dare he? How dare he speak to me in such a manner?

I ignored his blatant bias towards his wife's family, striving to maintain control and steady my emotions. But this ! this demanded a response. No one, not even Mattias, should dare to send me something so disrespectful.

"Anastasia, bring me ink and paper!" I shouted, my impatience apparent.

She appeared almost instantly from the other room, accompanied by Sibylle, who seemed taken aback by my agitation.

"What's going on?" she asked with concern, raising an eyebrow as she stepped closer.

Her eyes fell on the letter in my hand, and without a word, she took it from me, her gaze immediately shifting to the words as she began to read.

"Anastasia, sit down and write every word I say" I commanded, my anger escalating to the point where I couldn't bring myself to sit and write. Instead, I paced restlessly, dictating each word with careful intent.

My dear brother,

I have read your letter with great patience, and yet your words have failed to evoke anything but contempt. Let me remind you, Mattias, that I am not one of your subjects, nor am I a pawn to be moved at your whim. I am no longer the nineteen-year-old girl you once knew. I am a thirty-year-old woman, wife and mother. Respecting me is not a choice; it is a duty you are bound to honor.

Your arrogance, in assuming I would make my husband abandon all his efforts for the sake of your wife's kingdom, speaks more of your own weakness than any loyalty I owe you. You have chosen to side with your wife's family, whose ambitions mirror your own, and that is your prerogative. But I, Mattias, will not be swayed by your petty demands.

If you choose to break our alliance due to the interests of those around you, then so be it. Good riddance. I will stand by my husband's side, no matter the cost. His future is mine, and mine is his.

By breaking the agreements my husband and father made years ago, you only serve to reveal yourself as a reckless ruler, unaware of the consequences that await.

Let this letter serve as my final word on the matter. Should you choose to distance yourself from us, I will accept it, though it will be a great sorrow. You are no longer the brother I once knew, and I am no longer the sister you believe me to be.

Haseki Ayleen Nura Sultan, Wife of Sultan Orhan Khan II

"Don't you think His Majesty should be informed of this?" Sibylle asked, frustration clear on her face as she absentmindedly ran her fingers over the letter.

"Orhan would be absolutely furious. He won't be content with mere words on paper" I replied, taking the letter from Anastasia to seal it "He's already deeply troubled by my brother's actions and the alliance he's undermining. Yet, he continues to conceal it from me, hoping to spare me the stress"

"He must be stopped" Sibylle exclaimed, her tone stressed as she helped me place the letter in its holder.

"I will write to my mother later" I said, exhaling a weary sigh "She has been unusually quiet, and I need her insight" Turning back to Anastasia, I added "Make sure it reaches Sümbül so he can send it without delay"

"Of course, Your Highness" she replied, taking the letter from me and swiftly leaving the chamber. I was about to head to Orhan as well when Sibylle stopped me.

"Calm down, please. It's not worth it, and you're not at fault" she urged gently, her words meant to soothe my distress. She knew, deep down, that no matter the outcome, I would inevitably be consumed with guilt and sorrow over the growing rift with my brother.

I offered her a weary smile before letting out a deep sigh and turning to continue on my path.

»»-----　♔　-----««

I was sitting on the couch, my back resting against the plush velvet cushions, my eyes barely focused on the book in my hands, distracted by Orhan sitting nearby. He leaned back against the cushions as well, his eyes scanning through a stack of papers, lost in his work as usual.

The soft rustling of the papers brought me back to the present, and I blinked, realizing my attention had drifted. I wasn't sure how long I had been lost in his details, but it was only now that I noticed he was looking at me.

"Ayleen" he murmured, a touch of concern in his voice "Are you okay? You've been so quiet, love"

I met his gaze, trying to hold my composure, but I could already feel the pout tugging at my lips. He knew me too well, any small change in my expression, and he would notice it, every time.

"Nothing" I replied with a forced smile "Just... thinking"

He set the papers down with a sigh, shifting his attention fully to me. His eyes locked on mine, like he could read every hidden thought inside me.

"I can see something's troubling you" he remarked, his voice gentle, filled with concern.

I continued looking at him, trying to understand what was going on inside me. I knew the issues with my brother had been troubling me, but it wasn't just that. It felt like Orhan's constant busyness was starting to wear on me.

I needed more of him.

"I miss you" I whispered, my voice soft and low as I moved an inch closer "I've been feeling... neglected this week.. You're always busy, and I need more of your attention"

"So, my wife needs attention?" he repeated with a smirk, his hand gently cupping my cheek "What kind of attention are we talking about?" He slowly traced his finger along my neck, pushing a lock of my hair behind my ear.

"I don't know... I've been craving more of you" I murmured, closing my eyes for a brief moment, letting my face nuzzle into his palm, feeling the calluses on his skin.

His hand moved to the back of my neck, his fingers threading through my hair, pulling me in closer, his breath warming my skin.

"I don't want you to feel that way" He whispered softly, his voice tender and filled with care "I'm sorry if I've been distracted.. You mean everything to me, love. I'll never take that for granted again" His thumb gently caressed my cheek.

"I know" I murmured, gazing into his blue eyes "How about you leave those papers for later? I have a much better idea of what we can do instead" I smiled playfully.

"That seems like something I wouldn't say no to"

He slowly moved his hand behind my hair, gently removing the small silver clasp from a few strands, letting them fall freely behind me. Then, he began to ease the strap of my dress down my shoulder as his lips met mine.