|Ayleen's POV|

The feeling of my son's body against mine was the only thing grounding me. I could still feel the terror clawing at my chest, the image of that snake slithering from beneath Seyfeddin's cradle haunting me.

Even now, an hour later, I couldn't shake the feeling that danger was very close to us, it was so exhausting, so draining. The possibility of what could've happened if I wasn't there was killing me.

Surrounded by my children in Turhan Sultan's chambers, I felt a brief, fragile sense of security. It was a little bit comforting.

Seyfeddin stirred in my arms, his tiny hands clutching the fabric of my dress as if seeking reassurance that I was still there. My other children stood close, their worried eyes on me, sensing my unease.

"Mother" I heard Nuray whisper softly "Are you okay?"

I nodded, though I wasn't sure I was convincing anyone, least of all myself.

The door to the chamber suddenly creaked open, and I froze, my heart leaping into my throat. I had been expecting Orhan, but the sight of him filled me with a deep sense of dread. His face was pale, his eyes wide with a mixture of fear and rage, as though he, too, had been living in the same nightmare I had, yet the difference was I was really there while he had to hear it from the others.

"Ayleen" he said, approaching while everyone stood up, but my knees were too weak for me to do the same "Are you okay? Is everyone okay?" His eyes were scanning me, then everyone in the room, as if counting with his eyes to ensure everyone was safe and sound.

"I don't want to go back" I blurted, my voice trembling. The words came out more forcefully than I had intended, but the thought of returning to that room was too much to bear. It was the only thing I could think about right now.

"Ayleen" he murmured, passing his hand over my cheek "You don't have to go back.. Just calm down"

"I can't. We need to understand how this happened" I replied urgently, the idea of calming down feeling impossible.

"I won't leave you" he reassured me quietly "The investigation has already begun" With great tenderness, he lowered himself and carefully took Seyfeddin from my arms, cradling him gently and pressing a soft kiss to the baby's forehead.

Orhan and Turhan Sultan exchanged a quiet, knowing glance. No words were needed; they understood each other completely. The children's presence kept them from showing their concern, but I saw it, unspoken, yet clear.

Just then, Ilyas, who had been sitting quietly near Aysel, tugged at his sister's hand. His innocent face looked up at her with wide, troubled eyes.

"Is the snake gone, Aysel?" he asked, his small voice filled with curiosity and fear.

Aysel, looking down at her younger brother, gave him a soft smile to reassure him, though the fear in her eyes was hard to hide.

"Yes, Ilyas. The snake is gone" she replied, patting his hand, attempting to sound reassuring, even though she wasn't entirely certain herself.

"Then why is Mommy afraid?" Ilyas asked, blinking as his small hands nervously twisted in his lap "Is the snake going to come back?"

In that moment, I realized how much I had exposed in front of the children, and a sharp pang of guilt hit me. That shouldn't have happened. I had never dragged them into my problems or my stress, and I didn't want to start now. They were too young, especially Ilyas. The burden of it settled deeply on me as I forced myself to compose, trying to shield them from my turmoil, even though it felt unbearable.

"I'm fine, Ilyas" I whispered, my heart heavy as I looked into his innocent blue eyes "You don't need to worry. We're safe now. See, your father is here, and nothing will harm us"

Orhan, still holding Seyfeddin, gave Ilyas a reassuring look before gently handing the baby back to me. His gaze then shifted toward Beyhan Sultan, his jaw tightening as the anger in his eyes became evident, not just for what had happened, but for what he suspected.

"Follow me, now" he commanded, his voice stern. Without another word or waiting for her response, he exited the chamber. Beyhan glanced at me and Turhan Sultan, her nervousness evident, before she reluctantly followed him.

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-The Next Day-

Orhan had gone to continue with the investigations. Meanwhile, I spent the morning pacing, my mind swirling with thoughts. I was trying to make sense of everything. Turhan Sultan had made it clear this was deliberate, and now I had to figure out who could be responsible.

Beyhan Sultan ?

I may dislike her, but would she truly go that far? I don't think so. She has nothing to gain from this. All she ever does is irritate us with her constant nonsense. Lately, she's been trying to ingratiate herself with Turhan Sultan and Orhan, subtly seeking their favor. At the end of the day, she's just craving attention, nothing more.

I sat on the couch, my eyes fixed on Seyfeddin as I tried to steady myself, searching my mind for any details of what had happened yesterday.

Sema.

I had asked her to look after Seyfeddin, and yet she hadn't been there. How had the snake gotten so close to my son? She had been his caretaker, and yet I had found her nowhere near the cradle when I screamed for help.

"Sema!" I called sharply as I stood up, and before long, the door opened to reveal her standing there.

"Your Highness?" she asked, her voice quivering slightly "What is it?"

"You were supposed to be watching Seyfeddin!" I shouted, my frustration spilling over "Where were you when that creature appeared? I trusted you to protect him!"

"I... I was with the other girls in the harem" she stammered, her hands twisting nervously "And I was questioned just this morning, Sulta..."

"No!" I snapped, interrupting her "You were supposed to stay with him... You left him alone! Didn't you even hear my scream?!"

"I.. I'm sorry, Your Highness" she whispered, lowering her head "I didn't mean to. It was a mistake..."

"Did you hear anything?" I pressed, stepping closer "Did you notice anything unusual?"

"I... no, I didn't see anything unusual" her gaze flickered nervously between me and Seyfeddin's new cradle.

I didn't believe her.

There was something in her eyes, something off. Her nerves were too evident, too frantic. It didn't add up, and I couldn't shake the feeling that she knew more than she was admitting.

"Stay away from my children" I said, my tone icy as I turned my back on her "Sümbül!" I called sharply, and he appeared from behind the door "She needs to be investigated again. She..."

"No, no, please, Your Highness" she pleaded quickly, tears welling up in her eyes as Sümbül seized her hand "I didn't do anything. It was a mistake, but I swear, I would never harm you or anyone"

"You're hiding something" I said calmly, stepping closer, my eyes focusing on her trembling hands and anxious expression "It's clear. Either you tell me the truth about who's behind this, or you'll face the consequences on your own"

She looked at me for a moment, her gaze flickering as if something was on the tip of her tongue. Just as I focused all my attention on her, she lowered her eyes, avoiding mine, and allowed Sümbül to lead her toward the dungeon.

"You will search through all her belongings, the places she frequents, and the people she's involved with" I commanded, turning to Anastasia. She gave a quick nod and swiftly exited the room.

Just then, the door flew open with a sharp force, and Beyhan Sultan stormed in, her face flushed with anger.

"What is this?" I asked, my eyes wide with disbelief as I stared at her, then glancing behind her at the girls who had tried to stop her. She had effortlessly used her title to push past them.

"Ayleen Sultan" she snapped, her voice dripping with contempt "You're trying to turn my brother against me, aren't you? This is your plan, to have me cast aside, Turhan Sultan probably helped you with this!"

"I'm not the one playing games here, Beyhan Sultan" I replied, forcing myself to remain as calm as possible, though her accusation made every part of me want to lash out "I have nothing to do with whatever twisted game you're conjuring up in that mind of yours"

"You're crossing every line! Who do you think you are?!" she hissed, raising her eyebrows "Don't you ever try to turn a brother against his sister!"

"Don't act like the dutiful sister now" I said coldly, stepping closer as my patience wore thin "You've been walking a very thin line, and
Orhan only tolerates you because of the blood that ties you together. The truth is, he doesn't trust you, never has. And I'm not the one who needs to turn him against you. You're doing that all on your own"

»»-----　♔　-----««

"Sibylle, I can't continue like this" I said, my voice trembling. A heavy ache settled in my chest at the thought of my children being in danger, it was all becoming too much "I need Beyhan gone.. Even if she isn't responsible, I can't bring myself to trust her.. Why is all of this happening while she's around? It can't possibly be a coincidence"

"I understand, Ayleen" she replied, nodding as she gently patted my hand "I know you're doing everything you can to protect your children, and I know how hard it is when trust is shattered. But right now, you need to take a step back. We're all here for you. And remember, His Majesty has already investigated this himself. If she's guilty, he won't show her any mercy"

"I know" I whispered, my voice trembling "I trust him, I do. But I can't shake the feeling that she's somehow involved in all of this, even if it's just by being here. She's causing me so much stress. If I have to, I'll make Orhan take action" I snapped, my fingers digging into my palm as I spoke.

Just then, the door creaked open, and I turned to see Anastasia and Sümbül step inside, both burdened with a heavy bundle of papers, letters, and documents. Their faces were drained of color, expressions marked with a deep shock.

"Your Highness" Anastasia said quietly, bowing "We found these documents. They belong to Sema"

"How? Where?" I asked, rising to my feet, my gaze shifting between them in confusion.

"Her usual spot in the back garden. She buried them in a box there" Sümbül replied, his gaze fixed on me in shock. I couldn't blame him, this girl was far more than we had ever imagined.

Without saying a word, I extended my hand. Anastasia and Sümbül exchanged a glance before silently handing over the papers. I took them without hesitation, my eyes lowering to the stack in my hands. Though I was stunned by the sheer volume, I didn't ask any more questions. My focus was solely on uncovering what she had been hiding.

Confidential Report
Date: 3rd March, 1664
To: Katip Çelebi (Haji Khalifa)
From: Sema, in the service of Her Highness Haseki Ayleen Nura Sultan (Princess Helena)
Subject: A Brief Overview of Princess Helena's Transformation into Haseki Sultan Ayleen Nura and Her Relationship with Sultan Orhan Khan II

Princess Helena of Habsburg's arrival in the Ottoman Empire in 1660, at the age of nineteen, marked the beginning of a significant transformation. As a Christian princess from the House of Habsburg, she entered a world vastly different from her own-one of foreign faith, culture, and courtly expectations. Her early days in the palace were filled with uncertainty as she adjusted to this new life. Over time, she not only learned the intricacies of the Ottoman court but also embraced a new faith, converting to Islam and adopting the name Ayleen Nura Sultan, a name given to her by His Majesty, Sultan Orhan Khan II.

The relationship between Haseki Ayleen Nura Sultan and Sultan Orhan Khan II has grown into one of deep harmony and mutual respect. Many in the court describe their bond as nearly perfect. Despite the Sultan's heavy responsibilities, he has come to rely on Ayleen Sultan not only as a companion but also as a trusted advisor. Their unity is evident in their calm demeanor and the decisions they make together, particularly regarding the future of their children and matters within the palace.

Confidential Report
Date: 7th January, 1671
To: Katip Çelebi (Haji Khalifa)
From: Sema, in the service of Her Highness Haseki Ayleen Nura Sultan (Princess Helena)
Subject: A Glimpse into Ayleen Sultan's Relationships within the Family

Haseki Ayleen Nura Sultan's relationships with her children have been fundamental in shaping the woman she has become. Her firstborn, Nuray Sultan, born in 1661, is a testament to her intelligence and elegance. The twin Şehzades, Selim and Osman, born in 1662, are deeply cherished by their father, Sultan Orhan. Şehzade Ilyas, born in 1665, brought much strain for Ayleen Sultan, as her pregnancy was fraught with prolonged illness. This difficult period became a significant concern for Sultan Orhan Khan, who, out of devotion to her well-being, decided to pause their attempts at expanding the family for several years. His protective nature led to a five-year gap before Ayleen Sultan bore another child, prioritizing her health over the political need for more heirs.

The arrival of Şehzade Seyfeddin in 1670 brought newfound joy to the palace, yet Ayleen Sultan's strength as a mother is not solely defined by her biological children but also by the profound bond she has developed with her stepchildren, Şehzade Ahmed and Aysel Sultan.

Despite starting as a foreign princess in a complex and hierarchical family, Ayleen Sultan has cultivated deep, maternal connections with both. Her relationship with Şehzade Ahmed has grown into a mother-son bond, with the Şehzade frequently seeking her counsel and holding her in great esteem. Aysel Sultan, too, has formed a strong connection with Ayleen Sultan, seeing her not only as a stepmother but as a true maternal figure.

Her relationship with Valide Turhan Sultan is founded on mutual respect. Despite holding the esteemed title of Haseki Sultan, Ayleen Sultan has never sought to overshadow her mother-in-law. Instead, their bond is one of quiet understanding, where each woman respects the other's role within the palace. Ayleen Sultan has always refrained from asserting her title or influence over Valide Turhan Sultan, fully recognizing and honoring the reverence owed to the Valide, as the mother of the reigning Sultan.

Confidential Report
Date: 22nd November, 1671
To: Katip Çelebi (Haji Khalifa)
From: Sema, in the service of Her Highness Haseki Ayleen Nura Sultan (Princess Helena)
Subject: Her Future and Current Position

As of November 1671, Haseki Sultan Ayleen Nura has come to epitomize the ideal consort. She is both a devoted mother and a woman of intellect, maneuvering the complexities of court life with grace and poise. While her title remains that of Haseki Sultan, there is no question that her influence within the palace has steadily grown over the years. Although she has not yet fully immersed herself in the political intricacies of the Empire, it is undeniable that her position as the Sultan's consort holds considerable weight.

History will surely remember her as a woman who bridged two worlds-the East and the West-uniting them in ways that may still not be fully understood. In time, the true extent of her influence and the power that lies beneath her composed exterior will become clearer. The coming years may reveal much more about the impact she will have on the future of the Empire.

»»-----　♔　-----««

Hey everyone!

Okay I know this sounds a little crazy but bear with me ! this idea popped into my head about a month ago when I was reading some historian stuff and I thought, where do they get all this info from? and then it clicked !! what if there was a girl in the harem sent by a historian to record everything?!!!

So I really need your thoughts on this idea! As you can see I got some help from Chatgpt and kept it short just to give you a little glimpse of what's going on in my mind.

Don't worry next time I'll go more into detail because people from the future (long after the 1600s) will want a much closer look at the sultana.

I'm really excited about how this could add a unique layer to the story. It would make the narrative feel like it's coming from a more objective, "historical" pov which I think could be really fun.

What do you think? Should I keep this approach and explore it further, or scrap it?

Let me know your thoughts!

Love you all 💌