|Ayleen’s POV|

-March 1, 1672-

I stood in the corner, away from the bustle, yet still very much a part of it. It was the same scene every day, the same cold, mechanical exchange of words between the doctors. They would speak to me, offering updates I hardly understood, but which I clung to nonetheless.

"His Majesty remains in a deep unconscious state, Your Highness" one of the doctors murmured, his gaze slipping away from mine "The poison seems to have compromised his vital functions. All we can do now is wait, hoping his body has the strength to fight it off"

"Can he hear us? Is he aware of what's happening?" I asked, my voice little more than a whisper.

"It's difficult to say, but it's possible" he replied, carefully removing his leather gloves "There's nothing more we can do for him at this point, except to ensure he's as comfortable as possible"

Comfortable?

How could he be comfortable, lying there, unconscious, as though he were already lost to me? I wanted to scream, to demand that they do more, but I knew it would be futile. The doctors were doing all they could, but it wasn’t enough. Not nearly enough.

I watched as they packed their instruments and left the room, their steps quiet, telling me he needed rest for a few hours. But my Orhan was not at rest. He was caught in a battle I couldn’t fight for him, and the helplessness gnawed at my insides, stripping away whatever fragile peace I had left.

I stood at the side of the bed, gazing down at him with a sorrow that was too much to bear. My fingers trembled as I reached out to touch his hand. It was cold. Too cold. I gripped it tightly, desperately hoping, praying that the warmth of my touch might bring him back.

"I know you won’t leave us, not leave me" I whispered, my voice breaking with the pain "Orhan, I need you. Please"

Tears welled in my eyes, and I could no longer hold them back. They slipped down my cheeks, staining the sheets beside him. I let them fall, as I had become so familiar, too familiar, with their presence.

I couldn’t tell how long I stood there, holding his hand, my sobs soft but unending. The world outside the room could have crumbled, and I wouldn’t have noticed. All that mattered was Orhan, his breath, his life, and the constant, gnawing fear that I was losing him.

It wasn’t until the soft sound of footsteps reached my ears that I looked up. It was Ahmed.

His expression mirrored my own grief, eyes heavy, face pale. Without a word, he stepped closer, his gaze briefly shifting to Orhan before meeting mine. He didn’t need to speak; his sorrow was evident in the way his shoulders slumped, in the way his hands hung loosely by his sides.

"Has there been any change?" he asked softly, his voice cracking, betraying the same vulnerability I had been desperately trying to hide in front of him and the children.

"Nothing" I whispered, my voice barely a breath "They’re at a loss. All we can do now is wait"

He nodded, his lips pressed tight, as if the words he longed to say were trapped deep within him. There was nothing more to say, really. Nothing that could make this better.

Without another word, he walked over to the couch and sat down, his back rigid, as though holding himself together. I followed, and we sat there in silence, the kind of silence that spoke louder than any words ever could.

After a few moments, Ahmed let out a quiet breath, his fingers digging into the fabric of his kaftan, as if trying to avoid looking at either me or Orhan's bed.

"What are we supposed to do?" he muttered, his eyes fixed on the floor "It’s all too much. We need to act, but I don’t know how"

"I know" I replied, my voice faint as I reached out to take his hand "I don’t know what to do either. All I can do is stay here... and wait"

He let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his dark hair, the same gesture I had watched him make as a little boy, struggling to understand something just beyond his reach.

"I should be doing something. What kind of son am I, for not being..."

"Ahmed’im" I interrupted gently, meeting his gaze "This isn’t something you can fix. No matter what you do, it’s beyond your control. I promise, I’m doing everything I can. All we can do now is pray for your father"

He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he stared at Orhan for a long while, as if frozen in place. Then, slowly, he turned to me.

"It doesn’t feel real, you know? Like it’s happening to someone else. I keep thinking Father will wake up, and this will just be some terrible nightmare. But, it’s not" he explained, his expression softening this time, as if he had finally surrendered to his feelings.

"I’ve been thinking the same thing" I nodded, once again feeling the tears gathering in my eyes.

"Are you scared?" Ahmed asked, his eyes meeting mine, wide and vulnerable.

"Terrified" I didn’t hesitate with my answer. This time, my tears fell even harder.

»»-----　♔　-----««

-March 4, 1672-

I sat by Orhan’s side, holding his hand, just as I had for the past few days. Leaning in, I pressed my lips gently to his forehead, my heart aching with the familiar pain of seeing him so still.

After a moment, I stood, gently laying his hand back onto the bed. I took a breath, trying to steady myself. I had to remain composed, even though every part of me screamed with fear and worry.

I quietly slipped out of the room, my steps soft as I made my way down the corridors. When I reached the balcony, I saw Yunus Pasha standing there, his back to me, gazing out over the wide gardens.

"Yunus Pasha" I called gently, stepping out onto the balcony.

"Your Highness" he turned toward me, bowing his head respectfully "Is there any change?"

"No, nothing yet. The doctors are still at a loss. But there’s something I need to ask you" I shook my head, frustration and helplessness clear in my voice.

"What is it, Your Highness?" he asked, though I knew he already sensed what I was thinking.

"I started thinking about the poisoning" I began, taking a deep breath to collect my thoughts "And I’ve come to a troubling conclusion" I paused, watching his expression carefully "I believe the person who did this to Orhan is the same one who orchestrated the snake incident"

"Could it be connected?!" Yunus Pasha asked, his eyes narrowing, a flicker of recognition crossing his face as he processed my words.

"I can’t be sure yet" I replied, my tone steady "But the timing... it’s all too similar. Someone is deliberately trying to tear this family apart. Whoever did this to Orhan has likely tried before with the snake incident, and they must be stopped"

"You’re right. This is no coincidence. But damn, we still don’t have the slightest clue as to who’s behind all of this" Yunus Pasha’s expression hardened, his brows furrowing as he took in my words.

"No, we don’t. But we need to find out, before it’s too late" I replied, shaking my head.

Just as I finished speaking, the calm of the balcony was shattered by a distant noise, voices, rising and screaming from far off. My heart skipped a beat, and I turned to Yunus Pasha, a worried expression crossing my face.

"It sounds like... a crowd?" I said, my voice tinged with anxiety.

Farouk Agha appeared at the door to the balcony, his face ashen and tinged with worry. He gave a swift, respectful bow before speaking.

"Your Highness, Pasha" he said, his voice filled with urgency "The people have gathered outside the palace. They’ve heard the rumors about His Majesty. They’re demanding to know of his health"

My stomach churned at the thought of rumors spreading so swiftly. The word had traveled faster than I’d anticipated. I had hoped we’d have time to control the narrative, but it seemed I had failed to do so.

"Don’t worry, Your Highness" Yunus Pasha said, turning to me "I’ll take care of this. I’ll address the people and ease their concerns"

"Please, Pasha. Do whatever you can to calm them. We cannot afford for panic to spread any further" I nodded, though a cold wave of fear washed over me.

»»-----　♔　-----««

-March 6, 1672-

I sat across from Zeynep, her face drawn and her features pale from exhaustion, while Asim Pasha sat beside her, his eyes flicking between his wife and me with a quiet intensity.

"We've tried everything" Zeynep murmured, her voice pained and breaking. 

"We need Madame Louise here immediately" I whispered, clinging desperately to the faint hope that, despite her focus on women’s health, there might still be something she could do for Orhan. I couldn’t bring myself to let go of that belief.

"I’ve already sent word, but..." Asim Pasha’s voice faltered, his brow furrowing in frustration "There’s been no response. We cannot afford to wait any longer" 

"She must be on her way... she never keeps me waiting" I repeated, my voice barely a whisper. The words tumbled out as if clinging to the last thread of hope, and I needed to believe, to trust, that she would come.

I couldn’t comprehend why she wasn’t responding. This was unlike her. If she doesn’t come, we’ll be left with nothing but our prayers, and it felt as though every door was slowly and irrevocably closing on us.

I bit my lip, trying to choke back the tears that had been threatening to spill for what felt like the thousandth time. Orhan was slipping further away from us with every breath he took, and each inhale felt like I was suffocating beneath the weight of my fear. We were running out of time, and I could feel it in the deepest part of me.

Before I could utter a word, the door to the chamber swung open, and Farouk Agha rushed in, his face ashen with urgency. His breath came in uneven gasps, as though he had been running for his life.

"Your Highnesses" he gasped, bowing his head with haste "I regret to inform you that His Majesty’s condition has taken a turn for the worse. The fever has become intolerable, and the poison has spread further through his body. The physicians are doing all they can, but his pulse grows weaker by the moment. They are advising that we prepare for the inevitable"

Without hesitation, I bolted from the room, running through the corridors toward Orhan’s chambers. I flung open the doors before the guards had a chance to react. As I entered, the sight of Orhan, pale and motionless, his breath shallow, hit me like a physical blow, while the doctors surrounded him from every corner.

One of the doctors, a man I didn’t recognize, pressed a cloth to Orhan’s forehead, his hands trembling as he wiped away the sweat, only to replace it with another soaked cloth moments later. Another doctor stood at his side, holding a small vial, attempting to drip something into his mouth, but his lips were dry, and his throat refused to cooperate. 

"Please" I whispered, my voice trembling with desperation, unsure whether I was pleading to Allah or to the doctors themselves "Please, you have to save him. You must save him"

"Your Highnesses" one of the doctors said, his tone almost apologetic as he turned toward us "We must be realistic. The fever has ravaged his body. There is little we can do now but wait, for his body will either fight or succumb"

I felt a cold weight pressing on my chest, and for a moment, I thought I might collapse right there, but I fought it, forcing myself to stay upright.

I reached out to touch Orhan’s arm, my hands shaking. Tears welled in my eyes again, spilling over as I pressed my forehead to his. I held onto him, praying for him to wake, to return to me.

"Orhan" I whispered, just for him to hear "Please, don’t leave me. You are not allowed to leave me. I need you" 

The doctor approached Orhan’s side again, leaning in to check his pulse once more.

"His Majesty's condition remains critical" the doctor said, his tone steady but urgent "We must focus on stabilizing him through the night. If he survives the next few days, there may still be a chance for recovery" He nodded to the other doctors, signaling the intensity of the work that lay ahead.

"Then we will do whatever it takes" Asim Pasha replied, his voice steady as he placed a hand on his wife's shoulder, trying to ground her "His Majesty must survive this"

»»-----　♔　-----««

-March 7, 1672-

I rested my hand beneath my cheek, my burning red eyes never leaving Orhan. Through the long night and into the morning, the doctors scarcely left his side, and I, too, refused to stray. Zeynep, though hesitant, had finally given in to her husband's insistence that she take some rest, while her son, inconsolable, wept for her and refused to touch his dinner.

It was the sudden noise that snapped me from my thoughts, a hurried, frantic sound of footsteps. I spun around, a sharp feeling of panic rising in my chest. I didn’t even think. My body was already moving toward the doors before my mind could process what was happening.

I found Ebru on the threshold, just about to enter the room. The look on her face sent a chill through me, deepening the fear that already gripped my chest.

"Sultanim!" she exclaimed, her voice tight with panic "Please, come quickly! They're attempting to take the şehzades!"

I didn’t need another word. My body moved of its own accord, my breath coming in sharp, frantic gasps. Fear twisted in my gut, and though I had no idea what awaited me, one thing was certain: if any harm had come to my children, I would burn this palace to the ground.

As I approached my chambers and those of my children, I saw it, a line of guards standing before the doors. The sharp, desperate shouts of Sibylle filled the placd, while I could also hear Beyhan’s voice.

"Try to lay a finger on any of them, and I'll have it cut off" I heard Sibylle say, her voice laced with a threat I had never heard before.

I moved closer, quickly spotting Beyhan Sultan with her customary cold demeanor. A twisted, almost smug smile curled on her lips as she stood surrounded by a group of guards, their gaze locked on Selim, Osman, Ilyas, and Seyfeddin. The boys were huddled together, shielded by my maids, Sümbül, and the other aghas, all doing their best to protect them.

"What the hell is going on here?!" The words escaped me in a sharp gasp of disbelief "What are you all doing?!" I took a step forward, my voice trembling with a mix of fury and fear.

"Oh, you're finally here" Beyhan said, slowly turning her head "It seems these fools don’t understand the rules. I’m simply doing what’s necessary"

"What twisted scheme is running through your mind now?" I stepped closer, positioning myself in front of the door, shielding my sons behind me, and shouted "Why the hell are you anywhere near my children?!"

"Don’t act so surprised. You must have known this was coming" she replied, her voice unnervingly calm as she intertwined her fingers before her "The doctors have made it clear, his Majesty’s time is running out. If he dies, as it seems inevitable, it’s my duty to ensure Sehzade Ahmed ascends to the throne. But these boys.. " She paused, a cold glint in her eyes "They pose a threat. They must be confined to the kafes, as the rules demand"

My blood boiled, fury burning through my veins as my vision narrowed to one singular focus, her. She had no right. No right to lay a hand on my children, no right to speak of them as if they were mere objects to be discarded!

"How dare you!" I screamed, my voice raw with rage, my hands shaking at my sides "I will make you regret every moment of this, you wretched woman!"

"Ayleen, you're being insufferable, and I'm really trying to remain patient" Beyhan said, raising an eyebrow "This is the law. The boys must be placed in the kafes for their own protection, as well as Ahmed's. You claim to love him, but deep down, I know the first thing you'll do is try to have one of your sons placed on the throne instead of him"

"Don’t you dare pretend this is for their safety" I hissed "And if you dare lay a finger on them, I will make you regret it in ways you cannot begin to imagine"

"How dare you defy the rules!" she shrieked, her voice laced with fury "Thank Allah I’m here, if it weren’t for me, you’d do everything in your power to seize what rightfully belongs to Ahmed. Stop this madness!"

I took another step forward, my gaze sharpening with uncontrollable fury. In that moment, something within me snapped. I would no longer tolerate her arrogance, nor excuse her blind pursuit of power. If anyone thought they could take my children from me or dishonor them, they would soon learn the true meaning of rage.

I didn’t think, didn’t pause. I lunged toward her, fury clouding my vision. I wanted to rip that smug smile from her face, to make her understand the depth of my resolve. I reached for her, my hands outstretched, but before I could make contact, the maids and aghas quickly stepped forward, blocking me. They held me back, but not gently. It was as if they feared for me.

"No, Sultanim!" Sümbül shouted, his voice filled with worry "Please, don’t. The şehzades are watching"

"You will all regret this" I hissed, glaring at Beyhan and the guards "Once His Majesty wakes up, he will turn your lives into hell for daring to threaten and intimidate his sons"

I turned away from them, my gaze immediately searching for my sons, who were huddled together with Sibylle and the other maids. Without a word, I stormed toward the door and signaled for Sümbül to close it behind me. Once inside, I gathered my sons close, pulling them into my embrace. I could feel their bodies trembling, especially Ilyas, who seemed to be on the verge of tears.

If only Orhan were awake, none of this would be happening.

"Everything is alright, my loves" I whispered, planting a kiss on Ilyas's cheek and gently running my hands across the backs of Osman and Selim, who seemed both angry and confused.

"Mommy, is it true that Father’s going to die? Just like Grandma Turhan?" Ilyas’s question caught me off guard, but I took a deep breath and tried to answer as gently as I could.

"No, my dear, your father is going to be fine" I replied softly, my voice trembling as I hugged him tightly once more, desperately trying to hide the tears welling up in my eyes.

"Where are Aysel, Nuray, and Ahmed?" I asked, turning to Sibylle.

"They went to the gardens" Sibylle replied softly, her face pale "They needed some fresh air... They probably don’t even know what just happened"

I closed my eyes, biting back a tear. It was better that they didn’t know yet. At least they weren’t here to witness what had just happened.

I took Seyfeddin from Sema's arms and held him tightly, his soft voice repeating mama over and over.

I sank onto the couch, surrounded by my other sons, doing everything I could to offer them comfort. I tried to give them something, anything, that could momentarily ease their pain, something that would help them forget the horrors of what had just occurred, preventing it from consuming them or becoming a nightmare that would haunt their sleep forever.

»»-----　♔　-----««

-March 9, 1672-

My eyes shot open, disturbed by the sharp sting of my pain and the blinding sunlight that filled the room. I could feel the warmth of my children surrounding me, their small bodies curled into mine, their hands clutching at my nightgown as if they were seeking solace, trying to find comfort after everything they'd endured the day before.

My body was stiff from the way I had been lying, my legs cramped and sore. But the pain wasn’t just from that. It was a deeper, relentless ache that seemed to emanate from the very core of me, a pain so intense that I felt as though I might crumble under its weight.

I struggled to move without waking them, but every shift was a challenge as a sharp, unfamiliar pain tore through me. When I finally managed to stand, leaning on the bedpost for support, I felt it, a cold dread that washed over me. I lowered my eyes and saw the blood, thick and dark, staining my gown.

"Oh my god..." I whispered to myself, closing my eyes as I fought to steady my breath, struggling to comprehend what was happening.

In the corner, on the couch, Sibylle stirred awake. She must have spent the entire night there, a quiet guardian, watching over us as I prayed. Her eyes fluttered open, and the moment she saw me, her gaze quickly shifted to the blood. Her face went pale, shock overtaking her features.

"Ayleen..." she whispered, voice trembling "You’re bleeding"

I swallowed hard, too afraid to speak. My mind was reeling, the shock of what I was seeing too overwhelming to process.

"Sul..." Anastasia froze, her hand instinctively covering her mouth as her eyes landed on the blood. After a brief moment, she quickly added "I'll bring a doctor immediately"

Sibylle moved swiftly, her hands trembling as she gently guided me to the other room. By the time we arrived, the doctor was already at the door. Her face was serious as she took in my appearance, her eyes quickly shifting to the bloodstains on my gown.

"Sultanim, we need to examine you right away" she urged, quickly unpacking her things with a sense of urgency.

Sibylle stood quietly by my side, holding my hand as she gently helped me lie down on the bed. I fought to push aside the cold grip of dread creeping in, trying to hold myself together despite the overwhelming pain and the terrifying fear of what was happening to me.

There was only silence, broken only by my quiet gasps as I bit down on my lip to keep from letting my cries reach the next room.

"Your Highness" she said softly, her voice tinged with sorrow "It appears you were pregnant... you’ve lost the baby. I’m so sorry"

I heard the words, but they didn’t register at first. My mind raced, struggling to make sense of it. Pregnant? How could I have been pregnant and not known? How had I not realized?

The tears came crashing down, flooding my face in a wave of raw sorrow. I couldn’t stop them. The loss tore through me like a storm, violent and all-consuming.

I had lost someone I never even knew was there, someone who had quietly existed inside me, someone who could’ve had a life with me, someone I could’ve held, nurtured, loved. Yet, I never even knew they were there. And now, they were gone. I had lost a piece of myself, something so small, so fragile, and yet, so irreplaceable.

The doctor continued her work, moving with quiet urgency as I lay there, consumed by pain and sorrow. I didn’t dare shout, cry out, or scream, not for myself, but for them. For my children. I couldn’t let them hear me like this, couldn’t let them witness my anguish. They had already endured so much, and the weight of everything happening around them was more than enough.

Through it all, I couldn’t escape the gnawing feeling of failure. I had been so absorbed in Orhan’s health and so focused on protecting my children that I hadn’t even noticed the life growing inside me, one that, too, needed my attention. The force of what I had lost, of what could have been, tore through me, leaving me hollow. The guilt and sorrow overwhelmed me, consuming everything in their path. I had failed, and now, I had to learn how to live with the ache of this loss.

»»-----　♔　-----««

-March 10, 1672-

I took the cup of medicine from Sibylle and drank it in one swift motion. The bitterness lingered on my tongue, but it was nothing compared to the heaviness pressing down on my chest, the emptiness that had drained me. But there was no time to lie here, drowning in grief. I had to get up.

I shifted in the bed, slowly pushing myself upright. The pain still gnawed at me, a dull throb that settled deep within, but I couldn’t allow myself to succumb to it. Not when everything around me was crumbling, and there was so much left to be done.

As I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, I felt a gentle hand on my shoulder.

"Mother" Aysel's voice, low and filled with concern, came from beside me "You need to rest. You're not well. Please, just lie down"

"No, my dear, I have important matters to attend to. I've already spent too much time in this bed, and I can't afford to waste any more" I shook my head, my voice rough as I struggled to steady myself.

"You've suffered a miscarriage, mother. Please, don’t push yourself like this. You need to rest and heal" She hesitated, her face pale, worry clearly etched across her young features.

"I can’t afford to rest right now" I replied, my hand reaching out to take hers "Trust me, Aysel. It's okay. I need to do this, for you, for your brothers, and for your father"

"You’re not well enough" she said softly, her voice tight with worry "You look so drained, so pale" She swallowed hard, still reluctant to let go.

"I know my body, darling" I nodded, my tone steady "But right now, I have to do what needs to be done"

She nodded in understanding, and I pulled her into a tight embrace, silently thanking her for everything she had done, for me and for her siblings. Since learning of what had happened yesterday, she hadn’t left my side. She kept the weight of it all from her younger siblings, shielding them from the pain. My heart swelled with pride as I realized how much she had grown. She wasn’t just my daughter, she was a confidante, wise beyond her years, and a steady source of support.

She stepped back, giving me the space I needed to rise. I steadied myself against the bedpost, taking a deep breath. My limbs felt heavy, but I forced myself to move.

Once I had changed my dress with Sibylle's assistance, I stepped out of my chambers. I gave swift instructions to the aghas, commanding them to stand guard.

They positioned themselves at every corner near the chambers, ensuring my children remained safe within. I made it clear that no one, none of my children, was allowed to leave my chambers, not even to return to their own rooms.

I moved swiftly through the hallways, my footsteps barely making a sound against the floor as my eyes remained fixed ahead. I had to speak with Yunus Pasha. I needed to know if there was any progress on the situation at hand. We still had no answers about who was behind what happened to Orhan, and the uncertainty was driving me to the edge of madness.

When I arrived outside Orhan's chambers, I found Yunus Pasha speaking with a doctor. As soon as they saw me, they both bowed their heads in respect. The doctor quickly returned inside, leaving Yunus Pasha to wait for me.

"Your Highness" Yunus Pasha said, his voice filled with empathy "It is a relief to see you on your feet. Please accept my deepest condolences, Sultanim. I can only imagine the depth of the pain you are enduring"

"I can't afford to lose anything more. My children, Orhan, everything is hanging by a thread. We still don't know who is responsible, and above all, the actions of that snake, Beyhan, still haunt me" I replied, my grip tightening into a fist as I struggled to keep my voice steady.

"I’ve heard of what happened, about Beyhan Sultan’s actions" Yunus Pasha replied, his gaze dropping to the floor "I assure you, that will not happen again. I will personally ensure it" He paused, then added "The investigations are still ongoing, but what matters now is His Majesty’s health. I promise you, whoever is behind this will soon be brought to justice"

I nodded, acknowledging his words, but impatience coursed through me. I needed answers, now. We couldn’t afford any more delays, not with so much at stake.

"Thank you, Pasha. As you've rightly said, our priority now is His Majesty’s health. Once he returns, he will ensure accountability for all. And as for Beyhan, she will face her reckoning at my hands" I straightened, gathering all my strength to maintain my composure.

I turned and entered my husband’s chambers. There he lay, just as he had been for days, pale, motionless. My steps took me to his side, drawn as if the mere presence of him could somehow fill the emptiness that consumed me.

I reached for his hand, my fingers trembling as they traced the coldness of his skin. My heart clenched with the unbearable truth that he was so near, yet so far beyond my reach. I pressed my forehead gently against the back of his hand, allowing the tears to fall, letting the dam within me finally shatter.

"I can't do this anymore" I whispered, my voice breaking "You have to wake up. We need you, I need you. Without you, everything is falling apart. I can't hold this together without you. Please" I gripped his hand tighter, my fingers pressing desperately into his cold skin.

"Beyhan... she threatened and terrified our sons" I sobbed, the words breaking free between my cries "Because of her, I lost our child. We were supposed to have another baby, Orhan, our baby. But now it's gone, and it's all because of her. I can't do this without you. I can’t carry all of this alone"

In that moment, I would have given anything to see him open his eyes, to feel his warmth beside me once more. But all I had was the coldness of his touch, the lifelessness of his body, barely clinging to breath. I remained in the same position, pouring my heart out to him, seeking solace in his hand. And then, just when I thought I couldn’t bear it any longer, I heard the faintest whisper.

"Ayleen... "