|Helena's POV|

-After two weeks in The Holy Roman Empire-

I sat in front of my mirror, wearing my white nightgown while Sibylle was brushing my hair when another maid entered.

"Your Highness" she approached me "the Emperor and Queen are waiting to speak with you about an important matter"

Sibylle stopped brushing my hair and I looked at the other maid in surprise "An important matter? At this late hour?" I quickly stood up "Is everything alright?"

"Don't worry, Your Highness" she gave me a reassuring smile "They are waiting for you in your father's office"

I placed my hands on my dress and turned to Sibylle, who approached me, trying to calm me down "Don't worry, it must be something good... You haven't done anything wrong to be this anxious"

I shook my head and left the room, heading to my father's office... All I hoped for was not to hear any bad news, especially regarding my father's or mother's health.

I entered my father's office, where he was sitting on his throne, and my mother was turned away, looking out the window, so I could only see her back... I bowed gracefully and then froze in place, waiting to hear something.

"Helena" my father smiled slightly "my beautiful princess, come closer" He gestured to the couch, which made me return his smile and sit down.

"I was really worried to hear that you wanted to talk to me about something important" I confessed without hesitation, trying to ease my anxiety.

"There's no need to worry, my dear" he placed his hand over mine gently "You know that your mother and I would never say or do anything that would cause you concern"

"Helena" my mother finally turned and moved closer to sit next to me "We have an important matter concerning you... We will speak with you as a wise girl who knows her place and the interests of her empire... You are a princess"

"Now I'm really anxious" I whispered with difficulty because when I feel fear, even words refuse to leave my lips.

"I received a letter from the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire... It relates to the truce and union we recently reached" my father paused for a moment and then looked at me with confidence "He says that the union will be through the royal families, as we know, and in this case, we are talking about the Habsburg dynasty princesses"

At this point, I was trying to stop my mind from thinking because I knew very well what they were hinting at.

"We have only two princesses" my mother placed her hand behind her back "You are at an appropriate age for marriage, Helena"

Yes, as I had expected, even when they said the marriage would be through a minister's daughter, I didn't believe it. Our history is full of princesses who married politically to kings and emperors to solidify relations.

"This would mean a lot for our empire, not only the union with the Ottoman Empire but having the Sultan as my daughter's husband would be a strong move, Helena" my father spoke enthusiastically while I remained silently observing him.

"Honey..." my mother looked at me tenderly "What do you think?"

I had to say something because, after all, this is what princesses are made for... I always thought my brother's task was difficult, but now I knew how much we princesses had to sacrifice and take these powerful political steps so that our princes and emperors could secure strong unions.

"You have already decided, and I won't cause you any trouble" I lowered my head "I believe this is my fate"

"My father gently squeezed my hands "I promise you that if you are not happy in your marriage, I will declare war for you"

A political marriage and happiness are two things that never meet, but I couldn't delve into these details right now.

"Okay, I agree" I raised my eyes, looking at my mother and then at my father "I will do this for both of you and for the sake of the empire"

°°°°°°°

|3rd Person POV|

-After a week in The Ottoman Empire-

"Where is my mother?" asked Zeynep Sultan, one of the maids, after entering her mother's room and finding it empty.

"Your Highness" the maid lowered her head "she went to meet the Sultan... She will be back shortly"

Zeynep moved her head and returned to her mother's chambers, sitting down to drink some coffee while waiting for her mother... In just a few minutes, the door opened, and Turhan Sultan entered.

"Mother, finally!" She stood and bowed to her mother before sitting down again "You look happy"

Turhan sat next to her daughter, her face beaming "Yes, I feel like this is a dream"

"Of course! After convincing my brother, you must be happy" Zeynep smiled, despite being only seventeen years old; she seemed much older and wiser.

"Yes, and that's exactly what I was talking about with him just a moment ago" She placed her hands over each other and adjusted her sitting position "A response came from Emperor Rudolf II, who expressed his gratitude for Orhan's offer" A satisfied smile appeared on her face "He offers his daughter, Princess Helena, to be the wife of Sultan Orhan"

"So this means we are about to witness grand celebrations!" Zeynep replied, looking more than happy.

"Exactly" Turhan added, explaining to her daughter "What surprises me is what I've heard about this princess... She is very graceful and cultured, and there are rumors circulating about her throughout Europe... They say she is the most beautiful princess in the empire"

"So my brother got a beautiful wife" Zeynep clapped her hands excitedly "I really hope everything goes well because I truly want to see him happy"

Turhan Sultan nodded her head "Inshallah"

°°°°°°

|Helena's POV|

-After two days in The Holy Roman Empire-

I was sitting with Sibylle and my other maid Isabel in the garden...As I said before, they are my closest friends and the only ones capable of easing my anxiety, which has not left me since I agreed to the marriage.

"You could have refused, Helena" Isabel said, smelling a rose she had picked earlier.

"I can't do that" I placed my hands over my face "You should have seen my father's eyes... This is important to him"

"I believe everything will be fine" Sibylle shrugged "And I think this marriage suits your status, Helena, and your beauty"

"I'm scared of what awaits me" I sighed, tilting my head back "I even refused to hear any information about him; I'm not prepared for any shock"

"Have you lost your mind?" Isabel replied quickly, her eyes wide "At least you should know the essential information about him"

Even though I refused, Isabel and Sibylle convinced me that I couldn't throw myself into something unknown like this. So we stood up and entered the palace, heading to the grand hall where my mother was sitting with many noblewomen and their daughters who were sharing in her charitable work and other activities.

"Oh, the beautiful bride has arrived!" one of them said with a smile, making me return her smile before we sat with them.

"What's wrong, Helena?" my mother asked, looking at me calmly "I thought you wanted to spend a few hours in the garden"

"Yes, that was the plan, but..." I began to look around at Sibylle and Isabel "But I was convinced to do something..."

"What is it?" my mother asked with a smile, knowing that my friends always came up with crazy new suggestions.

"Tell me about the Sultan that..." I paused, as if that word were incredibly heavy "I'm going to marry..."

"She's blushing!" one of the women said, causing my mother and everyone to laugh... Do they really think this is a romantic situation or something? Damn, we're talking about a politically arranged marriage!

"Well, well...well" my mother smiled as she adjusted her seating position, and I could see that everyone was interested in what she would say "Sultan Orhan ascended the throne at the age of thirteen, and he is now twenty-five" This was the first shocking piece of information, but I tried to ignore it "He is known for his strong and stable character, and from what I've heard, he is very handsome" Well, I'm grateful he's not an old and ugly man "He has a son and a daughter, but their mother passed away" Oh, damn, this was an important piece of information... But at least he won't be expecting me to bear an heir for him.

"That's good" I whispered still thinking about these informations.

"How lucky you are, Your Highness" said a blonde girl sitting next to her mother, making me feel annoyed.

"He is the lucky one" I replied with a smile before standing up and leaving for my room.

I didn't understand why everyone was giving this marriage so much importance, even though it was just arranged and wouldn't be based on any emotional feelings... But damn, he is already married and his wife died, and he has a son and daughter, and he is still only twenty-five years old... That's crazy.