|Helena's POV|

-Two Weeks Later-

"Ahmed, don't run too far" I called out, sitting in one of the little tents set up in the garden, often used by the royal family.. In front of me, Ahmed and Aysel were playing joyfully.

"Don't worry, I will catch up with him" Isabel replied as she jumped up and dashed after him.

Ahmed was full of energy, and I was used to chasing him around, but today was different-I felt a bit tired.

"You know" Sibylle said, catching my attention "I'm really starting to feel bored"

"You're not the only one" I sighed, glancing at Aysel, who was tossing flowers at the birds "I also feel a bit out of place" I turned to her "I really love being here with everyone, and especially with the kids, but life feels a bit meaningless right now"

Another deep sigh escaped me, but despite everything, I was grateful for the kindness of those around me. Spending time with the children brought me joy, but what I appreciated the most was having Sibylle and Isabel with me. Our conversations in our language made me feel like I was still at home.

"Yes, I understand" Sibylle replied, taking a sip of her juice.

Just as I was about to ask her something, I jumped up when Aysel fell to the ground. Sibylle and I rushed toward her, but before we could reach her, Aysel was already smiling, looking like it was just a small tumble.

"Oh, I was startled" I exclaimed, taking a deep breath before hugging her tightly "Are you okay?"

"Yes, but..." she pulled back a little, holding her hands out to show me that they were dirty from her fall.

"Don't worry, sweetheart.. Let's wash them" Sibylle said, lifting Aysel with a gentle smile that told me to relax.

I watched them head off, then turned to see Ahmed running around, with Isabel chasing him and laughing; they seemed to be enjoying their game.

I smiled, then returned to my seat, taking a sip of my juice, trying to calm my nerves. Whenever I felt a bit sick, my mood would darken, which was why I had brought the kids to the garden-to perhaps feel a little better.

"Princess Helena" I heard a voice behind me.

"Quid?" -What?- I said in my language even before I turned around, but I quickly realized who it was. I stood up quickly and turned to see Orhan approaching, settling into one of the nearby chairs.

"You look upset" he replied, raising an eyebrow.

"No, Your Majesty, I'm just a bit flustered" I said with a smile, finally grasping the situation and switching back to his language.

"Quamvis linguam vis loqui potes; mihi non est cura" -You can speak any language you like; I don't mind- he said with a small smile, gesturing for me to sit after I had frozen in place.

"Gratias tibi ago" -Thank you- I replied, smiling as I sat down, crossing my fingers over my legs while I kept an eye on Ahmed to distract myself a little.

"Quid igitur te vexat, Helena?" -So, what's bothering you, Helena?- he asked, popping a walnut into his mouth.

I turned to him, taking a moment to process this whole situation. I had never considered myself foolish; I wasn't a genius, but I was quick on the uptake. However, since I came here, I felt as if I had become the dumbest person alive. Instead of responding, I found myself staring at him in shock, as if he were a ghost.

"Me excusa?" -Excuse me?- I asked softly, blinking my eyes, unsure of what he was talking about.

"Me per duos hebdomadas neglexisti" -You've been ignoring me for the past two weeks- he said, looking at me before shifting his gaze to Ahmed "In corridoribus convenire possumus, sed semper celeriter evanesces... Estne aliquid quod te vexat?" -We could meet in the corridors, but you're always quick to disappear... Is there something bothering you?-

Once again, instead of focusing on what to say, I found myself captivated by the way he spoke in my language.

"Nesciebam te in mea lingua peritum esse" -I didn't know you were fluent in my language- was all I could think to say, gazing directly into his blue eyes.

He was about to respond when we noticed two men approaching us from a distance. One of them was the man Zeynep had told me she loved.

Orhan cleared his throat slightly, the kind of cough someone makes to get your attention, and it worked.

When I turned to look at him, he leaned closer to me and whispered "Tege capillum tuum" -Cover your hair- Since it was winter and the air was chilly, I felt the warmth of his breath against my cheek.

I found myself staring into his eyes for a moment, filled with questions like, Why? Is it necessary? But the words wouldn't come out, so I simply did as he asked, feeling a bit dazed.

"Your Majesty... Your highness" one of the men said, standing in front of us.

"What is it, Mansur Pasha?" Orhan asked, resting one hand on his knee and looking at them.

Hearing the name reminded me; yes, he was the man Zeynep had mentioned.

"Asim Pasha has just arrived from Damascus" he said, pointing to the man who stood a few steps away.. As soon as they exchanged glances, the other man bowed slightly in respect.

"Good, it seems our work cannot be postponed" Orhan replied, nodding, then added "Tell him to wait for me; I will be there shortly"

Mansur Pasha nodded and stepped back, and after a moment, both he and the newcomer, Asim, disappeared from sight. There must be many things I still needed to learn, starting with this language; I often felt like a child just learning to speak.

"Feminas hic videre non licet" -They are not allowed to see women here- he said, pulling me from my thoughts and capturing my attention "Itaque, quandocumque extra palatium es, quaeso, vela in capite tuo gestato" -So, whenever you're outside the palace, please wear a scarf over your hair- He smiled gently "Non hoc tibi imponens; simpliciter rogo" -I'm not imposing this on you; I'm simply asking-

"I..." I struggled to find the right words as everything rushed through my mind, making me smile "Ita, certissime, traditiones colere" -Yes, of course, I respect the traditions-

"Id bonum est" -That's good- he said, standing up "Cum te e balneo vidi, venire ad liberos volui, sed videor valde occupati" -When I saw you from the balcony, I wanted to come and see the children, but they seem very busy- He shook his head "Et volui scire cur hisce paucis diebus tristis videaris" -And I wanted to know why you've seemed upset these past few days-

I smiled a little; yes, I had been slightly bothered after that girl upset me with her words, but I had almost forgotten about it but It seemed I had been avoiding him all along.

"Non, modo locum adhuc consuesco, et interdum meum animum paulum deorsum cadit" -No, I'm just still getting used to the place, and sometimes my mood gets a bit low- I said with a smile, lifting my gray eyes to meet his blue ones.

"Spero te huic loco assuescere et hic commode sentire" -I hope you get used to this place and feel comfortable here- he replied calmly, then raised his hands, brushing the cap away from my head "Nunc relaxare potes; nullus vir hic veniet" -You can relax now; no man will come here- he said again in his soothing voice, gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

Before I could fully grasp what was happening, he turned and walked away, leaving me feeling as if I might sink into my seat from the embarrassment and foolishness I felt.

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I also wanted to do this, so this chapter is dedicated to these supportive queens 💌: aysunsultana - Turhancore - princessanastasiaaa - reader6118 - dilaraaydina - Esma_Hiranur_Sultan

This chapter was supposed to be published tomorrow, but I changed my mind hahaha 🤍