|Helena's POV|

-Two Days Later-

Dear Mother,

Finally, I found the time to sit down and write you a letter, as I feel ready to share my thoughts. I hope you, Father, and my siblings are all well.

Istanbul is beautiful, and the people here are kind. At least, I can say that about Turhan Sultan, Zeynep Sultan, and, of course, Sultan Orhan. If you were here, I know you would adore them, and I can imagine you and Turhan Sultan becoming great friends.

I spend a lot of time with Zeynep Sultan; she's such a lovely person, and our companionship is delightful. We always wander through the vast, stunning palace gardens, exchanging opinions about our favorite books.

There's also little Ahmed, who is five, and Aysel, who is just three. Despite their young age, they are incredibly entertaining. I can't wait for you to meet them.. I know you'll say "He will be a great leader in the future" about Ahmed and when you see Aysel, you'll exclaim "She is the perfect example of a little princess"

I just wanted to reassure you that you're always in my thoughts. I miss your witty and funny conversations and, of course, I miss our family dinners.

Please send my love and kisses to everyone, and I hope to have the honor of your visit soon.

I smiled as I placed my pen down, rereading the letter to ensure it was just right.

"Helena, do something" sighed Sibylle, plopping down on the couch beside me.

"About what?" I replied, setting the paper aside and looking at her curiously.

"We can't just sit here for the rest of our lives" she responded, clearly annoyed.

I knew that Sibylle had been bored for days, and I anticipated this would happen because in Vienna, she had so much to do. She would roam around the palace, laughing with everyone, and then sometimes go out and disappear for hours. When I ask her where she had been, she would say she was enjoying the beauty of the city.

"I know that" I replied, nodding "But what can I do?"

"There's so much we can do" She leaned closer, and I could see the excitement in her eyes "They have several palaces throughout the empire.. Tell your dear husband we want to go on a trip and enjoy everyhing here"

"What?" My eyes widened "I can't do that.. I don't want to seem demanding" I tried to change the subject "Where is Isabel?"

"She's in the hamam" she answered quickly, raising a finger "Don't try to change the subject"

"Oh" I chuckled softly, then smiled at her "I'll try to find something suitable for us to do to shake off this boredom"

"Come on, at least let's annoy those girls in the harem" she insisted, standing up and pulling my hand.

"Of course we won't do that" I said, looking at her anxiously. I had never spoken to them before, and I could tell they didn't like me by the way they looked at me whenever I passed by.

I understood their feelings; each of them considered this a dream. They came from all over the world and were trained to be the Sultan's concubines, but now, due to his marriage, they thought I was their enemy. Little did they know they could have him if they wanted to.

"At least let's take a peek.. I want to see where they sit" she said, already dragging me out of the room.

Moments later, I found myself in the part of the palace I had been avoiding all along.

"Destur Haseki Helena Sultan" said the agha standing by the door, almost out of nowhere.

It was good that I was used to this by now; during my first announcement, I had felt embarrassed as I looked everywhere, waiting for a royal family member to appear. But then I realized they were announcing my arrival, not someone else's. Sibylle had told me, "Honey, you are the royal member!" I had felt so foolish and out of place at that moment.

I stood by the doors with a small smile, Sibylle beside me, as a row of girls with their heads bowed stood before us.

"I will never forgive you for this, Sibylle" I whispered close to her, trying not to lose my smile.

We entered quietly, stepping steadily, and I took the nearest seat my eyes landed on.

"Come on girls, you can continue whatever you were doing" Sibylle said in an authoritative tone, which made the girls shoot her a glance, but did my girl care? Not at all.. She just smiled and sat beside me.

"Sultanim" said an agha, standing in front of me with a strange smile, bowing his head "Would you like something to drink?"

I was about to answer him when I noticed Sibylle beside me, clearly struggling to hold back laughter.

"Um" I felt a bit flustered but smiled slightly "I just want some water"

He nodded, still smiling, and left, prompting me to turn quickly to Sibylle.

"What's so funny?" I asked with wide eyes.

"It's this agha we told you about, Isabel and I" she could barely get the words out, too busy laughing.

"Oh" was all I managed to say as I pictured him doing funny moves, making me chuckle a little. But as soon as I noticed him returning, I quickly composed my face and pinched Sibylle without anyone noticing.

"Here's a glass of water for our beautiful sultana" he said politely, handing me the glass. Although looking at him made me want to laugh, I tried to keep a straight face.

"What's your name?" I asked, trying to steer my thoughts away and took a sip of water.

"Sumbul, sultanim" he replied, placing his right hand over his left and bowing his head.

"Thank you, Sumbul" I responded with a smile, just as a maid entered holding Aysel's hand.

"Helenaaa" she exclaimed excitedly, rushing towards me and breaking free from the maid's grasp.

"Our beautiful princess" I said with a smile, opening my arms to embrace her, placing a kiss on her cheek "Haven't you gone to sleep yet?"

I asked, surprised, as it was nearly bedtime. But when I raised my eyes, I saw the maid nodding, indicating that Aysel wasn't feeling sleepy yet.

"Where's Ahmed?" I asked, settling Aysel onto a cushion beside me.

"I think he's with auntie Zeynep" she said, beaming with joy as one of the maids brought her some sweets.

"Look at her trying so hard to play the role of the sultana and the mother" I overheard a conversation that caught my attention, but I didn't turn to the two girls who were speaking, clearly wanting me to hear everything "She's trying so hard to get his Majesty's attention; she doesn't even sleep in the same room with him"

"You're right" said another voice "He doesn't even want her, and I feel sorry for Feyza; another woman now gets to enjoy motherhood with children that aren't hers"

The other girl was about to speak, but Sumbul agha began clapping and shouting at them, seeming to overhear "Get ready for bed, and stop with the silly talk"

"Aysel, my dear, come on, it's bedtime" I said with a smile, taking her hand and standing.

"Sultanim" Sumbul said, approaching me and speaking softly "please don't be upset by their words; they're just silly girls"

"No, no" I smiled slightly "I'm not bothered at all; don't worry"

We left the place, holding Aysel's hand, with Sibylle beside her, while Sunbul walked alongside me.

"Sultanim" he said again, capturing my attention "please don't tell Valide Turhan Sultan; she will be very angry if she finds out"

"Don't worry, I won't tell her" I replied with a smile, then added "I understand; they can't stand me"

"They're just jealous; the Sultan rarely agrees to meet one of them" he said calmly, moving his finger.

"Does he?" I blurted out, thinking about how many women he might have met before.

"Once every month or two" he replied quickly, then looked at me "But since your wedding day, that hasn't happened at all"

I shifted, feeling puzzled, as none of them had given birth yet. It was hard to believe that luck hadn't favored even one of them.

"Helena, can I sleep with you tonight?" Aysel asked, pulling me from my thoughts.

"I... I don't know if that's allowed?" I smiled a little "Let's ask your grandmother for permission"

She nodded excitedly, bouncing on the spot without letting go of my hand, making me smile even more as we headed toward Valide Turhan Sultan's chambers ffter telling Sibylle to go back to the room.

The door opened, and as Aysel and I entered, I noticed Turhan Sultan sitting in her place with Orhan beside her, seemingly deep in conversation. On the other side of the room, Zeynep Sultan was at her mother's desk with Ahmed, who appeared to be learning to write, as she held his hand, working on something on the paper in front of them.

Aysel broke free from my grip and dashed to her father, while I stood frozen, unsure where to look or how to address them-should I say "Your Majesty" or "Your Highness?" How should I begin?

"Dear Helena" Turhan Sultan said, smiling at me "Sit with us"

"Uh..." I began to approach slowly "Thank you; I hope I'm not disturbing you"

"Don't say anything like that next time" she chided gently, making me smile a little.

"My flower... why aren't you asleep yet?" Orhan asked, glancing down at Aysel, who was sitting on his lap, as he tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.

"I was with Helena" she said simply, making me feel even more anxious, as I didn't want them to think I was the reason for her being late to bed.

"I was just about to take her to bed" I said, trying to clarify "Actually, I'm here because Aysel wanted to sleep with me, and I wanted to ask for permission" I looked at Turhan Sultan and Orhan, uncertain who would grant me the permission.

"You don't need to ask for permission, Helena" Turhan sultan responded "But I think our little active sultana might keep you a bit occupied"

"No, no..." I didn't finish my sentence, as Orhan stood, holding Aysel.

"It's fine; she can sleep with you tonight" he said, placing a kiss on Aysel's cheek before looking at all of us "It's bedtime for you too, Ahmed"

"I'll take him to his room" Zeynep smiled, kissing his cheek before taking his hand.

"Alright then" I turned to Turhan Sultan "Good night"

We all headed toward the door, with Orhan carrying Aysel, exchanging light banter and laughter. I honestly didn't know when he would set her down so I followed closely behind, with Zeynep holding Ahmed.

"Helena" I heard from behind, turning to see Zeynep, who had released Ahmed's hand to come closer "I need a favor from you"

"Yes, of course" I said, smiling softly, keeping my voice low, knowing she probably didn't want her brother to overhear.

"Tomorrow, during breakfast, could you pretend that you want us to go out to the market together?" she asked, each word sounding hesitant.

"Why?" I asked, slightly puzzled, as I tried to slow my steps behind Orhan.

"I'll explain later" she said quickly, seeming hurried now.

"Okay" I nodded, smiling, which made her hug me tightly... Just then, her brother turned to us.

"Zey..." he paused, seeing us together.. Despite his surprise, he looked at her "Come on, take Ahmed to his room"

As she stepped away from me, I noticed we were at Ahmed's room door. She nodded quickly, taking Ahmed's hand and leading him inside.

I followed Orhan, who seemed ready to take his daughter to my room.

"You're the one who will put me to bed, Father" she said in her angelic voice, making me smile but as I processed her words, my eyes widened.

"It seems my princess has endless requests today" he said to her with a grin, nodding in agreement.

Finally, we reached my room's door. Orhan walked in first, and I followed him inside.. I scanned the room but didn't see any sign of Isabel or Sibylle.

"Denique Helena" -Finally Helena- I heard Sibylle's voice from the additional room designated for my belongings "Quando de marito tuo loqueris de..." -When will you talk to your husband about..- Her voice trailed off as she stepped out, instantly shocked to see Orhan, causing her to bow quickly.

Orhan moved to lay Aysel down on the bed, while Sibylle, still trying to process the situation, turned to me with a grin that was way too mischievous "Veni, quasi aliquid iocosum dixisti; bene est quod in nostra lingua locutus sum" -Come on, pretend I said something funny; it's good that I spoke in our language-

I blinked in surprise. I hadn't told Sibylle about the little discovery I made two days ago-that Orhan spoke our language fluently.

"Sibylle, si unum verbum iterum dicas, linguam tuam evellam" -Sibylle, if you say one more word, I'll cut your tongue out- I hissed in a threatening tone, which made her laugh softly before retreating inside again.

"Alright then, sweet dreams" he said, placing a kiss on his daughter's forehead and after receiving a kiss on his cheek, he turned to leave.

I insisted on keeping my eyes down, not wanting to see his face because of the embarrassment I felt. But as he walked past me, my eyes rebelled, stealing a quick glance. They darted up just in time to catch his blue eyes-and I swear, there was definitely a suppressed laugh hiding behind them.

"Good night, princess" he said softly, still holding back a grin.

"Good night, your majesty" I quickly replied, my voice trembling slightly as I tried to hold on to what little composure I had left.

As soon as the door closed behind him, I felt the urge to scream, but then I noticed Aysel had already fallen into a peaceful sleep.

"I swear, Sibylle, that I..." I said, moving toward the place where she had been.

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Finally!! here is a long chapter 🤍💌
I want to remind you again that those who have read my other stories will know that by chapter 12 we were always much further along in the plot but here we are still almost at the beginning 😭🤌🏻 ... This story will go step by step and I plan for it to go beyond 45 chapters... rn I want to focus on Helena's first few weeks in the palace and develop her relationships with each character in a suitable way + there is some drama coming in the upcoming chapters 🪄