|Helena's POV|

I slowly began to move, still feeling a whisper of my name on the edge of my consciousness... My eyes fluttered open just a little, trying to adjust to the bright daylight as I struggled to process who could possibly be disturbing me so early in the morning.

"There she is, our dear girl, finally gracing us with her awakening" Sibylle said, making my eyes snap open wide as I turned to find her standing with her hands on her hips, Isabel beside her holding something that looked like clothes, and Anastasia carrying a basin and a copper pitcher of water for my face.

I looked around, trying to grasp what was happening... Had last night been just a dream? The touches, the kisses, the glances... the whispers... could it all have been a dream? It couldn't be, because I was literally in his chamber, but what on earth were they doing here?

"You look different" Sibylle noted with a mischievous smile, her eyes narrowing in playful suspicion "A little flushed, a little... glowing"

I stood still, still trying to fix my hair, pushing it back as they all watched me, as if I were something foreign... except for Anastasia, who kept her eyes lowered to the ground.

"What's going on?" I asked quietly, taking a glass of water and sipping from it "What are you all doing here? And where is..." I stopped before I could finish the sentence... for some reason, I couldn't bring myself to say his name, as everything from last night swirled in my mind.

"Your husband left for the divan over two hours ago" Sibylle said with a smile, still eyeing me closely as if she could see straight through me "It's almost midday, and we're here because your husband asked the maid to bring your things and help you" She gestured to the dress Isabel was holding, and as I glanced around the room, I noticed the dress from last night draped over a chair.

"So it happened" Isabel said, her eyes sparkling, waiting for an answer from me.

My face flushed... not because of Isabel's question, but because of Sibylle's smile... She was watching me like she knew every detail of last night... The way she looked at me sometimes, it was almost as if she knew everything.

"Yes" I said softly, stepping away from them as I put on the satin robe Sibylle had given me... I sat on the edge of the bed, splashing water on my face, then gently dried it.

The girls understood that I didn't want to talk about it right now... I needed some time to process everything... I could easily spend the entire day just sitting, recalling every moment of last night.

I had crossed a line that I hadn't planned on crossing, but now that I was on the other side, it felt impossible to undo... I was, of course, happy about it... everything had felt like a dream I didn't want to end... But there was a little confusion, too... Things had happened so perfectly, yet I wasn't sure where we stood.

But I knew this was just the beginning... It didn't make sense to expect all the answers to my questions right away... some things would take time.

Anastasia and Sibylle helped me get ready after a quick bath, while Isabel went off to prepare a light late breakfast for me... Afterward, I made my way to Turhan Sultan's chambers, knowing the children might be there because I wanted to see them.

When I entered, I saw Turhan Sultan sitting on her throne, of course, and beside her, on the right, on one of the sofas, was Fatma Sultan.. For some reason, I sensed there was tension behind their smiles.

I gave Turhan Sultan a small bow and then went to sit on the sofa located to her left.

"Welcome, Helena" Turhan said with a bright smile.

"I expected the children to be here" I said, smiling, trying not to glance at Fatma.

"Zeynep and Rana took them to the garden" Turhan replied, then ordered something to her maid, and I guessed it was likely for setting up the lunch table.. again, she turned her attention back to me "They wanted to bring you along, but they knew you were still asleep"

This time, I didn't respond but merely nodded my head and lowered it, absentmindedly playing with the ring on my finger, while my mind once again drifted to last night.

It all started with a kiss... His lips, oh, those lips... curved just right, like they were made to pull you in... and when he whispered "I want to know everything about you... all of you" that was...

"Are you sure about this?" Fatma Sultan's voice broke through the quiet, pulling me out of my thoughts that, quite frankly, weren't appropriate for this moment or place.

"Yes, I'll speak to Orhan soon" Turhan replied calmly, nodding "Asim Pasha is a good man, and I trust him completely... I'm planning to bring him into the divan, but you know how Orhan is..... he doesn't like anyone interfering with his state affairs"

I looked at them in confusion, the name Asim sounding familiar... I'd heard it from... I didn't need to think too hard... I remembered where I'd seen him... on the day I was in the garden with Orhan, when he told me to cover my hair because Mansur and Asim were approaching.

"Yes, I agree with you" Fatma replied "Zeynep has grown up... she's a beautiful, wise young woman, and she's more than ready for marriage"

The words made my eyes widen, and I finally understood what they were talking about.

"Zeynep is getting married?" The words escaped my lips before I could stop them, shock evident in my voice "Does she know?"

"No, not yet" Turhan replied seriously, her gaze fixed on me "Don't tell her... I haven't spoken to Orhan about it yet"

I nodded absently, my mind racing... Zeyneb would be furious if she heard this.. If I told her, I would break Turhan's trust and cause a huge problem... If I kept it secret, I'd be a terrible friend and risk shocking Zeynep later.

I had to find a solution quickly... I didn't like Mansur Pasha, but Zeyneb loved him, and that was her right... Feelings aren't something we control... Besides, if she loved him, there had to be something good in him that couldn't be denied.

I had to help her.... I couldn't let her be thrown into a marriage she didn't want, and I was sure Orhan would care about his sister's happiness too... he wouldn't accept something like this.

"The crescent moon will be watched again tonight" Turhan said, pulling me back to reality "There's a high chance Ramadan will start tomorrow or the day after"

Ramadan.... I froze at the thought... I was terrified of it... I knew nothing about it, and I'd heard everyone would be fasting and performing religious rituals I couldn't keep up with.

I excused myself, pretending to be tired, and stood to leave... As I moved, I noticed Fatma Sultan watching me with an unsettling look... Her smile twisted into that familiar, annoying, condescending grin.

As I walked down the hall, lost in thought, I heard footsteps approaching... I quickly looked up, and there was Rana, with her maids, and Aysel, holding Elena's hand... As soon as Aysel saw me, her face lit up, and she sprinted toward me.

"Aysel" I said excitedly, crouching down to her level and planting a kiss on her cheek "I missed you" I looked around, surprised not to see Zeynep or Ahmed.

"I missed you too" she smiled brightly, holding her hand out "Look, I hurt my hand in the garden"

My heart skipped as I inspected her hand, but before I could react, I heard a voice that made me freeze "It was just a small accident, wasn't it, Aysel?"

Of course, it was Rana's infuriating voice, and before I could speak, Aysel responded innocently "If it was so small, my hand wouldn't still hurt"

I stood up quickly, my eyes narrowing as I turned toward Elena, who was looking down, avoiding my gaze...I knew this wasn't her fault, but I couldn't let Rana.. who clearly didn't understand children.. treat her this way.

"Aysel, go to my room, I'll be there soon to take care of your hand" I said with a soft smile, trying to keep my tone calm... she nodded and moved toward Elena, who was now guiding her away.

"You shouldn't talk to a little girl like that" I said, my tone dripping with condescension "You can't just dismiss a child's feelings like they don't matter"

She raised an eyebrow, smirking "What's the matter, Helena? Are you trying to hold back your anger for something?"

I stared at her, utterly confused by her insinuation, but I didn't let it throw me off... The issue was bigger than her petty attempts to get under my skin... It was the way she treated children like they were invisible.. she's so cold.

I stepped closer, locking eyes with her "Since the day you arrived, you've been looking for ways to annoy me or get under my skin... But I've ignored you all this time" I took a deep breath, my voice growing colder "Watch yourself, Rana... If you've got personal problems, keep them to yourself... Don't drag me into your complicated mess"

I gave her a cold smile before continuing my way to my chamber where I found Elena already tending to Aysel's wound, while the other girls were nowhere to be seen, except for Anastasia.

The rest of the evening passed in a haze of tension, my mind racing with the events unfolding.... First, there was Orhan... He had left the palace early in the morning and hadn't returned, almost as if he had vanished... The absence left me longing to see him again, eager to know where we stood and what he would say when he finally returned.

Second, there was Zeynep's problem... She had visited me earlier and told me she had met Mansur in the garden... Even Rana had helped by clearing the children out of the way so they wouldn't see them together.

The way Zeynep spoke about him, with such enthusiasm, made my heart ache for her... I watched her in silence, guilt weighing heavy on my chest.

Turhan Sultan was a woman who always got what she wanted, and on the other side, Zeynep's fragile character would never allow her to argue with her mother or admit that she loved someone, not without causing a huge scandal... I need to find a solution.

The third problem was Rana and Fatma Sultan... There was no longer any doubt about it... they both had issues with me... But each handled it in their own way.

Fatma Sultan was the type who would smile to your face, all charm and grace, but behind your back, she was plotting to tear you apart... Rana, on the other hand, couldn't hide her hatred... It was clear in every glance, every word.

"Your highness" Anastasia said, bowing before me "I asked Silahtar, and he said His Majesty hasn't returned yet... He has important outside business"

I shook my head in frustration, staring out of the window for a while... Everyone had already gone to bed... Isabelle, Sybil, the children, the maids... all of them.. It was just me and Anastasia now, who I knew was tired but insisted on staying in case I needed anything.

The night had grown late, and Orhan still hadn't returned... He should have been back by now, and my anxiety grew stronger with each passing minute.

Perhaps we had taken a step forward last night, but now it felt like we were falling three steps back, and I had no idea what was coming next... Tomorrow would be a challenge, especially since I had just received word an hour ago that Ramadan was officially starting tomorrow.