|Helena's POV|

-The Next Morning-

"I've been thinking about it for months" I added, trying to study the features of Orhan, who was quietly having his breakfast before I told him of my desire to embrace Islam, which caused him to stare at me in surprise.

"Are you sure?" he finally said, sitting up straighter in a more serious posture than before "Has anyone pressured you into this? ..This is not something you can..."

"No" I interrupted him, raising my hands in an attempt to simplify matters "I've studied it for a long time, and I've had long talks with Lady Hafsa and some of her friends, and I think I'm so ready"

"Helena..." He paused for a moment, taking a deep breath as if collecting his thoughts before placing his hand over mine in a calming touch "This is not something you should say you think you're ready for" he leaned in closer, brushing a few strands of my hair away with a familiar gesture "Look... I'm not rejecting this, I just want you to be free in this matter, don't give in to any external or internal pressures"

"Orhan..." I finally managed to say with a small smile "I'm ready.. I want this... It's something I've chosen, not something forced upon me"

"Well..." he whispered, trying to process everything I had said, as though replaying the conversation in his mind.. then, a smile of contentment appeared on his face "Since you want this, let's make it happen"

That was the moment I felt an overwhelming excitement, as I stood up to grab the veil.. I knew there was still so much for me to learn about this, but I had always loved God, and I could love Him in whatever way I desired, as long as it brought peace and joy to my heart.

It didn't seem complicated... repeating a few words after Orhan was easy... But what was challenging was the commitment, the passion, and the love for what was to come... Yet, I knew I would gain all of that in time.

"And so.. it happened" Orhan said with a beautiful smile, before removing the veil from my head and leaning in to place a kiss on my forehead.

"What about my name?" I asked with curiosity, recalling some of the things Lady Hafsa had told me about changing my name.

"I didn't know you wanted to do that too" he responded calmly, as if it didn't surprise him, but he still stared into my eyes for a while, as if trying to confirm my true desire before adding "Do you have anything in mind?"

"Are you serious?" I replied with a half-laugh, my eyes widening slightly as I squeezed his fingers, which were holding my hand "I have no idea; I'm asking you to do it"

"It would be my honor to do so,... Helena" he said the last word differently, slowly, as though savoring it like the last time.

And it hit me as I always loved the way he said my name.

I had known from the beginning what I was stepping into, yet standing here, in this moment, was something entirely different from merely observing it from afar... This could very well be one of the most transformative and defining moments of my life.

I could already hear the whispers in my mind.. the voices of those who would question my choices...

I had heard the stories countless times.. my mother's voice recounting how my father had named me in honor of his twin sister, who had passed away before I was born, a young life stolen too soon... Was I casting aside that legacy? Was I dishonoring the very foundation my parents had given me in exchange for a new identity?

No.

This wasn't a matter of replacing one person with another.. It was not about erasing the past, but about building upon it.. I am here, now, and I always would be... my name, my heritage, would remain with me.. But I was forging a place for myself in this new world, a world far more complex and boundless than I had ever imagined... It was about more than just a name or title... it was about legacy.

I remembered the day I was about to marry Orhan, when my mother had told me, with a knowing look, that I would become a part of a history, part of a dynasty... At the time, I felt a great sorrow, as though she were asking me to abandon everything I had known, as though she were trying to erase my own history... But now, I understood... My mother had always been right.. She had seen what I could not.

I am here, now... I am a sultana.. A Haseki.. And I must act with the grace, the dignity, and the responsibility that comes with this title.. I must embody the traditions that serve this empire..

The empire of my husband, of my children, and, yes, of my empire.

While I was lost in these thoughts, Orhan was still staring at me, his features lost in thought, but what caught my attention was a new look... a hidden smile, as if he had found something he had been searching for.

"Ayleen" he whispered the name calmly, matching his gaze "No one has carried this name before you, and it will only suit you"

As his words settled in, a small, amazed smile tugged at my lips. I turned the name over in my mind, trying to measure it against Helena.. But before I could fully process it, Orhan, as always, was two steps ahead of my thoughts, already anticipating what I would ask.

"And we need something that keeps Helena with you" he said, his tone steady, as if he had already considered this "Something that reflects you, as you are... Nura"

"You shall be Haseki Ayleen Nura Sultan"

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-A Week Later-

Keeping this secret had been hard.. I had told Orhan not to tell anyone, and of course, I knew he would keep it close to his chest, just as I had asked.. Yet, it was I who felt as though my very, but it was me who felt as if my tongue was burning, eager to share this news with everyone.

I wanted to wait until my sister leaves, not because I intended to hide it from her or didn't want to share it, but because I don't want to disturb her while she still calls me Helena in these last few days.

I knew this would be an important memory for us, and as soon as she leaves, she would be married and have to follow new laws and responsibilities... she would be a wife, a mother, and someday, a queen.. She would be too busy, just like me, and I didn't know when we'd share long days like this again.

I thought that once she leaves, I would announce it and send a personal message to each of my family members about it... words I wanted them to understand.. words that would make them feel like I was speaking directly to them.

"She looks so much ike you" Rana remarked, pointing to Nuray, pulling me out of the thoughts swirling in my mind as I stared at Gisela, who was talking to Aysel in a few well-practiced phrases she had perfected during her stay with me.

I was taken aback by the sheer audacity of this girl... Acting as though nothing from the past year had transpired, she boldly joined my sister and me in the garden, boasting and causing nothing but a headache.. I couldn't help but wonder what she was truly thinking, what hidden motive lay beneath her actions, and what it was that she was really trying to accomplish.

"Yes, she does" I replied coolly, not bothering to hide the indifference in my tone, my gaze fixed firmly on my daughter in my arms.

"So far, Aysel is the only one who resembles His Majesty" she said with a smile, her eyes briefly lingering on Aysel, who was lost in her own world, before shifting back to me "Hopefully, next time we'll have a şehzade who's a miniature version of his father... or better yet, many şehzades"

"What's wrong with girls?" To my surprise, it was my sister who interrupted... I had assumed she wasn't paying attention or hadn't grasped much of what Rana had said, but to my shock, it seemed I had greatly underestimated her.

"There's nothing wrong" Rana replied, her fingers running through her hair in a manner that might make one mistake her for an angel "In fact, we princesses are meant to be admired, adored, and pampered, while it's the men who must bear the weight of responsibility"

"You really have a shallow view, and you're dragging all the princesses of the world into it" from my sister's few words, I knew she hadn't understood everything Rana said, but she had picked up on some important points, and that reflected on the irritation on her face.

"Stultus esse facile est, sed hoc in te ipso non videbis, quia iam es" -Being stupid is easy, but you won't see that in yourself because you already are- Gisela replied coldly in our language... She then turned her attention back to Aysel, as though she had no intention of continuing a conversation with someone like Rana.

"Well, Rana, you are gravely mistaken" I said, my voice steady, as I gently stroked Nuray's cheek, my eyes locking with Rana's eyes "You cannot impose your narrow views on every princess.. Some of us are born to rule, to command, while others are destined to be adored.. You may choose whichever path you wish, and there is no dishonor in either. But mark my words.. a queen does exactly what a king does"

Rana didn't have much time to respond, as her sigh of relief was interrupted when Zeynep sultan walked quickly toward us with a pale face, making everyone look toward her in confusion.

"What's wrong, Zeynep?" I asked with concern, my gaze fixed on her as she sank into the seat beside Rana and took a trembling sip from a small cup of water.

"I... I..." she placed her hand on her chest, taking deep breaths, which made me feel alarmed, thinking she was ill or something, but my suspicions were quickly buried by what she said next "I was with Mansur, and his majesty almost found out about us... it was so close"

The shock of her words sent a jolt through me.. I instinctively pulled Nuray close, one hand cradling her while the other flew to my mouth in disbelief.

Rana, seated beside Zeynep, went deathly pale, her wide eyes fixed on her with a raised brow... The gravity of the situation hit me hard... if Orhan discovered this, Zeynep would be in huge trouble.

"Did he suspect anything?" This time, it was Rana who asked the question, sitting up straight, fully absorbed in the unfolding drama.

"I don't think so... he seemed angry and left in a hurry, exchanging just a few quick words" Zeynep responded calmly after she had caught her breath, looking as if she had already overcome her shock.

"Orhan cannot find out this way" I murmured, my gaze heavy with concern "You know it will be a catastrophe.. for you, and for everyone involved"

With my last words, I meant myself too.. Despite my care for everyone, the last thing I wanted was for Orhan to find out I had hidden something like this... A cold shiver ran through me as fear gripped my heart, but what unsettled me even more was the way Rana was looking at me with an unreadable expression.

The calm atmosphere had already been shattered, so we all stood up and headed inside to have a cup of tea with Turhan Sultan and Fatma Sultan in our usual, familiar routine, but my mind was occupied with something Zeynep had said... Why was Orhan angry and in such a hurry? What happened?

As I stepped into Sultan Turhan's room, I was immediately struck by her pale face... An Agha stood before her, speaking urgently, while she and Fatma Sultan listened intently.

"What happened, Mother?" Zeynep quickly asked, drawing attention to the suspicious look on her face.. It was clear her fear of being exposed motivated this question.

"It's a catastrophe" despite Turhan Sultan's composed voice, her eyes held both concern and shock "The Grand Vizier Ali Pasha was found dead at his home today"

And just like that, everyone was shocked by this devastating news.. Orhan would be so furious .. his wrath would surely fall upon everyone.

I couldn't look at everyone's faces, and I wanted to distance Aysel and Nuray from this negative atmosphere.. It was clear that it wasn't the time to spend time with their grandmother, so I found myself withdrawing with Gisela and heading back to my room.. my mind raced with thoughts of Orhan and when he would return, so I could hear the full extent of what had transpired.

»»-----　♔　-----««

|3rd Person POV|

"Wait until we get inside the room" Rana whispered calmly, glancing around as she swiftly pulled her mother's hand.. she could hardly believe that her conversation with Turhan Sultan had ended, and now, finally, she could reveal the plan that had been brewing in her mind.

"What's wrong with you?" Fatma responded impatiently, pulling her hand away in frustration and sitting down, waiting to hear what was so important that seemed to have caused Rana to hurry.

"I've found a loophole we can slip through, Mother" Rana's voice dropped to a low, dangerous whisper with a little smile.

"What are you talking about?" Fatma's eyes sharpened, her gaze fixed on her daughter with a mix of intrigue and caution.

"I have everything I need right here in my hands" Rana's smile deepened, her expression becoming more calculating, savoring every word as she spoke "Mansur hasn't delivered on his promises, despite the deal we made.. He promised to help me get the Haseki title in exchange for assisting him in securing the position of Grand Vizier, yet he's done nothing for me"

"Rana!" Fatma stood up quickly, as though slapped by the revelation, grabbing her daughter's arm and meeting her gaze directly "Do you have anything to do with the Grand Vizier's death?"

"Are you serious?" Rana responded swiftly, pulling her hand away as though she had never imagined such an accusation "Of course not... Mansur might be responsible, but not me... That's not what I meant at all, and frankly, I don't care whether he did it or not.. What matters is that I have a much bigger plan now"

"So, what exactly are you thinking?" Fatma's gaze sharpened, her fingers delicately adjusting the folds of her silken sleeve as she leaned forward slightly.

"I will make sure his majesty finds out about Mansur's affair with his sister... and I will ensure he knows his wife has been hiding it from him all along" The words left Rana's lips with chilling simplicity, and for some reason, she felt a strange sense of satisfaction and excitement.

"That's a dangerous game, Rana" Fatma replied softly, her voice laden with warning "Exposing Mansur's betrayal could make you a target.. And Orhan is not someone to be trifled with.. His temper is fierce, and his wrath... it could be deadly for anyone who crosses him, especially when it involves family.. I don't think revealing Mansur's treachery will serve us well, perhaps we might need him later"

"I know exactly what I'm doing, Mother... Mansur's position means nothing to me.. He's a fool, and he's only helped himself.. I've been patient with him, but no longer..." Rana leaned closer, her voice dropping to a near hiss "Don't worry, he'll never know I'm the one who exposed him.. But I'll make sure Orhan knows the truth.. that Mansur and his sister have betrayed him, that his wife has concealed it from him.. And then... I will offer Orhan everything he needs.. He'll turn to me, Mother.. and Helena... she will be cast aside. She won't even know what hit her"

Fatma studied her daughter closely, her expression unreadable... She knew Rana well.. too well.

This was a path even Fatma had never dared to consider.. Exposing Mansur's betrayal, bringing Orhan's fury upon his own sister and wife... It was a gamble that could either solidify Rana's power or shatter everything.. There would be no middle ground.

"Very well" Fatma finally said, the idea lodging itself deep in her thoughts, feeling as though this might be exactly what they needed "Tell me, how will you go about it?"

Rana's eyes sparkled with excitement, seeing that she had her mother's full attention... She quickly moved to sit beside her and began laying out the details of the plan.. one that had taken shape ever since Helena's words left her lips, and which she had been carefully planning, crafting, and refining to arrive at this point.

"This is genius" Fatma said, impressed, raising an eyebrow before adding, as a new thought crossed her mind "What about the other plan we had already set in motion?"

"Let it unfold" Rana said with a mysterious smile, settling comfortably into her seat "That too will be a devastating blow to that snake, and it will strip her of everything"

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I want to say that my girl reader6118 chose the name... a month ago (or maybe less) she sent me a few names on IG and told me to pick one for Helena and not tell her until I write the chapter... so here it is!! I chose Ayleen... then I added Nura and thought it was a sweet thing because it has a part of both names Aysel and Nuray 💌