|Ayleen's POV|

-Three Days Later-

Since my arrival at the palace, I had never seen it in such a state as the past three days.. chaotic yet oddly serene.

What had transpired left everyone confused, unsure of how to react, not even knowing what to expect next.. the only exception was Turhan Sultan, who was furious, which made me decide to stay in my chamber and avoid any interaction for now, at least until things settled down.

"Why would His Majesty make such a decision, Sumbul?" Sibylle asked, her voice tinged with disbelief as she lounged on one of the couches, casually nibbling on some nuts.

It seemed all she did lately was talk about the same topic over and over again.

"I don't know" Sumbul replied, shrugging his shoulders before snatching a handful of nuts from her bowl "Rumor has it that just days before His Majesty made his decision, Zeynep Sultan came to him, deeply remorseful.. she apologized and begged him not to take a step that would break her spirit and destroy the fragile hopes she had clung to"

I sighed as I gazed at both of them, my mind swirling with thoughts of their conversation.. I knew Orhan loved Zeynep deeply, and I knew he could never refuse her request.. But this... this was something else.. he had gone as far as to overlook Mansur's mistake and announce their upcoming marriage before any rumors could reach the public..

"No, no... this doesn't add up" Sibylle insisted, shaking her head in disbelief "I sense there's something deeper at play here.. I need to understand what's truly going on in his mind"

"Well, at least I can take comfort in the fact that our Sultana hasn't found herself in any trouble, and His Majesty has yet to make any decisions regarding her" Sumbul remarked nonchalantly, casting a fleeting glance in my direction, clearly aiming his words at me.

"Do you think your Sultana is just a pawn, to be played with and subjected to decisions?" Sibylle retorted sharply, setting her bowl of nuts aside before pointing at me, her eyes never leaving Sumbul "Even the smallest harm to her could unleash a catastrophic war that would bring your arrogant Sultan to ruin"

"Allah, Allah!" Sumbul exclaimed, rising to his feet in alarm "Did you hear the madness coming from this woman?!" He turned sharply, heading for the door "If you're seeking death, I suggest you proceed, but as for me, I'm still holding out for a long life!"

Although my mood was rather gloomy, the sight before me made me burst into laughter alongside Sybille, who, no matter how much I cautioned her about the weight of her words concerning the Sultan, seemed utterly indifferent to the consequences.

As we laughed, I suddenly heard the sound of the door, causing me to raise an eyebrow in surprise, for I hadn't received any visitors in the past three days.

"Come in" I called, standing up and adjusting my dress, quickly smoothing back some strands of hair.. but my expression shifted to one of surprise as soon as I saw who it was.

Fatma Sultan... and Rana Hanim Sultan.

"Ayleen" Fatma sultan said with a broad smile, her hands gently opening "How are you? Your sudden disappearance over the past few days truly worried me.. I hope everything is well"

"I'm fine, just caught up with the children" I replied with a calm smile, carefully controlling my tone to avoid sounding dismissive, before motioning for both of them to sit.

Despite Rana's presence, I couldn't shake the feeling that she had come against her will, her eyes deliberately avoiding mine as though she couldn't bear to look at me.

"How is the little sultana?" Fatma Sultan asked again, her gaze flickering nervously around the room, as if she too were trying to sidestep the uncomfortable tension her arrival had stirred.

"She's doing well" I said with a faint smile, my eyes following Anastasia as she placed the coffee cups down and quietly retreated "She's in the spare room with lady Isabel"

"May God protect her" Fatma Sultan responded, nodding thoughtfully before taking a deliberate sip from her cup "You know, that day, I was truly alarmed.. I honestly feared that His Majesty might exile you, but I was prepared to step in... wasn't I?" She turned to Rana, her tone dripping with insinuation, and Rana shifted uncomfortably under her gaze.

"Yes" Rana nodded, her expression tense as she seemed to search for the right words "We would never have allowed His Majesty to separate you from your daughter, or to do anything of the sort... we were prepared to intervene and convince him otherwise"

Every time Fatma Sultan spoke, I found myself rendered speechless, her words lingering in my mind long after she had finished.

Her cunning was unmistakable.. there was no doubt now.. she despised me with a quiet intensity, the kind that only the most calculating of minds possess.. a master of the adage "keep your friends close, and your enemies closer".. she hid her disdain behind a mask of politeness, always calm, always composed.

In contrast, her daughter was an open book, her contempt for me as transparent as it was unforgiving.. the difference between them was stark.. one concealed her malice with finesse, while the other wielded hers with unrestrained bitterness.

"There's no need to worry" I said softly, setting the untouched cup down, a faint smile playing on my lips "Orhan and I have a deep understanding of each other.. he would never resort to such a thing" I finished my sentence with a calm smile, watching as they sank into a profound silence.

"Well, you never can be sure of what might happen" Fatma Sultan finally broke the silence, her laugh strained as she took another sip from her cup "By the way, preparations for Zeynep Sultan's wedding are about to begin... You should start considering the dress you'll wear"

"There's no need to get a new dress.. I already have so many" I sighed, almost absentmindedly, my thoughts drifting back to just over a year ago, when Zeynep had been by my side at my wedding, assisting with everything.. It's hard to believe how things had shifted, how our friendship had unraveled so completely.

"Besides, there's not much time left" I added, resting my right hand gently over my left, a faint smile curving my lips "The wedding is after Ramadan, and with tomorrow marking the first day, we barely have a month, inshallah"

"Yes, inshallah" Fatma Sultan replied, nodding calmly and before she could say anything else, a knock came at the door.. as Anastasia opened it, one of Fatma Sultan's servants appeared behind her.

"Your Highnesses" the servant bowed slightly, lowering her head before turning her attention to Fatma Sultan "The Valide Sultan needs you for something important, Sultanim"

"Oh, I'll be right back" she said, standing and addressing Rana before leaving the room swiftly with her servant, who I seemed to see everywhere.

Sitting across from Rana, I couldn't shake the unease that washed over me.. the things I had uncovered about her.. dark, unsettling truths.. made every moment feel like a heavy burden.

Yes, I still lacked the concrete evidence I needed, but everything I had learned and sensed left no room for doubt.. she was the one behind it all, including the nightmare that had befallen my daughter.. she had to be the one who manipulated that girl into taking those destructive steps, and I was determined to uncover the full truth.. soon.

Since that day, I had felt a deep emptiness inside me, and I continued to have nightmares where that girl's tragic death replayed over and over.. worse still, sometimes I saw her committing it while holding my daughter.

"You've made it through this time.. learn from your mistakes, or you'll be doomed to repeat them" Rana's words snapped me out of my thoughts, her smile mocking as she took another sip from her cup.

"What is it that you seek to gain from this?" I raised an eyebrow, a small, knowing smile playing at the corners of my lips "Let us not play this game.. you know I can silence you so easily"

"It's good that you're aware we can't stand each other" she said, a sly smile tugging at her lips as she shrugged "But remember this.. I'm being gracious now, because I could shut you down without a second thought"

"Oh" a quiet laugh slipped from my lips "Is that how you handle those poor concubines too? Have you grown accustomed to silencing them... even Feyza, I assume?" For the first time, I felt the conversation shifting in the direction I desired, watching her carefully for any sign of a reaction.

As expected, Rana's demeanor faltered instantly.. her face drained of color, and she set her cup down with trembling hands before standing abruptly, muttering something under her breath that I couldn't quite make out.. I was too focused on the subtle change in her expression as she turned and stormed out.

»»-----　♔　-----««

|3rd Person POV|

As soon as Rana stepped out of the room and walked a little distance, she leaned heavily against the wall, her breath coming in sharp, ragged gasps.. as if the very air itself was trying to choke her.

One of her servants, sensing her distress, reached out to offer help, but Rana swatted her hand away with a sharp, furious gesture.. she took a moment to steady her breath, her body trembling with barely-contained emotion, before striding quickly toward her room.

Her thoughts raced, threatening to overwhelm her.. Why had Ayleen brought up Feyza Sultan.. someone she'd never even laid eyes on? Why would she claim to have silenced her, or perhaps it was the other way around.

When she reached her room, Rana ordered everyone to remain outside before slamming the doors shut behind her.. she sank onto the nearest sofa, her hands shaking uncontrollably.

Ayleen.. once so quiet, so reserved.. had somehow learned to provoke her with unnerving precision.. but was she now attempting to adopt Feyza's persona? The very woman Rana had loathed with every fiber of her being.

One of the reasons Rana despised Feyza was the way she looked at her.. those piercing, unsettling gazes, that smug smile that seemed to strip away every layer of her thoughts, and her quick-witted responses, always swift and always managing to silence Rana.

Back then, she had still been young, still molded by her mother for something grand, but forever overshadowed by the woman who had crushed her spirit with effortless ease.

But there was that one time when Rana succeeded in silencing Feyza... A moment she will never forget because what happened afterward was strange, but to this day, it is what fills her with hope.

|Flashback|

"So, you're pregnant again?" Rana remarked, her fingers intertwined as she sat upright.. for a moment, she looked like the wisest sixteen-year-old, casting a look of unmistakable smugness down at Feyza.

"Yes, I am" Feyza replied coolly, shooting Rana a glare sharp enough to cut, before turning her attention back to her embroidery, as she waited for the Valide Sultan to arrive.

"Aren't you afraid?" Rana pressed, raising an eyebrow in feigned astonishment "The doctor has forbidden it, and it's obvious you're headed for your doom"

"Only God knows the time of a person's death" Feyza replied calmly, not even lifting her gaze, having long grown accustomed to Rana's incessant nagging "Now, focus on your own affairs.. my passing will not be your burden"

"It may not cost me anything, but your son, Şehzade Ahmed, stands to lose everything" As always, Rana had a keen eye for her enemies' vulnerabilities, and she knew just where to strike to cause the deepest pain.

"What are you implying?" The words escaped Feyza's lips, her confusion evident.

As a mother to a child barely a year and a half old, the cold, calculating threat in Rana's words struck a deep, unsettling chord.. She set aside whatever she had been holding, her gaze locked on Rana, waiting for an answer.

"Leaving a şehzade... an heir... in a place like this without his mother is dangerous" Rana continued, shifting her leg with a hint of satisfaction, as if she relished the discomfort she was causing "Though he may be his father's pride, the women around him will stop at nothing to see him out of the way"

It was clear that Rana had achieved exactly what she intended.. feyza was swallowed by a heavy silence, trapped by her own thoughts.. she couldn't bear to stay another moment, rising abruptly and leaving without sparing a single glance at Rana.. a deep, gnawing unease twisted in her chest, leaving her feeling hollow and on edge.

"Zarife" Feyza called as she entered her room.. the moment her most trusted servant appeared, she began pacing swiftly, her mind clearly unsettled "Tomorrow, we're going to see that woman... the fortune teller.. I need her"

Although Zarife didn't understand why Feyza was so shaken and pale, her request to see the fortune teller the next morning seemed to be driven by something important.. and possibly something very bad.

Rana, obsessed with knowing every whisper Feyza uttered, soon learned the news.. The seasons seemed to change within her, and she decided she would reach that place even before Feyza, so she could hear and see everything that would unfold.

The next morning, Feyza had already arrived at the small house, dressed in normal clothes that would attract no attention, accompanied by her loyal servant Zarife and Suleiman, a trusted agha who had always supported her at every turn.

The fortune teller greeted Feyza Sultan's arrival with no surprise, for she had long been accustomed to such visits, which occurred with predictable regularity.. at least two or three times a year.

What the fortune teller valued most about Feyza was that her intentions were always pure, never driven by malice.. feyza came only in moments of unease, seeking the clarity she needed to calm her troubled heart, before swiftly returning to her life in the palace.. there, if word ever spread that Feyza had visited this place, her reputation would be irrevocably tarnished.

As Feyza settled into her place before the fortune teller, lifting her veil, she remained unaware that someone was observing closely from an upper window, hidden in the quiet of the neighboring rooftop, listening intently to every word.

"I see you've returned" The fortune teller said, her voice barely a whisper.. despite not being very old, her features appeared weary, and an odd, unsettling aura seemed to hang around her.

"I've come for answers" Feyza began, her voice steady, though it trembled with underlying worry "I need to know that my son's future is secure, and that he will be safe"

"What is it that you seek to know?" the woman asked, her eyes fixed on her hands as she lit small candles and incense, the thick, heavy aroma creeping through the room.

"What will become of my son? will he rise to the throne after his father?" Feyza's words slipped from her lips without a second thought, for she had always known precisely what she needed to ask, unfazed by how it might be perceived.

The fortune teller closed her eyes for a moment, her fingers gently tracing the rim of her teacup, as if seeking the right words "After the glorious reign of his father... he can rise to the throne when the time is right, as all great men do... if, of course, he is truly destined to be one of them"

"Will he be safe?" Feyza asked, her fingers tightening around her veil, a sharp ache rising in her chest, intensifying the tension as the woman offered nothing but cryptic hints instead of a clear answer.. but she had long since learned to endure this "If he ascends to the throne... what then? How will he navigate it alone, without his valide Sultan by his side, as tradition demands?"

Feyza's words were not mere idle thoughts.. she knew all too well that her own situation held no promise of change.. the fortune teller had already foretold months ago that her time was running out, and it was now too late for her to alter the course of her fate.

What weighed heavily on her heart now was the future of her son, Ahmed... perhaps his father, who cherished him deeply, would shield him until the day he ascended the throne.. but she could not shake the nagging fear that, unlike his father, her son would not have the unwavering support and guidance he needed.

Having witnessed the care and devotion that Valide Turhan Sultan had shown Orhan, Feyza feared her son would be left to face everything alone.

"Fate will weave its own story... the seasons will shift, and much will transform" the fortune teller murmured, her eyes finally locking with Feyza's "Even those things you believe are steadfast, unshakable" She paused, as if lost in thought for a brief moment, before continuing "Every man requires the favor of a woman, and Şehzade Ahmed will find a woman who will stand beside him"

Feyza was momentarily struck silent, her brow furrowing as her complexion turned pale.

"Who is she?" Feyza asked, her voice filled with confusion and growing apprehension.

The fortune teller fell silent, her gaze wandering as she seemed to search for the right words.. she took her time, as if weighing each thought carefully before speaking.

"Celile.."

"..Yes, Celile... She carries the blood of royalty in her veins" the woman murmured, her lips curling into a faint, knowing smile "He will need her, and she will need him"

"Celile?" Feyza repeated, the name foreign to her lips.. her mind raced with a storm of questions, each one threatening to overwhelm her, yet deep down she knew.. there would never be enough time to voice them all.

"Yes, Celile" the fortune teller replied, sensing Feyza's confusion "It is not just a name, but a destiny... Everyone will come to know her, and she will ensure they understand that fate is never sealed, for the pages of destiny are ever in motion, always unfolding"

A cold shiver ran down Feyza's spine as the weight of this prophecy settled upon her.. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts.. her son, his future, and this mysterious Celile who seemed to hold the key to it all.

Rana, who had been silently watching and listening from her concealed vantage point, slowly withdrew, her heart racing.. she had heard enough.. Feyza's fate was nearly sealed, but the prophecy regarding Şehzade Ahmed's future.. this was everything Rana had been waiting for.

The mention of royal blood brought a slow, knowing smile to Rana's lips, her heart quickening with excitement.

Celile... A name laden with significance.. Could it be her? Was this the moment her long-held dreams would finally take shape? Could she be the one to carry the mantle.. she's the one with royal blood.

After all, sultans typically kept only concubines, and if the next valide were of royal blood, then Orhan, as Ahmed's father, would be bound to take her as his wife.. and there was only one possibility... it had to be her.

It was becoming clearer now.

|End of flashback|

As much as she once believed the prophecy was clear, things had changed drastically, just as the fortune teller had warned-that even the things you swear are steadfast and unshakable will eventually shift.

Now, there was another princess among them... a Haseki Sultan... her veins flowing with the esteemed blood of royalty.

When Rana first heard the news of Orhan's marriage to this princess, she nearly lost her mind.. the prophecy had been her sole anchor, the one thing she clung to, but suddenly everything was crumbling before her eyes.

The year had been one of turmoil and unrest, clouded by doubt, until the moment Helena embraced Islam, and Orhan granted her the name Ayleen Nura.

This news provided Rana with a glimmer of hope, for the name had indeed changed, and it was unmistakably not Celile.. hinting that she still held a chance.. perhaps, one day, she would rise to become Haseki Rana Celile Sultan.

Yet, one troubling thought gnawed at her, a possibility she couldn't shake.. could it be that the prophecy had never spoken of her or Helena at all? What if Orhan were destined to take another wife, one of royal blood?

Perhaps the true Celile has yet to arrive, and when she does, will she take her place beside Şehzade Ahmed, leaving Ayleen to confront a struggle more daunting than she could have ever imagined?

»»-----　♔　-----««

|Ayleen's POV|

"I told you I had my suspicions a week ago, Sultanim, but I didn't want to say anything for certain..." Anastasia said with a knowing smile, her eyes meeting mine briefly before she gestured toward the midwife "I'm glad you've chosen to confirm it now"

"Congratulations, Ayleen" Isabel exclaimed happily, clapping her hands "I can't believe we'll soon have another little one here"

I stood there, frozen, my hand resting gently on my belly, exchanging quiet glances and smiles with them.. but one thought suddenly pierced through the fog of my surprise... I moved silently to the closet in the spare room, retrieved a small leather pouch filled with gold coins, and returned to the midwife.

"Thank you for the wonderful news" I said softly, placing the pouch into her hands, my gaze locking with hers "I need you to keep this quiet.. for now, I don't want anyone else to know"

"Rest assured, your Highness" she replied with a nod, bowing her head respectfully "I'll pretend I heard nothing"

"Thank you" I smiled, watching her leave before turning back to the girls... I pushed aside the rising anxiety and swirling questions, choosing instead to savor the joy of this unexpected blessing.

I had intended to wait until Nuray was at least a year old before considering another child, but fate had other ideas.. and I couldn't help but feel grateful for it.

"Did you hear that, darling?" Sibylle whispered, bending down beside Nuray's cradle with a gentle smile "You're already a big sister"

"Yes, she is" I replied, my smile growing as a wave of warmth flushed my cheeks.. Leaning down, I pressed a tender kiss to Nuray's cheek before lifting her gently and heading toward the couches with the girls to sit and discuss a few decisions.

"Keeping this a secret is the wisest choice" Sibylle said thoughtfully, her fingers gently combing through my hair after our long conversation, as we all began settling in for the night "You never know what that unpredictable girl might do... I'm truly concerned for you and the baby, and I believe you should tell your husband"

"I'm worried too" I said softly, resting my hand protectively on my belly "But I'm doing this for my baby's safety... the real question is.. how do I tell him without it feeling like I'm trying to win him back? If our relationship is to heal, I don't want it to be because of the child I carry, but because of us"

»»-----　♔　-----««

|The next morning|

"Alright, children, quiet down" I said, raising my voice just enough to gain their attention.

Aysel was speaking too loudly, and though Ahmed remained quiet, he kept responding with words she clearly had no interest in hearing.

"Your father is busy, but if you really want to see him and wish him well for Ramadan, I'll take you ther," I said gently and before Aysel could burst into claps and excitement, I raised a finger, a playful smile dancing on my lips "But we won't stay long, and we won't disturb him... Deal?"

"Deal!" both Ahmed and Aysel replied eagerly, their voices full of excitement.. I rose from my seat in the garden, casting a fond glance at Nuray, who rested peacefully in Anastasia's arms.. then, I took Aysel's hand, and we headed inside toward Orhan's chambers.

As we neared the door, Ahmed had already taken a few steps ahead when I noticed a man emerging from Orhan's room.. A broad smile stretched across his face as he held a small box with some papers inside.

"Ahmed" I called out softly to Ahmed, who rushed into the room in a burst of excitement, while I couldn't keep up, as the man stopped beside me.

"Your Highnesses" he greeted, bowing respectfully to both me and Aysel, who looked at him with curiosity, unsure of who he was.

I nodded in acknowledgment, though a puzzled expression crossed my face... I didn't recognize him, but given his demeanor, I assumed he must be a pasha.

"Good morning" I replied, my gaze lingering on him as I tried to place him in my memory.

"Who are you?" Aysel asked sweetly, her innocent eyes studying him from head to toe with quiet curiosity.

"Yunus Pasha... Your Highness" the man replied with humility, lowering his gaze in respect.

"I'm Aysel Sultan" she said with a bright smile, pleased to engage in the conversation "And this is mommy, Ayleen Sultan"

"It's an honor to meet you both, Your Highnesses" he said, inclining his head slightly in respect "I haven't had the pleasure of meeting you, Ayleen Sultan, but my wife Zühre speaks of you often with great admiration"

The mention of Zühre made me look up in surprise-could this be her husband?

"Oh, Zühre" I replied, a faint smile playing on my lips "I miss her greatly.. I do hope she and the children can visit soon-it would be a joy to see them" he nodded in agreement, a warm smile touching his lips, before I asked "Did you have business with His Majesty?"

"Indeed... His Majesty summoned me for a matter of great importance" That same warm smile graced his face once more as he opened the small box, unveiling a seal within "His Majesty has honored me with the position of Grand Vizier"

As he spoke those words, a look of disbelief crossed his face, and I, too, found myself taken aback.. A man in his thirties.. now the Grand Vizier? We had all expected Orhan to choose someone older, perhaps with a white beard and decades of experience, yet here he was, defying every expectation.

"Congratulations" I said, managing a small but sincere smile "May you serve the state with wisdom and honor.. Please convey my warm regards to Zühre, and tell her I would be delighted if she could visit soon, if possible"

As he nodded, I stepped forward, holding tight to Aysel's hand.. My eyes briefly lingered on Nuray, then I continued on, making my way toward Orhan's chambers.