|Ayleen's POV|

-Three Months Later: August 1661-

"It's a relief that it's finally over" Turhan Sultan remarked, her gaze fixed ahead as she absentmindedly sipped her coffee, not sparing Zeynep even a glance.

As usual, I sat there, reluctant to even be in that chambers, while they discussed the arrangements for Zeynep's palace, where she now resides with her husband.. To be honest, it was only Zeynep who made any effort to engage her mother in conversation, while Turhan Sultan offered her typical terse replies, as she always did during Zeynep's visits to us.

"Ayleen, are you feeling well, or would you prefer to retire to your chambers for some rest?" Turhan Sultan inquired, her eyes briefly drifting to my belly.. though not yet obvious, it was beginning to show, and I was relieved that I had informed the family of my pregnancy a month ago.. after all, it was only a matter of time before it became apparent.

"No, I'm fine.. but, I should check on the little one" I said, using it as an excuse to leave the chambers, and, as I rose to my feet, I noticed that Zeynep Sultan had also stood, gently placing her cup back on the table.

"I should be going as well" she said, walking over to kiss her mother's hand, her tone betraying a sense of having had enough of the oppressive atmosphere "I'll visit another time"

We both left the room, but just as I was about to turn down the hallway toward my room, Zeynep called out, stopping me.

"Ayleen, why are you acting this way?" she asked, her fingers tightly clutching a section of her veil, her expression one of quiet suffocation, as though the very space around her was closing in.

"Excuse me... did I say something wrong?" I asked, turning to face her completely, my fingers fidgeting nervously in front of me as I braced myself for whatever she was about to say.

"Well... what's done is done" she said, stepping closer, her gaze locking with mine "You should at least show some support.. Try to make my brother and mother let go of their anger towards me.. Why are you so determined not to stand by me? You only thought about yourself.. His Majesty took you back to his side.. what about me?"

"Did I miss something, Zeynep Sultan?" I raised an eyebrow, a heaviness settling in my chest as I recalled the words she had said to me that day "I congratulated you on your marriage, but don't expect anything further from me.. I tried to open your eyes to the truth, but you only responded with things I didn't want to hear.. And now, Zeynep Sultan, everyone has turned away, leaving you to claim what you desired"

"Yes... I got what I wanted.. So I fail to understand why all of you are so angry with me" her once-soft expression hardened into one of irritation, as though she were trying to impose her will at any cost "I hope that one day, you'll come to realize that my choice was the right one"

"And I too hope that the opposite is not the case" I replied, offering a small smile before turning to leave "Now, I must check on my child" With that, I made my way to my chambers.

I knew there would come a time when Zeynep would uncover the truth about Mansur, and by then, I could only hope it wouldn't be too late.

»»----- ♔ -----««

-October 1661-

"Oh, look who's awake" I murmured, rising from my bed and carefully making my way to Nuray's cradle to lift her.

It was a challenge, being six months pregnant, with my belly now far more pronounced than it had been when I carried Nuray.

"Please, Your Highness, you should rest.. I'll look after the little sultana" Anastasia said, stepping into the room in her nightdress, brushing a few strands of hair away from her face.

"No need, I'm fine..." I began, but I didn't finish my sentence as both of us heard the sound of footsteps drawing closer from the outer hallways.

"Allah Allah" I murmured, raising an eyebrow as I adjusted Nuray in my arms "What is going on?"

"I'll check" Anastasia replied, then opened the door and stepped out.

I paced quietly, whispering soft murmurs to Nuray in an attempt to soothe her to sleep.. After a few moments, she finally drifted off, and I carefully laid her back in her cradle.

I stood still, waiting, as Anastasia's delayed return grew more apparent.. When she finally entered, she closed the door behind her, her expression heavy with concern.. clearly, the news was not good.

"Your highness" she said quietly, her voice laced with concern "news has come from Zeynep Sultan's palace... she had a miscarriage and her condition is dire"

I froze, the words sinking in like a cold weight, a tightness constricting around my chest.. zeynep had only shared the news of her pregnancy with her mother a month and a half ago, and now... this was happening.

Tears welled up in my eyes, the shock overwhelming me, though I quickly wiped them away.. One could mourn such news for any woman, but as a mother.. especially a pregnant mother.. it struck me in a way words could not capture.

I made my way to the bed, picking up a book in an attempt to distract myself, knowing the morning would soon arrive and we would need to visit her to offer our support.. No matter how deep the family rifts ran, moments like these required everything to be set aside.

»»----- ♔ -----««

-December 1661-

"Father is always preoccupied with preparations for his campaign" Ahmed said, closing his book and looking at me "I told him I wanted to accompany him, but he insisted it's still too early, even though he knows how skilled I am with a bow"

"Yes, you are truly talented, Ahmed" I replied, my hand reaching out to gently tousle his hair "But since your father believes it's still too early, he is likely right"

"But it's about this campaign" Ahmed said, his frustration flaring once again, a feeling that had been growing as Orhan's departure grew closer "It will be magnificent if my father succeeds, and I want to be part of it"

I exchanged a few silent glances with him, a wave of sympathy stirring in my chest.. But before I could respond, Aysel cut in.

"Why would you want to go to war? Ew" she said, looking at him as though judging his entire reasoning, which almost made it impossible for me to hold back a laugh.

"Go on, little sultana.. Occupy yourself with your glittering dresses.. You won't understand any of this" Ahmed replied coolly, brushing off her words.. he then turned to me, his gaze drifting to my belly "I swear, I love my sisters, but enough already.. please give us a brother who can actually understand me"

"Well" I chuckled, placing my hands gently on my belly "it's not something I can control, so I can't make any promises, but..." I gave him a playful wink "you never know"

"I have a question" Aysel said, her face filled with curiosity as she placed everything she was holding aside, focusing intently on me "When I grow older, what will my name become?"

"What do you mean, darling?" I asked, bewildered, as I tried to make sense of her innocent curiosity.

"For example, you were Helena, and now you're Ayleen, and Elena became Şerife" she explained with full attention, which made me realize what she was asking, causing my lips to stretch into a wide smile.

"It will never change... You will always be Aysel Sultan" I said softly, taking her hand in mine and drawing her closer to plant a gentle kiss on her radiant cheek.

A hushed silence fell over us as our eyes instinctively shifted toward the door upon hearing the announcement of Orhan's arrival.. In contrast to his usual routine, he had arrived earlier today.

"Are you still awake?" Orhan asked, cradling Aysel in his arms as he addressed her and Ahmed.

Before either could reply, Nuray was sitting on the bed, giggling as she waved her hands in the air and repeated the only word she knew "mama"

"You're awake too?" Orhan added with a smile, moving toward her and tenderly brushing his hand across her cheek.

"I've been waiting for you to take me to my bed" Aysel said, kissing his cheek before starting to move a strand of her golden hair.

"Of course, I will" Orhan replied with a serene smile, gently pinching her cheek before turning to Ahmed.

"Come on, it's time for you to go to bed as well" he said, placing a hand behind his neck and guiding him toward the door.. he then glanced at me and added "I'll be right back"

"Take all the time you need" I said with a soft smile, waving them off as they left the room.. As soon as they all left the room, I stood up from my seat.

My gaze landed on the letter I had received earlier that morning.. Though I had already read it, I had forgotten to place it in my drawer with the rest of my letters.

As I picked up the letter, a wave of comfort washed over me.. It was from my sister, expressing the delight of our family at the expectation of more grandchildren.

She mentioned that by the time I read these words, Matthias' baby would have already been born.. this news filled me with deep happiness, knowing that my own child would soon be joining us as well.

In other news, Gisela conveyed that her wedding had been delayed by several weeks due to an unexpected turn of events.. Prince Carlos, who was once destined to be the heir, had ascended to the throne following the sudden death of his father.

Now crowned as King Carlos II, he ruled over Spain, and once the mourning period had passed, the royal wedding would proceed in due course.

»»----- ♔ -----««

-January 1662-

I stood before the mirror, tidying my hair as I waited for the children and the girls to return for lunch.. They had gone for a stroll in the garden, leaving me alone with Anastasia and Nuray, who was determined to stand, and she had managed to take a few unsteady steps on her own before plopping down and bursting into laughter.

"Anastasia, they should have returned by now" I said, raising my voice just enough to reach her as she busied herself in the adjoining room, tidying my things.

"Lunch will be ready shortly, and they will be back by then, Your Highness" she replied, her voice rising to match mine.

I nodded, then slowly approached Nuray, gently taking her hand to help her walk alongside me.. But midway, a sharp pain seared through the center of my back, causing me to pause.

"Oh God" I exclaimed, trying to lean on something nearby and as soon as Anastasia heard me, she rushed to my side "It's time, the baby is coming"

She grasped my hand as I struggled to catch my breath, aware that soon I would be desperately yearning for the air that would offer relief from the pain.

With gentle care, she helped me to my bed, and I whispered instructions for her to send someone for the midwife, while assuring her that her only task was to look after Nuray.

An hour slipped by, and the pain grew more intense.. The midwives moved swiftly around me, their voices calm, telling me that the moment had arrived.

They reassured me that the labor would be of moderate length.. not too short, but not too long either, though still exhausting.

I knew long hours of pain lay ahead, and although I tried to convince myself that this time might be easier due to my experience, the reality of the moment quickly reminded me that childbirth never becomes easier, no matter how many times you endure it.

Another hour passed, and by then, my body was drenched in sweat.. Isabel, ever calm, instructed me to grip the bedpost to aid in the pushing.. In my pain-stricken state, I followed her guidance without hesitation, despite the fact that she had never known the agony of childbirth herself.

"You're doing well, Your Highness" one of the midwives said, though her voice felt faint as my attention was consumed entirely by the overwhelming pain.

"I feel as though my body is being torn apart" I cried out, summoning every ounce of strength to push "This is unbearable"

"Stay calm... it will require effort" one of the midwives said, sitting beside me and gently taking my hand "This will be over soon.. Just focus on breathing deeply and pushing. Don't fixate on the pain.. concentrate on each and each push"

It felt like fire coursing through my veins, consuming everything in its path.. How could I escape a pain that seemed to manifest itself at every turn? Every time I believed I could not withstand it any longer, the agony surged even fiercer.

Every time I convinced myself it was almost over, I was mistaken.. The sunlight had long since vanished from the window, and my eyes gave way to tears, despite everyone's efforts to soothe me.

"Here it is, Your Highness... it's almost here" the midwife said, her voice trembling with anticipation.. she met my gaze, her eyes full of encouragement "Now, give a powerful push"

Despite the overwhelming pain, there's something about the light at the end of the tunnel that rekindles hope.. and that's precisely what happened as I gasped for breath, summoning every ounce of strength to push, until, at last, the room was filled with the sweet, piercing cry of a tiny baby.

Though a wave of joy swept over me, I couldn't bring myself to speak, the pain still holding dominion over my body.. What troubled me even more was the sight of the midwives exchanging swift, furtive glances, their expressions hinting at something I couldn't yet comprehend.

"Your Highness... you must push once more" one of the midwives whispered softly, her hand gently resting on my belly "There's another baby"

That was the one moment in my life when I couldn't grasp my emotions.. I blinked, a wave of confusion crashing over me, intertwined with sheer exhaustion.

Another baby? Again? I didn't wish to be ungrateful, but all I could focus on was the daunting thought of reliving this experience once more.

"Sibylle, please, say something" I whispered, tears streaming down my face as I reached for her hand "Anything, something beautiful, to take my mind off the pain"

"Ah..." Sibylle hesitated, her voice laced with a touch of panic, but she steadied herself and spoke softly "All will be well... Another child will soon be in your arms.. The pain is but fleeting, but your children will be yours for a lifetime.. Hold on, and be patient.."

Another hour slipped by.. The second baby arrived swiftly, and as the newborn's cries filled the room, I collapsed into the pillows, my body drained and my mind overwhelmed by the enormity of it all.

Two.

Two babies.

Twins.

"Ayleen, you have done it" Isabel said, her voice brimming with admiration as she stepped closer, then, she signaled to the maids, commanding them to prepare a swift and soothing bath to cleanse me of the weariness and the lingering discomforts of the ordeal.

"How are my children?" I whispered, slowly lifting my head from the pillow, as though emerging from a haze, finally comprehending the reality that I had been blessed with two new lives.

"Congratulations, Your Highness" one of the midwives proclaimed with reverence, gently wrapping the first baby in a soft towel, while the other was still being tended to "You have been blessed with two sons... two şehzades, mashallah"

A smile of disbelief spread across my face as I exchanged a look with the girls, their laughter resonating with sheer happiness.. They gently helped me into a quick bath, soothing my weary body, and filling the room with the familiar, comforting scent of jasmine that I so adored.

Though it was past midnight, such news was enough to keep anyone in the palace awake.. By that, I mean Orhan and Turhan Sultan, who entered together, their faces etched with the fatigue of long hours spent waiting.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty" the midwife said, addressing Orhan as he stood beside her, bowing respectfully.

He gave a nod of acknowledgment before walking toward the bed where I cradled the second baby.. The distinction between them was clear.. one, after being gently cleaned, was dressed in white, while the other wore a soft beige.

"How are you?" Orhan whispered, his fingers gently tracing my cheek before he leaned in and placed a tender kiss on my forehead "I know this must have been incredibly difficult for you"

"Yes, but I'm happy" I replied with a soft, tired smile, my gaze returning to the calm baby in my arms, whose birth had been easier than his brother's.

"Mashallah, Aslanim, Allah has truly blessed you" Turhan Sultan murmured, her eyes softening as she gazed at the child in her arms before carefully passing him to Orhan.

It wasn't long before the girls fell into line, carefully draping veils over their heads.. Orhan stood at my bedside, cradling the firstborn of the twins, while Turhan Sultan lingered just a few paces away, her gaze steady.

"Your name will be Selim... Your name will be Selim... Your name will be Selim" Orhan intoned softly after repeating the adhan by the baby's ear.

He pressed a gentle kiss to the baby's forehead before carefully laying him beside me with a calm smile, he then took the second baby from my arms, beginning the same tender ritual.

"Your name will be Osman... Your name will be Osman... Your name will be Osman" he repeated, kissing his forehead before settling him down to sleep in peace.

I smiled, gently brushing my fingers against Selim's cheek as I watched Osman sleep peacefully beside him.

It felt as though just yesterday I had welcomed my first daughter, Nuray, into the world, and now I was blessed with two little boys.. My sons.. I could already imagine Ahmed's joy ..his heart would surely be overflowing with happiness.

Soon, the room emptied, leaving only Orhan behind.. He exchanged a few quiet words with me, mostly about our new sons, Selim and Osman, as well as my health, expressing his surprise when he received the news that I was about to give birth.

Noticing the exhaustion in my eyes, he kissed my hand tenderly before urging me to rest, granting me the peace I needed to finally close my eyes and sleep.

»»----- ♔ -----««

Important:

hey sweetiesss I hope u enjoyed this faster-paced chapter.

as we move forward things are going to pick up a bit so I just wanted to clarify something.. In chapter 47 some readers seemed a bit confused about Ayleen's pregnancy and when she found out.. that actually happened in chapter 46 so if you missed it I highly recommend going back to read it for better clarity.. it's really important for what's coming next.. thank u sm for ur understanding.. much love and kisses to all of you💌