|Victoria's POV|

-Two Months Later-

Am I being contradictory if I say that the past two weeks have been both eventful and uneventful?

Halime Sultan held an important meeting, and I was really angry because she acts like her son, the Sultan, is absent, as if his decisions are unimportant.

Every time I meet her, she tells me to be patient because they are still making decisions, but I try to go along with her... I also needed some time for Sultan Mustafa's health to improve since he is the only one who can make the right choices.

Her main goal is to get the documents... I can't tell you how many times I've placed something in a certain spot in my room, and when I disappear with the Sultan for a while, I come back to find that item moved... She searches everywhere.

Even when Henry and I last met, he told me he always sees two men following him, but he pretends not to notice them.

I felt happy during the last two months especially the last couple of weeks... I noticed that Sultan Mustafa doesn't have sudden anxiety attacks as often... He no longer fidgets with his fingers and maintains eye contact during our conversations.

Besides medication, I started relying on other things... We talk about topics that make him happy, we take walks in the garden to relax his mind, and I avoid conversations and places that worsen his anxiety.

All of this was happening because of what his mother was putting in his food, which caused hallucinations, panic attacks, and anger issues.

Since the poisoning lasted for months, the treatment would take time as well.

My friendship with Dilruba Sultan has grown a lot, and it saddens me to see her unable to help her brother... I want to tell her that I have provided him with treatment, but I want him to improve first... I trust that she won't tell Halime Sultan.

------

We were walking in the garden while Sultan Mustafa gazed at the sky, rarely saying anything.

"I've made a decision, Princess Victoria, and I want to share it with you" he said after stopping and turning to me "It concerns you, of course"

"What is it, Your Majesty?" I asked calmly, trying to hide my concern.

"Next week, I will announce an important decision" He laughed a little unexpectedly, then whispered "Though I believe no one cares about my decisions"

"That's not true... you are the Sultan; everyone cares" I smiled a little "I care"

"You are a good friend, Princess Victoria" For the first time, I saw him smile like that as he added "I will help you with what you want; your evil brother will pay dearly" He placed his hand over mine, which surprised me.

"I don't want anything in return right now; you can keep those documents that everyone desires until I fulfill my side of the agreement, and then I'll take them" He shook his head "And since we're friends, just call me Mustafa"

After returning to my room, I told Auntie Catherine everything... I am so excited now; I trust Mustafa completely... Even though he needs those documents, he told me to keep them until he fulfills his promise... the downfall of my notorious brother and taking the throne of Scotland.

I have always been amazed by Mustafa's kindness... He is truly a good person raised in a difficult environment; the closest people to him caused him years of suffering. The least I can do for him is to offer some help... he deserves all the good things.

---

-One Week Later-

I woke up early in the morning, feeling excited and energetic... I got ready quickly and rushed to Sultan Mustafa's room before he left for a meeting.

I was supposed to meet him last night, but he was busy because his mother sent a new concubine.

Throughout this week, I focused on one thing, and two days ago, I made a decision. I contacted Henry and told him and Aunt Catherine about it.. Even though they weren't fully convinced, my gut feeling was enough.

[Flashback - Last Night]

"When I received your letter, I was very worried" Henry said quietly in the dark garden.

"There's no need to worry, Henry; we're just a few steps away from our goal" I replied with a smile "Did you bring what I asked for?"

"Yes, I did" He took it out from his bag and handed it to me "But why... I mean, Your Highness, this is a crazy step!"

"Do you trust me, Henry?" I asked seriously, looking him in the eye.

"Of course I do" he sighed "But remember, Princess, there are many people supporting you-spies and statesmen... Everyone wants to see you as the Queen of Scots...They risk their lives daily for this goal.. Everything is in our favor so far, even the people have started to dislike your brother and his actions. Our men have spread rumors about you being two months older than the king... Everyone is ready, and we're prepared for a big revolution, while you're here dealing with these people... Keep all of this in mind, Princess"

I took a deep breath, thinking about what he said.. Sometimes, I feel like I've gotten caught up in other things and forgotten how many people depend on me.. They support me because they love their country and can't bear to see a cruel king like my brother Charles destroying everything.

"Don't worry, Henry" I whispered seriously "I'm also concerned about my country's welfare, and whatever decision I make will be for the good of my country first"

[End of Flashback]

Now I was standing in front of the Sultan's room, taking a deep breath... That man ‹Mahmud› told me he would inform the Sultan of my arrival, though he wasn't sure if he would approve since the Sultan is always angry in the mornings.

"What a strange thing" he said as he stepped out of the Sultan's room "There's really something different about His Majesty; he seems very relaxed and hasn't thrown random things at me every morning, shouting that he doesn't want to be the Sultan"

That made me want to laugh, as everyone is unaware of the little secret except me and my aunt... However, the possibility that this man could also be caught up in Halime Sultan's troubles made me dislike him.

"Don't forget that you're talking about the Sultan, not just some random person" I said calmly, then gave him a serious look.

I entered the room, trying to regain my enthusiasm.

"Princess Victoria!" This is what he always says, and it makes me happy "It's good to see you" He raised an eyebrow as he approached me "Are you here to back out of our plan? Let me guess, you no longer want the throne of Scotland and would rather stay here"

"Oh, how did you know?" I joked "That's a great idea, except that my desire to get rid of my brother is stronger than my love for everything here"

"That really broke my heart, Princess" he said playfully, putting his hand on his heart..
.This moment made me realize how far our friendship had come.

"I wanted to tell you something important" My eyes fell on his breakfast table, noticing that he had eaten everything... This made me happy because he is taking his medicine every day, and I can see a significant difference.

"What is it?" His eyes widened "Don't tell me you're about to confess your love for me?"

"Oh" I laughed a little and moved closer, revealing the papers I held in my hands "Mustafa, my time with you over the past months has been enjoyable...You have shown great interest and earned my trust" I looked at the documents "I won't be selfish and wait to take what I need first while these documents should be in your hands as soon as possible" I raised my eyes and extended my hands to him "I trust you... and I trust your abilities"

He took the documents hesitantly, then barely moved his gaze away from them, stopping to look into my eyes...Once again, it was a rare moment; Mustafa seemed steady and rational, his eyes holding many things, but madness! was not one of them.

The atmosphere was charged, filled with feelings I couldn't quite understand... It felt as if an invisible force was drawing us closer together; his gaze held me captive, and I found myself giving in to the moment.

Our breaths intertwined..His lips were so close, hinting at what could be, but just as I leaned in, the sound of a door creaking open broke the spell.

We both turned to see Halime Sultan standing there, her face pale and her body frozen in shock as she took in the scene before her... The magic of our moment vanished, replaced by the reality of her presence.