|Victoria's POV|

I spent the whole evening with Mustafa, listening to everything he shared and trying to understand his worries.

As we talked, I opened up about my own fears, and it struck me how alike we really are... His insights made me wonder... Will becoming the Queen of Scots truly make me happy, or will I end up feeling like Mustafa?

After dinner, I excused myself, saying I was extremely tired, but deep down, I was eager to sneak out.

I was determined to visit the garden, even if it was risky... I didn't tell my aunt because I knew she would strongly disapprove.

As I walked cautiously, trying to stay quiet and unseen, suddenly, I felt someone grab my hand... Before I could scream, a hand covered my mouth, and I heard a familiar voice whisper "Shhh"

I turned quickly and saw two figures standing behind me... Was this a prank? Was I in danger? At that point, I think I might still be dreaming after fainting in the market.

It was Nisa, and beside her stood Mahmud!

"Damn" I muttered softly "Oh, I was just..." Before I could finish, Mahmud interrupted me.

"Calm down, your highness" he whispered gently "You're in the right place"

My eyes widened in surprise "You?... Nisa!"

"Yes, your highness" she replied, trying to soothe me "You'll understand everything, I promise"

"Well..I hope so" I said, still in shock at what I was seeing.

"We're not what you think, or maybe we're trying to be" Mahmud began, speaking quickly "You can trust us; Nisa and I will help you, and you'll help us too because we have the same goal... We were very loyal to Sultan Ahmed and Kosem sultan before they died... Did you know that Halime Sultan was behind the poisoning of Sultan Ahmed for months? She even killed Kosem sultan and all her sons... Ever since Halime came to power, we've had to stay silent and keep our positions... Rabia, the one who was poisoning Sultan Mustafa, was also one of Kosem's servants.. Halime forced her to do it... Since we dislike Sultan Mustafa and his mother, we thought there was no harm in putting that in his food"

He raised an eyebrow slightly "Do you think I didn't know? the Sultan's chamber is my responsibility, and I know everything that happens... I even know about your discovery of Sadia that night and your meeting in the garden"

"Oh" I said, trying to process everything... I turned to Nisa "What about you?"

"I... Your Highness" she lowered her eyes, speaking nervously "When you arrived, Halime Sultan told me to be like your shadow and report everything you do, even the smallest things... I told her about your movements, but I didn't always know what you were up to.... When we went to the market, she didn't care why you were there; she made me lead you to those men who tried to kill you, but it failed However..." she paused, tears filling her eyes.

"I'll continue" Mahmud said "She and Rabia were friends.. The day you uncovered Rabia, she told Nisa everything... This made Nisa hide many things from you, even the potion you created... Losing Rabia two days ago made us very angry... Since you want to get rid of Halime Sultan, we need to discuss this.. We don't care about her or her son"

I raised my hand to stop him "Sultan Mustafa is a good man; it's his mother who is ruining his reputation"

"I know, and I see he is changing... If he is a good and fair ruler, we want him... But his mother is a menace that must be dealt with soon" he replied calmly.

"Okay, wait" I said, absorbing everything they told me "Why did Halime Sultan killed Rabia?"

"This is the troubling part" Nisa sighed, shaking her head "You told Dilruba Sultan everything and she informed her mother about it"

"What!" I gasped, placing my fingers over my lips in disbelief "No, Dilruba can't be like that... she is..."

Nisa interrupted "She's not what you think, Your Highness... Did you really believe you were friends and that she didn't support her mother's actions? She did everything alongside her! That day when Halime came to your room, then Dilruba followed, it was all planned because they saw how Sultan Mustafa was changing and how you were focused on mental health and treatments... They just needed to confirm who helped you"

"When Sultan Mustafa went hunting, they waited for the right moment to kill Rabia and intimidate you... But they didn't expect Sultan Mustafa to return early" Mahmud said, interlocking his fingers, focusing on every word "They want to manipulate you, and Dilruba Sultan wants to pretend to be your friend to share your secrets with Halime Sultan"

"If they want to play with me, then I'll play with them and make them think they're in control" I said, staring at a fixed point, trying to solve the puzzle.

"Exactly!" Mahmud exclaimed, raising his finger "You will pretend not to know the truth until we achieve our goal"

I raised an eyebrow, looking cautiously at both of them "What could make me trust you? What if Halime sent you to trap me?"

"You must trust us, Your Highness... Our alliance is what will help Sultan Mustafa improve and bring Halime Sultan down" Nisa said softly.

"The Sultan is making progress.. When I went hunting with him, it was just a cover for him to study the documents you gave him.. He's fully aware that spies surround him" Mahmud added with interest.

"Okay, what about Sultan Mustafa's medicine?" I asked, remembering the most important thing.

"We're not alone; we'll get help... I watch everything in the Sultan's chamber" Mahmud explained "Halime Sultan will find someone to poison the Sultan's food, but I'll always have a spare plate ready with the help of the palace cook... Once that girl, whoever she is, leaves, I'll switch the plates... We will set the table early before the Sultan arrives"

"Great idea" I nodded, feeling hope rekindle inside me after feeling lost "I will make the medicine again and make Dilruba think I've stopped giving it to the Sultan, convincing her that I'm afraid of Halime Sultan"

"Good, that's our plan to improve the Sultan's health, and then we'll figure out our next steps" Nisa said with a smile.

After discussing more brief details, each one of us went in separate ways... As I walked towards my room, I always felt suffocated and anxious when passing by the harem... I truly disliked that place and was grateful I didn't live there.

I noticed someone approaching, and after a moment, I recognized her... It was Sedef Hatun, the pregnant concubine, her belly now noticeably round. She might be in her fifth or sixth month; I couldn't remember.

But it made me wonder: what was she doing here alone at this late hour?

"Your Highness" she said, stopping in front of me and bowing slightly with a smile.

"Hello... what are you doing outside the harem at this late hour?" I asked calmly, surprised by my own concern.

"I felt uneasy and wanted to take a walk" she replied with a small smile "I don't know why, but I've been feeling pains at night for weeks"

"Oh... I'm sorry to hear that" I smiled back "Make sure you take care of yourself while walking"

"Thank you, Your Highness" she responded, continuing on her way, gently caressing her belly.

I thought to myself that she seemed quite content and unproblematic; she was happy about her pregnancy but didn't boast or bother anyone about it.