|Victoria's POV|

I slowly opened my eyes, a blurry face in front of me, and the sunlight burned my eyes, causing a headache. I tried to remember what had happened and what the last thing I saw or did was.

"Thank God" my aunt said, gently stroking my cheek "Victoria, darling"

"Auntie" I whispered, my voice tired, but my calmness quickly turned to concern "Where is my son?"

"Calm down, Victoria" I heard another voice.. It was Hümaşah Sultan "You fainted for a few hours, but the baby is healthy and sleeping in the next room"

"I-I need to see him" I said, a small smile forming despite my exhaustion. All I wanted now was to hold him in my arms.

"First, we need to help you take a short bath, and then you can see your baby" my aunt replied, and that's exactly what happened.

I bathed quickly, and afterward, I slipped into a simple white dress. The maids styled my hair simply, and although walking was difficult, I pushed through. Things were happening fast, and I had just realized that I was now a wife and a mother.

"Oh, my baby" I said softly when I saw my aunt enter, cradling him in her arms.

I took him carefully, and as soon as my eyes fell on his face, tears filled my eyes "So beautiful"

"I can't wait for Mustafa to return" Hümaşah Sultan said.

"Me too" I replied with a smile, then stood up.

I tried to balance the baby in one arm as I approached my wardrobe. I grabbed the note Mustafa left for me. With my aunt's help, we opened the letter holder, and I was able to read its contents.

A smile crept onto my face as I recalled the memories attached to it. Mustafa had left four names: two for girls and two for boys, but the moment my eyes landed on one name, I felt it was destined for my son-Murad.

"His name is Murad" I whispered happily, but everyone heard me.

I spent a lovely time with my aunt and Hümaşah Sultan, even Sedef joined us with her daughter.

I asked about Nisa, and my aunt said she felt guilty, believing everything that happened to me was her fault. Later, I met Nisa, and we talked about it.

Time was short, and we had to act. So, I ordered that the news of Prince Murad's birth be spread and that celebrations commence according to tradition while I needed to tackle many issues.

"Victoria, you need to rest" my aunt said, her face pale, as not even a day had passed.

"Aunt, if I rest another day, we may face worse things" I said, placing the crown atop my head, then turning to her "I was almost killed yesterday"

"Not just once, Victoria" my aunt said, concern filling her voice "I was waiting for everyone to leave so we could talk"

"What do you mean, Auntie?" I raised an eyebrow, the words barely escaping my lips.

"Victoria" she moved closer, holding my hands "I was watching everything that doctor did during your delivery" she sighed and added "I can't explain how, but she deliberately did some wrong things, and if she had continued, she might have killed you and your baby, making it seem natural... I understand these matters, Victoria, and I know what should be done"

I fell silent, thinking. I was shocked, almost on the verge of tears... My whole life, people have wanted me dead. When will this end?

I trusted my aunt and didn't need further details. If I had faced multiple assassination attempts yesterday, the one behind it was determined to see me dead... who else but the devilish Halime?

"Nisa!" I shouted angrily, and Nisa appeared from behind the door "You will release Suleiman pasha from the dungeon and tell him to rest tonight, then prepare himself to come to me tomorrow"

Despite the questions on her face, she went to do as I asked. I was now on the verge of making moves that would require a man like him by my side. I trusted him, no matter why; he had always been supportive and respectful in my divan, doing his work without excess or negligence.

---

-The Next Day-

I sat in the divan room when Suleiman Pasha entered. He never lifted his head, but I could see a mix of surprise and anger on his face.

"Your highness" he said sharply, not afraid to break the silence "Is it time for my execution or something? I no longer know the charges against me or the punishments"

The guards were about to move, but I quickly raised my hand to stop them.

"Suleiman Pasha" I said calmly and sighed "I had to do what I did, but never think that I doubted your loyalty to the state.. This is why you are here-your position is needed"

"Of course, I am loyal to the state and will do anything to fulfill my duty" he replied again, his voice sharp.

"That's good" I nodded "I know you are innocent, and you don't even know why you were imprisoned for over a month... Anyway, I need someone reliable like you"

I told him what had happened; by now, Mustafa must have executed his plan, and there was no need to keep it a secret. I explained the events during my bath and delivery, and that he must be present during the interrogation of that maid and the doctor. Not because I couldn't do it alone, but because I needed a witness to use when the Sultan returned.

"Is there any news from the Sultan?" he asked after I finished speaking.

"Not yet, but we hope he comes back soon and in good health" I replied calmly.

"InshaAllah" that was all he said, then I signaled the guards to bring in the maid who tried to kill me.

"Your highness, please show some mercy" that was the first thing she said when she was thrown before us.

"And did you show any mercy?" I replied sharply, glaring at her, feeling as if all I wanted was to thrust a dagger into her neck.

"I was forced to do it" she said, her words coming out in a shaky, unclear manner due to her hysterical crying "You had to die for me to avoid hell"

"How dare you?" Suleiman pasha said, reaching for one of the guard's swords, but I stopped him with my hand.

"Whose hell?" I asked, raising an eyebrow mockingly "Halime Sultan's hell, isn't it?"

"No, no" she cried, lifting her head, her eyes red from tears "It's Ali Pasha"

What she said made Suleiman Pasha and me exchange quick glances. So, Ali Pasha was the traitor who, when his plan was exposed and imprisoned, sent this maid to kill me.

"Seems that traitor has long arms in the palace" I said mockingly, then grabbed her chin with my hand "How could your conscience allow you to do this?" She was about to speak, but I slapped her hard and signaled for the guards to take her away.. I got the information I wanted, and I could no longer bear to look at her.

"What do you think, Suleiman Pasha?" I asked as I turned around, sitting back in my place.

"Logical, your highness" he nodded and added "He has always been an annoying person who cannot be trusted; he is a spy for our enemies"

"Okay, now we must keep things under control until his majesty returns" I said calmly.

Afterward, I instructed the guards to bring in the doctor who had been captured last night while attempting to escape.

"Here comes the other traitor" I said calmly, watching her as she was thrown in front of me "Tell me, who do you serve?"

I didn't even know who was sending these dogs anymore; it seemed I was an enemy to everyone.

"Speak!" Suleiman Pasha shouted at her when she remained silent for too long and It seemed his voice had frightened her, as she jumped in fear.

"I did what I was ordered to do" she said, not lifting her eyes, her words clear and calm "We do what our Valide Sultan tells us, and we care little for an outsider like you.. Ever since you arrived, you have been playing with the Sultan's mind"

This time, it was Suleiman Pasha who slapped her hard.. I felt no anger from her words; I had been called an outsider both in Scotland and here, and such words had become ordinary in recent months. They had not and would not accept a Christian as the wife of their Sultan and the mother of their prince... But did I care?

"Well, prepare yourself to face Sultan Mustafa's wrath" I said, then motioned for them to take her away.. After discussing a few important points with Suleiman Pasha, I left for my room.

When I held Murad in my arms, I signaled for everyone to leave us alone. I wanted to spend some private time with my son, whom I felt I had fought death for just two days ago...

Here we were, alive together-a miracle, and all I wished for was for my other dream to come true, that his father would join us too.

I breastfed him carefully, watching his eyes flutter open and shut. I smiled, knowing he would soon fall asleep... I gently pulled my finger from his grasp, placed a kiss on his cheek, and turned to place him in his cradle.