|Victoria's POV|

Mustafa had given orders to capture everyone involved in the matter, whether directly or indirectly. I had even told him about the place where I had booked with Hümaşah Sultan, that girl Zeynep.

The letters that Caroline sent me were enough to bring Halime Sultan's world crashing down. While Mustafa refused to seek a truce with Charles, she threw his opinion aside and sent him a personal letter asking for peace... And what did he do?.. Of course, he mocked her and rejected the request.

Halime Sultan and Dilruba Sultan had been ordered to stay in their rooms and wait for Mustafa's decision.

He spent long hours deep in thought, and I stayed with him, never leaving his side. Even when we didn't speak, my presence was important. I checked on Murad from time to time, then shifted my full attention back to Mustafa.

Despite his refusal to sleep at night, I convinced him to rest. I gently pulled him down and played with his hair as he told me that by morning, he would make the right decision regarding his mother.

His mother, who had killed his brother... His mother, who had murdered his brother's wife and he's nieces and nephews.... His mother, who had slowly poisoned his mind until he went mad and placed him on the throne, turning him into a joke... His mother, who had attempted to kill his wife and had put his son's life in danger.

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|3rd Person POV|

-The next day-

Halime Sultan sat in her place, extending her hand to one of the maids for a massage. From her pale face, it was clear she hadn't slept at all.

She herself didn't know how it had come to this. Years ago, she was a mother trying to protect her little son, but now she had turned into a woman whose only goal was power.

She wanted to bring Ahmed down by any means and see tears in Kösem's eyes at any cost. And knowing that Mustafa wouldn't agree, she thought madness would be a good option for him.

Finally, the door opened, and her son appeared.. Did she have the right to call him her son?... Absolutely not.

"Mustafa" she said, or maybe she just whispered, standing up quickly and signaling for the maid to leave.

He approached without looking at her, walked a few steps, and then sat down on one of the couches, appearing as if he were lifted away from this world.

"Say something, Mustafa" she pleaded, her voice tinged with desperation after the silence stretched between them.

Mustafa sat in silence, his gaze fixed on the intricate patterns of the carpet beneath his feet. Memories of his childhood flooded back.. days spent playing in the gardens, his mother's laughter ringing like sweet music, the warmth of her embrace when he scraped his knee. But those memories felt like a distant dream now, overshadowed by the darkness that had consumed their lives.

"Mustafa, please" Halime Sultan's voice quivered, breaking through his reverie "You don't understand.. I did everything for you.. for our family. I wanted to protect you from those who sought to harm us. Power was the only way to ensure our safety"

He shook his head slowly "You think power is the answer? You've destroyed everything we once had.. You've turned love into fear and family into enemies.. You betrayed my trust"

Desperation flickered in her eyes as she stepped closer "I had no choice.. Ahmed would have taken everything from us..You were just a child then.. I did what I had to do to keep you safe"

"You call this safety?" Mustafa shot back, his voice rising "You've poisoned our lives with your madness..You've killed my brother, his wife, and countless others..all in the name of power.. You've left a trail of blood behind you"

Halime's face twisted with anguish "I could not let our enemies win! I thought I was protecting you"

"But at what cost?" he countered, his heart aching "You've become the very monster you sought to defeat.. You've taken everything from us, including your own humanity"

A silence hung between them, thick and suffocating.. Mustafa could see the struggle on her face, the conflict between a toxic mother and the darkness of her choices. Yet, her justifications felt hollow.

He sighed softly, paused, then called one of the guards, instructing him to bring Dilruba.. It was only a few moments before the three of them were in the room, avoiding each other's gaze... Halime and Dilruba were filled with shame, while Mustafa was burdened by betrayal.

After a few moments, he turned his gaze to Dilruba "Do you know, sister, that I spent countless hours trying to move past what you did? I searched for just one reason to forgive you and clear your name... but you are deeply entangled in this mess" He gestured towards Halime "You've turned her into a version of yourself"

Dilruba's eyes flashed with indignation "I was merely trying to protect our interests.. You don't understand the threats we faced, brother"

"Threats?" Mustafa interrupted, his voice rising "You've created your own threats.. You've allowed power to blind you, just like her.. look at what you've become!"

He stepped closer, memories flooding his mind...laughter shared over shared meals, whispers in the dark as they plotted innocent pranks, the bond they once had as children. But those memories felt tainted now, marred by the actions of the very people he once loved.

"I thought you were better than this, Dilruba" Mustafa said, his voice filled with both sorrow and rage "You helped our mother manipulate and destroy lives.. You were supposed to be my ally"

Halime stepped forward "You can't just turn your back on everything I've done for this family"

"I'm turning my back on the monster you've become" Mustafa replied firmly "And you, Dilruba, are as guilty as she is..You enabled her, you supported her schemes, and you helped create this chaos"

He took a deep breath and looked at both of them "You will be banished... I will not let your darkness taint my reign any longer" He shook his head in disappointment "I thought about finding excuses because you are my family, but you've turned that word into a weapon"

With one final glance at the two women he had once loved, he hurried away before they could react.

He had made his choice, and even though it pained him to banish his mother and sister, he knew it was the only way to protect the future he envisioned for himself and the state.

------

|Victoria's POV|

I was holding Murad in my arms, and despite the sweet words I whispered to him and the warm smiles we exchanged, my mind was far away. I was deeply worried about Mustafa and what he was about to face.

I heard the door open, and Hümaşah Sultan approached me... She kissed Murad's forehead and gave me a comforting smile.

"You heard the news, right?" I asked her anxiously, still cradling Murad.

"Yes... Mustafa has banished Halime and Dilruba" She sighed softly and smiled again "I think it's a good decision; it certainly wasn't easy for him to impose such a punishment on them"

"Yes" I sighed, feeling disturbed just hearing their names "They deserved it, but all I care about now is Mustafa and how he will handle all of this"

"Come on, Davut and his allies are going to be executed" She placed her hand on my shoulder "Put Murad down to sleep, and let's go watch it"

I nodded and, after making sure Murad was peacefully asleep, we headed to the Tower of Justice.

Watching those traitors receive their punishment was strangely satisfying, and it extinguished some of the anger burning inside us.

-----

-A Week Later in Scotland-

Caroline held her daughter tightly while Francesca stood before them, clutching a dagger and watching the door intently.

It was midnight, but instead of silence, loud noises echoed outside.. The sound of hurried footsteps and a large crowd of soldiers could be seen through the windows.

"Mommy, what's happening?" Sofia asked, tears filling her eyes.

"My dear Sophia" Caroline said as she bent down to wipe her tears "Don't worry, I'm right here with you; nothing will happen"

At that moment, the door burst open, and a man wielding a sword stepped through.. They were about to scream, but quickly realized it was Gregor.

"Your Majesty" he said, bowing his head respectfully "We have stormed the palace with the help of our soldiers and the Ottoman army"

He looked directly into Caroline's eyes, and she sensed he was about to share long-awaited news "We let some people into the palace, and they forcibly dragged Charles out, making him a fugitive.. Now the people are demanding his execution"

"Are they angry with all of us?" Caroline asked anxiously, fearing for her life and her daughter's safety.

"Of course not" He took a deep breath, looking at Sophia before giving her a bow that said it all "Everyone wants her highness, Sophia to be the Queen of Scotland"

"Mommy?" Sophia looked at her mother with worry, unable to grasp what was happening.

"My beautiful Sophia" Caroline said, placing her hand on her daughter's cheek "I will be by your side... What have I always told you?"

"Together we are stronger" Sophia replied before hugging her mother tightly.

------

|Victoria's POV|

-Two Weeks Later in the Ottoman Empire-

I wiped my tears with the last line I read in the letter that arrived today. It seemed Caroline had written it in haste, asking the guard to deliver it to me as quickly as possible so I could receive her great news first.

"Victoria?" Mustafa said, surprised when he entered the room and found me sitting on the bed, wiping my tears "What's wrong?" He rushed over to me.

"Don't worry, it's nothing" I managed a small smile, feeling a strange mix of emotions "Sophia has taken the throne of Scotland"

"It happened" He placed his hand over mine and smiled "Wishing her a long reign"

I shook my head, which only made me cry more. Mustafa gathered me in his arms, and all I could think about was everything I went through to get here.

Now Scotland was in safe hands, and I would do anything for Sophia ..I would help her if she needed it.

Charles, the man who was supposed to be my brother, was now dead.. I felt nothing for him, reminding myself that he got what he deserved.

"Oh, look who else is crying" Mustafa said when he heard Murad's cries.

He stepped away and picked him up "I think your motherly duties are calling you"

I chuckled softly, then stood up and kissed Murad's tiny hand "Yes, he must be hungry"