i couldn't go back to my room after that , but i had to . we had bid our farewell and each one of us took their separate way , i dragged my feet to my room and knocked on it feeling empty .

Fahriye opened it for me and immediately noticed my expression « Your highness , what happened ? you don't look good » she said after closing the door behind me .

« He's gone , he's leaving to Manisa tomorrow » she put her hand on her mouth in shock , we had the same reaction . « Why ? Did his majesty allow him to do so ? » she asked trying to get more informations out of me .

« I don't even know why he did so but yes , his majesty ordered him to go back without prior notice . it must've been Mahidevran sultan » i said taking off the scarf i had wrapped on my neck and putting it aside .

« It's not the end your highness don't worry » she tried to comfort me but i wanted to be alone more than anytime « Please Fahriye , i want to be alone » I said sitting on my bed looking at the floor .

Fahriye nodded after my words and walked away from me leaving the room eventually , I layed down on my bed trying to sleep these thoughts away but no matter what i tried to do he always came to my mind.

I managed to sleep through the night , hoping that tomorrow would bring me some peace and relief .

I woke up the next day to the sound of birds chirping , a sound that was barely heard in my room . I opened my eyes slowly and could hear the sound getting closer , i was confused but understood that the birds were indeed in my room .

" What is this ?" i said massaging my sore neck a little bit before sitting up , i spotted a cage on my desk .

I got up slowly and reached for the cage , where i found two small birds inside . I found a letter next to the cage door and opened it .

" Take care of them , and let them be your friends until i come back again . there's also a gift for you in the box next to it , always wear it" I smiled knowing where it came from , i put the letter down and opened the box that was put next to the cage .

The prettiest necklace ever was placed inside , i touched it with my fingers and put it in the palm of my hand admiring it . I then put it on and stared at myself in the mirror

I smiled while looking at myself , at least i had something left from him to remember . I looked back at the cage and put my finger inside to touch the two birds

"I guess you're my companion now" i patted its head and smiled at them , my door had opened very slowly revealing Fahriye .

" i put them here for you your highness , he sent it to you earlier in the morning" I looked at her and stepped closer " Did he leave yet ?" i asked with a little disappointment in my face .

" He is about to" she walked towards my window and opened it wide open , letting the sun reflect on the entire room . I followed her and looked at the view infront of me , there were three carriages there .

" They're leaving now" she said pointing at Mahidevran sultan speaking to Hurrem sultan right next to her carriage .

I couldn't see their expressions really well but nothing good could be going between them especially in such critical circumstances.

Mustafa then stood next to his mother joining the conversation , i wanted to wave him goodbye but i didn't think he would see me .

I stared at him from very far away as he continued exchanging words with hurrem sultan . I saw Yahya busy ordering some Aghas around as they moved some stuff around and putting it inside the carriage .

" I hope next time he comes , it will be different . I truly mean it" Fahriye said while looking at me , i looked at her and she had the softest expression on her face .

"I don't know what i would've done without you .. you're my only friend here and without you and your advices nothing would've been possible" i put my hand on her shoulder while thanking her .

" I am glad i am able to serve you here , you're not like the others . you treat me with so much kindness i really appreciate you" she added expressing her true feeling , i was blessed having her by my side .

"I will take you with me if i ever leave to be with mustafa" i promised and she agreed with me immediately. I shifted my eyes back to the gardens and they were now leaving , all of them got into their carriages except mustafa who stayed outside looking at the palace from afar .

He took few steps back and got on his horse heading outside , i watched the carriages move and his silhouette slowly fading away .

I stayed there staring outside the window until the only thing that was in my sight was the trees and the empty place he left behind .

I closed the window and the feeling of loneliness hit me again , but i had to be strong and burry that feeling down .

I changed into my clothes and prepared myself to stay indoors , i ordered Fahriye to put the cage next to my nightstand so i can wake up to their beautiful sound everyday .

One month later-

There i was , doing the same routine all over again . bonding with someone else in this palace was nearly impossible and getting out of this boredom was much worse , the only thing i did all the time was learn how to sew and finish almost all the books i had .

I was now busy feeding the birds , the love birds . i still didn't name them but i thought of doing so for a long time , before i could close their cage a girl stepped inside my room .

"Your highness , your brother has arrived in the palace and his majesty is summoning you to his chambers" I couldn't believe my ears , i halted all my movements when i heard that my brother was here .

"My brother is here ?" i asked surprised , before i could even wait for her answer i was already in the hallway hurrying up .

I was finally outside of the sultan's chambers , i wanted to open the door myself but the guards did it for me .

I saw my brothers silhouette from far away , he faced the door with his back but i recognised him immediately.

" Come inside" sultan suleyman adressed me when he saw me by the entrance of the door , i stepped in and bowed down to them both .

" My precious" my brother opened his arms and hugged me "I have missed you how have you been" he asked not breaking the hug .

" I have been doing well and you ? it must've been tough for you to stabilise the situation back home" he broke the hug and looked at me .

" Yes it has been tough at first but now it is a lot better" he said looking at sultan suleyman who seemed to agree with him .

" I was monitoring closely your brother's work and i can not deny his talent and efforts , he has done the right things for his country » The sultan complimented my brother which gave me flashbacks of him and my father .

« I can assure you that our kingdom is safe , you can return back home . where you belong » my brother continued with so much happiness and determination in his tone . « I came to bring you home with me , to your kingdom »

I smiled happily knowing that we have finally reached the peace we always longed for , the feeling of not belonging anywhere was going to pass.

« And i have told you and assured that the person responsible of this would be punished and we did » sultan suleyman said making my eyes go wide , how did they do it ?

To think that the person who hit my father was punished for taking his life was punished brought me some joy .

« He was one of the heads of the rebellious group , we had him executed and placed in the centre of the city as a reminder for everyone else to not cross the boundaries » my brother explained , and i felt happy . i felt like part of my heart healed , at least my fathers death didn't go unpunished .

« I also have spoken about the whole kidnapping issue , and let me assure you that we have halted all diplomatic ties with them . Thus that maniac Alonso would never dream of seeing you ever again » He continued , i felt like all the questions that i had were answered .

« It was a very tough situation for her , and now i hope you can move on past the trauma and the painful experience and always have each other backs » sultan suleyman advised both of as he put each hand on each others shoulder .

« You were entrusted to me and i will always be with you » he said giving us a proud smile , i truly appreciated his presence and all he did for us .

« Thank you , your majesty for taking care of me . for always defending me and protecting me in your palace i would never forget that » I say expressing my thankfulness and gratitude for him , it was the least i can say for him .

« Take care of yourselves and we will meet again for your sister's marriage » these words escaped his lips making me half every thought i had and focus on what he just said .

I felt my knees grow weak and my stomach doing some weird and unusual movements.

« I'm sorry but what marriage ? » my brother asked looking very confused , much more than i was .

Sultan suleyman put his hands behind his back and proceeded to explain to my brother .

« I have accepted your sister , and my previous Stella as a daughter in law . for my son Mustafa »