I found myself alone in the forest wearing a white knee length dress. Am I dead? The forest was covered in fogs making it harder for me to see anything when suddenly an old man appeared out of nowhere and I yelped in surprise holding my chest trying to calm my heart beat.

He had a big grey beard and look older than my grandfather. He wore a plain white kaftan with a matching grey-white strips shawl covering his head.

“Follow me.” The old man said as he started walking deeper into the forest and I unconsciously started following him.

He stopped when we reached a place where a group of old men were sitting and talking and I also notice a baby laid on the seat suitable for a Sultan.

“Who's child is that?” I asked the man and in return he smiled at me but didn't reply anything. Instead he sat down beside the old man who look superior then all of them.

He stood up and walked towards me before standing beside me. “That child is your son.” He said as he pointed at the child and I stared at him in shock.

“Sultan Osman.” He continued without giving me a chance to speak. We'll let me just say, leaving me speechless. “He will be the most powerful Sultan in the history. People will know him and talk about him for generations. But you won't live to see that.”

I gulped but didn't question anything. My head was in a complete puzzle. Where am I? Who is he? Who are they? The heck. Who am I?

He smiled at me like he knew everything before patting my shoulder and like that, they all vanished and I woke up.

I opened my eyes and Mehmed ran towards my side before cupping my face in his palm. “Halime.”

“Aghas. Summon the physicians immediately.” He yelled at the guards the nodded before running out.

I blinked my eyes twice looking up at the ceiling and that's when I realized we were in our chamber. “What happened?” I asked him as I tried to sit up but my head started spinning again. He helped me sit up and grinned at me.

“You are pregnant.” He told me as he held my hand tightly with a big grin plastered on his face and his eyes dazzling with joy. “We are going to be parents.”

“I’m . . . pregnant?” I asked him and he nodded. He took my hand and put it over my flat belly. A smile crept up on my face and I instantly jumped into his arms.

I don't know whether to be happy cause I'm pregnant or to be sad that now, I have another reason to stay here. But let's just stick with the first one for now.

Hümaşah Sultan came along with the physician and Congratulated me before giving me a beautiful silver bracelet with three big rubies.

Sharbat and lokma were distributed in the Harem according to their rules and later even cold coins were distributed but not from the palace treasure but from Hümaşah Sultan's pocket.

Mehmed left soon as he had some works to attend and find out who send those assassins. Sadika Hatun brought Ismihan with her to congratulate me.

“Ismihan, my darling. You are growing bigger and bigger day by day. May you grow into a beautiful lady like your mother.” I said as I played with Ismihan who was sitting on my lap.

“Inshallah.” Sadika said.

One of the aghas came in and told me that the witches and their dear daughters came to visit me and I had no option but to let them in even if I didn't want to.

Sadika bowed to them while I bowed to Beyhan Sultan and Shah Sultan and nodded that Ayşe Sultan, Hafsa Sultan and Fatma Sultan.

“Congratulations, Halime Sultan.” Ayşe said as she nodded at me and I smiled at her.

“Thank you, Sultanam.” I replied before turning towards the others.

“Congratulations, Halime Sultan. May you bear a healthy Şehzade to the dynasty.” Fatma wished and I nodded.

“Inshallah.” I replied.

“Congratulations, Halime Sultana.” Hafsa Sultan and Beyhan Sultan wished with their big fake smile which I returned gladly.

“Congratulations Halime. The child your carrying inside you is more precious than your life. It doesn't belong to you. It belongs to the dynasty. Be careful.” Şah Sultan said with a gloomy face which she didn't even tried to cover it with a fake smile.

I wanted to give her a real piece of my mind but I bid back my tongue and nodded with a fake smile. “Of course, Sultanam.”

We had some Sherbat together and they left but Ayşe Sultan stayed. She wanted to play with the baby and even her mother couldn't stop her infront of the Sultan's sister.

“Ismihan.” Ayşe cooed and giggled playing with the Baby while Sadika and I watch them.

“Look at her innocence, Sultana. She is so innocent and pure but her mothers influence will surely spoil her.” Sadika whispered and I nodded in agreement.

“If it is Allah's will and Şehzade Selim take over the throne, Hafsa Sultan will will be sent to the old palace with the other concubines of the Sultan but I'll ask Selim not to send Ayşe with her. She is still his sister even though they have different mother. Afterall, blood is thicker than water. And I don't want her to be influenced by her mother.” Sadika said and I stare at her with a sad expression which she didn't notice as she was busy staring and smiling at Ismihan and Ayşe.

If only she knew Şehzade Selim won't return. He won't get to see his daughter and Ismihan will never know the love of a father. Thinking about that I began to tear up.

“Sultanam, are you ok. What happened?” Sadika asked worriedly getting the attention of Ayşe.

“Halime Sultan, are you in pain? Summon the physicians immediately!” Ayşe yelled at the maids and they bowed and nodded before running out.

“No, no need. I'm not in pain.” I said as I wiped my tears and took up before walking towards Ismihan. I picked her up from the couch before hugging her and kissing her cheeks while the others stared at me with a weird expression.

“Halime Sultan,are you ok?” Ayşe asked as she put her hand on my arm and I nodded before squeezing her hand.

“Don't worry about it, Ayşe. Being hormonal is common during pregnancy so, don't worry about it.” I said but she didn't seem like she understood but nonetheless nodded while the others understood.

Mehmed burst inside the chamber taking us all off guard. Everyone bowed to him except me. Ismihan started to cry and Sadika Hatun took her from me before bouncing her to quiet her.

Mehmed rushed towards me. “What happened? Are you hurt? Are you in pain? Aghas let the physician in.” He yelled at the Aghas and I shook my head at him while the other tried to contain their smile at his behaviour.

“Mehmed, I'm fine. Nothing is wrong. Hatun you can go back.” I said and the physician lady nodded before walking out.

“I was worried that something might have happened to you when Sumbul agha told me you asked for the physician.” He said as he sat me down on the couch.

“It was me Abi Mehmed, who summoned the physician. I got scared when Halime Sultan started to cry so, I summoned the physician.” Ayşe said and Mehmed smiled at her before turning his gaze back at me.

“And why were you crying?” He asked worriedly as he squeezed my shoulders.

“It's nothing Mehmed. Don't worry about it.” I replied and turn towards others. “Sadika Hatun, Ayşe Sultan I invite you both to have dinner with us today.”

“Thank you for your invitation, Sultanam. But I can't stay, I have some work to attend. Perhaps, Ayşe Sultan can stay.” She said as she turn towards Ayşe.

“Valide will be having her dinner with Abi Orhan so, I can stay. Thank you Sultanam.” Ayşe Sultan said and I offered her a smile.

Hello! My dear Chipmunks💞

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