ᴩᴀʀᴛ ɪɪ

I groaned as I opened my eyes, blinking hard to take in my surrounding.

“Halime?” Mehmed called out and I turn my gaze towards the voice. He was holding . . . . our baby?

“Mehmed, is that. . . ?” I tried to sit up and Esma helped me.

“Yes, our Şehzade. ” He said as he handed the baby to me and I carefully took it from him.

He look nothing like me.

And I would be lying if I say I wasn't jealous right now.

I carried him for 9 months just for him to look like his father?

“I carried you for 9 months and look at you, you look nothing like me.” I mumbled to the baby and Mehmed chuckled at me as he stroke my cheeks.

“He got your eyes.” Mehmed said and I felt the sudden urge to wake the baby up but I didn't, of course.

“Our baby.” I mumbled as I placed a light kiss on the baby's head and Mehmed pressed my head to his chest before placing a kiss on my forehead.

“I almost thought I lost you, Halime.” He whispered as he tightened his hold on my shoulder.

“They poisoned me, didn't they.” I asked, more like a statement and he tensed and that was enough to let me know. I pulled away from him to face him.

“I won't let them off easily this time, Halime.” Mehmed said and I nodded.

Hümaşah Sultan, Ayşe and Fatma Sultan walked in and Mehmed stood up. Ayşe and Fatma bowed before coming towards me.

“Congratulations, Halime Sultan.” Ayşe said and I smiled at her as she put an emulate on the baby's clothes and Fatma did the same.

“Congratulations Halime.” She said with a fake smile which I gladly returned.

Hümaşah Sultan brought a crib for the baby made out of gold and decorated with pearls. “I hope it's worthy enough for our little Şehzade.” She smiled down at the baby before putting an emulate on the baby's crib and his pillow.

We all put on our head scarfs for the baby's naming ceremony. Mehmed began to recite prayers into the baby's ears before whispering his name. “Your name is Osman.”

“Your name is Osman.”

“Your name is Osman.” He said three times and placed a kiss on the baby's forehead before heading him to me.

“Osman.” I whispered. My dreams came true.

“Sumbul agha.” Hümaşah Sultan called out and Sumbul agha came in.

“Sultanam.” He bowed to her.

“Distribute lokma and sherbet immediately. And tell the cook to prepare a feast for everyone. Give away coins to the girls in the Haram and also distribute good, clothes and coins among the people. Let everyone know a Şehzade has been born.” Hümaşah Sultan ordered and Sumbul agha nodded with a big smile.

“As you wish Sultanam.” He replied before literally running out in excitement.

They all left after a while leaving me and Mehmed alone with our little Osman.

“Hafsa Sultan didn't even step out of her chamber after she heard I gave birth to a son.” I said as we watch out baby sleeping peacefully in his magnificent crib that his aunt gifted him. Mehmed let out a chuckled before pulling his closer to him.

“I know she had her dirty hand in it and I'm not going to leave her.” He tighten his hold on my waist. “I won't leave any of them. I'm let them pay for it.”

“What are you going to do?” I asked.

“For now, I'll kick Şah Sultan and Beyhan Sultan out of the capital and Hafsa Sultan to the old palace. Later, by the Sultan returns I'll have all the evidence which I'll show him and he will decide their fate.”

“Yes, that will be better.” I nodded in agreement even thought I knew the Sultan was not going to come back alive.

He pulled me away from the crib and I frowned at him. “Look after the Şehzade, Hatun.” Mehmed ordered Esma who nodded before standing beside the crib while Mehmed pulled me inside the other room.

He went towards his table before quickly taking something off the table, hiding it behind his back. He came back with a big grin on his face, “Turn around.” He ordered and I frowned nonetheless obeyed.

He made me stand near the mirror before putting a beautiful necklace around my neck and I gasped. “Do you like it?” He asked wrapping his arms around my waist before leaning his chin in my shoulders.

“It's. . . . It's beautiful. I love it.” I smiled at him. “Did you made it?”

“I did.” He replied before placing a kiss on the nape of my neck. “I'm glad you like it.”

“Like? Mehmed, I love it. I'm going to wear this tonight in the party Hümaşah Sultan organised.” I said before turning around to face him. I wrapped my arms around his neck and he pulled me closer by my waist.

“Şehzadem.” Sumbul agha walked in and instantly bowed his head down with a loud gasp. “I'm sorry Şehzadem for showing up without informing but this is important.”

Mehmed raised his eyebrows at him. “Tell me.”

Sumbul agha eyed me and I rolled my eyes at him. “Sumbul agha. Don't annoy me and just tell me what is it.” Mehmed gritted out.

He nodded. “Zülfikar Pasha has return.” he said and I turn to Mehmed with a confused face who also had the same expression on his face.

“He is in the court room along with the other pasha's waiting for you.” He explained and Mehmed nodded before dismissing him.

I thought Zülfikar Pasha was suppose to be with the Sultan but what was he doing here.

Mehmed went to meet Zülfikar Pasha while I took a warm bath before slipping into a royal purple dress pairing it with a crown with purple gems and matching earring. I wore the necklace that Mehmed gave me and took a last glance at myself in the mirror before walking out of the chamber with Esma and Nilüfer leaving behind Gülnihal and Meleksima to look after the baby.

“Attention, Halime Sultan is coming.” The door man announced my arrival and everyone stopped doing whatever they were doing before bowing to me.

“Welcome Halime.” Hümaşah greeted me with a warming smile like always and I smiled at her.

“Thank you Sultanam.” I replied as I went near towards her.

“I got an emergency work to attend but I will be back soon. Please enjoy the party.” She explained with a smile and I nodded and we all bowed to her as she walked out.

I sat down on the couch and the party resumed just then Sadika Hatun came down from her room with Ismihan.

She bowed to me and I smiled at her. She sat down on the pillow beside me and I took Ismihan from her.

Defne Hatun also came with her baby, Atike and bowed to me. “Sultanam.” She said and I nodded. She also sat down beside me on a pillow.

“How is Atike?” I asked as I handed Ismihan back to her mother before taking Atike from Defne Hatun.

“She is a little restless but she's doing fine.” Defne said. “By the way, Congratulations Halime Sultan. May our Şehzade have a long and a happy life with his parents.”

“Amin.” I smiled at her before returning my gaze back at Atike who was sitting on my lap. She was 2 months younger than Ismihan who was turning 1 in a few days.

Time really flies. It felt as if I arrived in the palace just yesterday but in reality its been 18 months. 18 months since I last saw my family. I miss them.

But do I want to go back?

I don't think I can ever leave Mehmed and our son. Our family.

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