When the night fell, Hümaşah Sultan made all the arrangements for the party in the garden.

We all went out to sit in the garden and watch the fireworks display, welcoming the new member of the dynasty. Şehzade Osman.

Some were dancing, some were playing music, some were singing whereas some were surving food, sweets and sherbet to everyone. I would be lying if I say wasn't enjoying it after almost dying.

The atmosphere was happy and joyful and I loved it.

"I received Şehzade Selim's letter last week." Sadika Hatun said and both Hümaşah and I glance at Define who had an annoyed face.

"What did Selim said?" Hümaşah asked curiously.

A light blush covered her pale cheeks making it pink as she smiled at us shyly. "He said he will marry me when he comes back from the campaign."

"Oh," was all Hümaşah Sultan said before turning away. What's wrong with her?

"That's. . . so sweet?" I said with an awkward smile and Sadika smiled at me.

"I'll go and get something from my room." Hümaşah announced before walking away with one if her maids and we bowed to her as she walked away.

As soon as we sat down and the party resumed, Sadika spoke again. "If Allah wishes and Şehzade Selim becomes a Sultan one day, he promised to make me his Haseki." Sadika said arrogantly and I stared at her in disbelief. Who is this women? She sure isn't that sweet Sadika I met a year ago.

"Sadika Hatun, what are you saying? How can you say that when the Sultan is still alive." I asked in disbelief.

"Forgive me Sultanam, but I was just saying what Şehzade promised me. He said he may have many concubines but he love me the most and will make me his Haseki." She replied with a smug face looking at Defne who was as shock as me. The nerve of this women! How dare she talk arrogantly infront of a Sultana?

"Hatun." I said in a stern voice and everyone stopped before turning their full attention towards us. I stood up and so did everyone.

"How dare you talk about becoming a Haseki when the Sultan is still alive?" I questioned her and she stared at me in fear before her fear turned into anger. "If it's in Allah's favour then yes, one day Şehzade Selim may be our next ruler but who are you to say such words!? Who do you think of yourself?"

"Halime Sultan," She gritted out. "You may be the wife of a Şehzade and a mother of another but that's doesn't mean anything. When Şehzade Selim comes to the throne, I will be the Haseki and you and your son will mean nothing to the dynasty."

What the-?

"Hatun," Sumbul agha scolded as he came running towards her. "Who are you to talk like that to a Sultana!?"

"Sadika Hatun, what did you just say? Do you realise the ones you are talking about are the members of the dynasty." Hümaşah Sultan voice boomed silencing everyone. She walked towards us furiously and we all bowed to her.

"Who do you think of yourself to talk like that to a Sultana? Who are you to say such words about a Şehzade? Who are you to announce yourself as the Haseki when my father is still alive? You are anything but a mere slave." Hümaşah spat viciously.

Sadika feel on her knees before grabbing Hümaşah Sultan's feet. "Forgive me Sultanam."

"There is no mercy for such reckless act." Hümaşah Sultan replied as she pushed Sadika away from her feet. "Just because Selim loves you and favours you doesn't mean you'll dance on everybody's head. Know your place."

"Sultanam-"

"You asked me why I favour Halime so much right?" Hümaşah asked and I stare at them. Did Sadika seriously asked that?

"Because she knows how to act and when to act, whom to respect and stand up for. She never changed. She was the same as she was before even after she became the wife of a Şehzade. And look at you, already talking about becoming a Haseki when you are not even the mother of a Şehzade or wife of one."

She sure was so pissed as she didn't seem to stop there. She went on. "I tolerated you just because Selim like you very much. I knew your intention from the very beginning. But enough. I will no longer tolerate you."

"Sultanam, please-"

"Sumbul Agha." Hümaşah Sultan called out ignoring Sadika Hatun's cries.

"Order, Sultanam."

"Give her a foot whipping." She ordered and everyone gasped while I just stood there with a shocked expression.

"As you order Sultanam." Sumbul replied before motioning for the aghas and the aghas immediately went and grabbed Sadika's arms.

"Sultanam, please forgive me. I will never say such words again. Please forgive me, atleast for my daughter." Sadika cried.

Hümaşah Sultan turn her gaze down at Sadika. "You should have thought about that before insulting the dynasty. Tomorrow you will leave for the old palace with your daughter in the morning."

"Sultanam, no, please don't do that." Sadika kept on crying and screaming as the aghas took her inside and the others followed to watch her misery leaving us alone.

"Are you alright Halime?" Hümaşah Sultan asked. "Did that girl did anything? I swear I'll-"

"No, no. Sultanam. She didn't did anything." I replied quickly before sitting down as I couldn't stand for a long time.

Defne Hatun quickly poured some water from a jar into the cup before handing it to me and I thanked her before drinking it.

"I never expected her to be like this." I said as Hümaşah took a seat beside me before taking my hand in her and squeezing it.

"I hated her from the beginning but when she told me about how much she loves Selim, I just let my ego aside and gave her the equal love I give you all. But this snake, all these time she was just taking advantage of our love." She spat viciously. I have never seen her so angry and I pray I never be the reason of her anger.

"Thank you for supporting me Sultanam. Your words mean alot to me." I replied as I smiled at her and she took a deep breath before smiling at me.

"Defne," Hümaşah called.

"Yes, Sultanam."

Hümaşah took out a letter from underneath her sleaves before handing it to her and Defne Hatun took it with a confused expression.

"A letter from Selim." Hümaşah explained and Defne Hatun's face immediately lit up.

"Attention. His Highness, Şehzade Mehmed is coming." One of the aghas announced and Defne immediately bowed her head.

Mehmed and Zülfikar Pasha came towards her and as soon as Mehmed saw me, he literally ran towards me before kneeling down infront of me. "Are you ok, Halime?"

"I'm fine Mehmed. I'm fine." I whispered.

"Zülfikar, when did you came back?" Hümaşah asked as she hugged him and he chuckled. "Is everything alright? Why are you back so suddenly? Did anything happen to my father?"

"No. His Majesty asked me to come back and help Şehzade Mehmed to look after the state. He got some information about some rebellions trying to rebel while he was away." He answered before kissing her forehead. Then he turn to look at me before bowing and I nodded at him with a small smile.

"Congratulations Sultanam. Hünkarım also wanted me to congratulate you and tell you how happy he was to have his first grandson." He said and my smile widened.

"Thank you Pasha." I thanked him and he bowed again.

"Defne Hatun, you can go inside and read you letter peacefully." Hümaşah teased to which Defne nodded with a blush before bowing and leaving us.

"Mehmed, take Halime inside and let her rest. She probably must be tired from all the drama." Hümaşah said and Mehmed nodded before helping me stand up.

"Sultanam. Pasha. Have a good night." I wished.

"You too, Halime." Hümaşah replied.

"Good night, Sultanam. Şehzadem." Zülfikar said.

Suddenly Mehmed picked me bridal style and I gasped at his sudden actions. "You know I can walk?"

"I don't care. You are tired and I don't want you walking. What if you trip and fall down?" He said as he carried me inside and I rolled my eyes at him nonetheless didn't argue.

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