"Do you really have to go?" I asked Mehmed while arranging his kaftan. Yesterday, after the midwife examined me for the second time after I fainted at the party, Zülfiker Pasha came with some bad news. The Safavid dynasty had joined hands with the Roman empire and had officially declared a war against the Ottoman empire. So, he was going away to the campaign.

"Yes I have to. My soldiers need me. What Sultan will I be called if I can't even fight a battle and protect my people." He replied as he turned back to face me. He cupped my face with his palm. "Hayatım, don't worry. I will be safe and return safely to you. See, Hümaşah will also be here!"

"Don't worry, ok. I will be back to you before you know. Take care of yourself and our children." He placed a kiss on my forehead before bending down to kiss my flat tummy.

"Osman is really going to miss you." I sighed.

"I know. I hope he remembers me when I return." He said and I let out a chuckle.

"Of course he will. Don't worry. I will keep on reminding him about his brave father who is in the battle fighting for his people." I stood on my tip toe before placing a kiss on his lips. He snaked his arms around me before deepening the kiss.

He pulled away with a groan leaving both of us breathless. "I just want to bury myself deep inside you but the doctor has restricted us from having any sexual intercourse." He said shamelessly and I slapped his arms.

"I don't know how am I going to survive this long, away from you and Osman." He sighed before placing another kiss on the nape of my neck.

"I'll write to you, don't worry." I replied and he nodded.

"And yes, no heavy jewelleries, no crown or tiaras for the next 2 months and don't worry yourself and stress too much ok? It's not good for you and the baby. Remember what the midwife said." He reminded me.

I nodded. "Yes, I will."

"Ok now I have to go. Take care. Hümaşah has organised a party in the Harem after hearing you're pregnant. You can join her if you want too but keep one concubine with you to taste all your food before you eat ok?"

I nodded again. "Yes, I understood. And you too, take care. I still don't trust Orhan. Be alert and safe." I told him. I didn't like the idea of Orhan going with him but I also didn't like the idea of him staying here when Mehmed is not.

"Yes, my love." He stroked my cheeks lovingly before pulling away from me and going towards our bed when Osman was sleeping. He kissed Osman's forehead.

"May Allah protect you and guide you. Let no sun burn you or stones hurt you. Go like the flowing water and come back like the wind. Godspeed." I chanted a prayer and he nodded with a smile before kissing my forehead for the last time before walking out of the chamber and away.

Gülnihal and Esma entered the chamber before bowing to me. "Sultanam."

"Esma, get my scarf and Gülnihal stay with Osman. Don't leave him at any cost. If he wakes up and cries, bring him to me, ok?" I instructed as I put on the dark blue scarf matching my dress.

"Yes, Sultanam." She replied with a bow and I nodded before walking out with Esma and Meleksima to the Harem where everyone was.

"ATTENTION. HER IMPERIAL MAJESTY, HASEKI HALIME SULTAN." The door man and everyone stopped the music and dance before standing up and bowing.

"Halime," Hümaşah called out as she came walking towards me with a big smile

"Sultanam." I nodded at her with a smile.

"How are you feeling now?" She asked as she gave me a hug before taking me to sit with her.

"Better, Sultanam. Aside from hating the smell of cheese and fish, nothing else." I replied before motioning the girls in the Harem to continue.

"Sumbul agha," Hümaşah called out and Sumbul immediately came running. "Tell Seker agha not to cook any fish or cheese till Halime Sultan is able to have it."

"As you order Sultanam." He bowed before walking away. Hümaşah is really the big sister we all want. She really fits into the role of a mother.

"You didn't have to do that."

She shrugged. "It's a strict order from the Sultan." She said with a smile before falling into a fit of giggle and I followed.

Just then, Ayşe, Gülbahar, Latife, Nurbahar and Defne along with the children came in and Ismihan immediately let go of Defne's hand before running towards us.

She was about to jump into my arms when Hümaşah got her first. "No Ismihan. You won't do that ok? See there is a baby inside your auntie's stomach. The baby can be hurt, ok?" Hümaşah explained it to Ismihan who nodded immediately.

"Sultanlar," the others bowed and Hümaşah nodded at them to sit on the pillow below us.

Ismihan, Geverhan and Atika slowly came towards me slowly and I opened my arms before hugging them. "Aunt, is she also a Sultana like me or a Şehzade like my brothers?" Ismihan asked.

"I don't know. But Hünkarım wants a daughter like you, what do you think? What do you want? A Sultana or a Şehzade?"

"I want a Sultana like me, Atike and Gerverhan who can play with us and we'll braid each other's hair." Ismihan replied and Gevherhan agreed, making me smile.

As soon as some concubines bought in sweets, candies and nuts they went running towards it and we all chuckled at their cuteness.

"Sultanam, I hope you're feeling fine now. You scared us all yesterday." Ayşe expressed and I smiled at her.

"Thank you for your concern, Ayşe. Thankfully I'm fine today." I replied.

"Where is Sehzade Mahmmud?" I asked Gülbahar who was glaring at Latife and Nurbahar as Hümaşah talked with them sweetly while she completely ignored Gülbahar.

"He's in the chamber Sultanam." She replied with a bored expression.

"Gülfem, Ayşe come and sit with us." Hümaşah called the two annoying bitches who were sitting together to come and sit with us. I like Hümaşah but she's too friendly with everyone.

"Sultanam, my name is Rasha now. Ayşe Sultan changed my name." Rasha replied as she bowed. Hümaşah turned to face Ayşe.

"Sultanam, I don't like having the same name as a concubine." Ayşe replied making Hümaşah chuckle but didn't say anything.

"Sultanlar," they both bowed as they walked towards us.

"Rasha Hatun, how's your leg?" I smirked at her, making her frown, yet she couldn't say anything. "It has recovered, thank you for your concern, Sultanam."

"What happened to your leg?" Hümaşah asked curiously, glancing between us.

"Nothing big Sultanam." Rasha replied immediately but Hümaşah just shrugged it off.

"From today, Rasha will be helping Defne serve as her maid and Gülfem as Gülbahar's maid. Understood?" Hümaşah instructed and they both nodded uncomfortably from favourites to maids isn't an easy thing.

"As you wish, Sultanam." They replied before backing away.

Hümaşah made one of the maids test all my food and drinks before I had it.

"Aunt," Ismihan called out softly and I hummed before turning my full attention towards her.

"I miss my mother." She said and we all froze. "The girls said that you are so powerful that you brought us here. They said I belong in the old palace."

I frowned. Who says something like this to a 2 year old child?

"Can you please bring my mother too?" She asked and I looked up at Hümaşah who was already tearing up.

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