"Sultanam, some new trained girls have been sent from the Crimea palace. Hümaşah Sultan wants you to take some new maids to be at your service." Sumbul reported and I sighed.

"Sumbul, I already have 4 of them. There is no need for another." I replied as I sip on my orange juice. Just then, an idea popped in my mind.

"You know what? Let's go and check. I'll select 2 girls to serve Ismihan and Geverhan so that they won't feel lonely anymore." I stood up holding my 2 months old bump. I can't believe it's been two months since I last saw Mehmed. We still write to each other, he tells me about the situation there and I tell him about here.

I put on my scarf and a black fur coat, as it was cold outside, before walking out of the chamber with Sumbul.

"ATTENTION. HER IMPERIAL MAJESTY, HASEKI HALIME SULTAN." The door man announced as I walked past the Harem. The girls stood in line and watched as I walk past the Harem door. Some smiled at me, which of course returned with a smile.

The new girls were all in the garden with Hümaşah Sultan who was preparing for the evening feast that was to take place in the garden. Nothing special, it's just that we wanted to have a small get together.

As soon as I walk out, the door man was about to announce my arrival but I stopped him, it's a nuisance having them announce my arrival every time and everywhere I go.

"Halime," Hümaşah called out and I nodded to her before walking towards her. She was talking to Firuze Kalfa while Bulbul agha was giving instructions to the new girls. There were about. . . maybe 12 of them? Yeah.

"Sultanam,"

"How are you feeling? I hope you are not feeling any discomfort?" Hümaşah asked and I shook my head.

"No no. I'm fine. I came here to choose 2 maids for Ismihan and Gerverhan to be with them every time. As you know, it's hard for both Defne and Latife Hatun to manage two children at once." I explained as I sat on the couch beside her and she nodded in understanding.

"Yes, you're right. In fact, I was thinking of sending Ismihan back to the old palace as she really misses her mother and you know we can't bring Sadika Hatun here. She and Gülbahar will cause more problems." Hümaşah replied.

"Actually, Sultanam I was thinking about that. If you don't mind, I would like to bring Sadika Hatun to the palace." I said and she frowned.

"Why? Halime, you're pregnant and the midwife clearly stated that this won't be an easy one. I don't want Sadika and Gülbahar's silly fights to stress you out." She put her hand on top of mine and gave it a light squeeze.

"I don't want to send Ismihan back, Sultanam. She reminds us of our late Sehzade Selim and Mehmed doesn't say it out loud but he does miss him alot and Ismihan being here really makes him happy and I also feel the same." I explained. During these 4 months, I have become really fond of Ismihan, Geverhan and Atike as they spend almost all the time with me and Osman.

Hümaşah seems to think for some moment before letting out a sigh. "I will send a letter to the old palace to send Sadika here. . . only because it makes you happy." She added and I smiled at her before engulfing her in a tight hug.

She is the sister everyone would love to have but only some are lucky enough to have. And I consider myself lucky to have her as my friend, a sister and a mother figure in my life.

It's sad that she never had any children of her own.

"Ok, I'll go now and send the letter. But don't stay outside for too long, you might catch a cold." She said and I nodded before she went inside with Bulbul.

"Sultanam, which one shall I prepare to serve the Sultanas?" Firuze Kalfa asked as she stood beside me. I stood up and walked towards them while Firuze and Sumbul stood a couple of steps behind me.

They were talking in Spanish and didn't pay any attention to me. Sumbul was about to yell at them but I stopped them as I wanted to hear what they were talking about.

"Escuché que el rey es muy guapo. Tal vez, si tengo suerte, pueda acostarme con él y darle un hijo y ser su reina." The blonde one said in a dreamy voice while the others nodded in agreement. (I heard that the king is very handsome. Maybe if I'm lucky I can sleep with him and give him a son and be his queen.)

Just then one of them turned their head and saw me before looking at me from head to toe. "Esta mujer parece ser también una de las concubinas del Rey aquí." (This woman also looks like one of the King's concubine here.)

"Su abrigo de piel parece caro pero no tiene corona. No creo que ella sea una reina aquí." The other one replied and I cocked my eyebrows at her. (Her fur coat looks expensive but she doesn't have a crown. I don't think she's a queen here.)

This is why we say, don't judge a book by its cover. Stupid fools.

"Firuze Kalfa, when did they arrive here?" I asked without moving my eyes away from them.

"2 days, Sultanam." She replied as she glared at them and they immediately lowered their eyes and bowed their heads.

"And you still haven't taught them the rules?" I questioned. By this time, they finally realised that I was not just any other woman.

"Forgive me Sultanam." She replied.

"You are not to speak in any other language in this palace. If I catch any one of you speaking in your own tongue, you will be tagged as an imposter and will have your tongues cut, understood!?" I said in a stern voice and they all nodded as they bowed their heads. "Yes, Sultanam."

I shot them a last glance before walking away with Sumbul trailing behind me.

"Who was that woman, Kalfa?" I heard them ask.

"Haseki Halime Sultan. She is the wife of the Sultan and the mother of his son, Şehzade Osman." Firuze Kalfa said. "Hünkarım cherish her and so do the people. You are lucky that she didn't decide to behead you all. Be aware next time or you won't be this lucky to survive."

I'm pretty sure it's one of Şah Sultan's ideas to send them here. But she's a fool if she think will fall for her tricks.

"Sumbul, I don't want any of them here in the palace. Send them back."

"But Sultanam–"

"Do. As. I. Say." I gritted out and he nodded.

"Yes, Sultanam." He replied before running back to Firuze Kalfa. I took a deep breath before entering the Harem to see another headache.

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A/n: I hope you enjoyed reading it. If you did, do vote and comment♡