A-Game ?

The sun was setting over the domes of the palace, casting long shadows across the courtyard. Orhan stood at his balcony, his hands resting on the cold stone railing as he watched the city below. The bustling sounds of the marketplace, the distant murmur of voices, all seemed so far away. And yet, the weight of his thoughts kept him anchored here, rooted to this very spot.

His mind still circled back to Sophia—her confession. She couldn't have children.

It wasn't the news itself that unsettled him. He had always been surrounded by expectations, by the pressure to ensure the continuation of his line. The court, his advisors, even the people of his empire—they all expected him to produce heirs. It was the way things were done. But when Sophia had looked at him with those clear, vulnerable eyes and told him her truth, something inside him had shifted.

He had known for weeks now that she wasn't like the others. There was a sincerity to her, a kindness that the other women in the harem lacked. She didn't seek power. She didn't scheme or try to manipulate her way into his heart. She was simply... Sophia. And now, knowing her secret, he understood why she had seemed different from the rest.

But what now? How would the court react if they found out? Could he protect her, keep their secret, while still fulfilling his duties as Sultan?

Orhan rubbed a hand across his face, his brow furrowed in thought. The answer wasn't clear. Nothing was.

✧･ﾟ ✧･ﾟ

Across the palace, in a much smaller room, Sophia sat on the edge of her bed, her fingers nervously tracing the hem of her dress. The golden light of the evening streamed through the lattice window, bathing the room in a soft, warm glow. But despite the beauty of her surroundings, all Sophia felt was a gnawing worry.

Would Orhan still want her? Now that he knew the truth?

She had seen the shock in his eyes when she told him, the way he had paused, unable to immediately respond. And though his words had been kind—reassuring even—Sophia couldn't help but feel the seed of doubt growing in her heart. Perhaps he had just said those things in the moment, out of a sense of duty or kindness. Perhaps, in time, he would come to realize that she was more of a burden than anything else.

The thought made her chest tighten.

"What if he doesn't love me anymore?" Sophia whispered aloud, her voice barely audible in the quiet room. She hadn't spoken those words to anyone—except for one person.

Melania Andel, who had become her closest confidante in the palace, sat across from her. The Czech girl, with her soft brown hair and gentle smile, had been a source of comfort ever since Sophia had arrived. They shared a bond—both of them had been taken from their homes, both of them had been thrown into a world where they didn't belong.

Melania looked at Sophia with kind eyes, her hands clasped in her lap. "He will still love you, Sophia," she said gently. "I've seen the way he looks at you. There's something different in his eyes when you're near. You're not like the others to him."

Sophia let out a shaky breath, her eyes flickering with doubt. "But I told him... I told him I can't have children. What if that changes everything?"

Melania's expression softened even more, and she reached across the small table to take Sophia's hand. "Sophia, you don't need to be perfect to be loved. You don't need to fulfill every expectation to be worthy. Orhan chose you because of who you are, not because of what you can give him. And I know that's hard to believe in a place like this, where everything is about power and position... but I truly think he cares for you."

Sophia looked down at their hands, feeling the warmth of Melania's grip. For the first time since the conversation with Orhan, she allowed herself to breathe a little easier.

But the worry was still there, lingering at the edges of her mind like a shadow. "What if he changes his mind?" she asked, her voice small. "What if, in time, he realizes that I'm not enough?"

Melania gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "Then that's on him, not you. You've been nothing but honest with him. You've given him your trust, and that's all you can do. The rest is up to him."

✧･ﾟ* ✧･ﾟ*

Sophia nodded, but the doubts remained, swirling like dark clouds in her heart. It was true—she had been honest with Orhan. She had laid everything out before him, hoping that he would see her not just as a favorite, not just as another woman in the harem, but as a person. A person who, despite her imperfections, wanted nothing more than to be by his side.

And yet, there was a part of her that feared that her truth would drive them apart.

"I just... I never thought I'd be in this position," Sophia admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I never thought someone like him could care for someone like me. And now that I'm here, now that I've told him everything... I'm terrified that I'll lose it all."

Melania gave her a sympathetic look. "I understand. I do. But you're stronger than you think, Sophia. You've survived so much already. And if this is meant to be... if Orhan truly cares for you the way I believe he does, then nothing will change that."

Sophia smiled weakly, grateful for Melania's support. She had been through so much—captured, taken from her home, thrown into the harem—and yet, through it all, she had found a friend in Melania. It was a small comfort, but one that meant the world to her.

The two girls sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the conversation settling between them. The quiet hum of palace life buzzed faintly in the background, but in this small room, it felt like they were a world away.

Finally, Melania spoke again, her voice soft. "Whatever happens, Sophia, you have me. You're not alone in this."

Sophia blinked back the tears that threatened to well up in her eyes. "Thank you, Melania," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "That means more to me than you know."

✧･ﾟ✧･ﾟ

That night, as Sophia lay in her bed, her mind raced with thoughts of Orhan. She couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking, whether he was still wrestling with the news she had shared. She had told him the truth—her truth—but now, all she could do was wait.

Wait, and hope that the bond they had formed over these past weeks was strong enough to withstand the storm that lay ahead.