Harmonia

Valide Sultan Fatma Hümeyla sat in her private chamber, her hands folded in her lap as she listened to the soft crackling of the burning coals in the brazier. The air smelled of amber and cloves, the familiar scent of power and patience. But tonight, patience was not in her favor.

She needed to act.

The balance of the harem had shifted.

Abagade Sultan had humiliated her publicly, inserting herself where she did not belong, as though she carried more authority than the mother of the Sultan himself. It had always been an unspoken rivalry between them, but now it had been laid bare for all to see.

And then there was Adizade.

Valide clenched her jaw. She had planned for Adizade—formerly Veda—to be her piece in this game, to counter Abagade's growing influence. But Adizade had always been an unpredictable force, and now that she had secured her own title, she would no longer be easy to control.

Valide tapped her fingers against the silk of her gown. No, she could not rely on Adizade anymore. But there was still Gül.

The Valide rose from her seat, her heavy kaftan flowing behind her like a river of crimson velvet. She strode through the halls of the harem with practiced grace, the concubines lowering their heads as she passed. Her destination was clear: Gül Hatun's chamber.

The woman in question was seated on a cushion when Valide entered, idly combing through her thick, dark curls. She did not rise or bow deeply, offering only a casual tilt of her head.

"Valide Sultan," she greeted, her voice dripping with false respect.

Valide studied her, resisting the urge to sneer. Gül Hatun had become smug—too smug.

"I assume you are aware of recent events," Valide began smoothly.

Gül chuckled, tossing the comb onto the table beside her. "Oh, yes. How could I not be? It seems your favored one has abandoned you."

Valide's fingers curled slightly. "Then you understand why I am here. I require loyalty."

Gül smirked, standing slowly. "Loyalty, you say? That's quite the word coming from you, Valide Sultan. How easily you abandon one woman and move on to the next. How easily you discard those who no longer serve your purpose."

Valide narrowed her eyes. "Be careful with your words, Gül Hatun."

But Gül only laughed, her expression turning sharp. "You want me to be your pawn, don't you? But tell me, Valide, what happens when I am no longer useful to you? Will I be discarded like the rest?"

Valide's lips pressed into a thin line.

Gül stepped closer, lowering her voice. "No. I am not a fool, and I do not need your patronage. I make my own destiny."

It was a bold declaration, one that sent a flicker of amusement through Valide despite her growing rage.

"So you renounce my protection?" Valide asked coldly.

Gül tilted her head. "I do."

Valide's eyes darkened. "Then you have chosen your fate."

She turned on her heel and swept out of the room, her heart pounding with quiet fury.

Gül Hatun was no longer an asset. She was a liability.

And liabilities in the harem did not last long.

✧ ✧ ✧

The decision was made swiftly.

Late that night, as the palace grew silent and the air cooled with the approaching dawn, Valide summoned one of her most trusted servants, an elderly woman named Harifse, who was a nurse in the harem.

"She must be removed," Valide instructed, her voice low and even. "Tonight."

Harifse bowed her head in understanding. There was no need for clarification.

A slow death, painless or agonizing—it didn't matter. The only thing that mattered was that Gül Hatun would not see the morning.

Valide sat back in her chamber, sipping her sherbet as she awaited the news.

One less piece on the board. This was going to be interesting.