C??? ????????

𝐀𝐲𝐬𝐮𝐧'𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕

The sun had barely risen, but the palace was already alive. Everyone was preparing for departure and though I knew this day was coming, I wasn't prepared for how it would feel.

I stood in the Valide's chamber, holding Hasan in my arms, while Fidan stood beside me with Adilşah swaddled and dozing in hers. Osman stood at my side, quietly.

On the other side of the room stood Valide Sultan and Mahidevran, expression passive as always. Besides her, Mustafa.

Then Hürrem arrived with her children. She glanced at me briefly. We hadn't spoken since that night when we were scolded; we didn't need to.

As Suleiman entered the room, everyone bowed. He walked to his mother first. She extended her hand, and he bent low to kiss it.

"Pray for me, Valide," he said.

"Always, my lion. May Allah watch over you," she replied softly.

Next, he turned to Mahidevran, leaning his hand for her to kiss it. "I will pray for your victory, Hunkarım," she murmured, bowing her head.

He nodded, then gently kissed Mustafa's head, whispering something only the boy could hear

Then he turned to the children. He opened his arms for Selim and Bayezid, who ran into his embrace. He lifted them briefly, kissing each on the forehead. "Be good while I am away. Listen to your mother."

They both nodded solemnly.

Mehmet came forward, and Suleiman smiled, pulling him into a firm embrace. "Take care of your siblings."

"Yes, Father," Mehmet replied, bowing.

Mihrimah curtsied gracefully, and he kissed her head.

Then he turned his gaze toward Osman. He knelt to his level, placing both hands on his shoulders."My brave lion, learn carefully and honor the name you carry."

"I will, Father," Osman said.

Next, he turned toward Fidan. He reached for Adilşah, kissing her head.

Then he gently kissed Hasan's head. For a heartbeat, I held my breath. He looked at him, but not once did his gaze lift to meet mine, not one glance.

He turned back and with one final nod to his mother was gone.

____________________________

The day had been quiet. The kind of calm that the palace rarely allowed. I sat by the window of my chamber reading a book when the knock came.

"Come in," I called softly.

Yasmin stepped in with a folded letter in her hand. "It's from your brother, Sultana."

I reached for the letter. I opened it and scanned the page until I reached the line that made me pause.

I've been promoted, and as of last week, I'm now stationed just outside Constantinople with a new unit. I haven't seen the city yet, but I can already feel its weight. The bad news is that smallpox has broken out in our camp. A few soldiers fell ill but the sick were isolated. I'm safe, for now. Pray that it stays that way.

I slowly folded the letter back into its envelope, my fingers unusually calm.

"Is everything all right?" Yasmin asked, her brow creasing.

A long silence stretched between us before I finally looked up as a slow, measured smile pulled at my lips. "Everything is perfectly fine."