Muhtesem Yuzyil Imagines ♡

Ch. 1 Blink Twice (My Story)

"It's okay, I can understand Turkish." I confirmed to them, and as they seemed surprised, I engaged in a simple friendly conversation with a passing by Kalfa, who was apparently a teacher and guardian of the Harem.

Over the next few days, I learned the intricate dance of the harem. Days were spent in stifling lessons on Ottoman etiquette, my tongue struggling with the guttural consonants of Turkish names. My laughter, a habit honed on the windswept moors, seemed out of place in the hushed corridors, beside the occasional fist-fights between the girls. Nobody seemed to pay any mind to me, and I resorted to my own interests like walking in the gardens.

I was told one of the Shezade's, Hürrem Sultana's youngest son Cihangir and a life-long hunchback, had a knack for reading and knowledge, so when he was to return from something called a campaign, I hoped to be introduced.

...

Amelia's diary, April 15th 1540, Morning

So apparently, the reason why everything was so quiet for me was because Hürrem Sultana and Mihrimah Sultana were on leave to Edirne during the campaign. So when the victorious Sultan Sulëyman and his brave sons returned, so did they. I knew because I was extended an invitation to a campaign celebration party in the Harem. I dutifully accepted the offer, knowing as she was my soon-to-be-mother in law, I needed to get familiar with her. As I said before, I heard about her bewitchment and manipulation of the Sultan from the northernest places in Europe, so I to some degree had some expectations. By God, I was wrong.

When I entered the harem that evening, I was shocked to see a display of some young girls my age, dancing in a sort of manner that would've been disgraceful in England, and a bunch of silk cushions laying on one side of the Harem, with a throne backed up into the wall.

A women who I knew only as Gülfem Hatun, motioned for me to sit beside her on one of the cushions, and I gratefully accepted her offer, as I knew nothing of this manner of "partying".

"Desssssssstur! Her Highness Haseki Hürrem Sultan!" A man called from the entrance. The music stopped, and everyone stood up and bowed as a procession of women entered the harem. I didn't dare look up as women walked beside me and sat on cushions, and one on the throne who I assumed was Hürrem. I sat down on my cushion, and dared to look up as she motioned for the music and dancing to continue.

"I'm sure you counted on us to come, Gülfem." Hürrem Sultan said to Gülfem Hatun as she smiled and began engaging in conversation. I couldn't help staring at her- she was so beautiful. No wonder the Sultan got bewitched. She was still fairly young, and her infamous red locks were styled into and up cycle under a bejeweled crown. She wore a sparkly blue gown and heels, and was a shining women.

"It is a true pleasure to see you again, my Sultana." Gülfem bowed her head to her. "I don't believe you've been introduced to Shezade Mehmet's betrothed- Princess Amelia?"

We shook our heads, and Hürrem met my gaze as she looked me up and down eying me scrutinously.

"Well Amelia, I hope you try very hard to please my prince. He is a wonderful and deserving young man, and I don't want you to forget that." I nodded, and I asked to be excused.

Amelia's diary, April 29th 1540

Oh diary, I must tell of something urgent. Last evening, during a performance by dancers in the harem, Gulnar cornered me.

"Heed my words, Princess," she had hissed, her voice low. "This palace is a viper's nest. Trust no one, least of all the Shezade."

Her words sent a shiver down my spine. Was she warning me, or trying to sow discord? Was she an ally, or just another player in the game? I wasn't sure, so I tried my best to ignore them.

Amelia's diary, May 6th 1540

My days had became a labyrinth of hidden agendas and veiled messages. Gulnar, it seemed, had sort of taken me under her wing, sharing gossip and palace secrets, her motives unclear. The other odalisques, however, remained wary, their veiled smiles masking envy and ambition.

...

One afternoon, I found myself lost in the palace gardens, their beauty a stark contrast to the stifling opulence within. There, I encountered the Shezade Cihangir himself, surrounded by his advisors. Hesitantly, I curtsied, the air thick with tension.

"You seem troubled, Princess," he said, his voice surprisingly gentle. "Perhaps the palace walls weigh heavy upon you?"

His words were simple, yet they held a hidden challenge. Was he testing my loyalty, my strength? I met his gaze, my chin held high. "The walls are indeed high, Shezade, but this princess is not easily caged."

A flicker of amusement crossed his face, the first genuine emotion I had seen in him. "Intriguing," he murmured, and turned away, leaving me standing amidst the perfumed roses, his words echoing in my mind.

He seemed like a nice man despite his physical challenge, but there was something else in mind at the time. I hadn't yet met my betrothed, Shezade Mehmet, and I was beginning to to get worried. I decided to take a trip to Mihrimah Sultana, his sister to ask. I was immediately permitted into her rooms, and she greeted me with an affectionate glance, as she was becoming quite fond of me, which served both her and myself well in our best interests.

"My Sultana, I must tell you something that has been in my mind for a while and troubles me." I spoke to her softly. She nodded to proceed.

"I'm getting concerned with the state of things to do with my marriage. I don't know where and when the wedding will take place, and worst of all I haven't even seen my prince!" I blurted out.

Mihrimah simply laughed and shrugged.

"Is that all? Relax, Mehmet had some business to take care of." I smiled at her. "He'll be back, and mind you he's such a handsome fellow you won't ever take your eyes off him."

I hoped so, because I was already starting to get apprehensive about meeting my husband-to-be. Besides, he is 19 years old, two years older than me.

Amelia's Diary, May 12th, 1540

Dearest Diary, today, my heart beat like a drum as I finally laid eyes on who I assumed was my betrothed. It was during an afternoon stroll in the palace gardens, a balmy breeze carrying the scent of jasmine. As I turned a corner, I from a distance, observed him standing beneath a weeping willow, his profile sharp against the sun-dappled leaves. He was clad in a sumptuous robe of emerald silk, his dark hair flowing down his shoulders. He looked as though he was in a trance, and I couldn't help but gawk at him until he looked at me. I could not restrain myself but to blink twice at him.

He momentarily began to make his way to me and I bowed down low, hoping not to meet his eye. 

"Princess... Amelia?" A man, no younger than his early fifties, looked down at me.

"Oh, I'm sorry, my..." I didn't quite place who could this be. I looked up and observed him. Yup, just my fantasies. He wasn't even wearing a green silk robe, much less of brown flowey hair. He had a grey beard. Not my Shezade, that's for sure.

"I'm Rüstem Pasha, an ally of Hürrem Sultana. And you are her son's betrothed." He stated firmly, looking around. "Don't tell anyone you met with me here. Go."

I nodded and left to the palace. I was sure to find Mehmet soon.

As soon as I entered the harem, Niger Kalfa and Mera Kalfa grabbed my arm and dragged me to my rooms.

"Princess, where were you? We have important things to do!" The Kalfa's began whirling around my room like cyclones until Niger Kalfa paused and whispered in my ear,

"You're going to Shezade Mehmet tonight!"