- Bayezid, we need to talk. Immediatley. - I said to Bayezid as I walked on his terrace from where I could see whole Istanbul.
- Is it important? - he asked me but didn't even look at me as he was sitting on his sofa enjoying sunny day and view.
- Are you angry on me? - I asked him as I started walking towards him. I stood in front of him so he couldn't look away from me anymore.
- I am, who wouldn't be mad at you if you would read their letters thinking they are hiding something from you? - he said as he got up and stood in front of me angrily.
I felt embarassed at that moment and I knew that this time he is angry for real and that I won't get out so easily as I did every time before when he was angry on me.
- I know I did wrong and that I shouldn't have, those are your private things. But I never could believe you would that to go to the throne. - I said to him as I will still watching the ground and didnt look at him.
He sat back on his sofa and showed me to sit next to him.
- Father is really bad. He blames himself after mother's death. Yesterday he started yelling on me because I went with Suleyman in nature, and I didn't tell him about that. He is also angry on Mihrimah without no reason, I can't even imagine what could go on his mind. What if he decides to kill me? - Bayezid said to me this time with less anger in his tone, but more fear of his father.
- Bayezid, he is your father. You are his only son left, he can't do anything bad to you. He won't punish you. Its normal he blames himself now, but you should forgive him because its hard for him now. - I said to him as I took his hand in mines.
- Aslihan, he killed two of his sons, his beloved wife and his son in law. Why would he forgive me if I do something wrong? - Bayezid said to me and looked me. I could see fear in his eyes.
- If you dont do anything wrong there is nothing that he could be mad on you with a valid reason. - I said to him and tried to comfort him.
- Lala will come to Istanbul. Father shouldn't know for that because he cant stand him. Lala is my right hand and there is no one I can trust more than him. - Bayezid said and sighed.
- You should make good relations with viziers and powerful men in state because that's the only way you will have good power and people who you can trust. - I said to him calmly.
- You see that today you can't believe anyone. Rustem was my father's right hand, and he sabotaged him. Only person my father still trusts is Sokollu Mehmed-paşa, but I don't believe him. - Bayezid said and looked at Bosphorus.
- And you shouldn't believe him, that's why I came here to talk to you. I have to say you what I heard and saw today. It's not good. - I said to him seriously this time.
- What is it? - he asked me curiously.
- I was in Gardens with Meryem today when Rana came to tell proudly to me how you went in nature with Suleyman, but you don't take my children nowhere... - I started saying to him in sad tone. Even though this wasnt so important at this moment, I needed to show him my pain because of what he is doing to me.
- Aslihan, you know that I love all children equally, she beg me to go with him as I haven't spent much time with him so I decided to. That was only few hours. I promise you I will go somewhere nice with you and children alone in sooner time. - he said and kissed my forehead trying to comfort me.
- Then I saw her going to talk with a man who I didnt even know who was until I've heard it. - I said to him seriously. He was watching me shocked what I am talking about.
- She was with Sokollu Mustafa-paşa in Gardens, and she was offering him some things. - I said to him.
- What? How dares she? Its forbidden! - Bayezid said angrily.
- Bayezid, she was offering him to become Grand Vizier if he dethrones Sultan Suleyman and puts you in the throne. She also offered him marriage with one of Selim's daughters so he could have bigger power and better impact. - I said to him.
- What? Why would she offer him a position of Grand Vizier if he puts me on the throne? I would never give him that title. - Bayezid said and he was pretty much confused and shocked with what I've told him.
- Because she doesnt want you on the throne. - I said to him.
- Then who she wants on the throne? I am only son of Sultan Suleyman and only one who can ascend the throne. - Bayezid said angrily.
- Bayezid, she wants her son Suleyman on the throne. - I said to him and when I finished my sentence he stood up angrily and went away from his chambers.
I followed him because I was afraid what is he capable of doing. He started walking towards Sultan's chambers, and he was so fast that I barely could follow him.
- Bayezid! - I called him as I was scared what is he able to do now.
- Come with me! - Bayezid said to me and I continued to follow him.
Hasodabasa let us come in Sultan's chambers where he has been sitting on his throne. I have never seen him looking so bad.
- Bayezid, what it is now? I am not in good mood. - Suleyman said as he looked really tired.
- Father, I have very important thing to tell you. - Bayezid said to him and Suleyman nodded for him to speak.
I told to the Sultan everything that I have heard today and already told Bayezid. I could see Suleyman is pretty much shocked as Bayezid and me were.
- How that slave dares to even thing about something like that? She must come immediatley here and she will be punished. - Suleyman said angrily and ordered his aghas to come to her.
- It is not just that, Hunkarim. She also threatened me she would kill my son Murad because he is eldest son of Şehzade Bayezid. She said she would kill him, but no one would thought of her as he is sick already. - I told him as my eyes were filled with tears.
- Aslihan, where is Murad now? Dont tell me you left him alone now after those threats?! - Bayezid asked me.
- All the children are with Mihrimah Sultana, I couldn't let them alone. - I said to him.
I saw Suleyman is pretty bad, he was coughing a lot. His face was light, there was no smile on his face, and his eyes were red like he was crying for hours. It was Hurrem's death which destroyed him.
- Rana will be punished, but I can't punish Sokollu Mehmed-paşa. - Suleyman said which shocked both Bayezid and me. How he couldn't?
- Father, how? He is with her in that? Why wouldnt you punish him? - Bayezid asked him as he was really surprised by his words.
- There is no proof if Sokollu accepted that offer. - Suleyman said and raised his head.
What will happen next? Will Suleyman forgive Rana for what she has talked? What will happen to Sokollu Mehmed-paşa? Is Prince Murad really on safe? Found out in next Chapter.
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