After a long time of trip, we finally arrived to Istanbul. I've missed this city so much. The city I've spent so many years in. Working on the market as a merchant, now I am coming in it again like a Sultana and mother of Ottoman Prince.
Who could say life can change so quickly? From being a russian merchant, to a Ottoman Sultana?
Together with Hurrem Sultana, Şehzade Bayezid and my children we came inside the Palace. In Harem everyone awaited for us and whole harem was ready to welcome and greet us.
- Attention! Her Imperial Majesty Haseki Hurrem Sultan and Şehzade Bayezid Hazertleri! - Sumbul-aga, Hurrem Sultan's servant noticed everyone in harem so everyone should bow to them.
This harem was three times bigger than the one we had in Kutahya. This one was more luxurious and well equipted.
We walked towards the end of harem where Nurbanu Sultan and another Selim's concubine, Selimiye which was pregnant, awaited for us.
I saw Nurbanu having bitter smile when she saw me, and I couldn't say I was really happy to see her.
Bayezid went to meet his father in his chambers while I stayed in harem with Hurrem Sultana. She ordered Sumbul-aga to prepare me my chambers which were ready very soon.
As I was really tired from trip, I went there to take a break. I was exhausted and I need some time to rest, but at the moment I came in, somebody knocked on the door.
It was Nurbanu Sultan. I was surprised to see her coming to me that soon.
- Look who came to Istanbul, a russian merchant which is not able to get pregnant anymore. - she said and laughed in my face.
- You should better look at your jobs than at my health, it won't help you. - I fake smiled her sitting on my couch not caring what is she doing here.
- I heard your son is sick. - she said.
- I wonder when you started to care about that? - I asked her.
- You know you are all going to be dead soon. As soon as Selim becomes the next Sultan, you will all get punished. You, Bayezid and your children. - she threatened me, but I wasnt afraid of her.
- I am not afraid of you, Nurbanu. I think you have bigger problems with Selimiye. Obviously you are not Selim's favourite anymore. - I told her and sarcastically laughed.
Nurbanu's face expression changed from happily to extremley nervously when I mentioned Selimiye.
- I am still mother of his four children. No one can stop the love between us. - Nurbanu said and raised her head in front of me.
- That is why he even kidnapped me to take me to his harem? - I asked her and started laughing.
- That is not true. Be aware of what are you saying. I won't let you tell those lies about me and Selim. - she told me really angrily.
- I didn't tell any lie. Even Sultan knows about it. Your love is so big, that he even named Selimiye after him, how much he loves her. - I smiled again at her, of course fake.
- I don't let anyone tell those things about me and my husband. Keep your mouth shut! - she yelled at me.
- Husband? I didn't know you are married? - I asked her surprised about what I have heard.
- If Bayezid only loved you as much as Selim loves me, he would marry you too. Yes, we are married. I am his Haseki Sultana. - Nurbanu raised her head proudly in front of me.
I stood up and came closer to her while I was laughing at her.
- I would like to congradulate you, but don't you know that its forbidden to Princes to marry? - I asked her laughingly. Her face expression changed again to very nervously. Like she shouldnt say that.
- Listen to me. You cant tell this to anyone. Nobody is going to believe you. - Nurbanu yelled at me.
- Why wouldnt they? You can't stop me from doing it. - I told her and laughed.
- This is the last time I am telling you. If you tell that to anyone, I will destroy all your closest ones. - she told me looking at me like she is ready to kill me.
- You arent powerful as much as you were before, Nurbanu. I am not afraid of you. - I told her.
At that moment, I turned around because I couldn't stand or listen to her anymore.
At that moment, Nurbanu took the vase that was standing on the desk and hit me on my head. After that, I dont remember what happened later.
I woke up in Ambulance. Many nurses were standing next to me. I saw Bayezid, Hurrem and Sultan Suleyman are also there.
I felt my head is hurting me so much. The pain was so hard I couldn't stand it anymore.
- My head... - I started telling him.
- You are fine now. Doctors made everything better so bleeding stopped. You fell through the steps in harem and hurted your head. Why didn't you take care of that? - Bayezid asked me which surprised me.
- No.. I didn't fell.. - I started saying, and everyone was looking confusedly at me.
- How do you mean you didn't fell? - Sultan Suleyman asked me. I was really confused what is he doing here. Why would he care for this what happened?
- I went to the chambers, and Nurbanu came to talk to me. Last thing I remember is her taking the vase and hit me in the head... - I told that and saw everyone is shocked.
- What? Are you sure what are you talking? - Sultan yelled, which made me kinda afraid of him.
- Why would I lie about this, Hunkarim? - I asked him.
Sultan and Hurrem left the Ambulance room immediatley. Bayezid signalised nurses to leave us two alone for some time.
He sat on bed next to me and kissed my forehead.
- My Aslihan, I knew that snake would do something bad to you. - he said being really angry on Nurbanu and sad for me.
- Bayezid, please take care of children. Don't let Nurbanu even come close to them. I am really afraid for Murad and Handan. - I told him and almost started crying.
- Shhh! Don't worry! They are with Mihrimah Sultana. She is taking care of them. - he told me which made me feel at least bit better.
- Bayezid, I found out something against them. That is why Nurbanu did this to me. She thought I will forget about it. - I told him with an excitement.
- What is that about? - he asked me with an interest.
- Selim and Nurbanu secretly married. - I told him.
What is going to happen next? Will Sultan believe Aslihan that Nurbanu did this to her? Will anyone find out about Selim and Nurbanu's secret wedding? Will they be punished because of it? Find out in next chapters.