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The next morning, Raziye took Dilruba with her to pay respect to Safiye Sultan. They were let into the Valide Suite, but the Sultana was not there. Instead there was Cennet Kalfa, who bowed to Raziye and Dilruba.

"Sultana," Cennet greets before looking at Dilruba. "Sultana. Safiye Sultan is not here at the moment."

"Where did she go? The weather outside is looking bad, she couldn't have gone outside." Raziye says. Cennet nods and leans before enough for only Raziye to listen.

"Sultana, Safiye Sultan was summoned by our Sultan." Cennet says quietly. Raziye looks at Dilruba and puts on a smile.

"My dearest Dilruba, why don't return to my chambers? I have Turkish delights and I had a servant bring some sherbet, help yourself." Raziye's says. Dilruba bows and walks to the doors. The doors close behind her and Raziye turns around to walk towards the couch. She sits down in her mother's spot with her hands folded on her lap.

"Why was she summoned then?" Raziye asks Cennet. Cennet shakes her head.

"I do not know, Sultana. Our Sultan sent word to see her outside the palace, to Hagia Sophia Mosque." Cennet says. Raziye looks away. Why? What was Ahmed up to?

"I have a bad feeling about this." Thunder started to be heard for outside, which made Raziye stand and walk towards the terrace. The clouds grew grey and the winds were cold.

"Does my mother know that Ahmed was almost assassinated last night?" Raziye asks. Cennet eyes widened, that was enough of an answer for Raziye.

"She does not, Sultana. What happened?" Cennet asks.

"Nevermind that now." Raziye shuts the down of the terrace and turns to around. Cennet steps to the side.

"Be sure to inform me when my mother returns." Raziye instructs the Kalfa. Cennet bows and Raziye walks away and out of the Valide Suite.














Dilruba giggled as Raziye brushed her hair. Raziye laid the brush down to braid Dilruba's hair and pin it to the back. Gulbahar stood beside them with a crown in her hand. Dilruba smiles when another servant held the mirror in front of her to be able to admire herself.

Raziye picks up the crown from Gulbahar and carefully placed it onto Dilruba's head. Dilruba smiles and stands. She twirls around as if she was dancing. She stopped twirling a d walks over to take Raziye's hand and kiss the top of it.

"Thank you, Aunt Raziye." Dilruba says and bows. Raziye plans a hand of the young Sultana's cheek and smiles.

"There is nothing to thank me for. Even if I had not done your hair, you would still be the pretty Sultana in tbe palace." Raziye says. Dilruba sits down and hugs Raziye, laying her head on Raziye's shoulder.

A knock came from the door and Raziye looks up. "Enter."

Menekse Hatun walks through the doors and bows. "Forgive me, Sultana. Halime Sultan ordered me to bring Dilruba back."

"Why, Meneske?" Dilruba asks. Meneske looks to Raziye behind looking to her feet.

"Halime Sultan is having the physician look over the health of he young prince and you, Sultana." Menekse says, stuttering just enough for Gulbahar to notice. Raziye looks to Dilruba and lays a hand on her back.

"Go along, Dilruba. You mustn't neglect your health." Raziye says. Dilruba nods and stands, giving a bow before walking out with Menekse Hatun.

Raziye was left alone with Gulbahar.

"Sultana..."

"Yes?"

"Do you not think it's strange for Halime Sultan to have the doctors check on the children's health?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean-after what had happened yesterday to the Sultan and now Halime Sultan has Menekse Hatun fetch Sehzade Mustafa and Dilruba Sultan. Not to mention that Menekse looked like she was hiding something." Gulbahar says.

"You do make a point, Gulbahar, but it could also be that she is simply don't as she is suppose to and protect the blood of this dynasty."

"We must be careful, Sultana." Raziye sighs and stands up.

"Let's pay a visit to Halime Sultan, just to be sure." Raziye says and Gulbahar nods, following close behind. The door opens again and a. Agha comes inside. He bows and keeps his eyes to the ground.

"Sultana, Safiye Sultan has returned."













Raziye entered the suite of her mother and searched around the room. She managed heard the sound of Bulbul Agha's voice.

"I swear, my Sultana, I'm completely baffled." Bulbul Agha says. Raziye walks forward carefully to where the voice was coming from. No one had seen her just yet. "There was an assassination attempt on our Majesty last night and we don't know about it. That's unheard of."

Raziye peaked inside to see her mother laying down as her ladies massage her head and hands. Bulbul Agha was mixing something up in a cup.

"Who, Bulbul?" Safiye asks. Raziye could hear the stress in her voice. "Who committed this treachery?"

"I have asked around, my Sultana. Nobody knows a thing." Bulbul says. Safiye waves for her ladies to leave. Raziye straightens up and walks into the room. Bulbul and the ladies bow as Raziye bows to her mother.

"Mother, are you not feeling well?" Raziye asks, pretending she hadn't heard them and only just arrived. Bulbul has Safiye the cup. Raziye sits beside her mother.

"Someone has started the fire of intrigue again." The Sultana downed it in one gulp. She cleared her throat and takes Raziye's hand. Squeezing it gently she continues. "Have no doubt, they will attempt to burn us first."

"My Sultana," Bulbul says. "Something crosses my mind but... Could this be a setup by Handan Sultan to antagonize you and our Majesty."

Raziye sat there and silently agreed. Bulbul had a point. As a way to frame Sehzade Mustafa and have his executed. What kind of evil would have an innocent child pay the consequences? If Handan was truly behind this: almost having Ahmed killed and trying to have Mustafa executed, Raziye will not allow her to live.

Safiye Sultan sat silently, thinking. That's what she was best at, analyzing everything. She turns her head away.

"Handan doesn't have a mind for such things. This could only be Halime's doing. And we broke her arm and wings." Safiye states. Raziye didn't wish to believe it. Mustafa was already safe, not to mention under Raziye's protection. Halime couldn't be stupid enough to ruin it all... right?

"But if it's as you say... I'll throw her first into the deep waters of Bosporus." Safiye threats. Raziye felt her mother tighten the grip on her hand.






UNCHECKED, SO... ERRORS.

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