...

The next morning arrived and the sound of crashes and things breaking came from inside the suite of Raziye Sultan. Aghas and Hatun servants trembled at the sound, wanting desperately to enter and calm their mistress, but they were afraid for their lives. Gulbahar stood among them and took a breathe.

"Open the door." Gulbahar tells the Aghas. They look at each other for a moment but open nevertheless. Gulbahar enters quietly and shuts the door. She saw Raziye flip the table over in anger. Clothes scattered on the floor, the bed unmade, crystal shattered in piece, and a red-faced angry Sultana. Gulbahar got onto her knees and bows. "Sultana, I beg you to calm down."

"Calm down? HOW DO YOU EXPECT ME TO CALM DOWN WHEN MY NEPHEW AND NIECE ARE NOWHERE TO BE FOUND!" Raziye yells. The news hit her hard. As of early morning, news came that Halime Sultan had disappeared in the middle of the night with her children. How could Raziye not be angry? This action only proves that Halime could have been the one to almost assassinate Ahmed. This action could implicate Mustafa. This action could cause Mustafa to lose his life.

Raziye collapsed onto the floor and Gulbahar quickly rushed to her. "Sultana!"

"How could she be so stupid?" Raziye asks in a muttering tone. Gulbahar held her Sultana to keep her from harm herself in any way. "How could she risk the lives of her children again?"

"Sultana— Raziye, please do not harm your health. They will be found soon." Gulbahar whispers soothingly.

"That's what I'm most worried of, Gulbahar." Raziye mutters and turns to look at her close confidant. "When they are found, Ahmed will imprison Halime and Handan will not let Mustafa live."

Raziye looks away and lets a few tears slip out from the pain she felt in her heart. It felt like Mahmud all over again. If Mustafa, innocent Mustafa, is sentenced to death, it will kill Raziye this time. She couldn't bear it the first time, if it were to happen a second time, she would not handle it. Gulbahar gently stood Raziye up and walked her to sit down on the bed. Raziye allowed her body to hit the mattress. Her head hit the pillow and she shut her eyes. Gulbahar gently strokes Raziye's hair in an attempt to calm her down.

"Please rest, Sultana." Gulbahar whispers softly. Raziye's eyes open and she sits up.

"No. No, I have to go to Ahmed. I have to plead to him to find Mustafa and Dilruba and bring them back safely." Raziye stood up with Gulbahar following and they open the doors. The servants outside scatter to the sides and bow as Raziye rushes pass them. Raziye had only one destination in mind. The Sultan's chamber.

Raziye was ready to turn the finally corner when she heard the voice of Bulbul Agha up ahead. She stopped walking and waited to see what was happening. In front of her she saw Dervish Pasha, Bulbul Agha, and Reyhan Agha. Dervish pulled Bulbul by his clothes aggressively. He had a threatening look on his face when he looks at Bulbul.

"I'm not only Chief Guard, I'm the Sultan's first companion," Dervish pushes Bulbul harshly and circles behind the two Aghas, though not yet seeing Raziye. "...his eyes and his ears. I represent his will, do you understand?"

She saw Bulbul gave a little nod. Raziye clears her voice as a way to catch their attention. The three servants of the palace turn and see Raziye standing there with a grim look on her face. They all bow from the waist as Raziye walks forward slightly.

"Instead of standing here and trying to assert your dominants to the eunuchs in the palace, Dervish Pasha, you should be out there in the city find the prince and sultanas." Raziye stares down Dervish.

"I promise you, Sultana. We will not stop until Halime Sultan and her children are safely returned to the palace." Dervish spoke out.

"Good because I expect nothing less. Trust me when I say that many heads will roll if they are not found." Raziye walks forth and pokes Dervish in the chest. "Starting with yours."

No one said anything. Dervish bows his head. Bulbul swells up with pride, proud to see the daughter of his grand Sultana so strong. Bulbul bows to Raziye as she walks past to enter Ahmed's room.

The guards at the door bow and allow Raziye to enter.

The doors open wide and Raziye walks in and bows to Ahmed. Handan Sultan was there and bows to Raziye. Ahmed saw the redness on Raziye's face and quickly ushers her to stand.

"Raziye, what is wrong?" Ahmed bring her to sit on the bed and Raziye lets out a gasp. She eyes Handan before looking back at Ahmed. Ahmed looks at his mother.

"Mother, can you please wait in the terrace?" Handan looks at Raziye and wanted to protest from leaving, but Ahmed looks at her sternly. Handan turns around and walks outside to leave Raziye and Ahmed alone.

"Ahmed, you have to find my niece and nephew." Raziye pleased with a tear slipping out. Ahmed brings Raziye close to his chest and holds her with a hug. "They are so young, they must be so scared right now. Please, I beg you—"

Raziye couldn't finish her sentence when she let out another gasp and felt the fear of losing someone dearly. Ahmed places a hand on Raziye's head and looks at her.

"Calm down, Raziye. They will be back in the palace, I can promise you that."

"Promise me that you will not blame Mustafa for this, Ahmed. He is only a child, he's not to blame for this." Raziye pleads. Ahmed sat silently, no words to say. Raziye stood and backed away before getting on her knees and bowing down. Ahmed tried to stop her, but Raziye resisted. "Sultan Ahmed, I beg you not to blame Prince Mustafa for the action that Halime Sultan took. Please promise me Mustafa will not be punished for this." Raziye grabs the robe of Ahmed's and kisses it. She did not plead for Dilruba, she did not have to. Dilruba would be safe for being born a daughter but Mustafa was a threat to Ahmed's reign.

Ahmed finally got Raziye to her feet and pulls her in for a hug to calm her. "I—I promise." Ahmed says, to relieve Raziye of the worrying. Raziye gasps in relief. She pulls away from Ahmed's embrace and bows again.

"Thank you." Raziye says. Ahmed brings Raziye to sit on his bed. She was still breathing heavily and it worried Ahmed. He pulled her close and rubbed me back gently.

"You must calm down, Raziye. They couldn't have gone far. Why don't you return to your chambers and rest for a while. I'll send someone if there is any news."

"No, I can't rest. I'm too anxious." Raziye spoke quietly.

"I know, but I'm worried about you. Gulbahar!" Ahmed calls out. The doors open and Gulbahar rushes in and bows. "Take your mistress to her chambers and have her rest. Have the imperial physician make some sort of concoction to help her sleep." Ahmed passed Raziye for Gulbahar to take. She slowly stood the Sultana up and bows before heading towards the door. The doors open and Raziye turns her head to looks at Ahmed one last time. She looked at him, sadness in her eyes, as if she knew something he didn't. She looks away and leaves the room without another word.

On the walk back Raziye looks forward and mutters.

"He stuttered..." Gulbahar looks at her mistress in confusion. "He stutters when he lies."