The maids serve the food as I sat down opposite to Mehmed ignoring him as I was lost deep in my thoughts.

He cleared his throat before sending those girls out saying we will serve ourself. 

“So, what are you thinking?” He asked as he broke the bread in the middle and pass me the other half which I took it gladly.

“Sumbul agha said that Handan Sultan died when you were only four. Does that mean there is twenty years age gap between you and Hümaşah Sultan?” I asked curiously making him choke on the bread. I handed him water while rubbed his back.

“Where did that question came from?” He asked as soon as he recovered.

I glance at the door before leaning in close to Mehmed. “Sumbul agha told me that Hafsa Sultan is marrying Fatma Sultan off to David pasha forcefully.”

He nodded. “So?”

“When I asked him why can't she just say no, he said that she is a woman, a Sultana who live under the shadow of their Valide and the Sultan so they can't.”

I continued after a pause. “So, I became confused and asked if Hümaşah Sultan was also married off forcefully because it doesn't look she told was forced. I can see her love for Zülfikar pasha. I saw the way they look at each other. She surely wasn't forced. Then he replied, Handan Sultan was a kind and a caring mother unlike Hafsa Sultan so, she allowed Hümaşah Sultan to marry whoever she want.”

He nodded again. “So?”

I back away from him and sat back straight with an unimpressed look, not satisfied with his short answer.

“He said Handan Sultan died when you were four. Then how did Handan Sultan allowed Hümaşah Sultan to marry the man of her choice not unless there is twenty years age gap between you two.”

He shook his head with a scowl. “No. We are only five years apart. When Hümaşah Sultan was born, my late Valide promised that she would let her marry the man of her choice unlike other Sultanas. Valide even wrote it in her will before she died.” He said with so much emotions that I felt sad for him. I wish his mother was still alive.

I put my hand over his hand and gave it a light squeeze offering him a smile.

“I don't need your sympathy.” He said and I scowl at him.

“I didn't gave you one.” I said in a duh tone pulling back my hand. He chuckled at me before digging in into his food.

“So, what was Şehzade Orhan telling you earlier.” I asked as I dipped a piece of bread into the honey before putting it inside my mouth.

“About Fatma. She doesn't want to marry Davud pasha so, she wanted us all to talk to His majesty.” He replied and I nodded.

“So, did you talk with him?”

He nodded. “His grace said that, Davud pasha is a good man and there is no better match for Fatma than him.”

“But she does not want to marry him.” I said with a frown. What kind of shit is this. If she doesn't what to marry that guy, why are they forcing her.

He let out a sigh before wiping his mouth with a clean towel. “We can't do anything, Andria. It's Hafsa Sultan who wants Fatma to marry Davud pasha and I know why.”

“Why?” I asked in a low tone.

“She wants to kill me and Selim. She want Orhan to be on the throne instead of Selim after my father.” He spat viciously. “She tried to poison Selim and drown me when we were kids but luckily my sister, Hümaşah Sultan saved us. She even once manipulated my father into thinking Selim was not worthy for the throne.”

“If Davud pasha marry Fatma, Hafsa Sultan will beg His majesty to remove Lala Mehmet pasha and keep Davud pasha as his grand vizier. And if His majesty agree to that, they together will form a good evil team and kill both Selim and me and put Orhan as the crown prince.”

I sat there quietly listening to him. I knew Hafsa Sultan was a witch but didn't knew could try to kill them too. Maybe the rumours were right, maybe she killed Handan Sultan.

I sip on the drinks as I stare at the blank space looking at nothing.

“Andria.” Mehmed called out and I turn my head towards him. “Stay away from Orhan.”

I furrowed my eyebrows. “Why?”

“Just.” He replied and I nodded.

Even if he begged me to stay with him I could never anyway.

We're we sitting silently enjoying our drinks when my eyes fell on the silver thing underneath the bed. I crawl towards it before picking it up.

It was a silver ring with a ruby.

“What is it?” Mehmed asked as he crawled and sat down behind me. I shrugged and turn back to show him the ring which he took it from my hands examining it.

“This. . . . how could it be here.” He said as look at the ring curiously.

“Who's is it?” I asked glancing between him and the ring.

“It was my Valide's ring. She gave it to Selim on her death bed. She wanted the next Haseki Sultan to wear it.” He said as he look at me. We kept on looking at each other with werid expression.

I gulped. “Then how is it here.”

What if it was Selim who sent those assassins to kill Mehmed?

No. It can't be. Impossible.

“What if it was him who . . . .”

“Mehmed, he is your brother. He'll never do that.” I said as I shook my head at him.

“Andria, brothers killing each other for the throne is common. What if he see's me as a threat?” He said and I shoke my head at him.

“Ok then, will you kill your brothers too if you were to ascend the throne?”

“No. Never. I promised my father and my sister that even if I ascend the throne, I'll never kill any of my brothers. . . . . unless they rebel against me.” He said the last with no emotion and I instantly knew who he was talking about.

I placed my hand on his shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. “Don't worry Mehmed. You're not alone. I'm with you. You saved my life twice and I never forget those who help me.”

He look into my eyes with so many emotions dangling on his eyes that I just want to dive deep into his soul and get lost while exploring it.

I pulled my hand away and looked away from him feeling uncomfortable under his gaze.

He cleared his throat and stood up.

“Hümaşah Sultan is coming and she wants to meet you and Sadika Hatun.” He said and I look up at him.

“Sadika Hatun?But Sumbul agha said she was in Manisa with Şehzade Selim.” I asked. He offered his hand which I took it and he pulled me up.

“Yes. She was in Manisa. Selim is coming to go to war with the Sultan so she'll be staying here. They'll be here by the evening.”

“Will you be going with them too?”

He look at me before shaking his head. “No. I can't go with them. Not now. I'll be going back to Konya after they go and. . . . they'll go after Fatma's wedding which is in one week.”

I nodded my head as I took in the new information. “Ok. So, your the governor of Konya. Nice.”

And suddenly I remember something. “Does that mean I have to go with you?”

He rolled his eyes. “Of course. Isn't that obvious.”

Of course. What a dumb question, Andria.