____

WHEN WAKING up I didn't feel the presence of Sehzade Ibrahim any longer and I'm still wrapped in his robes but my hair is a mess, and my dress is cover in dirt and grass.

I groan and stand up and wipe off my gown, I take off Ibrahim's robe and I fold it neatly before I stroll back inside the palace.

As soon as I enter the harem I'm pulled aside by Hagi Agha.

I tug my arm from his tough grip and I roll my eyes, "what did I do now?" I ask putting my hands on my hips.

Hagi Agha hits my arm roughly, my eyes go wide with anger, "Why did you do that!" I whisper-shout.

Hagi Agha clicks his tongue, "when Kösem Sultana was on a stroll through the Imperial Park she saw Sehzade Ibrahim and yourself sleeping on the ground very close to each other, she woke up Ibrahim and sent him to his chambers but now she wants to speak with you, " he explains to me.

I almost drop Ibrahim's robe in shock, "w-what?" I say shockingly, "you want me to face Kösem Sultan? By myself!" I worryingly exclaim.

Hagi Agha chuckles and shrugs his shoulders nonchalantly, I let out a frustrated sigh, "let me put this down and I'll go to Kösem Sultana after, " I say holding Ibrahim's robe close to my chest as if I'm protecting it from all harm.

I walk over to my mattress cot and I look around to see if anyone is watching before hiding the robe behind my mattress cot.

I brush off my dress and I walk over to Hagi Agha and he explains the dangers of Kösem Sultan if I was to ever cross her.

It doesn't scare me because I've seen worst than Kösem Sultana, she's nothing compared to my father.

He'd hurt my mother so much because she forgot to go to the market some days or if she decided to stay home and help my sister study more because all my mother wanted was for us to live a life with the best possibilities that life could give.

I miss my siblings and mother, and as for my father...
Well, my father can rot in hell.

When we reach Kösem Sultana's chambers the Agha instantly open the doors as of they just knew I was there.

I'm pushed inside and when I look back Hagi Agha completely vanished.

Coward–

"Valide Sultana, " I say in an unsteady/nervous voice while bowing. After bowing I keep my eyes on the floor, no matter how not scared I am on Kösem doesn't mean she couldn't cut my head off any time she pleased.

Kösem sultana takes a deep breath in and sips some of her drink before look at me, "Do you want my son to die?" She asks with a calm tone.

I lift my head quickly, "My sultana–" I try to defend myself but she doesn't let me get a word in.

"Stay away from Ibrahim or your ending will be slow and painful..." She says and then gestures for her concubines to escort me out of her chambers! She barely let me speak or even defend my honor!

I cross my arms frustratedly, the door to Kösem Sultana's chambers slam shut making a very loud and creaky noise hurting my ear a ton.

____

When I get back to the harem I walk over to my mattress cot and I fall back frustratedly on it.

I sit back up and run my hands through my hair, I look around to see if anyone is looking at me and when I know it's clear I grab Ibrahim's robe, and I hold it close to my chest.

I smile at the memory of Ibrahim, I know I'm a concubine in sultan Murad's harem but I can't itch the feelings I have when I see Ibrahim.

I take a deep breath in and I put the robe back where it was. And just as I was about to get up and go check if Hagi Agha had any work for me a concubine that serves Gevherhan Sultana comes up to me.

I stand up with my hands behind my back, I raise my eyebrows, "Gülsima Hatun?" I say confused by her presence.

She smiles for a second, "Gevherhan sultana requested that you join her for a walk in the Imperial Park, " Gülsima says in a cheerful tone.

My face lights up with joy, I nod my head, and Gülsima leaves to go back to the gardens to inform Gevherhan Sultan of my acceptance.

I skip around for a bit before I fix my hair slightly and then I make my way to the Imperial Park.

WITH ARRIVING at the Imperial Park I see Gevherhan Sultana coming back from somewhere with a huge smile on her face making me even smile because I like seeing Gevherhan happy.

When Gevherhan Sultana sees me her cheerful smile widens.
I bow respectfully before we both continue to walk around the garden.

Gevherhan sighs and stops in her tracks, it takes me a few seconds to notice, and by then I'm a few steps away, I turn around and hurry back to her.

"My sultana? Are you feeling ill?" I ask in a worried tone, Gevherhan turns to me and smiles.

"I am fine Sofia, but I wanted to ask something of you, " she takes a deep breath in before continuing, "I would enjoy much if you would serve and be my personal Hatun, " she says softly.

My face shows my joy oh so clearly, I smile widely, "My sultana I will happily accept your request! You have been so kind to me when I am just a simple concubine!" I exclaim happily.

All of a sudden Gevherhan Sultan pulls me into a hug unexpectedly, I just stand there as Gevherhan hugs my body tightly, I slowly hug her back but a voice breaks the joyous moment up quickly.

I recognize the voice and I pull away from Gevherhan and turn to look who it is and I see Sehzade Ibrahim walking closer to us and my heart starts beating faster and for some reason, I feel my cheeks heat up and I can just tell that they're a bight rosy shade.

Gevherhan Sultan lets my body go and pulls Sehzade Ibrahim into a hug, when they both pull away Gevherhan Sultan moves back next to me, and Sehzade and I lock eyes for a moment.

I move my eyes from Ibrahim and I do a quick bow showing my respect, I can feel the prince's eyes on me the whole time making my heart speed up even more.

Gevherhan eyes us both with a smirk on her face, "I suppose I should go check on my boy, " she says referring to her son.

I sigh, "I guess I should go with you now that–" I say but Gevherhan holds her hand up stopping me from saying any more.

"You seemed to get along with the Sehzade the other night, so why don't you two take a walk together?" She suggested.

I look over at Sehzade Ibrahim to see that he has already been looking at me. I take a deep breath in and shrug my shoulders.

"It depends if the Sehzade is okay with it, " I say locking eyes with Ibrahim.

"I guess it would be fine, " he says not taking his eyes off me.

I blush softly look down at the ground, I hear Gevherhan Sultana's footsteps walking away and I lift my head to look at Ibrahim.

He comes to my side as we begin to walk together and for many moments there is an uncomfortable silence.

"It's so beautiful today, " I speak up as I admire the beauty of the Imperial Park.

I hear Sehzade Ibrahim chuckle making me lift my gaze from the park and look at him.

"What are you laughing about now?" I ask raising my eyebrows, Ibrahim stops and turns to me.

"You, " he says with a chuckle.
I scoff rolling my eyes, "you're laughing at me for admiring a beautiful place?" I ask confusingly.

Ibrahim walks in front of me and stops when he's looking me directly in the eyes. "I'm laughing at how adorable you are, " he admits in a soft tone.

My cheeks turn a bright red color and I try to contain my smile but I just can't help myself! Sehzade Ibrahim is so charming he just makes my heart and mind go crazy.

"Look, I even have you turning red, " he jokes gesturing to my face.

I quickly raise my hands quickly and I cover my cheeks, "leave me be, " I pout.

Ibrahim takes a step closer to me and grabs my hands, "do not hide your beauty, " he says kissing my hand.

I feel my cheeks getting warmer by the second, Sehzade Ibrahim slowly pulls me closer.

"Sehzade this isn't right–" I say but my mind doesn't feel the same, I could care less if what I was doing was wrong, but I know Ibrahim would suffer way more than I would, he'd die just like his brothers and i'd just be sent to the old palace.

Ibrahim takes a deep breath in, he puts to fingers under my chin, and smiles, "I'm afraid, mainly terrified because I never will know when my days will end, and I couldn't sleep for the longest time, " Ibrahim explains to me.

"Why are you telling me this, " I ask not taking my eyes off of Ibrahim.

He takes a breath in before answering, "because that night in the park changed it all, when we talked that night I felt safe and protected for some odd reason, and I slept through the night with no bad dreams waking me, " he admits making me smile.

"I-I don't know w-w-hat to say–" I say stuttering over my words, Ibrahim places two fingers under my chin and lifts it up so that our eyes are burning into each other.

"Kiss me, " he simply says making me pause for a second, "Sehzade it is forbidd–"

All of a sudden I feel Ibrahim's lips connect with mines, his hands trail down to my waist clinging onto my hips. I slowly rest my hands on his cheeks deepening the kiss.

He removes his lips from mines pecking my lips one last time,
I just stop for a second to realize what had just happened.

"This was a mistake, " I mutter taking a step away from him, "this is the same way your poor brother died, this cannot go on, " I say as I wipe my lips.

"Sofia–" Ibrahim says stepping closer to me and tries to grab my arm, I pull my arm away looking at him.

"Why are you not fearful! You know what happened to your brother and how the Sultan showed no mercy!" I raise my voice starting to get frustrated.

Ibrahim puts both his hands on my shoulders to stop me from pulling away, "Because when I'm around you I am protected from my fears, " he admits in a soft tone making me calm down just a bit.

"But Sehzade–"

"Be here at tomorrow nightfall and I will be waiting for you, we can talk things over with no worries of getting caught, " He says placing a hand on my cheek.

I bit my lip for a second stopping to think.

I take a deep breath in and nod, "Alright, but we must be careful, I wouldn't want anything to happen to you, " I say with a delicate smile.

Ibrahim's face lights up with joy and before I know it he smashes his lips onto mines once more.

I giggle at his behavior.

Sehzade Ibrahim.
My Sehzade Ibrahim.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Is this story going two fast-paced?