They had shared the refreshments before dinner was served, now they were enjoying time out on the balcony, overlooking the Ottoman Empire.
Melekşima couldn't help but let a small smirk danced across her face, as she noticed Hürrem Sultan on her balcony, that once belonged to Hatice Sultan.
The Sultan had been calling his Kadins or Gülfem Hatun as of late, allowing Melekşima alone to do whatever she wanted- well not exactly whatever she wanted.
There they were, Suleiman with a book of poems and reading his favourite ones, lightly stroking her hair. Melekşima wanted to turn and face him, but the way she was laying, it was impossible without being uncomfortable.
Sleep was creeping up on her, she was becoming more and more exhausted duets being pregnant, fortunately the baby had settled down from kicking or moving to much; only giving a small kick every once in awhile.
Suleiman had laughed when the baby kicked where his hand was, he whispered small prayers in Turkish, praying to Allah that the baby comes out strong.
"Mahidevran Sultan is in good spirits." Melekşima spoke, nonchalantly as she slightly yawned. "She has been lavishing the your Cariyes and Gözde with gifts ever since you approved her grant."
He glanced over from the book, searching her face for something- jealousy?
"And how do you feel about that?" His tone did not sound assuming, though she knew he was wondering if she was jealous, maybe even demand something for herself, like Hürrem had.
Melekşima lifted her head. "May I be honest, Suleiman?"
He nodded, she nibbled on her bottom lip, schooling her expression well, perhaps this was a difference between Hürrem and herself?
"I am happy for Mahidevran, she deserves to dispense charity and earn prayers in return, as the mother of the first Şehzade, she is expected to show that she's charitable to those less fortunate." Melekşima explained, with all seriousness. "There has been rumours circling the Harem that Mahidevran had lost all your favour ever since Hürrem became your Ikbal then Kadin."
Suleiman closed the book suddenly, Melekşima quickly bowed her head. "I apologize if I spoke out of turn, my Lord."
He then touched her face, making her head rise. "You asked to be honest, Melekşima, and you given it. I have heard the rumours as well, even though many believe that they never reach my ears, Aghas do talk amongst eachother as well."
Letting out a small sigh, Melekşima returned to lie in Suleiman's lap, allowing him to resume playing with her hair.
"Do you not wish for something for yourself?" Suleiman spoke a few moments later, still pressing on the subject they spoke about earlier.
"Eventually." Melekşima replied, yawning again. "Everyone desires to be charitable if the oppunity arises, but I am fine as I am now. All I wish for is to have a happy hour and have my babe in my arms. Perhaps when our child is older."
Suleiman seemed a little shocked by her answer, Melekşima was indeed different, from his very own self serving Vizers and the like, even his own women only thinking of themselves and their children's inheritance. He came to doubt anyone that even remotely sounded truthful, after years of people using his favor to gain status.
___________
Melekşima was kept in the Sultan's company for almost a full week, when she returned to the Harem, escorted back by Sümbal Agha since Işmilah and Eşmahan had been called back to the Harem to attend their duties.
Sümbal Agha scampered off in some direction the moment Melekşima step foot into the Harem's main room, soon the pregnant Hatun was crowded.
Halimë pushed her way through the crowd, glaring at some of the girls that seem too eager or overexcited for gossip. "Did you go back to the Sultan's bed?" A girl from Croatia asked, her eyes filled with awe and shock.
"Because it is forbidden! She not share his bed, especially in her state!" A Gözde hissed, eyeing Melekşima up and down.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Melekşima asked, growing annoyed by the constant meddling.
"According to the Valide Sultan," Hayrünnisa, a concubine in the Valide's service spoke up. "Once you are pregnant, you are off limits to the Sultan until you give birth."
Melekşima rolled her eyes. "He only wished to have company, what happens in the Sultan's chambers stays there."
"Why are you all crowding around Melekşima?" Gül Agha demanded, everyone gave him a brief curtsey, some stammered excuses whilst the rest scampered off to seem busy elsewhere. "Back to your tasks, now. Hurry! Hurry!"
He then turned to face Melekşima, eyes falling onto Halimë. "Do you not have anything to do?" He spoke, chastising her 'laziness', as he called it.
"Valide Sultan has organised Halimë Hatun to be in my service, Gül Agha. If you have any problems with that, then do take it up with her." Melekşima replied, a little hotly, since she was still annoyed by the girl's meddling before.
"Hürrem Sultan has called for you, best you hurry."
Melekşima arched an eyebrow towards the man. "I cannot. I am feeling unwell, I was heading to the Harem doctor."
First she was harried by meddlesome Cariyes, now a persistent Agha, she really did not have the patience to deal with a bothersome Kadin.
Gül Agha suddenly took hold of Melekşima's upperarm firmly, he was going to drag her there willingly or not. "It is not wise to deny Hürrem Sultan."
"Unhand her, Gül Agha!" Halimë hissed, reaching out to remove Melekşima from his grip. "If you do not, I shall scream the palace down!"
"Can you really afford to antagonise Hürrem Sultan anymore than you already have? She is the brightest star of the Harem!" He hissed, low enough for Melekşima to only hear. "She will be the future Valide Sultan, her will is supeme."
"That is where you are wrong, Gül Agha." Melekşima hissed back, almost wishing to slap his face. "Suleiman's will is supeme, Valide Sultan's will is supeme, Hatice Sultan's will is supeme. But neither Mahidevran, Hürrem or myself have the right to provoke their ire or cause trouble for those living here."
Melekşima was still in his iron grip when Hatice Sultan's voice called out, harshly. "Gül Agha!"
There standing by the entrance of the main room of the Harem was Hatice Sultan with her entourage, Mahidevran Sultan was beside her, holding Şehzade Mustafa's hand and Gülfem Hatun was to the left of Hatice; all eyes on them.
Gül Agha's grip on Melekşima was released quickly, he then put a small arm's length between them, stuttering out excuses that made no sense and were mainly incoherent.
Gülfem beckoned Melekşima to approach them, Hatice's gentle hands holding the Hatun's shoulders, scanning her for any injuries before turning attention back towards the offending Agha.
The Valide made her appearance, with Daye Hatun right behind her along with Nigar Kalfa. "What is happening here?"
"My Valide, Melekşima Hatun had just returned to the Harem after spending time with the Sultan, there Gül Agha approached saying that Hürrem Sultan had demanded her presence, but we were actually heading the Harem doctor as Melekşima Hatun feels extremely exhausted as of late, so she is worried about the child in her womb." Halimë explained quickly, not giving the Agha time to come up with some believable excuse.
"Gül Agha did not like my answer, my Valide and he even threatened me that it was unwise to deny Hürrem Sultan, could I even afford to antagonise her even more than I already have and that Hürrem Sultan's will is supeme within the Harem."
Gül Agha lifted his head, looking at Melekşima with such ire, he quickly glanced back to floor since they were not alone.
This scandal wouldn't be so bad if Melekşima was a simple concubine, but she was not, Melekşima Hatun was the mother of the Sultan's future child; which meant any offence towards her or the child was offence to the Sultan.
"Aghas!" Valide barked, within seconds, two were at her side, bowing their heads but ready to comply with whatever she demanded.
Gül Agha began to stutter out apologies but none was heeded. "Give Gül Agha one hundred foot lashings and then place him in the dungeon to think over his conduct."
The two Aghas acted quickly, grabbing the still stuttering man, who struggled a bit then screamed out apologies which gained the attention of the second Kadin.
Hürrem was quick to come down from her high perch, curtseying briefly at the Sultanas but gave Melekşima a small look, she seemed rather distressed.
"Where did you drag Gül Agha to? What has he done to deserve such treatment?" Hürrem demanded, upset from witnessing her loyal severant being dragged away, her eyes landed on Melekşima. "What did you do?"
Valdie gave her a serious, angry look which spoke volumes of what she had witnessed.
"Gül Agha overstepped his position by threatening Melekşima." Mahidevran Sultan spoke, slightly enjoying Hürrem's discomfort. "Such behaviour towards the Sultan's Ikbal from a harem servant is unacceptable."
Melekşima swore to Allah that she could see the wheels in Hürrem's mind turn, plotting.
"He would never dare! What did you accuse him of now?" Hürrem spoke, clearly now addressing Melekşima. "Why are you lying?"
Melekşima knew this game, back when she was Anastasia, she saw her father use this tactic against her mother when a servant would disrespect her.
Not having none of the Russelana's games, Hatice Sultan's eyes narrowed. "We all saw Gül Agha have a hold of Melekşima's arm, whispering furiously, naturally his behaviour was threatening and suspicious." She spoke, arching sn eyebrow to dare Hürrem to question her story.
Hürrem wanted to defend her servant, but there were too many witnesses against him, Gül Agha never shyed away to show his favor and loyalty towards the Second Kadin; even though he was supposed to be neutral within the Harem.
And now, because of this careless act,his was paying for it.
"He did nothing wrong." Hürrem replied, before walking of in the direction the Aghas dragged her servant.
Melekşima suddenly felt light headed, all her engery was used to defend herself from Hürrem and her lackeys, soft feminine hands grabbed her other side; Melekşima glanced up to see that it was Gülfem Hatun.
Daye Hatun's hands immediately went to Melekşima's forehead, it was cool against her warm skin.
"She's pale." Mahidevran commented, sounding worried. "She should go see the Harem doctor."
Valdie Sultan nodded in agreement. "Daye Hatun."
"Yes, my Sultana." Daye Hatun bowed her head, then motioned for Halimë and Işmilah to take her weight from Hatice's and Gülfem's shoulders.
And just like that, Melekşima was in the Harem's infirmary, it was all a blur. All Melekşima could remember was little information that the doctor stated, low blood sugar and stress were mainly the two things she heard.
Suleiman made his appearance in the infirmary, Hürrem had pleaded for Gül Agha be released from the dungeon, overthrowing his Valide's orders. He had a feeling that there was more to the story, Hürrem was trying to paint Melekşima in a bad light, which soured his good mood, he then got the full story from Hatice, Mahidevran, Valide and Melekşima's concubines Halimë and Işmilah.
The Harem doctor had just given Melekşima some calming concoction, which tasted foul and soon the pregnant Hatun was asleep, Suleiman spent a good hour quizzing the doctor about Melekşima's health and that of the baby.
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