- Haci-aga, I need to ask you something important. - I said to Haci as I saw him standing at the corner of the Harem.

- You want to excuse yourself to Kosem Sultana because of your intolerate behaviour? - Haci asked me and he sounded really annoying to me, but I knew he is the only one who can help me.

- Haci-aga, Murad Bey told me I must tell you that you need to help me to return to him. - I said to him as he was my last hope.

Haci didn't answer on my question, he just started laughing at me which made me really confused at that moment.

- I don't know any Murad Bey, Hatun. Maybe you had weird dream about that. - Haci said as he started making fun of him.

I couldn’t believe what just happened. Murad lied to me. Haci can't help me. Why would he lie to me? Why he kissed me? Why he promised me that he would marry me?

At that moment, one woman came in Harem and everyone bowed down to her including Haci-aga. I was confued who is that woman and why should I bow to her? I thought we should bow only to Sultan and Kosem Sultan?

- What kind of disrespect is this, slave? How you can't bow down to me? - Woman dressed in light pink dress with little crystals said to me.

Haci-aga looked at me madly and signalised me to bow to that lady what I did then.

- Sultana, excuse me, she came to Harem today. She doesnt know the rules. - Haci said to her trying to make things better.

- So, she is new concubine in Sultan Murad's harem? - the Lady asked Haci and seemed pretty disappointed in that.

- Yes. - Haci said and the whole situation was quite awkward. That Lady walked closer to me and measured me from head to toe.

- You shouldn't have high hopes, Sultan Murad is with me. I am Baş Haseki, he won't want any other woman than me. - she said with her head raised.

- That is not in my interest. - I said to her and rolled with my eyes. Why would this young lady be with Sultan? Murad also told me Sultan is old and fat and why would young ladies fight for his attention?

Lady left the Harem and Haci aga signalised me to follow him to the Harem Gardens where he could talk with me alone.

- Aleksandra, I know you are new here, but you must learn. I got orders that I must teach you everything about Harem. - Haci-aga said to me and this time he seemed pretty nice towards me.

- But Haci-aga, Murad Bey told me you will help me. Why do you act like you don't know who is he? - I asked him as I was really sad and I couldn't believe Murad lied to me.

- Listen Aleksandra. I don't know who is Murad Bey. You have time to learn all the rules until Sultan returns. They went on Cyprus and he will be back in around two months. In meanwhile, Kosem Sultana will learn you some of the rules. - Haci said to me calmly.

- But why her? I don't want to see that woman and I don't want to see that old fat Sultan. - I said to Haci as I was really hurt because of everything what happened of Murad Bey.

- Who said to you that Murad Bey is fat and old? - Haci asked me and started laughing as he is making fun of me.

- Murad Bey told me that. - I said to him but I thought I maybe shouldn't because that may send him into the trouble, but anyways he deserved it as he lied to me and gave me fake hope.

- Forget about Murad Bey. He lied to you. You must know how to act in Harem. When you see Kosem Sultana you have to bow to her, but you also have to bow to Sultan's wives, sisters and children. - Haci-aga said to me.

- And who was that woman that started yelling on me in Harem? - I asked him.

- It was Ayse Sultan. She is first wife of Sultan Murad and mother of his two children. You have to bow to her when you see her, I don't want you to repeat the same mistakes. - Haci said to me.

- Fine, I understood. But what will happen with my sister? - I asked him.

- Kosem Sultana will send her to Şehzade Ibrahim. She will be with him there and serve him. - Haci-aga said to me.

- Who is Şehzade Ibrahim? - I asked him curiously as I had no idea who that could be.

- He is youngest son of Kosem Sultana. He is in Kafes because Sultan Murad was afraid he could take his throne. - Haci said to me.

- Now I have a lot of work to do. Be aware what are you doing in Harem. - Haci said to me and left the Gardens.

I had no idea what should I do now so I decided to go around the Palace. I followed the way in little hallways which were on every side.

Soon, I realised I lost. I had no idea where I was or how to return to the Harem.

I was walking down a narrow aisle when I suddenly saw the brick door half open. It looked like it was some passage in the wall, something I hadn’t seen in the palace before. I couldn’t resist my curiosity so I went inside. Through the dark hallway I came to a beautiful garden, which seemed to be a secret. Already at the entrance there was the smell of jasmine.

I made sure there was no one in that garden and went inside. I came to the edge of the garden where the fence stood, and from there was a view of the Bosphorus. I have never in my life seen a more beautiful place than this.

- How did you manage to come here? - I heard a familiar male voice speak to me. It cut me off at that moment. That was Murad.

- Murad? - I turned to him and was overwhelmed with happiness when I saw him. I don’t know when was the last time in my life I felt this happy. He didn't lie, though. He came for me after all.

- You see I didn't lie to you. I wouldn't break my promises. - he said as he walked towards me. I could not see in him the happiness of seeing me, what happiness he could see in me because I see him.

- Did you come for me? - I asked him, stepping toward him. I wanted to hug him, but I could see he was cold.

He came even closer to me and only then smiled at me. He looked like something was bothering him. He took my hand and kissed it gently.

- The Sultan decided to go on a campaign. I can't take you now. When we all get back, then I'll pick you up. I promise you. - He told me as he tried to sound as gentle as possible so not to make me sad. But it saddened me, it meant I would have to spend another 2 months in the harem waiting for him.

- But how am I going to last here any longer? I hate this place. - I told him sadly and then he hugged me.

- Aleksandra, If you really love me, you will wait for me. I'll be back in two months. And then, when you find out that the Sultan has come, you will come here. This is the only place in the Palace where I can see you. - He told me and kissed me on the forehead.

- I will wait for you, Murad. - I said to him and gave him a smile. The fact that I know at least he will return, made me me happy and gave me hope to survive those two months in Harem.

- Don't repeat such quarrels with Kosem Sultana again. It will only hurt you,  Sultana wants to teach you the rules. Be with her and be patient. If you need anything, Haci is here for you. He will teach you everything. Don't put problems around your neck here. - He told me and kissed me on the forehead for the last time.