||Nemiah||

I carried the rolls of fabrics in my arms, heading toward Sultana Mihimirah's room. I still couldn't focus after last night, the bargain I had maid with the Sultan. The trick he pulled last night. No one ever bargains with a royal member. Or at least that's what I believe.

{Flashback}

"What is exactly your proposition, Mustafa?" I leaned back on my hand as I watched his eyes glance down on me.

"Here is what I suggest. If I am to follow boundaries, then you have to follow my rules as well. If not, then neither of us will get what we want. "

I laughed in amusement. "And, What is it my Sultan, that you think I could possibly want? I have many wishes but I can't have them all come true."

"I know that you want freedom, Nemiah." I couldn't hide the look of hope on my face. He seen it clearly and smiled at me, something deep inside of me turning a bit..in a good way. "Unfortunately, the freedom you want to leave the castle cannot happen."

And there went my hope.

"But I can promise you freedom through our village..with an escort and freedom around the palace. Is that so bad?" Mustafa chuckled lightly. "In exchange, you have to stay in my chambers, here with me at night until I leave for our campaign. "

I looked at him in disbelief, before I  stood up to leave but he stood up as well and took my hand, pulling me back his way before he snaked his arm around my waist and pulled my close. My breath left my body as I looked at him confused. "Do we have a deal Nemiah?"

Did we? Freedom was freedom, I suppose. I didn't pay attention to the space that was closing between us, our bodies nearly touching as his face leaned near mine. "Deal." I realized he was trying to kiss me and I moved away, my cheeks flushed as I curtsied and hurried out of the room.

{END of Flashback}

My cheeks grew warm at the memory and I tried to ignore the thoughts that came to my mind. I entered the Sultana's room and set the fabrics down on the bed, smiling as I curtsied a little. "Sultana. Looking gorgeous as usual."

Mihimirah looked my way and beamed when she seen the fabrics. "Thank you Nemiah, but you are a rose in the garden as well. I'm surprised you haven't been married off by Mahidevran herself. "

"Well..she actually tried but uh..uhm.."I fidgeted with one of the fabrics before holding up the green apple fabric. "I think this would look lovely on you, Sultana."

Mihimirah noticed I changed the subject and dismissed her other handmaid, before she sat on her couch. "Unfortunately I didn't get to make an appearance, due to my appearance at the spare cabin with Rustem. Now, come. Tell me what happened at dinner?"

I caught her up on everything that happened, and I could tell her eyes were bewildered. "Nemiah, you can't bargain with Mustafa, he is a sultan-"

"He chose to Bargain. It is too much nonsense I think?" I waved my hand.

"Does anyone else know about this?" She asked quietly.

"No, my Sultana. Just you and him. But..I want to ask you but something I overheard your mother speaking so consistently about. "I laid my hands in my lap. "Your mother mentioned that apparently whoever has a grandchild will become Valide, is that true? Is that why so many festivities have been happening?"

Mihimirah only smiled and her eyes met mine. "Unfortunately..it is. Mehmet has already laid with another concubine, and we are waiting on news for her to conceive a child. She hasn't showed symptoms yet, so I doubt she is with child..but who knows what Allah has in store."

She tilted her head at me, before she spoke again. "Where do you sleep?"

I tucked a piece of hair behind my ear." Unfortunately, I still remain in the same sleeping quarters as the other concubines, but Mustafa speaks as though he is going to move me to another room. "

"Nonsense. Unless you are a favorite, then you will take my old handmaids room in here with mine. I was fixing to find another concubine anywho. You can keep me updated on everything that goes on."

I gave her a strange look. "On everything?"

Mihimirah stared me down. "Yes..on everything. If you are to lay with Mustafa, you must alert me so we can keep watch on you. I do not want you hurt, Nemiah. You seem like a very kind woman, and there are bad people around here who would love to rid of you, if they found out you were with child. Especially with Mustafa'd child, nonetheless."she pat my hand before she got up to look st the fabrics. "Nemiah, which color would look good for a evening stroll?"

I was frozen in spot as I tried to work my brain again. Were people that harmful to want to get rid of someone that much? "Mihimirah...how many souls were lost here?"

Mihimirah fell silent before she spoke. "Too many good ones to count. Get too close to  Sultan and you enter a battle that wages between life or death. Now, come over and help me."

W

hat do I do now? This only intensifies my fear, and now I am too afraid to even be near Mustafa..

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