it was an ordinary day. as usual i went to help my mom in the garden. "emanuela come here", my dad said with his rough italian accent. i came but as soon as i got there i knew something was off. my dad looked at me nervously. "emanuela, you know i love you, right? please forgive me for this", my dad said with tears coming down his eyes. i knew what was going to happend.

i woke up in a ship full of other girls similar age as me. i was in tears. i couldn't belive i wasn't home anymore, that i am far away from loved ones. i couldn't be mad at my dad he just didn't want to lose my mom and my siblings, he was old and he couldn't fight. and just like that i was on a ship, every second further away from my home. i made myself a promise i'll come back.

we got out of the ship face to face with huge palace. we were in turkey, as slaves of course. i looked at the faces of scared girls, unlike them i felt confident. my parents always thought me to be ready for everything and i was.

some aghas welcomed us and we were sent straight to hammam to bath and to be checked. everything was so big and fabulous.

as i entered the room where were already laid beds for us, a strong voice said, "make your way, mahidevran sultan is coming!" we all had to make a line and put our heads down. i couldn't help but look up and i had what to see. a beautiful woman i never seen before made her way to the next hall.

i whispered to myself, "you'll get that kind of respect ". at that moment agha yelled at us and we were sent to sleep.

the next morning i was woken up by fikret agha. "hurry up", he whispered to me,"valide sultan wants to see you!". i just woke up and i couldn't process his words. he grabed me by my arm and once again told me to hurry up.

as i was done, the same agha led me to valide sultan's chamber. he told me how to behave, and next thing i knew i was in. i bowed trying to seem respectful , as much as i could.

"so you are the solution to all my problems", she said in her deep but calm voice. "i don't quite understand what your majesty meant", i said stuttering. "are you emanuela greco?". "yes i am sultanim", i answered a little bit confused. "i wanted you here, i heard about you and your beauty and they weren't wrong". her words made me blush. "anyways", she continued, "i brought you here beautiful i need your help. you seem intelligent enough to obey everything i say" "yes sultanim", i bowed with respect still in confusion of her words,"i'll do everything you wish."."i like you already", she said as she nodded her head to the door, meaning it was my time to leave.

i went out of her chamber feeling completely confident and confused by her words too. while i was busy overthinking, one of the aghas yelled "make your way, hurrem sultan is coming!" i bowed as i took a peek just to see her giving me a dirty look. man i didn't like this woman already. unfortunately something in me told me i will see this woman much more often than i wanted to. with that i made my way to my room.