Elisabeth was reading a book of some sorts as Angelina was playing some sort of card game, trying to predict fortune for herself, and I was sitting and waiting for Nigar to give me new news regarding my time with the Sultan tomorrow evening. Oh dios, I am so desperate to tell the girls what happened, but I can't! Nobody can know besides the top of the hierarchy, and that is just making me absolutely frustrated. Nothing else is new or interesting in my mind, except for what is to happen in the near future.

The door creaked open as our friend Fatma Hatun came in, and nodded at me. Elisabeth abruptly shut her book to see what was to happen.

"What is it Fatma?" I asked slowly. "Does Nigar Kalfa need me or...?"

"Well, no, actually you have been summoned by-"

"Aw shucks! I got tower. That means bad news for me I guess!" Angelina interrupted Fatma. Elisabeth burst out laughing as I scowled.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I shook my head. "Never mind. Who summoned me?"

"Valide Sultan." Fatma finally finished her sentence.

Elisabeth's mouth fell open. "What?"

Rather than responding, Fatma simply waved me to follow her and we went out without a word to the chambers of the Valide Sultan. We headed up the marble clad stairs as girls watched below from the harem as we approached. Thankfully, I didn't see Hürrem Hatun nor Mahidevran. I think they would be rather mad if they saw and would likely suspect me as the person who would take their place, and I'm not ready for such a moment.

The girls standing guard at the door made no sound nor squeak as they promptly opened the doors for Fatma and I into the rooms of the one and only, Valide Hafsa Ayse Sultan (or that's what I believe her full name was), so she was very seriously expecting us to come. Hopefully, she will say something good.

I bowed and Fatma backed out as Valide stared emotionlessly at me.

"You called for me, my Sultana?" I tried saying my best Turkish accent. Francesca, suenas tan estúpido. Tan estúpido que Valide probablemente te echará. I should probably laugh at such a improbable thing, but it's a very real possibility. Anything can happen here, I'm sure, wether it be good or bad.

"Yes, yes I did." Valide sighed. "I heard you were the one who interested my son at the dance a few days ago."

I nodded. But seriously though, as a Queen Mother she shouldn't be giving that much attitude to me, especially as I am a Spanish princesa, but of course she doesn't know that yet. It takes so much of my strength to bite my tongue and not lash out at the audacity of some of these people. 

"Well then. I hope Nigar Kalfa briefed you on all the expectations. Your life could very well be changed forever, you know that right?"

"Yes, Valide Sultan." I bit my lip a bit as Valide looked me up and down, head to toe. God, she was making me very, very nervous. She leaned closer and looked like she had more to drown me in, but then suddenly a maid butted in and bowed.

"My Sultana," she informed, "Sultana Hatice is here. Shall I invite her in?"

Valide leaned back, her gaze still focused onto me. "Yes of course, Ivat. Never deny her access or make her wait. My dear daughter Hatice is a Sultana. Never forget that."

It sounded like she was talking to me, and in a rather belittling tone if I do say so myself. Ivat Hatun, as the girl was called, opened the doors for the princess I only saw once, Hatice Sultan.

She bowed delicately, and I took a moment to appreciate her excellent sense of wardrobe. Her shade of minty blue-green veil and matching underdress, with flared sleeves, and her floral overdress would make Italian and Spanish dress makers go mad. I for one, would love such an outfit. And to top it all off, her cute necklace and head jewelry, a concept I still didn't quite understand was rather popular here, at least amongst the nobility.

"My Valide." She bowed curtly with a smile springing on her lips. I backed up a bit to give her space as Valide's cold look on her face vanished and she opened her arms to embrace her daughter.

"My Hatice, how good it is to see you." For a moment, I thought they forgot me and I was witnessing a cuddly moment I probably don't belong in. But I was wrong. Hatice Sultana turned towards me with a bit of a confused look, that started to turn into what looked like a bit of a frown.

"Who is this, Valide?" She asked. "Is this a new servant or Kalfa?"

Valide shook her head. "No, this is the girl who will be with Süleyman tonight."

Hatice's look was now most definitely a frown. As they were discussing me, I bowed to the Sultana as Hatice whispered something to her mother I couldn't quite make out, except for Hürrem and why?

I would hope Hatice would sort of be on our side. Our, I almost snorted. I am on my own in this big world. Valide would probably drop me like a used tissue if I mess up, just like how she is treating Hürrem Hatun.

Valide finally nodded and then motioned for me to come forward.

"Understand this is a big task, so it is imperative I will need to know where your loyalty stands." Valide began. "Who to?"

This was a trick question, in a way. Only to her would be the wrong answer in my opinion, but it's also what she wants to hear. Shall I tell her what may divide us? Yes. 

"My loyalty only goes to Hünkarim, Sultan Süleyman his highness, and the Ottoman Dynasty," I said, raising my chin slightly with an air of confidence.

Valide surprisingly nodded. "That's what I'm looking for."

Hatice and Valide exchanged looks, and then her loyal servant and friend Daye Hatun, who literally came out of no where, trotted over to escort me out.

"Good job Hatun," Daye whispered to me. "Now go get ready with Nigar Hatun."

I nodded and bowed to Valide and also Daye as I made the passage down the hall to the harem alone, with Fatma nowhere in sight.

When I got downstairs, a group of girls surrounded me as I tried to get through.

"What were you doing in the rooms of the Valide?" One girl asked harshly as I rolled my eyes.

"She was interviewing for new servants to see their loyalty," I lied. "I guess Nigar told her I was a trustable and hardworking person, and of course I am very skilled."

The girls began laughing for no reason as I questioned wether or not I should join in with them. They looked like a group of crazy cackling witches, and it was rather obvious they could never reach as high in the status as I am about to. 

"You loser. A servant? That's exactly what shows that you won't get anywhere. We, however, are staying as concubines to the Sultan himself." A bold brunette puffed up her breast when saying so.

I laughed loudly. "Didn't you know, they take out the trash every now and then. We won't see you after that."

She gaped at me angrily. I stuck out my tongue, then wiggled my fingers as I walked off to my room. I heard the girls pouting and ranting, and I know I will have a new group of enemies. However, just this once I wanted a bit of a satisfaction of putting idiots in their place.

When I came back to my room Elisabeth wasn't there, the books and things she possessed were gone, and it almost looked like this room belonged to myself alone.

My mouth fell open in shock and I dashed back to the Harem's grand hall, where thankfully the group of annoying girls were split up already, and to find Sumbul-aga, since Nigar was probably busy. I don't normally talk with Sumbul since he deals with the likes of Hürrem and Mahidevran, but he was here right now.

"Aga, what happened to my room? Where is Elisabeth Hatun?" I demanded impatiently. 

"Ay Hatun. Quiet down! One question at a time." Sumbul clicked his tongue. "I swear you will all drive me to madness one day. Madness!"

"Seriously though! What happened?" I demanded again.

"Elisabeth Hatun, as we found out, was very young and 14. Our Sultan is well over 20. Daye Hatun deemed it improper to have such a situation, and her being in the harem in the first place is a foolish idea."

 Sumbul paused before continuing in a mocking tone, "Is that enough information my Sultana?"

"What did you do to her?" I asked frantically. Though in a way this was good, perhaps she would be sent home back to her family.

"She's been sent to the Old Palace. To be married off."

"B-b-b-b-but she can't!" I stuttered. "She's only a child!"

"A child for the harem, but not a child for marriage. Now get on with your business Hatun!" Sumbul waddled off as I was left only to pray for my dear friend. 

Elisabeth is only a little girl now that I think of it, I have to help her somehow. Maybe ask the Valide, or even Hürrem? Or perhaps...

Sultan Süleyman can help her.

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A/N: Thank you so much for reading this chapter and please pause to vote on it! I can't believe I wrote this long of a chapter lol... like I said before I wanted to speed things up and start to make chapters much long than typically, and add more to the story. What did you think of the situation with Valide? What did you think of meeting the young, *peaceful* Hatice? And how about Elisabeth's soon to be fate? Let me know in the comments. And as usual, if you have any ideas don't hesitate to comment and share with me, like for future chapters or even entire books. xoxo Dilara!