Sultan Süleyman had ordered for me to be transferred to a bigger room, with a private nursery for the children, and 10 new maids to serve and accompany me around the harem. Mahidevran had only 6 servants of her own, so now I was officially the most powerful favorite of the Sultan.

Ayla Hatun had unfortunately been kicked out because of what happened, and even though I felt bad I knew I needed someone new, a new loyal servant. Mahidevran had Gulshah, and Hürrem had Gulnihal, but I needed one of my own. Nigar was a Kalfa, and she was very busy. I was starting to think it's lucky she helped me in the first place. But no matter. 

I went through 20 different girls to choose from, and all sucked. Some were too tall, some were too short, some were beautiful and honestly risked becoming odalisques and causing me damage. Other's looked stupid, or pouty, and none seemed like they knew how anything could be done around here in secret.

At last I settled down at my couch, nothing to do except complain to myself I can't have anyone to trust. I miss Elisabeth- my good friend, gone. It has been a year since she was sent to the Old Palace, and I really didn't have any other friends. Angelina, or Angelica, I am already forgetting, I haven't talked to in about a year.

I snapped my fingers. Think Zevki- who else is there who could be of any help to you? The girls from the dance perhaps? Alsu, Sylvie, Kristina, Margaret... Actually, scratch that. I remember vaguely seeing that Kristina was going to be sent to another palace for service, and I haven't seen Margaret or Alsu. 

"Kiana Hatun!" I summoned one of my maids. The only one who's name I actually learned. "Please ask Nigar Kalfa to bring Sylvie Hatun to me, if possible."

Kiana bowed and said, "Yes, my Sultana."

Sultana. I was now Royalty. Ottoman Royalty. Though it wasn't exactly how things worked in Europe, or in general, I was glad that I went from effectively nothing to almost a queen. The odds against me were great, but the odds for me ended up winning.

"Zevki Sultan." Nigar Kalfa bowed. And now Nigar has to bow to me too!

I cleared my throat. "Do you have Sylvie Hatun with you?"

Sylvie stepped forward from behind Nigar. "Hey Franc- I'm so sorry. Zevki Sultan."

I nodded. "Hello Sylvie. I was wondering if you wanted to become my one of my maids, my head maid, as I really need someone to talk to, help me out, be a close confident and keep the others in line, since Nigar Kalfa and others are always busy."

Her eyes widened. "Really? I would love to Sultana. I'm getting a little bored and useless around here, and I think that would be really helpful for me."

I nod. "Good. Now can your first duty be to get all my 10 other maids in? I need new names for everybody so I can more easily remember people."

Sylvie bows and goes out to heard the other girls. Nigar smiles at me. 

"It's a good thing you are starting to get organized on your own too."

"Yes, I'm a Sultana now, and I have 10 maids, plus Sylvie, and I should hope I could keep everything managed on my own. I know you are very busy and likely unable to help me as much anymore."

Nigar was about to speak again, but the group of girls came in and bowed. 

"Okay, perfect." I clapped my hands. "I will be choosing new, beautiful names for you all now that you are in my service."

I then realized I didn't really know any names. 

"Nigar, do you have a list of names?" I whispered. Nigar Kalfa sighed, then pulled a book off a shelf entitled Harem İsim Kataloğu. I pulled it open and looked it over. 

"Okay, Sylvie I will give you the name Aysel. Kiana, you will be Feride. Maya you will be Busra..." I went down the line for all the girls. Then I repeated the names again for them, and so that I as well could get it down in memory so I don't get confused in the future.

"You may all begin your duties, tidying up. Aysel and Feride, and actually all of you would be best, can come with me to the harem for breakfast."

They all bowed as Nigar and I, followed on our heels by Aysel and Feride, and the rest of the girls in two orderly lines, followed us. 

"So how is it like being a Sultana now, Zevki?" Nigar smirked. "Big business, lot's to do."

"Certainly lots to do. Now I have to plot plans on how to get even higher. And Hürrem, Mahidevran, and some of the others might not want to give me a break, especially now that I am the most powerful Sultana favorite of Sultan Süleyman."

We approached the large wooden doors of the hall. 

"Announce the presence of Zevki Sultan, please." Nigar ordered. The doormen agha nodded and opened the doors, making the call.

"Desturr! Zevki Sultan Hazredleri!"

I took a deep breath and walked in cooly, my shoulders moving left and right, my hips swaying slightly in both directions as well. All the maids heard my name and got up and into two lines to bow for me, and Gülfem did as well, but only Mahidevran and another woman were sitting down.

I approached their table. "Mahidevran, why didn't you bow to me?"

I looked at the other girl, who was veiled and had her back facing me. "And you, why are you also facing away from me?"

The girls turned around slowly and some orange locks of hair began falling down from under the veil. The girl brushed them away and turned to me with an evil smile. It was Hürrem.

My mouth fell open as I paled. "Hürrem, what are you doing here after you tried to drown me?"

Hürrem shook her head. "You are so silly. There's many redheads in this harem, it was another who got convicted. I had nothing to do with it."

"You liar!" I rasped. "You- you- you- dirty, horrible woman! You almost killed me and my two children! You will pay for it soon."

I turned on my heels and left in anger, and instead of going to my rooms, I went upstairs to that of the Valide Sultan. Daye Hatun was standing by and she felt the rage aura around me.

"Zevki Sultan, are you alright?"

"I need to speak to the Valide Sultan, now Daye."

I confidently said the maid's name in front of her. She nodded, though looking a little glum, and let me inside.

The Valide was sitting with Hatice Sultan and seemed to be all smiles, until they same the expression on my face. Valide put down her cup of tea.

"Zevki, what happened? Is everything alright with my grandchildren?"

"Hürrem got let out, even after I told everyone, and I know it's true, that she tried to drown and kill me and my children at my vulnerable moment. She should have been punished, but instead she was happily eating breakfast and then insulting me too!"

Hatice and Valide exchanged looks, then Hatice cleared her throat. "I'm really sorry Zevki, but in this case we couldn't really prove it, and since Hürrem was pregnant and all the Sultan took mercy for her at the moment."

"Zevki, the best you can do at the moment to push back against that Russian witch, is to raise beautiful and intelligent heirs and get them prepared for the throne. Then Hürrem will lose. I trust that you are a smart and loyal woman, and capable of doing the job," Valide added to Hatice's words.

I sigh, feeling defeated for a moment. "Fine, if that's what you say my Sultana, but-"

"My Valide Sultan!" Sumbul agha slithered in with a high pitched squeak. "Hürrem Hatun in in labor now with her child!"

Valide and Hatice got up to follow him, but as I stood there with my back turned to the entrance, I made a cross over my body. 

Querido Dios, ten piedad de mí y de mis hijos. Por favor.