Hürrem Sultan is what they called her now. Myself, Mahidevran, and Hürrem were all now Sultanas. I barely had even a few days break before Hürrem decided to go and have a child, and a son, and heir, of all things. 

She also got her own room now, but thankfully it is a little away from me, so I don't have to worry about that she-devil hopping in one night and harming me or my children, or so I try to tell myself.

I go out to have some breakfast, hopefully with peace. Hürrem had to stay and recover a little in her rooms, so I didn't have to face her yet. Mahidevran and Gülfem were quietly chatting and when I sat down Gülfem flashed a smile at me, and strangely so did Mahidevran.

Mahidevran put down her fork. "So Zevki, isn't it exciting?"

I raised my brow a bit. "What is? Did you finally get invited by the Sultan after a difficult, million year break?"

This was meant as a joke, but Mahidevran clearly took it too personally, whispering something presumably nasty to Gulsah, who was standing beside her, and then gave me her evil smile once more.

"It seems that someones feisty after losing her power to the Ruthenian slave."

"Aren't you the one who literally wanted to form an alliance against her? Instead of attacking me, you should be focusing on protecting Mustafa, he is your only claim to fame."

I tossed my hair over my shoulder. "And besides, I didn't even lose any power. Now at least I have a real opponent to battle. Maybe you should seek advice from Hürrem on how to be an actually interesting, useful person."

Her mouth fell open, but as usual, nothing useful came out. Gülfem, who was until that point only sitting silently and listening to our attacks, then opened her mouth to speak.

"So Sultanas, Ramadan, the holy month of Islam, is coming up."

"Ah yes," I say excitedly. "Fasting is interesting. Back in Europe, we didn't really do that, it's a new custom, and I'm always opened to that."

Mahidevran rolled her eyes. "Of course you are. Newbies, getting excited and then getting kicked out. Routine, never gets old."

I was about to respond, but then Gülfem shut Mahidevran with a full blown banger. 

"Mahidevran, you were new once too, so don't try to jump on and attack a woman, who, in this short amount of time has delivered both a Sehzade and a Sultana to the dynasty in one go."

"Gülfem, there were others too, and they aren't here any more, so I believe that-"

"Shut up, please." I sneer. "As the more powerful consort, I command you. Or I will tell Valide that you are trying to actively harm the Sultan's favorite. Perhaps I will go to the Sultan himself."

"Go ahead! Mustafa is my protection, my beloved lion."

"You will drag down your own lion to the pits of hell, especially with your kind of behavior."

She gasped as I got up and brushed myself off. "I need not stay in the company of a cruel and lonesome witch bound to destroy even her own child with her antics."

I gave a smile to Gülfem, and then left, as the servant girls got up, lined the hallways to bow to me, and my maids followed me.

"Sultana." Aysel Hatun bowed to me as she escorted me into my rooms. 

"Aysel, can you bring me my children?"

She nodded, then locked to the nursing maids. "Busra and Nur go get the young Sultana and Sehzade."

Moments later, as I was reclined on the couch, my two babies were brought to me. 

"Come here, my little Murad." I said as I picked him up from the hands of Busra. He made a small squeak but not any other noises or complaints, so I suppose he was faring all right in this world so far. 

Murad had big eyes, and seemed to continually look around curiously despite staying in the room for days at a time, and I say this was a good trait for a young Sehzade to possess. Nur sat down beside me holding Raziye, who was fast asleep, so I didn't bother trying to lift her up and into my arms but simply looked her over, proud.

I had my children taken back to their cribs, and then called Aysel and Feride over.

"I would like to see the Sultan again tonight," I told them. "Have him informed, and do mention the children."

"Alright my Sultana, I shall go tell Nigar Kalfa." Feride said. 

In the meanwhile I chose my dress, a vibrant pink one with long flaired sleeves, and have my hair done long with beautiful headband and hair-wear, and a nice jeweled necklace. 

I pace my room back and forth, waiting for news on Sultan Süleyman. Finally, Feride returns breathless, looking like she ran across the the earth in only 15 minutes.

"Feride, what is the news?" I ask.

"Sultanim, the Sultan requests the presence of you and the children tonight."

I smile. "Good, get Murad and Raziye ready we will go."

My children are whisked away from their cribs and into the hands of my servants, who follow me out and down the way.

"Destur! Zevki Sultan is coming!" Aghas announce my presence as I pass the hall. I pay no mind as I head up the stairs, but took a brief glance from the balcony down at all the girls, who were watching my every move.

Someday, I thought to myself, I will be living in these rooms, looking over the harem, being the most powerful woman in every space. I will watch these girls and laugh to myself, because I could puppet their very fates into glory or misery. People will want to be close to me, to be loyal to me, and get my favor. But only to the most deserving I will give it to.

I sigh and continue down my path till I am in front of Süleyman's rooms. 

"Inform the Sultan of my presence." I order, to the nod of the doormen. The doors are promptly opened for me as I enter the rooms. The Sultan stood, his shadow looming before me, as I bowed.

"My Sultan." I smile at him, gesturing to Murad and Raziye after saying, "Thank you for accepting myself and your two young children."

The Sultan nodded then came closer and kissed my forehead. "Thank you my dear Zevki. How are the children?"

I turn around and take Murad and Raziye into my arms carefully from Feride and Aysel. 

"Here, so you may see for yourself." Süleyman's eyes light up when he sees not Murad, but Raziye first.

"A beautiful young daughter," He takes her first, to my surprise. "A blessing for the dynasty, my content little Raziye."

I smile at the lovely sight, then look at my son and say, "And of course, our precious heir Murad. Inshallah he will follow in the successful, courageous footsteps of his amazing father."

"Inshallah." The Sultan agrees, taking Murad in his right arm now, with Raziye in his left, kissing both of them on the forehead and quietly admiring them as I stood onlooking happily. 

Finally he handed them off to the maids and told them they may leave, and put the children to sleep. The Sultan gestured for me to follow him to his long throne seat.

"And how are you doing, Zevki?" Süleyman asks me gently squeezing my hand. "Looking after two children isn't an easy task."

"I am praying for your health my Sultan,"I began carefully, "But of course, the harem has been giving me quite many headaches."

"You must take care of yourself Zevki, for the children first and foremost." The Sultan said worriedly. "But is there anything specific going on you need to tell me?"

"W-w-w-well, Mahidevran has been relentlessly harassing me, telling me that I don't b-b-b-belong here, and my children are useless p-p-p-pawns that will be thrown out when Mustafa...ascends the throne." I chocked.

"She's gone that far, as to declare Mustafa the next leader of the Great Ottoman Empire?" Süleyman groaned. "This is going too far honestly. Are you telling the truth?"

I nodded. "I swear to, to Allah my Sultan." It was the first time I explicitly used Allah, the Arabic word for God. But I did mean it. 

"I hope you are, because pretty soon Mahidevran will be facing some consequences."

He inhaled deeply, then exhaled. "Now then, let's discuss some other matters."