It is now the holy month of Ramadan in Islam. Even though I hadn't told anyone yet, I had secretly converted in the privacy of my rooms with the assistance of Nigar Kalfa and declared my utmost love and devotion to Allah, and follow the teachings of the prophet Muhammad, and I was fully committed to fasting and the other pillars of our beautiful religion. 

I haven't ate anything for breakfast today, nor do I intend to. Even though they are still preparing food in the kitchen, it is solely for the Christian, and non Muslim servants and slaves who aren't subject to our fasting time.

My stomach was rumbling, but I ignored it. Love and religion take sacrifices, and Zevki Sultan is willing to go to any lengths to fulfill and uphold such burdens. After all, for a wealthy woman such as myself, it was a mere trifle to do so.

"Zevki Sultana, a note from Sultan Süleyman!" Feride rushes into my room and announces.

I sit up straight. "Well what are you waiting for, read it!"

Feride unravels the scroll and begins to read. "To my beloved Zevki Sultana, I would like to extend my invitation to yourself to join me and the Ottoman Dynasty family in celebrating the breaking of the Ramadan fast tonight, at sundown."

"Ooh!" I exclaim excitedly, "This will be amazing. A first sort of family gathering."

Aysel comes in at the moment and sits beside me. "What is it Sultana?"

"Sultan Süleyman invited me to come break fast with him on this holy night, and presumably Valide and Hatice."

Aysel clapped her hands. "That's really nice! But you aren't bringing Murad and Raziye?"

"I suppose not, the note didn't mention it. But we can go one night without having to take them everywhere, right?"

We both laughed in agreement as Feride rolled up the scroll. 

"So Sultana, shall I go prepare you an outfit?"

"Hmmm..." I tapped my chin. "Could you bring me several options? Preferably the most vivacious, but not blinding clothes, accessories too, and a veil would be nice."

"Alright, I will go to the tailors right away for clothes." Feride rushed off, leaving myself and Aysel simply sitting there, staring off into the distance, till I decided to get up and go visit Gülfem Hatun, because there wasn't much else to do in my rooms.

Gülfem wasn't there unfortunately, so I resorted to simply walking slowly back towards my rooms, but then I decided to walk by some of the lesser favorites rooms, more specifically, Hürrem. 

No maids were standing near, so I decided to listen in on my own, leaning by the door.

"What do you mean, you stupid fool? There's no harem party, and nothing for me to do tonight?" Barked a voice I recognized as Hürrem's. I had to suppress a little chuckle as I listened in more.

"I d-d-don't know w-w-what you want me to do, Hürrem." Gulnihal barely responded to her, and I had to get closer to hear. I felt bad. It sounded like Hürrem wasn't treating her well, and for that she'd probably pay.

"Get out, before I have guards throw you in the dungeon."

I was tempted to reveal myself and put her in her place, because she had no such power, but before Gulnihal could see me on her way out, I dashed away and back to my rooms, where Feride was already waiting with some outfit options for me.

"The first one, a blue dress." It was a honestly too plain dress for me. It wasn't even silk, it was simply cotton, and I get that Feride wanted to offer me a neutral and not as outstanding option too as it was a holy night, but it was honestly doing me bad.

"I don't like it."

Feride nodded than brought the second option. "Here is a light orange dress."

It was also ugly, so I shook my ahead instantly.

"And finally, this purple garment." My eyes nearly popped out when I saw the bejeweled purple dress. And I knew exactly which crown, earrings, and necklace would go with it, so I told Aysel to go fetch my new gold diamond set I bought with money given to me by the Sultan.

"I shall wear this outfit," I declare, taking a few of my servants to help carefully prepare me, and when I was finished, I went to the mirror and I loved my appearance.

"Sultana, shall you wear a veil as well?" Aysel asks a little worriedly. 

"Oh yes, of course. Fetch me a purple one please."

I waited until Aysel came back with a nice one, and helped attach it to my crown. There, I looked a lot better now.

"Shall we go?" Feride asks. I nod, and walk out without another world, with 6 of my maids following me, including Aysel and Feride.

...

I had now arrived before the rooms of Sultan Süleyman.

"Inform his Majesties, Sultan Süleyman Hazretdleri, that Zevki Sultan is here." I ordered. The guards said not a word but simply opened the door for me and one followed, saying Zevki Sultan is here.

I came in and immediately bowed. Sitting at the tables I saw Sultan Süleyman, Valide Sultan, Hatice Sultan, Gülfem Hatun, and unfortunately Mahidevran and young Sehzade Mustafa, which made me annoyed I didn't bring Raziye and Murad.

"My Sultans." I said.

Sultan Süleyman looked at me and smiled. "Come Zevki, sit beside my dear sister Hatice."

I nodded and gave a polite smile to Hatice as I sat beside her. After I had sat down, some musicians began coming in and playing nice music for us as we quietly chatted.

"How are the twins?" Hatice asked me smiling. "They are so beautiful."

"Agreed my Sultana, they are doing very well MashAllah. Hopefully, you could come visit them sometime soon? I swear, they are growing every day."

Hatice laughed. "That's nice, I will be sure to come around one of these days and see you all."

I looked over to Mustafa and Mahidevran, who were sitting silently, except for an occasional mumble from Mustafa. I felt bad for him, he was a unique little boy and I sought to help him.

"So Sehzade," I began. "Would you like to visit your little brother and sister?"

Mustafa shook his head to my disappointment, and Mahidevran's clear delight. 

"They are only babies, I can hardly play with them right now."

I chuckled. "For now, but soon, they will grow older too and you all can play fun games around, you will have two new best friends."

"Three if you count Hürrem's young son," Mahidevran interjected. I scoffed. 

"If you say so, Mahidevran. That's a really good idea for Mustafa to go socializing with a woman who you declared your sworn enemy."

She rolled her eyes. "I would say the same about you."

Valide, who was talking to Gülfem, took notice of the conversation and patted Hatice's leg.

"How about we switch the conversation girls. I was thinking of buying some new fabrics for the harem girls, and I was wondering if anybody wanted to help me out with selections?

"I would love to!" I say quickly, excitedly. Valide smiled.

"Of course you do, Zevki. You seem to love to be in on every matter, trying to be helpful."

I smile widely. "Yes of course, my duty is undying loyalty and support to the dynasty, and I work on that every day."

The party continued on as it became darker outside and eventually the sun vanished. Sultan Süleyman cleared his throat as the musicians left the room.

"It is now time to recite the fast breaking Iftar Dua."

"Dhahabadh dhama-u, wabtallatil 'urooqu, wa thabatal ajru in-shaa-Allah"

Thirst has gone, the arteries are moist, and the reward is sure, if Allah wills.

Servants then brought forth our meals and even though I looked stupidly excited, I was rather happy to finally eat, as I thought while digging into my meal.