Hatice Sultan's Chambers

I wanted to challenage my brother but i simply looked at him.

Yes he makes me happy i love him do you wish for me to be unhappy sultan please.[/b]

I love him very much sultan their is no other man i can see myself with than him
I kissed my brothers hand and embraced him i loved my brother greatly.

I sighed happily against my brother.
Recently i think you have not been thinking of anyone elses happiness except your own! Your harem women come first with you where do the rest of your family fit in with your life.
I pulled away from him i came to realize i out of us all was too loyal towards my brother.
Would you like to tell Ibrahim or can i do it.

Yes I am very happy please send him to me once you have spoken with him

I curtsied and watched my brother leave he seemed in a odd funny mood.

Gulfem walked through corridor toward Hatice's bedchamber. As she reached the door she knocked lightly, waiting for the permission to enter.

It was a warm evening and I was getting ready hoping to see my sweet Ibrahim at the balcony tonight only allah knew how my brother would react to him now he gave his blessing but their was some reservation in him. I knew my brother well he was more like a Farther and I loved him dearly. I was brought out of my thoughts by a tap at my door still staying seated I called out.

You may come in.

I dabbed myself with some rose oil used from the very roses in the palace gardens that my brother had planted for Mahidevran.

Once given permission Gulfem entered the room and gave a deep curtsy. ''My Sultan... I came to see if you need anything.''She said as she rose up and smiled.

I quickly turned around as I hear Gülfem speak standing I went over to her.

Gülfem your presence is always missed but tonight I thought we could both go and sit out on the balcony.

And wait for Ibrahim to appear.

I said quietly to myself.

How have you been.

''That would be lovely, My Sultan. The whether is absolutely divine.'' She said with a smile , knowing Hatice wanted to see her love. Even if she hadn't told her about it Gulfem had noticed secret glances and smiles. ''I'm well, thank you for asking. And yourself?''

Gülfem come and sit you have been in my life since a very long time and I would like your opinion.

Sitting I started to bite my nails I may of had a blessing even though it didn't seem like a blessing from my brother I still had reservations about his words at least Gülfem would give me her honest opinion.

To me it is very important to have your opinion do you think my brother would let me marry for love! When it comes to me he has been very reasonable and I like to think that I have never disrespected him as he is more like a Farther to me.

Gulfem sat down as she listened to Hatice carefully, nodding with her head from time to time. ''My Sultan, it's such honor to me to know you value my opinion so much.'' She said sincerely, really touched by her words. ''As far as I know your brother he was always at the side of love. And would do anything to see you happy, My Sultan. He loves you so much and would do anything for you, even grant you wish to marry from love. ''

Although her words were a great comfort to me I still very much felt agitated it would not cease to move from my mind. I whispered closely feeling on the edge of tears.

I feel that he is rather holding back his true feelings like he has a reservation so to speak. The entire harem seems to know things about me that they should not.

Me and Ibrahim were ever so careful we had not even kissed yet.

She patted her hand in friendly gesture. ''You know how girls in harem are. They like to gossip and to stick their noses where not belong.'' Gulfem said, rolling her eyes. ''My Sultan, shouldn't pay attention to them.''

Gulfem was right but it still irritated me to the core yet not all concubines would survive they would leave here carried out in a sack.

I do not care for them only Rumeysa as she is young and it must be very scary for her. Nora is carrying the sultans child and Mahidevran is pregnant with her third child sadly months ago she lost one. I apologize as I know that you to suffered a loss and had your child survived I would of loved him as much as Mustafa.

I squeezed her hand it was important that she knew that she was much more than a concubine that was her rank but she had been apart of my life for so long. Gulfem deserved just as much respect as any other.

She squeezed her hand back. She always considered Hatice  as her friend and family, even if Hatice was more high rank than she. ''That was long ago, my Sultan. And you've no need for apologies.'' She said, then added. ''I'm happy for them both. Sultan will be so pleased.''

That was just like Gulfem to put a brave face on not wanting to upset others.

Yes I know that but, you are no ordinary concubine like the others in the harem you are respected more I like to think it's because you are my lady in waiting and close friend.

It was nice to hear such words coming from the princess and her friend. ''I'm like any other concubine I'm just lucky to be a lady to my Sultan and her friend. In which I'm most grateful for.''

I rolled my eye's irritated apart from young Nadia I couldn't stand the other concubines if they thought that being kind to me in order for me to sing their praises to my brother then they were sorely wrong. Why did Gülfem always insist that she was like all other concubines was beyond me.

No you are not!! Unlike the others you are a concubine who is highly respected by us. So you are not like the others your rank yes but that is not so important. I would be lost without having my trusted friend at my side.