Summer time delight.

My heart ached for my Mother's pain and I squeezed her hand as she spoke to my Aunt Fatma, I was thankful to be back with my Family away from the fear and terror we had experienced at the hands of my Father.

Hearing my Uncle speak I turned to face him and felt my face blush red at his compliment, I shake my head and lower my eyes unused to being told that I am beautiful Hunkarim I can only pray that I may grow as beautiful as my Mother and Aunts I whisper

Nuriye looked at her father extremely hurt. She had come here so her father could make up to her all the years he had her sent away. But it felt like a constant battle and competition for his affections. Their was only one person in this entire palace who could fix things for her the Valide. Standing she extended her hand out to her brother.

Come Mustafa let's leave them all to play happy families whilst we go see our Valide.

I looked up as my Uncle's hand brushes against my chin and wished my Father had been as tender and loving towards me, Mustafa and Nuriye were so very lucky.

I shall do my very best to always make you proud Uncle I promise I smile at my Uncle as my eyes settle on my dear cousin as she stands, I can tell from her expression that she is hurt but can not understand why until she speaks and goes to leave.

Nuriye please stay, we want to get to know you I plead

With her mother's health now slightly improved Sah had reached out to her mother and asked to meet. She had brought along her lady in waiting a new arrival who was rather eager to meet history's first ever Valide.

The Valide sat under a shaded canopy with her ladies in waiting. They were watching young Mustafa and Ibrahim play fighting with a wooden sword the young lion cub wore an eager expression on his face. The Valide had been here for so long that she couldn't remember the past time of her life before here only the love she felt for her husband. And all the blessings they received in the form of children. It hadn't always been so easy sailing for the Valide... The old Sultan had sired a boy from another concubine she lived in fear for many years.

When Suleyman took the throne at last all her years of worrying would be over... that was what she had thought. The ancient law of the Ottomans decreed when a male heir takes the throne, he was to wipe out all of his siblings from the other concubines that the Sultan had. Yet her son did not do this, probably because he did not wish to be seen as a tyrant. Growing irritated Ayse noticed her daughter so who was rather political for a Sultanate woman entering the gardens with a new concubine.

Sah such joy for you to join me today I was just preparing my mind for the month of fasting coming up.

Young Mustafa charged around with his bodyguard wishing that Ibrahim would help the five year old with his practise. He was missed immensely, as was Bali Bey the coolest and most deadly assassin ever to work for his Father. He had much respect for both of these men and noticed that his aunt and second cousin also loved having them about the palace too. Noticing his aunt approaching Mustafa dropped his play sword rushing quickly to his beloved Valide. Is
baba ve anne to join us...

His big brown eye's looked lovingly up at his Valide before gulping back a cup of water everything felt greater now the valid was back. Still Mustafa missed the familiar scent of his mother's perfume and his enchanting smile that always brightened up the dullest of days. For a boy of only five such blessings it was to be surrounded by family that adored him in many ways, but one would this change now Ahmed was a year old?

Dilara was following Sah Sultan in the gardens. All the Sultans family was there. As they approached the Valide Sultan, she bowed deeply

"Sultanim, it's really an honour to meet you.."

Her voice was shaking. She knew that she was the mother of Suleyman the Magnificent. The most powerful woman in the Ottoman Empire

The Valide rose from her seat and took the young Hatun's hands in hers, raising her from where she currently curtsied. Not all concubines were as submissive as Dilara some fought back, which in the long run only made it harder on themselves.

You are very welcome among us Hatun... Why don't you sit yourself behind Sah and tell us where you are from. Have you been here long in the harem, our paths have not yet crossed until now. I guess Sumbul and Nigar are doing a good job in educating you girls a concubine is meant to be seen and not heard.

Dilara smiled, surprised that the Valide stood up and welcomed her so warmly. She sat behind Sah Sultan as she suggested

"I come from Albania, Sultanim. I feel honoured of being here and serving your daughter. Harem is a nice place, and Sumbul and Nigar are taking care of my education. I just hope you'll never complain about me, Sultanim.."

She added lowering her eyes

She was very pleased at how well mannered and eager to please her new lady in waiting was. And hoped that they would be great friends like Hatice was with her lady in waiting.

Dilara noticed that her Sultana Sah was proud of her and she smiled. As she heard the Sultan being announced, she curtsed and lowered her eyes immediately. She remained silent, waiting for him to give them permission to stand from curtsy. Her legs were shaking a bit. She never has been in front of the Sultan himself before

Hunkarim, Sah addressed her brother as she noticed that he took an interest in her new lady. Brother this is our newest member of the Harem and my new personal lady in waiting.

Sah turned her glance to Dilara who was obediently curtsying in his presence. Meet Dilara Hatun, who originates from Albania

Dilara lowered her eyes as she felt Sultan's glance on her. She smiled weakly while replying

"Thank you, Hunkarim. I'm happy to be here and to serve your sister. Sah Sultan is very good and gentle to me.."

She blushed a bit while pronouncing these words

She wasn't naive she knew that most people knew about her unhappiness within the marriage she was in. When did any of her siblings actually have happy marriages. They didn't. For some time now she had actually been meaning to talk to her brother about it the only thing keeping her from doing so was knowing that he had greater burdens to think about. Other than a sister complaining about her "unhappy" marriage.

My husband is my husband unlike the wind he will never change. She simply said her fingers fiddling with a piece of fabric.

Actually, I miss my daughter so much. I was more happy when she was here with me.