Harem

The day after she spoke with Suleyman, Isabella was brought to the harem. Her heart pounded within her chest the entire walk there, and as she was led through the doors and announced, she felt the eyes of all the ladies staring right at her.

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Still holding her head up high because she never forgot she was a princess, she took a look around the room and saw how beautifully decorated it was. It took her breath away and she forgot all her nervousness.

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She slowly entered the room and some of the ladies smiled at her, while others glared. She didn't care; the only approval she needed right now was the Sultan's.

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After braiding my hair i sat and watched girls of all nations passing by how bizarre it was to have a Spanish Princess here! Sitting back i felt scared it was not nice being alone and i had no idea where my sister was at all we were both on the same boat together but i had yet to see her let alone my duty

Mihirinnisa was in a corner of the room intently watching those around her. In her mind always was the warning from the Sultana, she knew she had to be careful whom she trusted and to never let her guard down so she spoke to only a few but she knew everyone. As the princess walked into the harem she eyed her with curious thoughts wondering how and why she was here.

Out of the corner of my eye I noticed another girl who had the same expression on her face and I could use a friend here I felt lonely I got up and approached her Hello you have the same curious expression about the foreign princess as I do I am Rumesya I took in her appearance she was talker and looked more wiser than I

Mihirinnisa turned her head towards the girl and nodded with a smile to disguise what they were talking about. She lowered her voice so only she could hear her, "Yes I do wonder why a princess of such statute would be here in a harem with us. She is being treated like one of us when we are all servants or slaves. It makes no sense."

I nodded intently with a smile across my face She is Isabella Fortuna a Spanish lady when most of us here are from closer regions. To be honest I am slightly scared at what might happen to us what happens to the concubines when they are not in service so to say. I looked at her with my child like eyes hoping I could make some sort of friendship with her it was a big palace

The girl looked so sweet that Mihirinnisa could not help but smile at her. It felt wonderful to have someone here that she could confide and with that thought in mind Mihirinnisa leaned closer to her, "I do not think that we need to be in service to be useless. Let us just be cheery and see how much we can learn, they will not wish to ever let us leave."

A smile spread across my lips but I could not help but to wonder I most certainly agree with that idea in fact I am already working on it now. Problem is you hear things and I would not know what to do with the Sultan I did not want to speak of the certain deed but I sure did hope that she knew what I was referring to

Leaning closer to her Mihirinnisa whispered, "I do not want to think about that. When I am summoned to that place." She paused thinking of the Sultan's private chambers with sigh. "I am not ready for that at all."

She gazed around her at all the girls knowing they all wanted to be summoned there and what it meant to be a favorite of the Sultan but in her mind she wanted to be loved not just seduced but Mihirinnisa was not naive, she saw the Sultana and knew what her fate was. Women were to be loved but never seen as equals.

I looked intently at her face it looked like she was lost in her thoughts for awhile. As much as it is glorious to be the favourite you would always need to have you're eyes everywhere at all times as you become a target to people you never known exsisted before I cleared my throat letting my eyes wander around the room to all the girls they did not seem to be troubled about being here. I was taken as a slave along with my sister but I do not see her here that makes me most sad and I admit that I don't have a clue how to do anything with a man! My mother never told me about it and I am rather a fiesty young girl do you think they hurt girls here? With eyes that looked at her she tried to wield any information she knew

Acting as if they were only have a friendly discussion Mihirinnisa walked her new friend slowly to an area by themselves where they would not be overhead. "I wish I had any idea. I was brought here and have met every few so far and thank all not the Sultan. I have never been with a man and I do not wish to merely another he has but I think that might be our fates sooner or later." She sighed, "I know that glory of being the favorite but how long really would it last? Men's fancies change all the time."

I sat down crossing my legs and facing her playing with some dried fruit deciding to taste some soaking up every information Actually Sultana Hatice would like me to meet her brother but I am all but too young I have just only become a woman I feel as if I am being punished for treason or wrong doing. I let a few droplets of tears fall My real name was Nadia but because it was not muslim it got changed I think that a man fancies changes like the wind and what mood he is in. What if the Sultan is handsome and kind not some big ugly fat man?

"I have not seen the Sultan to know what he looks like but whether he is handsome or not, I do not know that I wish to have to give up my body to him." She sighed, "I want to love that person but I would dare never refuse. Oh I want to blend into the background and not be noticed."

Politely sighing I looked around the room Mihirinnisa looked beautiful it was only a matter of time before she got picked by some Sultan. But you are more beautiful than the Spaniard Princess I say that with the up most honesty. If anyman was to love you I know it would be for the kind and gentle Hatun that you are

Mihirinnisa gazed around the room as Rumeysa did. The girls here were from many different places and some were very beautiful so Mihirinnisa blushed red. "I am not that pretty." She whispered then sighed thinking of her future. "I do hope that I find some happiness here, I want to please but I want to remain myself as well. I do not want to have to change who I am."

I understood her reaction the more she was told she was beautiful the more uninvited attention would come her way. I have not been here long but I have noticed that their are other ways of pleasing the Sultan and the Sultanas. Some are personal maids or helpers and you won't change into some power hungry lady you shall always have your feet firmly on the ground. You seek to help the less fortunate and you care about others besides if you did change I would tell you and trust me I would but I can't see you changing. I told her with all truth and honesty most woman love being lavished and thrive upon jewels and divans but not Mihirinnisa she was to kind and caring to let mere objects rule her mind.

Mihirinnisa turned to her taking one of her hands, "Please swear to tell me, I do not want to change for the worst. You are my truest friend here and I do hope you are right about me. I would like to do something good whilst I am here."

Nodding in agreement I placed my hand on top of hers. I do promise but I think you won't change for the worst I have no idea what we will learn from our time here but we have each other and together we shall find out. I smiled brightly looking forward to telling her all that I could possibly learn like a little sister seeking approval.

Squeezing her hand back Mihirinnisa nodded to her, "We shall learn together. I am so glad to have a good friend in you."

As I in you trust me I shall bore and annoy so much that it will take your mind of this place I am very good at that I gave a stretch feeling slightly tired I had yet to find my chamber. Have you came across where we are to sleep as I have no idea

Mihirinnisa laughed softly at her compliment then yawned herself. "No I do not know but I wish to find out. It would be nice to lay down now."

I hoped that we would always remain friends in here no matter what happened Alright let's go and find them then but I think we sleep in the dormitory until we get picked and plucked I stood up stretching my arms and legs wanting to go outside