Hammam

I enter the wash room with Nigar, I wash up, after I am done they take me back to my room ...

Isabella was led to the washroom. She undressed and slowly and carefully washed herself, gently scrubbing her soft skin with water and fragrant oils. Once she was nice and clean she rinsed off and prepared to meet the sultan in his chambers.

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Alex came to Hammam to meet Nigar Kalfa there. She didnt know what was going on but one of the concubine told her Nigar is gonna wait her in Hammam.She took her clothes of, covered herself with a peshtemal and sat down.

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Esmahan was still finding her way around the Palace, she noticed a sweet smell of flowers and scents coming from one of the rooms, she quietly entered and saw a lady standing looking at some pots upon a table.

I smile warmly at the lady and step towards her I hope I am not disturbing you and your work I ask as I admire the bottles I was drawn in by the beautiful fragrances and I had to see where it was coming from.

I look at the lady and try to remember who she may be, my Aunt Hatice had mentioned many of the ladies that I may meet and I did not wish to appear rude, I blush when she says that my Aunt had told her many wonderful things about me My Aunt is being most kind with her words I have just returned to the Palace and it feels like we are getting to know each other again

You are so clever to know what fragrances go well together I smile and step closer I would not know where to start I trace my fingers over some pots as I look at the names of flowers I know so well

Would you help me find my own scent as I do believe I will get it wrong

Oh Thank you I smile back at Nigar, to have my own scent would be wonderful my eyes wide open in delight at all the pots that are being opened for me.

I like the fresh morning scent of the flowers and grass, apples, oranges and..... I stop and laugh I like so many different things I really do not know where to start or if they go together

Mihirinnisa was very tired she had a couple of bad days and    her life had dramatically changed overnight. Wrapped in a white towel, Mihirinnisa let them pour water over her body as she sat   their eyes closed. The soothing effect of the water was a comfort to her as it reminded her of her life at sea a life that she was forced to give up. Mihirinnisa had arranged to meet a lady called Gulfem here today she was curious to learn the ways of the Harem.

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Gulfem came to Hammam to meet with Mihirinnisa Hatun. She was curious to see why this lady wanted to speak to her, so wrapped into the towel, Gulfem entered Hammam and approached lady there. You must be Mihirinnisa Hatun, right?

It is nice to meet you Gulfem. I understand       that you are the longest serving concubine here. So, I simply    wanted to meet with you. She did not want to meet    some    devious concubine who told her nothing but lies about    the    Harem. No Mihirinnisa wanted an expert for advice to    come to    who would not try and trick her into doing something    she wasn't    meant to. What is it like here    Gulfem? And is it true that the ladies of the Harem will do    anything to become a    Sultana. It's just I am new here so I have no understanding of how this all works. Mihirinnisa was determined not to    become one of those girls. Her body would remain hers and she    would be honest and not scheming. That way she could keep    her life at not lose it.

It's nice to meet you too, Mihirinnisa. She said in a warm voice. Yes that is true. I've been here a very long time. She replied, then sighed trying to find the right words to describe this place. It's nice here. You've everything you need and if you behave good you can enjoy and be treated with respect. Every lady dream here to be Sultana, its highest position, and of course held great privileges.

Mihirinnisa listen to Gulfem intently. It sounded like a place where everybody fought for the place to become a Haseki. She shuddered and poured some water over her arms. I do not want to be a Haseki. It sounds to dangerous to have enemies trying to be rid of you in order to take their place. I want to keep my morals and possibly find my freedom again. Mihirinnisa admired Gulfem she was wise and she could probably learn a lot from her.

Gulfem sat opposite of Mihirinnisa and sighed. This wasn't the first lady that dreamed of freedom, she once was like that until she met Suleyman, and in a blink of the eye everything changed. The only way you can earn your freedom is to be married off. Do you want that?

Most girls haven't experienced the freedom that I have had. Men didn't scare Mihirinnisa she spent most of her time distracting them to help her father. Even when she was a little girl she would help her father steal. What was your life like before here. If you don't mind me asking.

Gulfem sighed quietly at Mihirinnisa's question. I don't mind, but truth be told I don't remember much of my life before I came here. Many years had gone by since I was brought here, that I forgot who I was and what was I like before.