Roksolana watched as Jamal put his hand in hers and dragged her out of the kitchen. She was bewildered by the fact that she was a lady again. But she was even more astonished to see that the Sultan doesn't mind the stares of the people because of the way their hands were intertwined. As they walked, people bowed their heads in greeting to the Sultan. Roksolana could hear Aabdeen as he read the royal decree loudly for all the people to hear. And they all promptly bowed to her disappearing figure, muttering the same words the kitchen maids had.
"Greetings, Sultan. Princess Azeezat has arrived. General Sodeeq and the others are waiting for you at the port to welcome her." A soldier said, bowing down in front of Jamal.
"Oh, good," Jamal said, changing the course of direction and dragging Roksolana with him.
Roksolana watched as Lady Miriam walked out decked in expensive clothes and jewelry and bowed before the Sultan. She also saw princess Azeezat roll her eyes slightly at Lady Miriam and nearly laugh. It looks like Roksolana was not the only one who couldn't tolerate the lady's drama. She listened as Jamal asked Lady Miriam about her stomach pain and her answer that she was better now and angry with the Sultan for not checking up on her sooner. By the time the Sultan began to apologize, Roksolana tuned them out and stared at her new house.They were standing in a place Roksolana considered to be the women's hall. Expensive chairs and tables decorated the room. There were about three sewing machines, five hoops, and some knitting needles and materials scattered across the room. There was a doorway on a side which Roksolana guessed led to the rooms of each concubine, except for Lady Miriam who ha
Roksolana looked at Lady Miriam feeling confused. She looked around the hall and saw the rest of the women having the same confused looks."I said which one of you stole it?" She asked again. This time, her voice was a little raised than proper."What is that, Lady Miriam?" One of the concubines asked."My golden bracelet. The one the Sultan gave me himself." She answered with a loud voice."What's going on here?" The Sultan's voice sounded at the door.Roksolana looked as Lady Miriam ran to the Sultan's side. She began to explain with tears how someone had stolen her bracelet. Roksolana wondered why the woman was always dramatic in everything she did
Princess Azeezat saw the Sultan staring at Roksolana, who refused to acknowledge him or his presence. Lady Miriam walked to Roksolana and tried to make her get up, but the Sultan stopped her by saying it was okay. Roksolana stood up, took the chest of ornaments, and took it to the Sultan. Without a word, she dropped it at his feet and turned back to lay In the bed."You rude maid. Do not forget that it was the Sultan that made you a Lady." Lady Miriam said to Roksolana, who didn't even respond.Jamal cleared his throat and everywhere became silent. He stared at the chest which Aabdeen now carries in his hands and wondered if he hadn't made a mistake by ordering the beating. Roksolana never wears ornaments. It was even because he forced her that made her start wearing ladies' clothing. But still, he wasn't going to apologize to her. H
Sultan Jamal looked as his janissaries all took their seats except for general Sodeeq who wasn't around. Other prominent people of his sultanate were also in their seats. Some of Roksolana's people were there too, all tied with ropes and some guards stood behind them watching to make sure none of them tried to rebel. He also saw Roksolana's friends among the serving maids and smiled, knowing that they had come to cheer their friends on in their little ways. A guard announced Lady Miriam's presence and Jamal watched as she walked in, swaying her hips gently. And as usual, she was dressed extravagantly. The other ladies in the harem followed after her all in a single line, each bowing before him before moving to their positions. Jamal felt a bit angry when he saw that Roksolana was absent despite his threat. Does it mean that she thought he wouldn't go through with the threat?"Flog that man. A
Roksolana walked out of the hall in anger. She wasn't just angry at the Sultan and his obvious partiality, she was jealous as well. She was jealous of Lady Miriam. She was jealous of her being the Sultan's favorite. Roksolana couldn't help but think of how Lady Miriam would gloat at her when they were back to the harem. Even much more than that, she was worried about how the lady would treat her and the rest of the women of the harem.If Roksolana didn't know any better, she might be thinking that she was a little bit afraid of Lady Miriam. And why not? Every time the woman and Roksolana had had arguments, the Sultan was always on the harem leader's side. Today was like breaking the camel's back for Roksolana though, she had enough of the Sultan and his woman. Roksolana turned back as someone touched her by the arm. She saw a man who looked to be in his sixty years standing behind her.
Roksolana ran back to the harem and heaved a sigh of relief when she saw that none of the ladies were back. She walked into her room and stopped short. Roksolana took a step back and stared at the door to be sure she was in the right now. Sure she hadn't made a mistake, she looked into the room again. Her window was opened and everywhere was scattered. All her clothes were on the floor, scattered across the room. Her drawers were opened and all its contents were lying on the floor. Roksolana looked around trying to see if anything was missing. Nothing looked missing to her. At least, not something she recognized.Someone had come for her while she was in the hall. But who was it? And what had they wanted? Roksolana knew for sure that it wasn't Asleem this time since he had been tied up in the hall too. Unless he had instructed his men to carry out the mission when he had been held captive. Or
Roksolana looked up and saw a man bowing slightly before her. She thought that the man looked a little familiar, but she couldn't place his face. That was her major flaw, she hadn't remembered people's faces unless they left a huge impression on her. When the man saw her looking at him inquisitively, he blushed."I'm Hassan. The second in command of the army. You saved my life before, my lady." The man explained himself.Roksolana remembered that he had once approached her before when she was still a maid."I remember you now, Hassan. Why were you looking for me though?" Roksolana asked him."I just wanted to say thank you for saving me, and for being a good friend to my sister," Hassan said.
Roksolana looked as Jamal watched her with an angry face, and began to think if she hadn't made a mistake in coming over to warn him about the danger to his life. His expression was that of someone who was capable of killing a man if he was given the chance. Why had she thought he would believe her in the first place? She hadn't believed her then about Lady Miriam's pregnancy, so it was less likely he would believe her now, especially when she had been treated unjustly just hours ago.Roksolana saw him look at her in disdain and bit her lower lip in indecision. For some reason, she felt afraid of him and she began to breathe anxiously. Perhaps, she should go away from here before he decided that she was good as an experiment in practicing killing. She turned around and made for the door."Stop right there," Jamal ordered.