Aabdeen stared at the royal seal he was holding in his hand, twisting it around. With this single seal in his hand, he was the most powerful man in the sultanate aside from the Sultan. He could control anyone however he wants and they would obey, regardless of their positions. He knew that the Sultan only gave it to him because he thought that Aabdeen didn't know what it was meant for. Or it could be because Sultan Jamal needed to find that maid. Who was the maid anyway and while had the Sultan been so worried about her? Perhaps, if he finds out, he could make use of the opportunity in a way that would suit his sultanate.
Aabdeen couldn't believe the luck that had shined on him while he was sneaking around. He had run across a guard who had been running around and Aabdeen had demanded to know about what was going on, seizing the opportunity when the man had told him that their sultan was badl
The sight she saw almost made her turn back into the house. What looked like thousands of trees surrounding the house and not a path was clear. Asleem had chosen his hideout well. Roksolana felt that even if all of Jamal's army looked for him in the whole sultanate after he killed their Sultan, they might never be able to get him because of his hideout location. She wasn't even sure if they were still in the Wadai' sultanate or if Asleem had moved them to somewhere else. She was still thinking about how to get away from there before Asleem returned when she heard a loud sound like a whole army cry echoed in the forest. Did the Sultan men find out about the place? Perhaps, they weren't as bad as she thought. When the sound came again, Roksolana tried to discern the direction it came from. She found footprints while looking around.She smiled as she began to follow the footprints, thinking that
Aabdeen woke up and saw the Sultan staring hard at him. He got up from the chair quickly, rubbing away the sleep from his eyes."I feel like she is in danger," Jamal said to him solemnly.Aabdeen looked out and saw that it was only the early hours of the morning. Darkness still covered the earth a bit and the weather was a little cold. Aabdeen realized that the Sultan was expecting him to get up and go look for his maid. Was the other man crazy? Why was he so worried about one maid anyway, when he had hundreds of others around? The Sultan had even gone through with his threat and had the kitchen head jailed. Aabdeen felt like he was suffering a lot just to secure his sultanate. The things Sultans pass through to ensure the kingdom was running smoothly. Perhaps, Sultan Jamal was going through the same phrase now. Aabdeen cleared his t
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.