Jamal opened his eyes and squeezed them shut. The light in the room hurted his eyes and his head ache. He let about five minutes go by and slowly opened his eyes, this time taking in the source of the blinding light and saw it was from the window. He looked around the room and saw a kettle boiling on a makeshift cooking stove. A man with his back to Jamal bent low over the fire, fanning the flame to life. He couldn't take in the light anymore. He tried placing his right hand over his eyes to calm himself and screamed at the pain he felt from the exercise. The man fanning the fire dropped the kettle he was holding back on the stove and rushed to Jamal's side. He helped Jamal rest back on the bed, placing the cover over him. Jamal wondered how long he had been out as his entire body felt stiff. He touched his upper chest and winced at the pain he felt. He hadn't thought the wound Roksolana gave

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

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 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

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