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 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 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. 

Roksolana stood up and looked the woman straight in the eyes. She lifted her right hand and would have retaliated if princess Azeezat hadn't stopped her by holding her hand. She struggled against the princess's hold on her but the other woman held on tight. She looked at the princess who shook her head before releasing Roksolana's hand. She was tired. Tired of everything and everyone trying to dictate her life for her. She was tired of people telling her which way to live her life. The entire sultanate seemed to suffocate her and her very existence. She stared at the harem's leader for one long minute before walking away. At the door, she saw the Sultan walking in with Aabdeen. Without stopping in her tracks, she hissed at the two of them. Jamal looked at Roksolana in amazement. Had she just hissed at him?  He knew she was angry at him, but that doesn't give her the right to disrespect h

Jamal thought that he might have made a mistake in his judgment. He had paced about his room all morning, watching as the table was being replaced. His thought had traveled to the way he would make love to Roksolana on the new furniture, slowly and gently this time. The result of the thought had been instant arousal he couldn't control. When he was tired of his predicament, he had gone out of the house to pick up Lady Miriam in the hope that her presence could help his situation. He had even had the thought of taking her to his house to at least eradicate the presence of Roksolana in his house. He had purposely given her the cold shoulder too, hoping that his body would understand that he was fighting against her and the feelings she aroused in him. But the sad and disappointed look on her face when she saw him with Lady Miriam hunted him. He had to get back to her and make her see reasoning. They couldn't go on having arguments forever. They had to c