Roxelana & Suleyman

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

With the croaking of the frogs in the dense reeds of the Tunca, it was time to return to the spring weather of Istanbul.

Suleyman rejoiced at the birth of Mihrimah and, despite her being a girl, ordered a feast and citywide celebrations until the rising of the new moon.

Haseki no longer deliberated on the deaths of the infants within the confines of the harem walls—perhaps it was the will of Allah after all. She held Mihrimah to her breast with great joy and tickled Mehmet’s belly with her foot as he lay giggling on a blanket.

Mahidavran sat beside her, smiling at Mihrimah who suckled at Haseki’s plump bosom.

“She is such a placid babe,” she sang with fondness. “Suleyman has several daughters now and I am sure that they will all prove prosperous to the strengthening of our empire.”

Haseki flinched as Mihrimah bit hard on her n****e. “I don’t envy the prince or noble who will be coupled with this young Sultana. Hopefully his flesh will be thick enough to withstand the gnashing of her teeth.”

Both women laughed.

“Without a doubt, both you and I, and the young Sultana, hold the future of this empire within our loins and within our mouths.”

Haseki glanced at her companion and noticed an expression that made her wonder.

“What is the matter?”

Mahidavran sighed in relief and confided, “You need to rest, Haseki. You have two children by our Sultan, and must tend to their needs without also worrying about his continued pleasure.”

Haseki contemplated the mother of the heir to the throne.

Mahidavran ventured, “We all love our Sultan with a passion equal to your own. And there are other maidens in the harem who need to experience and give pleasure to the Shadow of God. We have our duty and we have our tradition. There are now only two heirs to the Osman throne. If they were to die by plague, fever or otherwise...,” Mahidavran paused before continuing, “we would be left without a line of succession.”

“But I am totally capable of giving Suleyman more sons.”

Mahidavran became angry, veins at her temple beginning to rise. “That is not the point! We are here to serve our duty and nothing else! The Sultan must produce as many offspring as possible so that the lineage is assured. I also am capable of bearing more sons and there are others who are also part of the scheme.”

Haseki seethed. “He has two sons—the pedigree is guaranteed! Why should he touch any woman other than me?”

“Don’t be so certain of yourself. Just as Khanum and Gulfam have wept at the loss of their sons, so may you.”

Haseki’s eyes flared. “Get away from me, you... you... genie, with your evil words and eye. Get away from my son,” she screamed. She lifted Mehmet from the blanket and carried him and Mihrimah up toward her suite. Leaning over the balustrade she saw Mahidavran glare up at her with palpable hatred.

You have not heard me, my child. The enemy, your enemy, is already within the harem, warned the Valide Sultana from deep within Haseki’s memory.