Roxelana & Suleyman

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

Haseki sat in the courtyard feeding Mehmet. Khadija, beside her, was embroidering the edge of a silk handkerchief.

“You knew that Suleyman was not the only son,” Haseki said as she considered the movement of the needle and thread through the material.

Khadija lay the handkerchief down. “Of course, my love.”

Haseki glared at the discarded embroidery. “Is my son in danger?”

Khadija remained silent, observing Mehmet as he suckled at the plump breast. She offered, “Suleyman is young, my darling, and will rule the empire for many decades. Only when he is near death do we really need to be concerned.”

Again they sat in an uneasy silence. A small bird fluttered down to the fountainhead.

“...Though we must always be vigilant. Come, Haseki, do not fill your thoughts with such melancholy. We all have a long life to live and thanks to our Sultan it shall be full.”

Haseki scrutinized her friend with a deep contemplation—examining the depths of the beauty for something more. “Are you happy here Khadija? Are you honestly happy?”

“Of course, we have all the luxuries and nothing to worry of.” She laughed a little too forcibly, but then stopped, intently plucking at her embroidery. “I... I do miss the company of men. My husband was old, but he was kind to me and I did love him. In here there is no pleasure but that which I share with you, my darling.” She squeezed Haseki’s arm, and suddenly laughed. “Have you not noticed that all the carrots, cucumbers and other vegetables of succulent length have been sliced before they enter the Carriage Gate?”

Haseki ignored the remark—not bothering to wonder how a cucumber could possibly substitute for the virility of a man or the delicate caress that only another woman could bestow.

Khadija nudged into her side. “I will always be here for you, my sweet.”

“I know.... and I for you.”