Roxelana & Suleyman

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Haseki reclined in the corner of a Topkapi Harem courtyard, diligently embroidering the edge of a blanket that would cover the sacred camel destined for Mecca the following season. She had been in the Sultan’s Seraglio for two weeks and now, luxuriating in the sunlight that dappled through a tall beech, she knew and enjoyed the company of all the odalisques of Suleyman’s harem.

She had met Sultan’s Favorites: Khanum, Gulfam and Mahidavran. Though she spent most of her days with Khadija, she also had plenty of time for Mahidavran, who was personable and intelligent. All three Favorites had a son each, ranging from two to eight years old. Haseki beamed as the young boys leaned into the fountain, trying to catch the golden fish that darted amongst the lilies. She laughed out loud when young Murat almost fell in, and again as Mahmut stood triumphantly in the knee-deep water with a fish frantically flapping in his small hands.

Mahidavran sat with her, inspecting the fineness of the work in her lap. “Your stitches are exquisite, my sweet Haseki.”

“Thank you, Mahidavran.” Haseki reached for a spool of scarlet thread. “How long have you been married to Suleyman?”

Mahidavran laughed unexpectedly. “None of us is married to the Sultan, and none of us would ever presume such an audacity.”

Haseki was openly shocked. It had taken her months to make sense of a man having several women. She had finally decided that it was wise in the case of a Sultan, who must ensure a male heir. But to learn that marriage was not part of the plan brought back all her disconcertedness.

Mahidavran was bemused. “My sweet, no Sultan has married a woman since Yildirim Beyazit and his family were captured by Tamerlane.” She leaned in closely to Haseki and whispered as delicately as she could. “—the Sultan’s wife was forced to serve dinner n***d to the conqueror and his generals. The Empire has never suffered such humiliation and never will again. There is absolutely no reason why the Shadow of God on Earth should abide by such antiquated customs. He is perfectly capable of loving and caring for us all in the current tradition—without the hindrance of an antiquated binding that can become a liability.”

Haseki placed her work down to contemplate her companion’s words. At twenty-one years of age Mahidavran was undoubtedly beautiful—shimmering black hair, eyes that glistened as exotic black pearls, and a delicate complexion that rivalled Haseki’s. Through many evenings conversations she had learnt that the Favorite had been in Suleyman’s Harem since she was ten and had been elevated to the position of second Favorite when she bore the Sultan’s second son, Mustafa, two days before her sixteenth birthday. Mustafa was now five.

Haseki finally nodded her head in agreement, though she didn’t believe Mahidavran’s considerations for a moment.

Both women jolted upright when young Mustafa shrieked. He had fallen from the edge of the fountain and lay in a heap, crying. The mother ran to her son.

“That howling dog,” Haseki murmured to herself. “Why can’t he always be a pleasure like the other children?” Mahidavran comforted the boy while Haseki wondered if she too, one day, would ever have a child and become a Favorite.

Khadija’s children had been brought to the Seraglio. Haseki delighted in their company, but was equally pleased when the Moor women took them away as each afternoon came to a close.

One evening, about a week after their arrival, Khadija and Haseki sat together on the topmost balcony of the courtyard to catch the last rays of the setting sun.

“My brother spoke of you today.”

Haseki blushed as she recalled the touch of Suleyman’s hand and lips.

“He has been busy with his counsel in the Divan. They are planning to march north with the next spring weather to make Belgrade part of the Empire.”

Haseki knew little of Belgrade, but the thought of invasion chilled her. “You said he spoke of me.”

Khadija smiled slyly.

“Well?” Haseki pleaded, poking her friend in the side.

“He said your smile is more engaging than the sweet waters of Europe and Asia combined, that your beauty outshines any other and indeed diminishes the Shadow of God on Earth to a mere flicker.”

Once again Haseki felt herself blushing.

“The meetings in the Divan will continue through the rest of this week, but then, my dear, rest assured, he will call for your tender company.”