THE INHERITANCE CONTRACT

Snake eyes;

The mansion, built with Mardin's historical stones and standing with its centuries old grandeur, rose before them. The walls, built with golden yellow stones, were adorned with delicate carvings. The arched columns surrounding the mansion's wide courtyard seemed to carry the spirit of time. At the top of the eye catching stone stairs, an intricately carved wooden door waited silently. In the middle of the courtyard, a small fountain carried the traces of old times with the gentle sound of water flowing harmoniously. The wind was like a delicate murmur echoing off the stone walls.

When the sound of drums and a zurna rose in the courtyard, Lena jumped. Ivy and Hakan had already reached the mansion and were waiting on the side with curious eyes. Blaze gently touched Lena's back.

**"We have arrived, my lady. Are you ready?" he said with a mocking smile.**

The person who appeared at the door was Zühtü, a man with broad shoulders and an upright stance, like a mountain. With his black turban and embroidered local clothing, he was a true Mardin elder. His eyes sparkled with warm sincerity. The lines on his face revealed years of experience and dignified stance. He opened his arms wide and welcomed them with his majestic voice.

"Welcome, my lion of a nephew!"

Lena's eyes scanned the man. So Blaze had an uncle.

Blaze firmly shook Zühtü's hand and rested his forehead on his uncle's shoulder. The bond between them was evident in every gesture. Lena waited a little further back, feeling even more like a stranger.

But Zühtü's warm smile spread to her as well.

"And this beautiful lady…" he said, his eyes scanning Lena. "So this is our bride? Welcome, my child. You have set foot in the mansion, you are one of us now. But my God, what is this beauty, my child?" he said, running his hands through Lena's hair.

With a shy attitude, Lena said, "Hello, sir. I am Lena."

**Zühtü opened his arms wide. "Oh, none of that 'sir,' my child. You are the matriarch of this mansion. You are the boss. We are the servants," he said.**

Just then, two women appeared right behind the door. One was a woman past middle age, with a hooked nose and a sharp gaze. The dark headscarf tightly tied around her head made her look even more severe. There was a calculated coldness in her eyes and a dull discontent on her face. This was Zühre. The widow of her father's closest friend and partner. After her husband died, Lena's father had taken them under his protection and allowed them to live in a corner of the mansion.

Beside her stood a young woman. Eyşan. With her long wavy dark hair, large eyes, and slender figure, she was strikingly beautiful. But the mocking curve on her lips and the hatred radiating from her eyes made her seem colder than she was. As she turned her head with spite, her gaze shifted between Lena and Ivy.

Eyşan's eyes seemed to pierce right through Lena. Her expression clearly showed that she would never accept this woman beside Blaze, whom she had thought belonged to her for years. Her jealousy, ambition, and anger bled from her soul like a finely embroidered pattern.

Zühre scanned Lena from head to toe with a cold smile.

"Welcome to the mansion," she said, her voice as distant as she could make it.

Eyşan bowed her head mockingly. "Welcome," she said.

Zühtü slapped Blaze's back once more and spoke in his deep voice.

"Come on then, let us set a table in the courtyard tonight. Our bride has set foot in the mansion, we must celebrate. But first, let us have the religious ceremony performed. The imam will be here in an hour. You two go rest."

Lena, shocked by what she heard, quietly approached Blaze and said, "What does a religious ceremony have to do with anything?"

Blaze, slyly, said, "My dear wife, you already had the civil ceremony. Are you afraid of the imam?" he said with a sly grin.

Lena wrinkled her nose. "We are going to be damned, you will see," she said.

Blaze laughed. "Actually, you are right. Should I tell my uncle that we already took care of the wedding night and there is no need?" he said.

Lena grabbed his hand in panic and embarrassment. "Ugh, look, I have reached my action quota. Please do not do anything reckless. Fine, whatever needs to be done, fine, but please stay by my side today and support me. I swear I feel like an alien here," she said.

A sly smile had settled on Blaze's face.

Lena's heart was still racing, partly from excitement and partly from fear. Blaze gently squeezed her hand, as if to say, 'I am right here with you.'

Eyşan's eyes, upon seeing this gesture, lingered on Lena like the starless glimmer of a dark night...