The Favorite.

19

||Nemiah||

"I bet you, Sultana Hurrem will have another boy. She is good at having one every year." Annie chirped, as she handed me folded blankets and I set them down neatly into the cupboard.

"How many has she had already? I know Mehmet and Mihimirah, but who else?" I asked curiously as I set the rest of the blankets away.

"She gave birth to a lion cub last year, Bayezid. Who knows what Allah will bring her this time. She has been giving him many sons."

I couldn't imagine giving birth every year to a new one. In my opinion, that is just saying, that after a month of being recovered, what does she do? Sleep with the Sultan for another kid? I rather wait longer than having more. The image of my stomach being bug from a pregnancy filled my mind, and I shook it away.

"Sounds horrifying. I don't think I could do what she does." I shook my head.

"Well, if you would have heard the rumours among the concubines, you would know that Many are already talking about you. "

I raised an eyebrow at her. "What do you mean? What rumours have fallen upon the palace, Annie?"

Annie bit her lip, as she looked back to the door nervously before she motioned me close. "One of the concubines spoke that you left Mustafa's chamber late last night. It is true, no? "

It made me wonder who this gossiper was. "It wasn't late, but I did, yes. "I said quietly. "But nothing happened between us. We simply exchanged words and I went on my way."

Annie's eyes lit up as she held up the tips of her fingers to her lips. "That's not what I heard, Nemiah."

I couldn't help but become annoyed. Why were people wasting their time talking about my decisions? Were they that bored? "Let me guess, you heard from the same concubine that I went in and came out late because they assumed I laid with the Sultan." I could tell by the expression on her face that I was right. "I have not!"

"Just be careful Nemiah! Gossip spreads like fire around here, and I don't want you getting burned. Come, we must go and see our Sultana. "She smiled. I followed behind her as we left the room and headed down the hall until I felt a arm snake aorund my wrist and pull me into another room again. I was about to just let them have it until I realized it was Mustafa again. He let go of me when he seen the look on my face and he smiled straight at me." Why the look? Everyone is enjoying this bright day except for you."

"How about first of all, you are a Sultan and don't have to keep pulling me into separate rooms. Second of all, how would you feel about being gossiped about? "I looked away as something twisted in my gut deeply.

I felt his hand tilt my chin upwards and red flags were going up in my mind. My eyes met his and he obviously seen my discomfort." Nemiah, being a Sultan means having all kinds of enemies, power, control, and difficult decisions in life. Do you not think I as well get talked about? I have enemies here in the palace, who wouldn't mind getting rid of me if it meant for them to have the Harem." He spoke gently. He dropped his hand.

"I suppose..when you put it like that, you are correct..but, not when lies are spreading around that we have laid together. "I felt my cheeks growing hot and I picked at my sleeves. "It isn't true and I just want them to understand that. "

"Nemiah, the only one who knows the truth is you and me, but what happens between us in the chamber is our secret only. Netherless, I'm not allowed to even embrace you, if you can recall." He smiled.

I couldn't help but feel the corner of my mouth tug upwards into a small smile, as I interlocked my fingers together. "That is primarily due to the fact, that if I even allow you to hug, will you try to pull a trick on me."

"I have promised no tricks. All I have been speaking is the truth, and only the truth for you, Nemiah. But let us get straight to the matter. This evening, I wish for you to join me on a walk through the garden as we have done before. Just a simple walk. "He put his hands behind his back.

"Hm..I suppose. As long as nothing bad will come of it."I sighed and looked to the doors again.

"Thank you. Until we meet here at the garden again, do take care of yourself, Nemiah." Mustafa bowed his head before he left the room and I couldn't help but watch him leave.

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