Resistance - Hanzade Sultan

ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ｆｉｖｅ

Valide decided to send me to my brother Hunkarim Sultan Murad to discuss the details about getting married. It was no secret that the idea of marriage, especially in such a strategic context, made me uneasy, but it was my duty to the people, and for that I was willing to go 1,000 miles.

The doors to Murad's private chamber were already open by the time I arrived, and I was announced with the usual formality.

"Hunkarim, Sultana Hanzade is here." A guard informed him.

"Come, Hanzade," my brother called, waving me inside. His voice carried that effortless authority that only someone in his position could possess. Something anyone, male or female would want, or want to be with. Lucky am I to have him as my brother.

I bowed my head lightly and entered, the guards pulling the heavy doors shut behind me.

He stood near the window, bathed in the light of the late afternoon sun. His sharp eyes met mine, softening just a little when I approached. Despite the heavy weight of being the Sultan, he was still my older brother.

"You look serious," he remarked, raising an eyebrow as he gestured toward the cushions for me to sit. "Is something troubling you?"

"Not troubling, really," I replied, sitting down and folding my hands in my lap. "Valide sent me here to discuss the details of... the wedding."

At that, Murad's eyebrows shot up. Internally, I rolled my eyes. "Wedding? So it's decided, then? All three of you are in agreement!?"

I nodded. "Yes. It was a difficult decision for each of us, but we have come to terms with it, I suppose. Our fate, you know?"

Murad leaned back, an amused smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "All three of my sisters, agreeing on something so important? I should have been there to witness it. What deal did you make?"

I smiled. "It was rather simple, really. We each agreed to marry, but only under the terms that we can continue to have a say in our lives."

That was a bit of a lie, it was rather a compromise between us, but this was a note I was making to Sultan Murad, that we still wanted some say in our future's, however it may be.

He chuckled, a deep, rolling sound that filled the room. "That sounds like something you'd come up with."

"Well, Valide made her wishes clear," I added softly, glancing down for a moment.

Murad stopped laughing, though the humor hadn't completely left his eyes. "And now I'm the one tasked with approving these marriages?"

"Yes," I confirmed. "Though I suspect you already knew that."

He stood up and paced near the window for a moment. After a few moments of contemplation, he finally spoke. "I approve. But you're sure this is what you want, Hanzade?"

His question caught me off guard. Was it truly what I wanted? I took a deep breath and met his gaze.

"I'm sure," I replied. "It's not about what I want or don't want, Murad. It's about the empire, the people, and the duties that come with our birthright."

He sighed, shaking his head. "Duty, duty, duty. It's always that, isn't it?"

I nodded, smiling faintly. "It is, and as Sultan you know that too. But we're strong, Murad. We'll do what we must."

There was a long pause, and then Murad's expression softened. "You've grown so much, Hanzade. Sometimes I forget you're not the little girl who used to run around the palace anymore."

"And you're not the boy who would always pull pranks on me either," I teased lightly, my smile growing wider.

He smirked at that, but then his expression shifted, his eyes growing more serious. "Speaking of the palace, how are things in the harem? Valide hasn't said much to me lately."

I shrugged lightly, though I could feel my shoulders tense at the topic. "The usual, I suppose. There's always some gossip about one girl or another, and the new concubines are always eager to make an impression."

Murad nodded, but there was a hint of weariness in his eyes. "Sometimes I think the harem is more complicated to manage than the entire empire."

I couldn't help but laugh at that. "Oh it probably is. But, Murad... I think you've forgotten something."

"Oh?" he asked, tilting his head slightly.

"Yes. You're the Sultan, and yet there are no heirs running around." I fixed him with a pointed look, unable to resist.

Murad rolled his eyes dramatically, leaning back in his seat. "Oh, not this again. Valide's been pestering me about it too."

"She's right," I replied, my tone just slightly teasing but mostly serious. "You know how important it is. You have a responsibility to the empire."

Even though I was a year younger than him, I wanted Murad to know the seriousness of his job.

He sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I know, I know. It's just... these things take time."

I raised an eyebrow at him. "Murad, you've had plenty of time. 6 years. You can't put this off forever."

He gave me a sideways glance, his lips twitching as though he wanted to make a sarcastic remark. Instead, he sighed again, this time more out of acceptance than frustration. "You sound just like Valide."

"I'll take that as a compliment," I said, laughing softly.

Murad looked out the window again, and I could tell his mind was elsewhere, likely running through the countless matters of state he had to deal with. 

But for just a moment, we were simply brother and sister, sharing a brief moment of understanding. Beyond our titles and formalities.

"I'll handle it," he finally said, turning back to me with a more determined expression. "The heirs will come when the time is right."

I nodded, satisfied that I had at least reminded him of his duty. But in truth, I could never fully understand the weight that rested on his shoulders. All I could do was remind him that he wasn't alone. And hopefully that would work.

"I trust you will," I said softly.

We sat in silence for a moment longer before Murad broke the stillness with a chuckle. "You know, I never imagined we'd be having conversations like this when we were children."

"Neither did I," I admitted. "But here we are."

He smiled, a genuine smile this time, free of the usual burden he carried. "You'll make a fine wife, Hanzade. And whoever marries you will be lucky."

I smiled back. "Thank you, Murad."

As I rose to leave, he stood and placed a hand on my shoulder. "Remember, Hanzade, no matter what happens, you're still my sister. You'll always have a place here."

I nodded, feeling a warmth spread through me at his words. "And you'll always have my support, Hünkarım."

With that, I turned and left his chambers.

word count; 1123

I made this chapter extra long to account for making the last chapter short :)