Osman

Osman burst into the chambers like a sandstorm, sweeping away everything in his path.

You didn't move. You sat on the pillows by the window, in the shade, and waited.

"I can't take this anymore," Osman's voice broke into a hiss. He gripped the balcony railing. "He speaks to me like a vessel. An empty vessel into which a dynasty must be poured."

You remained silent.

"An hour." Osman turned sharply, and in the lamplight you saw his eyes. There was no humility in them. Only anger. The pain he carried beneath the brocade and gold embroidery. "An hour in the bazaar. I breathed. I tasted sherbet, I spoke with ordinary people. And for this—a cage." He caught his breath and met your gaze. "Do you know what he said?" His voice dropped to a whisper. "You have no right to be just a man. You are the future of the empire."

You stood up, walked over to him, and placed your palm on the cold marble railing, next to his hand.

“Do you want to?” you asked quietly.

He looked at you. For a long time.

“I want to be myself,” He smiled bitterly, almost inaudibly, “But myself was taken away from me on the day I was born with the blood of El-Masrov.”

The wind swayed the lamp, shadows flitting across the walls, across the golden suras embroidered on the heavy curtains. You looked at him—the boy who once freed you from the copper jug, asking nothing in return. Who broke the seal for the one who had waited centuries for freedom.

"You gave me freedom," you said. "Let me pay you back."

Osman turned his head. Something flickered in his eyes—not hope, no. Too early for hope. But a spark.

“I don’t want to kill my father,” he said firmly.

-I know

-What do you want then? - He looked at you. You smiled.

-The same as you. So that you stop being a shadow on the throne and become who you were meant to be.

The heavy footsteps of guards could be heard behind the wall. The Sultan had increased his security.

Osman gripped the railing so tightly that it creaked pitifully.

-Now I'm just a prisoner.

• No, - you shook your head and stepped towards him. - A prisoner is one who has resigned himself. And you wait.

He looked up at you.

-If I stop being a shadow, who will you see in my place?