Suleiman

Crimean Tatars attacked your village at dawn. Houses burned, people screamed, men were killed outright, and women and girls were taken captive. You tried to escape until the very end, calling for your mother, but all that remained in your memory were fire, blood, and your father falling with a sabre in his chest.

A few weeks later, you were brought to Istanbul and sent to Topkapi Palace, the harem of the new Sultan Suleiman, who took the throne after his father's death.

The harem turned out to be a world with its own rules. The girls were taught language, dance, music, and etiquette, and the kalfs strictly monitored every mistake. In the evenings, amid the fountains and soft music, the concubines whispered about the palace and who the sultan would notice next.

A few months later, a celebration was held in the palace to celebrate the new reign. The halls glowed with the light of lamps, and the air was filled with the aroma of oils and incense.

“Today you will dance before the master,” the kalfa said quietly.

You were led into the main hall along with the other girls. Sultan Suleiman sat on the throne.

Young. Calm. Dangerous.

The music grew louder. You began to dance, trying to hide your nervousness, and at some point you caught his gaze.

The Sultan no longer looked at anyone else.

The hall became unusually quiet.

“Come closer,” he said calmly, not taking his eyes off you.

All eyes instantly turned to you.