" Handan, my Valide said she saw you talking secretly with Kapudan Murad Paşa in Secret Gardens. You know that is inappropriate?" Mehmed asked me as he called to meet me in his chambers.

I was afraid at first moment, but I saw Murad is not really angry on me because of that, I just needed to make good excuse why I met with him.

" I want to excuse myself, Hunkarim. I didn't mean any bad. I just wanted to talk with him about one topic I wanted also talk with you." I said to Mehmed and I knew this is the right time to tell him I want to marry Murad, before Esmahan does it.

" What is the topic?" Mehmed asked me curiously.

"  If you would take it suitable, I would ask your permission, because I would like to marry with Kapudan Murad Paşa." I said to him proudly and smiled to him. I had nothing to lose now and this was just a risk from which I could get nothing bad if he doesn't accept.

" What?" Mehmed asked me quite shocked by my words, and he didn't seem like he is too happy about that.

" Kapudan Murad Paşa is man I fell in love when I was a little girl still. For my whole life I was in love with him, and I didn't want to hide it from you anymore. I am sorry you had to find it out this way." I said to him and ashamedly looked on the floor on purpose.

" My sister, I would do whatever for you to be happy, but unfornatley I can't do this." Mehmed said to me and I stayed shocked by his words. He seemed upset about his words, and I couldn't believe why he couldn't do that?

" If I can ask you, Hunkarim, why can't you do that?" I asked him as I tried to stay chill and relaxed in front of him, but I knew Mahfiruz had her fingers in this.

" Our sister Esmahan confessed her love towards Kapudan Murad few days ago to my Valide Mahfiruz, so we already promised to her that we would marry her to him. I am sorry, I didn't know it is this way also." Mehmed said and looked embarassedly at the floor.

At this moment, I was ready to explode all of my anger on Esmahan. Why did she do something like this to me? I knew she wanted to get rid of this Palace, but why she had to do this with a man I love and he loves me back.

" You haven't known that Esmahan loves him?" Mehmed asked me and he seemed quite worried for that fact, because he knew Esmahan and I were really close.

" I didn't know about it." I said to him seriously as I was quite getting angry on Esmahan, but I didn't want to show it in front of Mehmed.

" You will marry her for man who doesn't even love her, but loves me, and I love him back." I said to him trying to make him feel guilty for his actions.

" There is nothing I can change now, Handan, I am sorry." Mehmed said to me and he showed like he is really feeling sorry.

" But I found another suitable husband for you, and you should know about it now. I don't know how will you react on that..." Mehmed said and that fact made me afraid now. How he could do that?

" And who is that, Hunkarim?" I asked him trying to stay relaxed in front of him, as I knew it wasn't a man he choosed, but a man his mother chosed.

" Iskender. Today I will promote him as Grand Vizier and it is the perfect opportunity for you to marry high ranked Ottoman politician." Mehmed said and I felt like someone stabbed me with a sword.

Iskender? Man which killed my brother should be my husband?

" Hunkarim... " I tried to say something, but he signalised me with his hand to stop.

" I know you think he is the one who killed your brother, but I can guarantee you with my life that it wasn't him." Mehmed said as he tried to calm me down.

" Why have you chosed him? It is because he saved me?" I asked him as I couldn't believe in few months I will have to share bed with a murderer of my closest one.

" Yes. He risked his life for you, what most of people wouldn't do, but just run away. He showed me he is suitable and you can accept your wedding in few months." Mehmed said to me and signalised me that I should leave his chambers.

I was leaving his chambers without a word as I was shocked how he could do something like that. I felt completley losed, that at one moment I just bumped into someone.

" Sultana, are you fine?" Iskender asked me as I bumped into him as I wasn't looking in front of myself.

I took a second to take a deep breath because I was crazy inside my mind. I looked at him and realised I will have to marry him instead of marrying Murad which I love since I know for myself.

" I am fine." I said to him and looked away from him. I felt embarassed in front of him after I found out I will have to marry him.

" You don't look fine. I am worried for you. Is your leg better now?" Iskender asked me with soft tone of voice and he sounded like he is really sweetheart and cares for me, but that couldn't end the fact he killed my brother.

" I am fine. I want to thank you once again for saving me there, I own my life to you." I said to him and gave him a soft smile. I should have thanked him a way before, because I didn't want to look like I am not thankful to that.

" It is my duty to take care of you, Sultana. You see it's better that I followed you, because if I haven't who knows what would happen with you that night." Iskender said as he looked deep to my eyes.