Malika has always been fond of music. Dancers and a feast's delights were a preferable bonus. And here there was everything her heart could wish for to turn it into an an enjoyable evening.

However, the heaviness of the atmosphere where she was seated couldn't be simply ignored. It didn't help that she kept on feeling the glares aimed at her back.

"Malika Sultan, may Allah allows you this joy of becoming a mother and bless you with a Shahzadeh for the Sultan."

"Amin Sultana."

She forced herself to keep smiling even when she knew this Sultana harbored no good intentions. Those heart-felt words on their own were lovely yet coupled with the current situation they couldn't be worse.

For as today, the ottoman dynasty was celebrating the birth of another sultana for the Sultan from his consort Emine Hatun. That one hatun seeming to enjoy herself yet never failing to keep her unwelcome guests in check with a single stare.

How did a Shahdokht from Safavid Dynasty manage to involve herself with such people you may ask? Rulers of the Ottoman Empire, biggest enemies of her homeland.

Well, Malika has been asking herself that question for months ever since the Shah brought news of this union to her mother. And generously redeem it as Allah's direction for this princess.

God knows under what conditions these two Padishas agreed on a marriage that no one else approved of. A marriage where she came to be Sultan Orhan II first legal wife. That had her throat going dry.

She busied herself tasting one piece from each plate that was put in front of her. Whispering from time to time to the kalfa to rely her appreciation to the chief. She was thankful there were various types of sweets that didn't seem to end.

"Malika.."

'Allah help me and make them forget this name ever existed' she thought

"This is not going as it should be" it was Zeynep Sultan who spoke "You, a Haseki Sultan, sitting here still and going unnoticed during a celebration, isn't quite befitting of your title."

'And what might your grace find befitting of my title' Malika wished to ask yet knew better than to speak back to an Ottoman Sultana.

"What would you leave for the newly-brought to the Harem."

It wasn't until that sentence that Malika found the will to stand up. She faced the sultanas and bowed slightly then made her way down the three steps.

Emine Hatun coughed covering a laugh. She along with the rest of the seated thought Malika would be attempting a dance. However, the Sultana with Persian origin knew not to embarrass herself and instead approached the crib of the newly-born sultana.

Two women stood keeping eye on her as it was set far away from the instrument players and so the crowd of high-ranked women. The brunette almost bent down to pick her when a hand-gesture from the Haseki stopped her.

Malika caressed the sleeping baby's cheek gently then picked her up herself and held her close to her chest. She stirred a bit yet remained asleep.

Emine Hatun gritted her teeth. She glanced at Zeynep Sultan for any hint at what she should do. The Sultana shook her head indicating she should remain seated.

Meanwhile, the music didn't stop yet the dancers slowed their movements.

Malika came back to the table with her new-found ally and made sure her voice to be clear and heard.

"Tell the musicians to keep the sound down as to not disturb our little Sultana."

The Kalfa bowed, before noticing her kissing the child's forehead.

"Masha'Allah. May you grow up to be as beautiful as your Valide and intelligent as our Sultan. May Allah protect you to our dynasty and keep that smile upon your face."

She nodded towards a lady who quickly gave her a gold bracelet to put on for the baby. Then proceeded to recite Surah Al Falaq.

The Sultanas remained speechless. They didn't like it yet had nothing to fault her with. Nilufer Sultan was about to say something when her aunt, the late Sultan's sister, Muhtereme Sultan beat her to it.

"Malika Sultan is loving and warm-hearted towards children. That's a fortune" she smiled "I'm curious. Would that be because you had many younger siblings growing up?"

Malika's smile dropped a bit but she didn't let it show on her face.

"You are correct my Sultana. I do indeed have younger sisters and brothers. Numbered that is. But my Walide only birthed me a younger sister."

Muhterem Sultan's expressions remained soft and welcoming and so Malika wondered where this sense of threat came from.

"So, your Walide has no son to back her up?"

"We had- hmm. She had. My older brother Shehzade" she thought it pointless to mention his name in front of these people "but he passed away due to sickness a few years ago."

"Allah'in rahmeti."

"Amin."

Malika cleared her throat softly and proceeded to hand over the child to her mother's servant when Muhtereme spoke again.

"Don't you think it's a pity this Sultana remains without a name for the next while."

"Sultanem.." It was Emine Hatun who finally broke her silence "My wish is for my daughter to be named by the Sultan when he inshallah comes back victorious from the campaign."

"I see that your wish is quite selfish Emine. Our Sultana doesn't deserve this."

"But.." Emine was immediately silenced by the Sultana's raised hand. She again glanced at Zeynep Sultan who ignored her this time.

The next sentence was a surprise to everyone.

"Malika Sultan, would you, as the Haseki, like to choose a name for her?"

Malika knew what answer to give. Only one was right if she wished to keep on living those peaceful days.

"I don't dare my Sultana. I know my place. Besides I'm still not fluent enough in this language to come up with a beautiful name as you would." she said jokingly "I'm afraid the Sultana would hate me if she were to be stuck with any common name I might choose."

Muhtereme smiled.

"On the contrary, I think it would be very appropriate if you picked her name. But since you don't feel like it, I'll do it myself."

And so the Sultana was brought to her. She took her time examining her face then swiftly raised her head.

"Malika Sultan was right to pray for her happiness." She smiled "Raziye. Your name will be Raziye."

And so the Sultana was named against her mother's wish. And her name managed to get linked to Malika.

What a delight!

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Thank you for reading! Hope you enjoyed it, don't forget to vote and leave a comment.

-Kara