Chapter 12: A Marriage Proposal

The Valide enters our part of the harem shortly after breakfast the next morning. We all assemble on the lower level to hear what she has to say. The odalisques from the other wing of the harem join us. Even Mahidevran and her maids attend the gathering. It is the first time the entire harem has come together since the sultan departed for the war. The decrease in the number of women in the harem over the last month is now clearly visible, and gives several of us cause for concern.

“I have received news from Sultan Suleiman Khan,” says the Valide. “The war is progressing well and our army is marching on Belgrade. The Hungarians are fleeing before our advance. In recognition of this good news we shall hold a small celebration in the harem this afternoon.”

The Valide then takes Nigar Kalfa and Sümbul Aga aside to give them instructions about the celebration. I look in the direction of where Mahidevran is standing. From her smile I suspect she knows that the Valide will use this afternoon’s celebration to announce that Hürrem is to be discharged from the harem. I look at Hürrem and see that she has also noticed Mahidevran’s look of delight. As if to confirm our fears, Daye Hatun comes over to where Hürrem and I are standing.

“Hürrem. Gülnihal. The Valide wishes to see you both in her room as soon as she has finished here.”

I look at Daye Hatun in surprise. I have been worrying about Hürrem’s fate after what Gülsah had boasted yesterday, but now it seems my own future in the harem is in doubt as well. We have no option but to obey the Valide’s summons, and we follow Daye Hatun back to the Valide’s personal suite of rooms. The Valide, Mahidevran and their maids join us a short while later. Gülsah can hardly contain her glee at what she anticipates is about to happen.

“As you are probably aware, I must reduce the number of women in the Old Palace harem,” begins the Valide. “There simply isn’t the need for so many odalisques in the harem while my son and many of his officials are away. I have sent a dozen women to the Ottoman harems in the provinces, but none of those palaces have a need for any further odalisques.”

Hürrem and I look at each other as though our world is about to end.

“There is a young pasha here in Constantinople whom I wish to reward for his loyalty to my son,” continues the Valide. “Tragically his wife recently died of a fever and he is left with three young children to look after. He has seen you and is attracted to you, Hürrem. The prospect of marrying a hatun from the Imperial harem pleases him greatly. He has also accepted my offer to provide a maid to help look after his children and new wife. That maid will be you, Gülnihal.”

“What if I don’t wish to marry this man?” asks Hürrem.

“Then your possessions will be confiscated and you will be sent to the slave market to be sold like the ignorant little whore that you are,” sneers Mahidevran.

“Silence, Mahidevran,” snaps the Valide. “I have warned you about your jealousy clouding your actions. I shall deal with this matter. You have been allowed to witness this meeting, but you are not to interfere. Hürrem. If you do not wish to marry the man I have selected for you then I will choose another. But you will marry ... and soon.”

“I haven’t finished my training yet,” says Hürrem clutching at straws. “You told me that I can’t be a hatun until I’ve completed my training. You refused to increase my stipend because I’m not a hatun.”

“As of this moment you and Gülnihal are no longer in training and you are both hatun. Your stipends will be increased from today,” says the Valide, easily circumventing Hürrem’s objections.

“Suleiman will be unhappy when he discovers that I’ve been married off like this,” says Hürrem.

“How dare you refer to the Padisha by his name alone,” warns the Valide, but with less venom than when she reprimanded Mahidevran a few moments ago. “Have you forgotten your training so quickly. As for whether my son will be unhappy at your departure, then I’m sure we can provide many other pretty concubines to console him.”

“Why me?” continues Hürrem, determined not to give in without a fight.

“The man I wish to reward has chosen you,” says the Valide. “I am doing you a favour. You are of lowly birth and are too rebellious to be anything more than a brief passing fancy for my son. He must provide more heirs for the dynasty. Heirs sired on mothers who can nurture and guide a Şehzade.”

“I can provide an heir,” says Hürrem. “I can learn how to protect and guide a son worthy of becoming the next sultan.”

Gülsah can’t prevent herself from letting out a snort of derision at Hürrem’s statement. Mahidevran is obviously of the same opinion, but she is more skilful at disguising her thoughts. The Valide looks at Gülsah dangerously.

“Mahidevran! You and your maids may depart,” orders the Valide. “I will see you at the celebration this afternoon.”

Mahidevran is shocked by her sudden dismissal, but knows better than to object. I suspect Gülsah will feel Mahideran’s wrath for her outburst when they are back in their room. The Valide waits until Mahidevran and her maids have departed before she continues.

“Hürrem. Why are you being so difficult?” says the Valide in a more conciliatory voice. “You are only one of many slaves who have been brought here to entertain my son. You have performed your duties admirably. And now you are to be rewarded by being married to a man of noble birth.”

“But I love Suleiman,” protests Hürrem.

Now it is the Valide’s turn to hastily disguise a look of disbelief. I’m sure the Valide has heard many concubines profess love for her son over the years. Fortunately she doesn’t reprimand Hürrem for referring to her son by his name alone. The Valide looks towards me as though asking for my support. Unfortunately I’m still too much in shock at the news to be able to offer any advice to either Hürrem or the Valide.