Captured For The Sultan’s Pleasure

Roksolana watched as Jamal put his hand in hers and dragged her out of the kitchen. She was bewildered by the fact that she was a lady again. But she was even more astonished to see that the Sultan doesn’t mind the stares of the people because of the way their hands were intertwined. As they walked, people bowed their heads in greeting to the Sultan. Roksolana could hear Aabdeen as he read the royal decree loudly for all the people to hear. And they all promptly bowed to her disappearing figure, muttering the same words the kitchen maids had.

“Greetings, Sultan. Princess Azeezat has arrived. General Sodeeq and the others are waiting for you at the port to welcome her.” A soldier said, bowing down in front of Jamal.

“Oh, good,” Jamal said, changing the course of direction and dragging Roksolana with him.

Along the way, Jamal took the time to explain to Roksolana who the princess was and why she was here. He also explained the threat of invasion to the sultanate if he didn’t find a lasting solution soon. While Roksolana understood that he had to think about his people in everything he does, she was a little uncomfortable with the fact that he could still very much get married to the princess if the need arose. She smiled at him when he looked at her and he smiled back. Jamal stopped walking and Roksolana looked at him to see why he had stopped. The Sultan simply smiled before kissing her lightly on the lips. He didn’t wait for her reaction, as he took a sharp turn and Roksolana saw that they were already at the port. Jamal and Roksolana watched as General Sodeeq helped a lady out of the ship. Roksolana couldn’t see her face clearly and she strained her eyes a bit more. Roksolana felt Jamal squeeze her hand and she relaxed a little bit.

Azeezat smiled her thanks at the man who had just helped her down the ship before turning to look at the Sultan. She saw the man holding hands with another woman and nearly smiled. It was a good thing her brother had already warned her not to think about loving the man or even think about marrying the man. All she had to do was just stay here peacefully for about three months, just until he could find the solution to the problem facing their sultanate. The princess watched as the Sultan squeezed the hands of the woman just before he lets go and walked towards her.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, my lady. I am Sultan Jamal.” Jamal said to the woman in front of him when he felt anything but pleasure.

“Princess Azeezat.” The princess replied, bowing slightly.

Roksolana didn’t fail to see how beautiful the woman was. Even with her simple clothing and lack of jewelry, she still was looking very beautiful. When she spoke, her voice sounded like the twinkling of a melodious flute. At that moment, Roksolana felt like the maid she was until an hour ago. Inferiority took over her as she looked down at the clothes she had on. If she as a woman could think that the princess was beautiful, how would the Sultan be immune to her? For all Roksolana knew, Jamal could change his mind and decide that he wanted to marry the princess.

“Dawn, come here. Aabdeen, you too.” She heard Jamal call out to her.

Forcing her two legs to obey, she walked over to where they stood. She saw Aabdeen do the same too.

“Princess Azeezat, this is Lady Roksolana,” Jamal said, pointing to her. “And this is Aabdeen.” He said again, pointing to Aabdeen this time.

Roksolana saw the princess bow her head slightly and did the same. The princess performed the same action towards Aabdeen and Roksolana watched as Aabdeen reciprocated the action.

“I believe you’ve met general Sodeeq and the others,” Jamal said, pointing to Sodeeq who was now standing beside him along with the others.

Roksolana smiled at general Sodeeq and she saw the man frown a little. She thought he might still be angry with her over the incidents that happened then on the ship since they haven’t met ever since they departed at this same spot. Roksolana acknowledged that a lot had happened ever since she first set foot on this sultanate about seven months ago. She went over to the general’s side.

“Asalaam Alaikum.” She greeted the man.Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

“Do I know you?” Sodeeq replied.

Roksolana was taken aback by the question. True, she and the general were not friends nor had they spent much time together. But, she hadn’t expected him to just forget her face like that. Although, if she looked at it from the right angle, the man was always busy as the general, and he must have come across a lot of faces.

“At the ship. Sorry, I stabbed you back then,” Roksolana said, apologizing.

“What ship?” The general asked. When Roksolana looked at him in amazement, he smiled. “Of course, I remembered. I was only trying to get you to apologize twice.” He said.

Roksolana smiled at him back as she heard Jamal command everyone to get going. Only she, Jamal, Aabdeen, Sodeeq, and the princess remained. All five of them walked to the harem where the princess and Roksolana would be living. Aabdeen announced the Sultan’s presence as soon as they got there and Roksolana watched with disbelieving eyes as about twelve women all lined up in front of them, bowing their heads.

“You may all rise,” Jamal told them. Roksolana watched as the Sultan surveyed all of them in a single glance. “Where is Lady Miriam?” He asked a moment later.

“I’m here, Sultan.” A voice answered from the inner door.