One

Only in life, is there certain death.

This is a certainty that many who have come into Topkapi Palace, some were fortunate enough to survive to relish in the glitz and glamour of the palace, but behind the colourful tapestries and decorative marble was the stain of the blood of fallen servants and princes alike.

Those who were also the favourites and the Kadins of Sultan were not even safe from those who wish to rise, it was never wise to lower your guard, your position could easily be taken away as easily given.

One kadin knew of this, as she was chosen to be the cure to the poisonous snake that was Hurrem Sultana and to guide the Sultan back onto the golden path towards Allah.

This woman is Haseki Melekşima Sultan.

And this is her story.

______________________________________

Barely remembering how she came to Topkapi Palace, though she remembered that her first memory was the endless halls and long corridors.

Anastasia was chosen by her father nonetheless as a gift to the Ottoman Empire, she was now a slave.

True that she was not the favourite amongst her father's children, born to the mistress of a Catholic Lord was frowned upon- the quicker he got rid of her, the quicker the scandal would go away.

Anastasia was not even given the chance to say her farewells to her half-siblings, she was just placed on the ship which contained other pretty girls either given or forcefully taken, the men on the ship did not take kindly to the cries of the younger girls- one such man barked at a girl who wanted to die than be a slave.

"Only the Sultan can decide whether you live or die."

Those words kept with Anastasia as they were dragged to the markets, girls were brought whilst the rest were lined up and waited to be escorted to the Palace.

She was quickly snapped out of her thoughts as a woman began to bark orders, demanding them to line up, dragging some girls along with a man that did funny gestures.

Another woman, older and wiser looking banged the stick she carried to gather attention, the room instantly quietened down as the older woman began to examine the line of girls; pulling random ones and handing them off to the man to be taken elsewhere.

Soon there were eight girls left, the older woman stopped in front of Anastasia, who did not dare to look up even when she was grabbed by the chin and forced to look at the woman.

Looking pleased, the woman let go of Anastasia's chin, nodding towards the younger woman; who then clapped her hands for attention.

"Follow me to the baths." She barked, not waiting around for protests, guiding them from one room to another- this one was filled with steam and had no furniture aside from a few marble stools. "Strip and clean yourselves properly, once you are finished grab one towel and a pair of shoes, you'll then be examined by the harem doctor."

The items that the woman spoke about were given out by other women dressed in similar clothing to that of the woman that gave the orders out, their dirty and ragged clothes were instantly taken by the very same women as soap was passed around and the girls helped to clean each other by collecting water from the marble basins that mounted the walls, with deep golden bowls.

That feeling of being clean after weeks of not being able to bathe or even change clothes felt breathtaking relaxing, though the next part of the process of becoming a slave was both humiliating and scary- naturally, they weren't just checked for any diseases they may affect the Sultan and his Empire with, but they were all checked from their teeth to their most sacred and intimate parts.

Anastasia was worried that the scar she had received when she was five on her right breast would be considered a defect and she would be cast out, if Anastasia was to be thrown out of Topkapi Palace- she wouldn't be able to return home.

If she did, then her father would surely have her killed.

Though that was not the case as Anastasia was given the clear, without hesitation the girl bolted to where the others were waiting, once the last girl passed the inspection, they soon returned to the room that they had left previously, the woman then pointed to a small room to the side, passed the bowing men that never moved.

"Find a spot to sleep, in that room, there are bed rolls, blankets and pillows. Once you've chosen a spot, we will arrange for a chest for your things and it will remain there." She spoke, showing the small room with endless rows of different bed rolls, blankets and pillows, some were different seasons and others were merely for decorative purposes.

Some women began to set up their bedrolls and pillows, having already chosen a spot, Anastasia chose a spot nearest the door and close to another girl that came on the same ship and across from another that was from the season before. Whispers from the woman dresses in elegant silks and glances directed at them, Anastasia knew they were talking about them, but chose to ignore it as tomorrow was another day.

"You are now a part of the harem, slaves to Suleiman Sultan, and from now on you will live here. This is where you will eat and sleep, outside is where you will attend daily chores and lessons. My name is Nigar Kalfa, I am one of the kalfas in Topkapi Saraiy." She spoke, more softly now with a smile on her face. "Come, now you will sleep and replenish your strength. These clothes will be what you wear daily."

With her hand extended, similarly dressed Kalfas handed them a small bundle of clothes, one was a simple cotton nightdress whilst the other was a more thicker cotton, with either a red or blue tunic to over top to keep themselves modest within the laws of the Ottoman Empire.

"Change into your nightdress and sleep  for tomorrow is a new day."

It was slightly humiliating to undress and then re-dress in a room filled with women, but the men at the end of the doors never once glanced up, which was relieving.

The discarded towels were taken away by the Kalfas, and only Nigar Kalfa remained as she clapped her hands for silence. "Get into bed and sleep."

The candles were blown out, Anastasia could not sleep as stiff giggles and soft sobs were heard, sighing once as she turned over and closed her eyes, dreaming of a life that she once had lived.

The warmth of the sun rays woke Anastasia up as voices echoed around her, she had noticed that some of the girls were already dressed, so she followed suit and that was when Nigar Kalfa made her appearance with the unknown man that did funny gestures; soon he was introduced as Sümbal Agha- he was the one to be respected as the head of the Aghas that surrounded the place and he was also the one bribe if you wish to try your luck at scoring a chance to walk the Golden path to the Sultan.

They ordered the bed rolls, pillows and blankets to return to the room as it was nearly time for breakfast, when they returned from the storeroom- low, rounded tables filled the rooms along with the decorative cushions, and food was spread across the tables along with silver cups of what seemed to be either water, wine or both.

Anastasia sheepishly sat at the table with three other girls, they ate in silence and then Sümbal Agha quickly came into the room nodding towards Nigar Kalfa.

"Get up, up!" She barked, making the room fall suddenly quiet as they slowly rose to their feet, both Nigar Kalfa and Sümbal Agha grabbed a girl that was too slow to line up. "Bow and do not raise your head."

Sümbal Agha cleared his throat, announcing the arrival of the Valide Sultan, flanked by that her daughter Hatice Sultan and their concubine servants.

Anastasia got to glance at a tall, dark-haired woman who was dressed in elegant silks and jewellery with an aging face, their eyes locked and Anastasia quickly glanced neck at the floor- afraid that her glance was a sign of defiance.

The wave of authority passed, and as the whispers began to echo again, Nigar Kalfa clapped her hands- ordering those who were to begin their chores to do so and the rest were to attend lessons.

They were now known as Cariyes, or simply as Imperial court ladies, for a few days they were given the tasks of cleaning up the main room before bed and assisting those who served the Valide Sultan.

Anastasia was surprised by the lessons they were given, not only were they taught the language of the Ottoman Empire but they were given lessons in creative arts- such as music and dance.

Anastasia was told from an early age that she could not sing, as she sounded like a bird.

A tone-deaf bird.

But here- She was praised for her small talent in singing, and with the right coaching, she could easily entertain Valide Sultan.

Nigar Kalfa taught them a rudimentary knowledge of the language, and was quite surprised how quickly Anastasia picked up on it, she was tasked with helping the other Cariyes in their lessons along with some of the older Cariyes and some of the kinder Gözde.

That was how Anastasia was introduced to both Halime and Fatmä, two Cariyes from a previous bunch of slaves, there was also Ayşe Hatun, a kind Ikbal also known as a 'favourite'- though her position had not risen beyond that.

Their lives now were filled with lessons and daily chores, Anastasia listened to the stories spread around the harem that the Valide was actively seeking a concubine that could release the Sultan from the claws of a certain Kadin, as her actions were beginning to turn the Ottoman Empire upside-down.