Chapter 8

Aylin and the other new concubines were enjoying tea in the garden in the afternoon as their personal maids poured the tea for them. Aylin was listening to the concubines' gossip, but she didn't feel like joining in.

A woman in a formal outfit suddenly entered the garden with two servants and said, "Greeting young ladies, I'm Halima and I will be teaching you all how to sew so follow me to the sewing chamber." Aylin was curious about Halima's coming and wondered what abilities she would be able to pick up in the sewing room.

Aylin couldn't help but feel eager as the group followed Halima. She had always admired people who could make lovely clothes, and now she had the chance to learn from a knowledgeable instructor.

When they walked inside the area, there were numerous pillows for them to sit on and work on their sewing skills as well as wardrobes filled with fabrics, needles, vibrant threads, and numerous other supplies needed to stitch and embellish a garment. "So ladies take your seats and I will be showing you all how to build a basic flower on the napkin" Halima Khatun shouted loudly for everyone to hear.

Some of the girls' eyes glittered with anticipation as they took their seats, while others were bored, but Aylin loved to learn new things so she attentively watched Halima khatun. She started exhibiting the delicate craft of making a flower on a napkin with a soft grin. Her hands glided smoothly as she patiently and clearly described each step, moving the needle into the fabric.

When she was through, she requested the girls to take a napkin and the necessary supplies, and they did as she instructed before returning to their seats. While assisting the girls who needed assistance and keeping an eye on their work, Halima noticed that Aylin was almost finished with a flower and thought it was so lovely and exquisite that she said, "Have you ever sewn before?"

In order to respond, Aylin turned to face Halima khatun"No, Ustaz (Teacher), I'm doing it for the first time." She grabbed her napkin to proudly show the other girls her work, saying, "Young ladies, look at this, she is new to sewing but she has done the flower so perfectly, you guys can take can also do if you guys just pay attention like Aylin, I believe that is your name." Halima Khatun was astounded to discover her talent. Aylin blushed at the compliment, nodded, and grinned.

With a smile, Halima Khatun gave the napkin back and proceeded to see how the other females were doing. After that, Aylin was using the thread to create leaves to finish them when she suddenly felt pain in her arm and exclaimed, "Ouch" as blood began to spill, she realized that Helin was the one pricking her with the needle while grinning. Aylin's eyes widened in shock and confusion as she quickly withdrew her hand from Helin. She was baffled as to why she would purposefully harm her.

So Aylin got to her feet while still feeling agony in her hand and inquired, "Why did you prick me with the needle? " with uncertainty and terror in her voice. Helin?" Immediately removing her sneer, Helin said, "Oh, I'm so sorry, Aylin, it was simply an accident. You don't have to make a big deal out of this." This girl was too good to be true, Aylin thought. "Is she crazy?"Halima Ustaz and other females were both staring at them, so Halima inquired, "What's wrong? did Helin do something?" Halima ustaz, "my needle unintentionally poked her hand" Helin interjected before Aylin could respond.

Aylin gazed at her bleeding hand, which had been pricked earlier. It's just a tiny scratch, nothing to worry about, she informed Halima Ustaz. The other girls were busy stitching but remained inquisitive. Aylin received an unpleasant smirk from Helin as she went about her task. After they finished practicing sewing, Aylin and the other girls began to make their way to their rooms, with Aylin trailing far behind the other girls and she was preoccupied with questions like "why did Helin purposely prick her? Was it motivated by envy? However, she was at a loss for a justification for her nefarious actions. Since she was a newcomer to the palace and had been thinking about all of these things while everyone else had already left for the concubine courtyard, she panicked when she realized she was the only person remaining in the corridor.

Aylin attempted to calm herself down and began to move forward while searching for the correct path. She discovered a short hallway with a few quarters but wasn't sure if she had to go this way When she looked around and saw no one in that spot at that time, she continued on and discovered a palace guard emerging from a quarter at the end of the hallway. When the guard seen her there by herself, he became suspicious and asked, "Hey lass, what you doing here alone? Thinking of escaping? Aylin shook her head adamantly as she attempted to explain her predicament. "No no I'm lost, it is not what you're thinking, I assure you. I was with my concubine group when we emerged from the sewing room, but I became sidetracked and lost track of them. So.." The guard refuted him, saying, "No Lass, your explanation seems absurd. I have to let queen mum know about you. I must report you to queen mother. You must be planning to run away. Lets go." The guard stopped shouting when the door to that quarter opened, revealing a handsome man dressed in opulent attire. Aylin knew she was in trouble so she tried to convince him once more that she was in trouble, but he was getting angry and forced her to go to the queen mother. He asked the guard what happened after noticing how powerful the guard's presence looked to be, emphasizing Aylin's apparent plans to flee in his explanation.

The man called for Aylin to enter while listening intently and adopting a more serious expression. He also told the guard to remain at the door. She blurted out, "Sir, I'm the concubine of the sultan Yakub, so I need to leave," not knowing what to do if he meant any damage to her. He gave her a perplexed expression as he grinned slyly. She appeared to be speaking in a strange language, and the guard was equally astonished and perplexed.

Aylin observed their facial expressions to determine the cause of their expression. Don't worry, I mean no harm if that's what you're thinking, the man reassured them once more while grinning. Enter; I only want to speak. At the rear of the gorgeous man, Aylin noticed another man with a mildly white beard and a friendly smile "Bashir, wait until I finish talking with this beautiful young lady who is the sultan's concubine," the handsome man said in a quiet voice.

The Bashir guy made a bowing motion before leaving the room and motioning with his hand to enter the space. The charming man stepped back from the doorway to make room for Aylin. Aylin moved farther into the room after entering and noticing that it had two large windows covered in red curtains.

The fine furnishings took on a lovely glow from the bright sunlight, giving the room the appearance of an office. She heard the rear door close as she turned to look around.