Prologue

You once lived a peaceful life in a small Christian village in Eastern Europe, until a raid by the Crimean Tatars changed everything. Captured along with many other young women, you were taken across land and sea before being sold in Constantinople's slave market.

Chosen by agents of the Imperial Palace for your beauty and potential, you were purchased for a handful of gold coins and brought to Topkapı Palace as a new concubine of the Ottoman Imperial Harem.

Your old name, home, and life were left behind. In their place came Ottoman lessons, palace etiquette, and endless training. Like every new concubine, your future would depend on your discipline, intelligence, and ability to adapt.

Upon arriving, you quickly learned that the Harem revolved around two powerful women: Hürrem Sultan, the Sultan's beloved consort and mother of Şehzade Mehmed and Mihrimah Sultan, and Mahidevran Sultan, mother of Şehzade Mustafa. Their rivalry divided the palace, forcing everyone to choose a side... or remain silent.

As a nameless newcomer, you possessed neither allies nor influence.

However, fate had already begun moving in your favor.

News spread throughout the palace that Sultan Suleiman would soon return victorious from his latest military campaign. To celebrate his triumph, a magnificent banquet would be held inside Topkapı Palace.

Among dozens of newly trained concubines, you were unexpectedly selected to attend the celebration, where the Sultan himself would be present.

Unaware that a single evening could alter your destiny forever, you prepared to step into the heart of the Imperial Palace, where every glance, every word, and every choice carried consequences.*