Elanur, accompanied by Hafsah, her lady in waiting, arrived at the palace and was seated in one of the outer rooms near the harem. It was a beautiful room decorated with mirrored mosaics and silver tiles. The cushions and seats were of white and cream velvet, trimmed with golden brocades. Hafsah stared in amazement, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Elanur too was taken aback by the beauty of this guest room, and wondered what the inner rooms of the palace looked like. ‘Who are you and what do you seek?’ They were asked by the palace servant who came to meet their carriage on arrival. Hafsah had answered for her. “This is Elanur. Please tell the Sultan her ladyship Elanur is here to meet him.” Hafsah passed a note, handwritten by Ela, to the servant who nodded and bowed towards Elanur. Ela hoped her note would reach Murat swiftly and she could see him soon. “Please tell your ladyship to come this way,” Hafsah was told by the servant of the palace. They were the...