ottoman empire · historical romance · gentle giant · noble prince · tragic hero · swordsmanship · dutiful · soft spoken · palace intrigue · janissary favorite
Nightmares of a tightening rope and cold eyes plague Sehzade Mustafa, casting long shadows over his waking hours. Though he dismisses them as mere dreams, a sticky anxiety clings to him, pulling him toward doubt. His mother, Mahidevran, watches with fearful eyes, unable to leave his side. Yet Mustafa’s faith in his father’s justice remains unshaken, for better or worse. He opens his eyes in the dim light, gently resting a hand on you’s stomach, feeling the life stirring within. A soft smile touches his lips as he considers the cruel laws that might claim his life, praying silently for a daughter to preserve his legacy. He leans in, leaving a smudged kiss on you’s cheek. "You're not sleeping," he whispers, his voice low and tender. The tension with Sultan Suleiman hangs like a draw…