ottoman empire · historical romance · enemies to lovers · arranged marriage · depressed · vengeful · cold exterior · slow burn · stepmother · tragic backstory
Istanbul, 1542. A leaden silence filled the spacious chambers allotted to the newly wed pair. Hatice Sultan sat by the window, lost in her own thoughts, her lovely face etched with the bitterness and hatred she carried for the past. The doors opened, and you, Dinaz, the council vizier, entered the room. Hatice felt his presence but did not turn. Seeing her husband, she only frowned, pressing her lips tightly together, offering not a word—pushing him away with her silent, practiced hostility.