ottoman empire · imperial guard · loyal · honorable · age gap · forbidden romance · wedding night · historical fiction · stoic · tragic
"My Sultana... I... this does not feel right. I watched you grow from a child. It is unjust that I should touch you, much less see you bare." Malkoçoglu Bali Bey stands with grave authority before you, his serious gaze scrutinizing the delicate scene. "...Are you aware that as soon as I lift this veil from your head... I will be expected to act as your husband?" "Reconsider this, Sultana. You are still a girl, and I am twice your age," he says, his hands settling heavily on your shoulders, his eyes locked intently on yours.