The Kadin - Bertrice Small [140]
Suleiman flushed “I am truly sorry, mother. Of course it is out of the question for Gulbehar to move into the Garden Court It is the home of my mother and my aunts as long as they choose. I shall speak to my kadin.”
Cyra, somewhat mollified, changed her tactics. “Do not be harsh, my son. Gulbehar is young. She has not had the guidance of an older woman these last few years. She is spoiled and has not had the chance to mature in the company of other women, since you have no others. She has given you your only son. Is it any wonder she is puffed up?”
“You are right mother. Living away from court has not helped, either.”
“Your father had four kadins, and the lady Refet was there to guide us. Gulbehar has bad no one. You must declare me valideh. Only then will I have the right to school her—and in fairness, my son, it is my right”
“I shall do it mother!”
“Today. Before the sun sets over the Golden Horn, Suleiman.”
“Before the sun sets, mother, I shall declare you the sultan valideh Hafise.”
“Hafise? I am called Cyra.”
“No one outside the serai knows the names of its women. Hadji Bey named you Cyra, the ‘Flame.’ He saw in you things no proper son would see in his mother. On the few occasions you have traveled through the city, the people have given my father’s kadins names of their own. They called you the “Fiery One.’ Firousi was the ‘Fair One.’ Zuleika was the ‘Woman of Cathay,’ and Sarina was known as the ‘Dark-Haired One.’
“I have always looked up to you, mother. You have been the source of my wisdom, and so I shall publicly call you Hafise, the “Wise One.’ If you would be valideh, you will bear this name and no other.”
“Very well, my son. To please you, I shall be Hafise. I only hope I will not disappoint those who take my new name seriously.”
Suleiman smiled down on her. “You have never disappointed me, mother. I know you never disappointed my father, even at the end when he was so changed. If you can please two Ottoman sultans, how can the people be disappointed?”
“Selim was right You are a diplomat Now, if we can make of you as good a soldier and judge, perhaps history will be kind enough to remember you. Allah! I am ravenously hungry! I have hardly eaten these last few weeks.” Kissing him lightly, she reminded him, “Remember—by sunset” and she left him.
No sooner had Cyra gone than Gulbehar crept back into the room “What did she want?”
“Her rights, which I have too long overlooked,” answered Suleiman. “She will be declared sultan validen by day’s end.”
Gulbehar pouted. “Oh, my lord! That is so old-fashioned!”
Suleiman looked at his honey-haired kadin with her petulant little mouth. He could not help but notice the shimmering garnet glass that his mother had so acidly mentioned, nor the fact that Gulbehar had become undisciplined. Once again, his mother was right She never faded him.
“You will obey her,” he said, “and give her your respect She is the ‘Crown of the Veiled Heads’ and will be treated as such. Go to her this afternoon, and take Mustafa with you. Give her your felicitations on her appointment Perhaps she will teach you how to dress. You do not look like a sultan’s kadin, but like a country wife!”
Gulbehar’s mouth opened in surprise. Then she began to cry. “You are cruel to me! You have never before complained of the way I dress! It is your mother who has set you against me!”
The young sultan took Gulbehar in Ms arms. “Do not weep. My mother likes you. It was she who pointed out that I do not dress you as the bas-kadin of a sultan should be dressed. She feels your beauty is not sufficiently adorned,” soothed the young diplomat.
Gulbehar, placated, sniffed softly. “Do not look at me,” she said. “My eyes are all red and swoflen.”
“Your eyes are beautiful, my little flower. Now I must leave you. I have work to do.”
He rose, kissed her, and strode from the room. Gulbehar watched him go, then picked up a mirror and began to contemplate her reflection.