Chapter 54
After that, I joined the temple as Hürrem had instructed.
There was, of course, some gossip — an unmarried prince sharing living quarters with a mysterious woman who suddenly became a priestess was bound to stir whispers.
But after I went to the temple with Aziz and underwent what they called a “divine power release test,” all the murmurs disappeared in an instant.
Because I had shattered the sacred crystal that was supposed to measure divine power.
Even the high priests were left speechless. Some even began to look at me with fear — a clear sign of how frightening the power I possessed must have seemed.
‘Still, this is a bit much…’
Recently, I had become one of the hottest topics in the palace, surrounded by the strangest rumors.
Some said I was a witch, others claimed I was an angel descended from the heavens.
I didn’t really care what they called me — except for one rumor I simply couldn’t tolerate: that I was the illegitimate daughter of Hürrem and Aziz.
‘If that were true, then Suleiman and I would be in some sort of forbidden relationship.’
While marriage between distant cousins was permitted in the kingdom, anything closer was strictly forbidden.
Someone must have deliberately spread the rumor to damage Hürrem and Suleiman’s reputations.
“Ugh. As if we even look remotely alike,” I muttered.
“Pardon? What was that, my lady?”
“Nothing.”
With my face half-hidden behind a book, I sneaked a glance at Aziz, who was studying beside me.
‘Well, I can see why people might think there’s something between him and the Sultan…’
At first glance, Aziz seemed like an easygoing, ordinary man. But in truth, he was tall, handsome, and well-built — easily one of the most attractive men in the palace, second only to Suleiman and Theron.
And being Hürrem’s right-hand man, with a mysterious background and quiet charm, it was no wonder he drew attention.
“Aziz, have you heard the weird rumors going around the palace lately?”
“I’m not sure what you mean, my lady. But I don’t think you need to concern yourself with gossip. People do love to talk about things they know nothing about.”
He wasn’t wrong. Still, it wasn’t pleasant being the subject of such baseless talk.
“What if I just reveal that I’m the prophetic cat? Then people would stop with the ridiculous misunderstandings. It’d make everything simpler.”
Aziz’s expression turned serious.
“My lady, what do you think the prophetic cat actually is?”
The question caught me off guard. I rolled my eyes, thinking for a moment, and answered honestly.
“A decorative ornament, maybe? Something meant to stay beside the next Sultan. Nothing more, nothing less.”
“Haha! That’s quite an amusing way to put it.”
He burst out laughing — genuine laughter, rare for him.
‘Well, I’m not wrong.’
Having spent months as both “the sacred cat” from prophecy and the supposed lover of the Sultan, that was exactly how I felt.
Holy beast? Please.
All it really was, was a living mascot for a coronation ritual — a symbol for the “great Sultan to come.”
Lately, I found joy in healing the sick, whether human or animal. At least then, I could be someone defined by my own will — not by other people’s stories.
“But this isn’t the right time to reveal the truth,” Aziz said gravely. “If people learn that the prophetic cat is actually human, chaos will break out. You’ll become a target of temptation.”
“I’ve already chosen to help Suleiman. My mind won’t waver.”
“Perhaps not. But others won’t see it that way. Many will try to claim you for themselves. And the dangers that brings…”
“…You’re right.”
I nodded slowly, sinking into thought.
People often desire what they can’t have — and if they can’t own something, they’d rather destroy it.
It wasn’t hard to imagine that those jealous of Suleiman would want to harm what was precious to him — even if it was just a supposed lover.
“Your divine power is extraordinary, my lady,” Aziz continued. “In the old days, someone like you would have been granted the title of Saint. If anyone tried to exploit that power…”
“Saint? I’ve never heard of such a position in this kingdom.”
At that, Aziz’s face drained of color.
‘What’s with him?’
He went pale, then ashen, and finally expressionless.
When he finally spoke, his voice was cold enough to freeze the air.
“It’s a very old story. As you said — such a thing no longer exists. And it must never exist again.”
“Ah… right…”
I tilted my head, puzzled by his cryptic tone, but Aziz didn’t elaborate.
Something in the air told me not to push further.
The chill in the room kept me silent, and I soon excused myself, heading back to my quarters.
Later that night — Suleiman’s office.
“So you’re telling me you still haven’t found the culprit? Even though chaos erupts in the city every single day?”
“…My apologies, Your Highness.”
Suleiman slammed his fist on the desk.
The loud thud echoed through the room. Iblan and the other aides quickly bowed their heads.
‘Damn it. Nothing’s going as planned.’
For weeks, Suleiman had been struggling to quell a wave of violent riots spreading across the city.
Somehow, unknown dealers had supplied street thugs with high-grade weapons.
Gangs that once coexisted under an uneasy truce were now at each other’s throats. Civilian casualties and merchant losses grew by the day.
What was strange was that all this had started right after the raid on the harbor’s smuggling ring.
It was a clear message — a challenge, even.
Touch me again, and you’ll regret it.
“Any progress tracing the confiscated weapons?”
“We examined three months of harbor logs and warehouse rentals, but nothing turned up. However, based on the material and craftsmanship, they’re definitely not of local origin.”
“So we’re back to square one.”
Suleiman let out a hollow laugh and pressed his fingers against his temple.
Every time he thought he had found a lead, it slipped away.
This endless game of hide-and-seek was wearing him thin.
When the long, fruitless meeting finally ended, he made his way toward Hürrem’s chambers.
The sun was already setting. He worried about Ishtar, who was waiting for him back at the governor’s residence, but it was impossible to refuse the Sultan’s summons.
‘What could she want at this hour?’
Though the Sultan’s paperwork often passed through his hands, direct meetings like this were rare.
When he arrived at the palace, a servant guided him to Hürrem’s study.
Inside, he found her sitting by the fireplace, leisurely reading a book.
“You called for me, Mother?”
“Ah, you’re here, my son. You’re a bit late.”
She closed her book with a soft snap and waved the servants away.
When they were alone, silence filled the grand study, dimly lit by the flickering fire.
Suleiman took the seat across from her.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been in this room,” he said. “What did you wish to discuss at this hour?”
“You’ve been doing such a fine job as acting Sultan that I finally have some time to spare,” she said with a warm smile. “So I thought we might simply talk — just mother and son.”
As her face brightened with that familiar, radiant smile, Suleiman’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
