I Became the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire

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Luck and Twisted Plans (1)

The touch of Whirem as she wiped the chair was careful.

Compared to the room she lived in, this luxurious room was a world apart from a palace to a stable, and any small mistake would result in a beating.

“Make sure to clean thoroughly, leaving not a speck of dust.”

“Understood.”

In response to the supervisor of the harem women, the lowest-ranked Odalık (Odalık) answered in unison.

Whirem, among them, glanced around the room.

The carpet on the floor was softer than the blanket she slept with, and the decorated tiles on the walls were beautiful.

‘This is the Hatun’s room.’

It was a room for Hatun, who wasn’t here yet, and the clever Whirem understood why they were tasked with cleaning this place.

Women who entered the harem started as Odalık at the very bottom, but they were classified into two groups.

Ordinary women served the Valide Hatun and others, aspiring to positions like Kalfa, but those with exceptional beauty or talent in dance and song received training to become concubines.

All the women here were receiving such training to become concubines, cleaning luxurious rooms while dreaming of becoming Hatun.

‘Fools.’

Among so many Odalık, the women chosen by the Sultan were a mere handful, while most were destined to form contracts with officials or serve in the harem for life.

Whirem chuckled inwardly as she looked down on the women dreaming of such unreachable hopes, yet she understood them in a way.

Life in the harem, where everything could change if one gained the Sultan’s favor, implanted endlessly vain goals in the hearts of these women.

Moreover, a recent event made that hope feel closer than expected.

“Ah, how lucky you are, Gyulfer. Chosen by the Padishah.”

The owner of this place, Yusuf, visited the harem for the first time, and the beautified women sang and danced to catch his attention.

The woman who received the purple handkerchief from among the many was Gyulfer, and she spent the night in the prepared Sultan’s room.

It was the moment when another woman, aside from Nigyar, ascended to the rank of concubine.

As an Odalık peeked at the Kalfa while bringing up yesterday’s events, soft voices of agreement floated around.

“I couldn’t sleep at all last night. There were so many moans.”

“Most must have felt the same, right? Alexandra, did you too?”

At the teasing question, Whirem’s face flushed instantly, eliciting laughter from the women.

“She’s still a child. How can you ask her about such things?”

“My apologies, was it too stimulating for a child?”

The Odalık, who had just turned ten, was teased by the older ones, and as their voices grew louder, a harsh command from Kalfa rang out.

“Who’s making a ruckus?! Clean up and get moving!”

“Yes!”

Pointing to Whirem and a few other Odalık as they left the Hatun’s room, Kalfa handed them towels and clothes, warning them in a low voice.

“We’re going to the Padishah, so everyone behave properly.”

“Yes, yes!”

“Follow me.”

Under Kalfa’s warning, the Odalık wore nervous expressions. A mistake before the Sultan was not merely a matter of punishment.

Standing before the Sultan’s room, Kalfa cleared her voice and spoke cautiously.

“Your Majesty, I’ve brought the clothes. May we enter?”

– Enter.

The women who opened the door bowed low and upon receiving the command to raise their heads, they stood up.

As Yusuf stood up from beside a bundled Gyulfer, the women stiffened with tension.

Even just receiving a nonchalant gaze felt oppressive, and it made them forget they were supposed to be cleaning a male’s body for the first time.

With trembling hands, the women wiped and dressed him, and Yusuf glanced down at one particular girl, chuckling lightly.

“Ah, so you’re the one. Are you doing all right?”

“…I’m doing well.”

As he recognized her, Whirem flinched. It was then that she realized how ridiculous her actions had been since entering the harem.

Yusuf, seeing her reaction, teased her.

“Did you realize how great my mercy was?”

“Yes.”

“It seems you look much better than before.”

Yusuf slowly examined Whirem.

Feeling his scrutinizing gaze, Whirem shrank back slightly, and Yusuf scoffed.

“No need to show such reactions. I’m not interested in your immature body anyway.”

She was merely a ten-year-old.

Even if Muhammad had relations with a nine-year-old, it wasn’t his cup of tea.

Whirem’s sharp gaze almost welled up as she looked at him, but she immediately bowed her head under the murderous glare of Kalfa from behind.

The eyes of Yusuf, gazing at Whirem, sparkled with interest. It wasn’t merely because she was a famous historical figure.

‘Is my existence a blessing compared to history, or not?’

Many things had already twisted, and many more would change in the future.

Whirem alone had already drastically altered her fate because of him.

Whether her existence would act positively or negatively against the original history remained uncertain.

Before her, Whirem was living a life worse than her original history.

‘Losing her family at a younger age and being dragged here; plus, she probably wouldn’t live lavishly like in the original history.’

One never knows with people; even if Yusuf might take her in after a whim, it didn’t mean he would fall head over heels for her.

Still, looking at it from afar, there was no reason for her to be rated as the villain from her original story.

Content with her changed life or harboring excessive desires like in her original story; Whirem wondered what path she would choose.

“Your Majesty, I hope you had a peaceful night.”

When Fatima arrived with the news of his awakening, Yusuf replied readily.

“Thanks to my mother.”

“Then may I have a moment to speak with you?”

“Of course.”

Welcoming her request, Fatima led Yusuf to her room.

Light snacks were placed, and at Fatima’s gesture, Whirem and the other women all retreated.

As Fatima cleared the room, she spoke first.

“Now, please say what you wish to me.”

“How did you know?”

When Yusuf asked with a smiling face, Fatima lightly sipped her drink to refresh her throat before answering.

“I’m aware of how busy the Padishah is nowadays. You wouldn’t come to the harem just to entertain women.”

This wasn’t just empty talk; she was fully aware of the workload.

Even if many tasks were delegated to the officials, there were plenty of matters where his involvement would speed things up.

And many areas where his decision was necessary.

‘Just changing the law alone would be like this.’

From Yusuf’s perspective, there were many loopholes in the laws within the Ottoman Empire, and to fix those loopholes, they would need to touch upon Sharia, the fundamental Islamic law.

Naturally, the Islamic scholars who were already giving unfriendly glances would display discontent, as would those taking undue advantage of these loopholes.

From identifying those who might oppose to the point where Yusuf’s decision was necessary, many things awaited.

“What is the educational level of the harem women?”

“As you saw yesterday, it’s not lacking.”

In an era where what matters more than having a sharp mind is the education one has received, the harem women who underwent various education to teach a prince later could be considered tremendous elites.

They were the talents Yusuf needed.

“I need women interested in literature.”

“Literature?”

Fatima tilted her head at the unexpected reply.

“Yes, I need examples for the women of the Ottoman Empire.”

It goes without saying that it was too early to be shouting gender equality, even outside the Islamic world.

Yusuf didn’t intend to forcefully change this environment either.

‘That said, it’d be a pity not to utilize the talent already prepared.’

Not only the women of the harem but also those from wealthy families or high-ranking households had basic education under their belts.

With house chores managed by slaves, these women had little else to do, and their social activities were limited to gossiping in the bathhouse.

Thus, Yusuf chose literature for productive work that could be entrusted to these women.

Listening to Yusuf’s thoughts, Fatima stated plainly that it would not be easy.

“Though the Padishah’s intention is good, I’m afraid other men won’t easily allow it.”

It was indeed an era where men would say, “How dare a woman write?”

“Do not worry. Having good women is a pride for men.”

“Then, starting is crucial.”

When she showed it to others, it needed to be writing that would become a point of pride.

Then, men feeling envy would encourage their own women to emulate.

‘A situation where literature is indeed necessary.’

In modern times, science and technology take precedence over literature, but literature has the power to unite people.

Despite the differences in identity across regions, it was education and literature that helped bind them together under the umbrella of nationhood.

“I’ll give it a try.”

Fatima, who didn’t take Yusuf’s request lightly even without needing to express such reasons, nodded firmly.

Amidst the cheerful atmosphere with light chatter floating around, a knock was heard.

– Your Majesty, we’ve received a message from the palace.

“Come in.”

With Yusuf’s permission, Kalfa entered cautiously, presenting a neatly folded paper, causing Yusuf to smirk.

“Can you tell what it’s about?”

“It seems that the reinforcements led by Saad have delayed, and Mehmed, the son of Mengli, has died.”

They had perfectly grasped the Crimean Khanate in their palms.

*

Ismail’s expression hardened coldly.

With the secret agreement with Venice having been sealed, he had finally eliminated the long-suffering rats, yet things had taken a turn for the worse.

“Say that again.”

“…I think we missed one.”

“How did that happen?”

With each step Ismail took, the subordinate bowed deeply, trembling even more.

“I committed a grave sin! The captives were so tight-lipped that we only just found out.”

The culprits had stayed silent under the cruel tortures that cut their flesh with blades.

One of those barely holding out had confessed, but by then it was too late.

“Well, that’s understandable.”

As Ismail spoke softly, the subordinate who had held onto a moment of hope found a knife stabbing his back, choking on blood.

“W-why?”

“But that shouldn’t have happened.”

Ismail casually answered and seated himself, watching the corpse dragged away, leaving a long trail of blood on the floor.

Things had gone awry from the very beginning.

“This has become problematic.”

“They likely don’t know what conversations occurred with Venice.”

“Don’t underestimate that scoundrel Yusuf.”

Of course, even if they didn’t know what was discussed, it was clear they would somehow deal with it.

After drumming his fingers on the table for a moment, Ismail revealed a fierce grin.

“I must act sooner than planned.”

Although he intended to move only once the Western fleet began to move, it would likely be better to act during the agreed-upon timing.

If not carefully, he could lose the prey he had been aiming for.

“Yusuf, I will repay the humiliation you caused me in kind. I shall take your women.”

Ismail’s eyes were fixed on Trabzon.

*

“Captain! I can see Tunis over there!”

Upon hearing they had arrived at their destination, the crew busily moved about.

Uruji, watching with an eager face, frowned at the voice coming from behind.

“Send me straight to Venice!”

“Shut up! You beggar!”

“Yow!”

The man kicked to the ground groaned as he rolled about, muttering sadly.

“I really need to go quickly.”