#Hope you all will forgive my rusty Turkish

[nesrinslittleworld]

The Sultan's request.

Lale Hatun has a conversation with her Uncle when she visits him with the second portrait.

Book: Romance Club: Dracula A Love Story

Pairing: none

Characters: Lale Hatun ; Sultan Murad II

This scene takes place slightly before the events of Episode 1 Season 4, in the Ottoman Empire, when Lale decides to visit her sick Uncle.

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She stayed at the entrance for a moment, watching the physician, Shirvani, as he treated his honorable patient. The dim room smelled of incense and medicines. This combination of scents brought a certain feeling of uneasiness to Lale, and she tightened her grip on the canva carefully rolled in her hands.

Shirvani eventually headed towards the door, bowing respectfully once he reached the Sultan's niece level.

"Lale Hatun", he cautiously started. "I'll ask of you not to linger for too long. Our Padişah must rest in order to regain his strength".

She only bowed her head in agreement, the lump forming in her throat preventing her from uttering a single word. She waited for the door to close behind the physician before taking a few more steps toward the imposing bed, where the Sultan was laying.

As he heard her, Sultan Murad turned his head in her direction, and happiness appeared in his tired eyes.

"Aisha! My beloved sister.."

Lale felt her heart sink as she heard him, and she allowed herself to come closer.

"No Padişahım" she softly corrected. "It's me, Lale."

"Lale..." He repeated as he eyed her with confusion, before smiling weakly. "Forgive me, my sweet Girl ; when I look at the beautiful young woman you've become, I cannot help but seeing your dear mother." The sultan barely had the time to speak that a fit of coughs seized him, and Lale immediately placed the roll on the bed, rushing toward the jar of water and pouring its precious content in her Uncle's glass before helping him drink it.

The Sultan gratefully took several gulps, then winced as he layed back on his bed.

"You should not be here, Lale" he eyed her with some sadness in his eyes as she picked up the roll. "A sickroom is not a place for a young woman."

"I will do as you say, Uncle" Lale started softly. "But I was hoping that I could lift your spirits with this humble gift." She gestured to the canvas in her hands, and unrolled it once the Sultan nodded to her. Alaadin was staring back at him as if he really was in the room; yet the sultan remained unmoved, as if he could no longer remember him.

"It is your second son, my Lord. Alaadin... " Lale muttered softly, but only earned a pensive glance from the Sultan.

"My son. Yes..." he eyes went from the portrait to his niece, and his expression became serious once more. "My dear girl, I am so grateful for your forgiveness towards my son. I know... that his past behaviour wronged you deeply."

Lale could feel her fingers shake slightly, and she crossed her hands in front of her to conceal it, once the painting placed aside.

" As you yourself have said, Uncle, the Şehzade has changed. He seems to have gained wisdom and truly wishes to make amends." She disliked discussing of Mehmed, with anyone. The Şehzade was a topic she preferred to remain private, for herself only to ponder upon. Especially after what had happened in his chambers, when she asked him for the sword.

" Yes. It brings joy to my heart to see that you are now getting along, as you did when you were only children."

She felt a lump in her throat as she heard him, and anxiety seized her gradually. What if someone had reported them? What if Mehmed himself told him about the sword?

Her Uncle's voice called her back.

" Lale, you have always had the wellbeing of your family at heart." He looked at her with tenderness, and pride. "You have grown into such a brave and clever, beautiful woman..." he raised his hand to her, taking her own hand in his. "I'm not a fool; I know that I might not last 'til winter. So I'll ask you this, my brave niece: if I were to join our Creator, would you find in your heart the will to give a chance to Mehmed?" He raised his free hand as she was about to speak, thus interrupting her." I know, I know. But you and Mehmed are equals, Lale. I am not referring to your statut, but to your characters. Mehmed, and our Empire, will need someone strong and brave by the new Sultan's side. Someone whose pure heart will protect our people from wrong, and help my son to bring glory to our Empire as he so often wished to." he paused, looking at her with a spark of hope in his eyes. "This vision brings some peace to my tired heart. Please, my dear girl, at least promise me that you'll consider it."

Lale remained silenced for a moment, considering her Uncle's plea. But the moment the Padişah thought he might never get an answer, she softly said:

"I wish you a long and healthy life, Hünkarım." She bowed deeply, her hands folded in front of her, then took three steps back before turning around and leaving the room.

"May Allah hear you, my dear child", Murad's reply barely managed to reach her ears before the door closed behind her.