Chapter Text
Welcome to the DISCLAIMER and FAQ:
First, the disclaimers:
Historical Content:
Some components of the story are based in real history, though most of the plot and years will follow Magnificent Century, which takes some things out of context (putting that lightly.)
RELATIONSHIP IMBALANCE:
Harem girls were taken into the harem as young as 7, though they obviously never walked the golden road at that age. If you've watched Kosem, or the end of Magnificent Century, you might see Safiye Sultan. She was believed to have walked the golden road at 13 and given birth to her first child at 14. We're not going that young here, but this isn't taking place in the 21st century. There are things that can't be rewritten when it was simply fact. Historically, Hurrem was likely 16 to Suleiman's 26. Hasna is 16 in the beginning, it is the most recognized age of consent globally, but again, this is not always historically accurate. If that is triggering for you, please don't read this story.
Additionally, this obviously features a power imbalance. It is a man taking advantage of a woman forced into a slavery who has literally no other choice. Harem girls were not allowed to leave the harem without permission, and that was either only through service or the golden road. Hasna is at a disadvantage. Her children change her role, but, like many consorts, she does not die a free woman. Her greatest historical contributions are her children and the role she played in Suleiman's life. Again, if this is triggering, please do not read any further.
Characters:
All characters belong to their original creators, I do not have any insider personal knowledge as to the show or to the historical figures.
Hasna, Cennet, Murad, Nefise, Defne, Habil, and Emine are all of my own creation. Any likeness to real life people is purely coincidental, and, unless otherwise mentioned, unintentional.
Character Death:
If you've watched the show, you know there's major character death within the first few episodes. If you're watching the 1 and a half hour version, it's Episode 12/13. The longer version has it in episode 9? I could be wrong about that. Then there's obviously the deaths of the princes and Ibrahim, and Hatice. This book is SHOW ACCURATE. The characters that die are going to die.
I might put out other fics about this show, in which case I would note otherwise, but this is the nature of the show and HISTORY. We're not time traveling, people.
And the FAQ: To Be Updated with the progression of the story
Q: So what's the difference between this book and the book with "excerpts" (as of 6/11/24 (USA) this is not published though it will be eventually)
A: Well Writing Style:
When I first wrote this story it was written semi-uniquely. Long ago, I had published (it's gone now) a historical fiction book where, interspersed with chapters were "essays" and "excerpts" from "historical works" by "real historians." I am not the original creator of this concept, so, as always, credit to the originator, but it's been over a decade and I can no longer find the first fic I ever saw it in.
Anyway, in the original version of this book, not on Ao3, I have the excerpts included. But the audience for this here feels different somehow so I chickened out and didn't include it. But then I thought to myself, what if there are people who do? So I will be releasing a version with the excerpts, though I am not sure if it will just be here and I will get over it, or I will do something separate. I am leaning toward just putting one here.
Q: Nonny, Who is Hasna's face claim?
A: Excellent question. Hasna is played by Beren Saat. She is the actress who plays Kosem, but she has the desired look.
Q: Why can't I comment on the fic?
A: I totally appreciate wanting to comment, but given the rash of hate that has been happening on here lately, to the point that Ao3 had to limit all guest comments for a little while, I have decided to keep this to people with accounts. This also means I will delete comments at my own volition if I find them to be rude or discriminatory, etc.
Q: Can we trust your historical information?
A: To an extent. Most of my knowledge comes from Wikipedia, where I then follow the sources to where they are citing them from. When it is about historical figures, I always recommend looking to the experts, not a fanfic writer. I do happen to have knowledge in history, but nowhere near the level of say, Leslie Pierce, who has written a great book called Empress of the East all about Hurrem. I will sometimes provide my sources when I am not feeling, frankly, lazy, but I encourage you to read on your own for the historical context.
The show is nowhere near accurate. For example, Hatice and Ibrahim were never married, though that was only disproven about six months after the show started coming out. Gulfem is not actually proven to be a mother to any of Suleiman's children, and was actually a very good friend of both Hurrem and Suleiman. Suleiman never took another woman after Hurrem, and his last children were all by her. Hurrem has a whole child that is not included in the show because his birth year is not known and he died very young. Raziye, who, in the show, is born by Nazenin toward the end of Hurrem's life, was actually born during the time Suleiman was still a prince.
I could go on for hours. The point is, this is a fanfiction first. While there are parts of history included, like the age of harem slaves and other aspects, this isn't anything masterful. DO NOT TAKE THIS FIC AS FACT IN ANY CAPACITY.
Q: Nonny, do you speak Turkish?
A: I wish, but no. I am stuck speaking only English, like preschool level French, and I can tell you I'm the President of the United States in Spanish. Any Turkish terminology is run through either google translate or from the show's subtitles. The show struggles with certain translations, but for the most part it's not terrible. There are phrases I will throw in from time to time because to write them in English looks out of place. For example;
Most of the time, when talking about a meal, people will say Enjoy your meal, or bon appetit. Bon appetit has a direct translation into Turkish, Afiyet Olsun. I would consider using that sometimes.
Another thing that Turkish does in conjoin two words, usually a name and the word "my". My is usually Benim which is really mine. What Turkish does when you attach "my" to something is ad "im" to the end of it. So "My" "Hasna" would be Hasnaim. My computer hates that so you'll see most "my" anything being written as "Hasna-m" because it essentially makes the same sound though it is not perfect. There are countless examples of Suleyman referring to Hurrem as "Hurrem-m" in the show.