Chapter 21 Take her away

• Roksolana woke up feeling cold and hungry. Even more, she felt afraid. She had been left alone for more than three hours since Jamal had left abruptly and if she was to guess correctly, she would say that it was already the middle of the night given how dark it was in the room already. No one had even thought about coming in to check on her or even to light the room. Did the Sultan plan to punish her by making her feel anxious? If that was his plan, he was doing a good job already. Her stomach grumbled in protest of being neglected and she clasped her hands on it. By the time her stomach protested the third time, Roksolana decided that she couldn't hold on anymore and stood up to go to the door.
• She was halfway through the door when she thought she heard footsteps sounding in the dark and paused. Has the Sultan finally arrived? It can't be the sultan. He wouldn't be sneaking about in his own house. Besides, the arrogant man would come in through the door. If Roksolana's feelings were right, then someone had just broken in through the door.
• The thoughts were immediately confirmed when she heard the sound of a sword being drawn out of its shield. The gleaming light from the sword gave away the location of the intruder. Roksolana knew whoever it was hadn't broken in by mistake. His target was either the Sultan or Roksolana herself. Knowing that she couldn't wait unprepared to confirm if the intruder was here for her, she drew out the small knife she had stolen from the Sultan earlier and waited.