Gülcemal Sultan

It is April 1839. The gentle sun of early spring weaves a lacy green
mantle on the lawn of Çırağan Palace. The leafy branches of a honeysuckle
vine are climbing on the iron trellis as the intoxicating perfume of its
delicate flowers is carried by the breeze to enchant Gülcemal Sultana.
Crimson geraniums and yellow bleeding hearts decorate the fringes of the
garden. Gülcemal, in her gold-embroidered dress, red-satin baggy trousers and
pearly scarf is awed by the soul-stirring sight of the purple-flowered Judas
trees. She is the most precious flower of this garden, lush brown hair
framing her comely face accenting the brightness of her dark eyes. Of
Caucasian birth, her skin is white and smooth, her face is like a rose, which
is why they named her Gülcemal (“rose-face”). This tall and graceful woman is
married to the handsome Ottoman Sultan Abdülmecid. She bends down to pluck
the most perfect violet of the garden. She has been melancholy for many days.
Her sadness is overwhelming. She has not been with her husband for the
longest time. She desperately wishes to lie with him and assure him that she
loves only him. She murmurs to herself: “How can I share my feelings with
you, my Sultan, if I never see you...” Then she shrugs off her anxiety with a
smile. She is convinced that there is a happy ending to every twist of fate.
Soon he will come to her. Soon her longing will be over and she will be lying
with him on silk sheets once more. Soon he will come to her. Soon her longing
will be over and she will be lying with him on silk sheets once more.