Şevkefza Sultan

The mist is slowly lifting. Only a thin veil of wispy fog hangs over
Istanbul now. Şevkefza Sultana bends to pick up a book she had recently put
down just as the hills and the waterside homes of the opposite shore begin to
come into sharp focus. Next comes the sparkling moment when the rest of the
fog has melted and the sun has broken through to blaze in the sky. The waters
of the Bosphorus playfully reflect the crystalline shards of sunlight.
Sevkefza, the wife of Sultan Abdülmecid is overwhelmed by the astonishing
spectacle of this majestic re-awakening. She is Caucasian descended from
Abaz. A dream has reminded her of her first day in the palace. She was a
little girl then, with long black hair. The memory brought a smile to her
lips. That was when they had given her the name Şevkefza, which means “the
person who brings cheer”. It is August 7, 1867, a Wednesday. The olive-eyed
Sultana rejoices in Dolmabahce Palace. It has been an endless forty-five days
since her son Prince Murat left for Europe. He has visited all the cities of
the West on the occasion of the Great Exhibition of Paris, which honored
Napoleon the Third of France. News has arrived that the Sultana’s yacht, on
which the Prince is sailing, has left the port of Varna last night and is
expected to arrive in Istanbul any moment. The people have gathered on the
shore, chanting his name all night long. Şevkefza Sultana lounges on her
embroidered chair. She is staring at a painting that peers down at her from
the carved ceiling. She is at peace now and much happier. Her beloved son
will be at her side soon.