While wars raged in the far corners of the empire, Osman was fighting a different kind of battle within the walls of Topkapı Palace a battle involving what could be considered humanity's most powerful weapon and an heir's most essential asset: the ability to express oneself, or more simply, the ability to speak.

For the palace staff and his mother, this struggle was a captivating spectacle.

However, to Osman, their reactions were nothing but humiliating. Despite being in the body of an infant, his mental age was in his twenties. Drinking milk, soiling himself, and learning how to talk—these daily challenges were all degrading, but mastering speech was the least demeaning of them.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the palace, Osman's father, Sultan Ahmed, was fighting his own battles. Ahmed struggled to control the government due to his young age. His lack of experience was a significant handicap, further exacerbated by being the first sultan to ascend the throne without prior experience in provincial governance. Provinces traditionally served as a kind of apprenticeship for future sultans, providing them with a local power base and practical knowledge in governance, law, and economics.

Without this experience, Ahmed's authority was not easily accepted by state officials, forcing his mother, Handan Sultan, to assume a semi-regent role. Handan Sultan, who had instilled values in Ahmed from a young age, intensified her efforts to shape his character and later guided him in governance. Unlike other Valide Sultans, she wielded her son's power not for personal gain but for his future.

The first major reform of Ahmed's reign was the establishment of the "Ekber ve Erşed" system, a law stipulating that the throne would pass to the eldest and most capable member of the dynasty. This new system strengthened Ahmed's position and garnered support from both palace officials and the public. It also alleviated some of the resentment caused by Ahmed's father, Mehmed III, who had executed 19 of his brothers upon ascending the throne, casting a dark shadow over both the palace and the people.

Although the Ekber ve Erşed system was theoretically perfect for Osman, the eldest son, he could not fully rely on it. Historically, Osman would eventually be compelled to eliminate one of his brothers, which would result in negative public opinion and resistance from palace officials. Despite the system's protection, Osman was acutely aware of the possibility that any of his brothers could someday stake a claim to his throne—or worse, rebel against him.

To counter potential threats, Osman planned to manage his brothers with a combination of intelligence and compassion. By fostering respect and affection rather than rivalry, he aimed to minimize dangers. He preferred a harmonious family member without political ambition over a talented but rivalrous contender.

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Osman realized that the most critical assurance he needed was not with his brothers but with their mothers, as no threat loomed larger than that of a mother worried for her son's life. He sought to establish authority over his brothers while building trust with their mothers by showing genuine care for their children.

Osman's ultimate desire was not to be entangled in palace intrigues but to focus on resolving the empire's internal issues.

Chapter 5: The Shadows of Topkapı Palace

November 9, 1605

With Osman's birth, a delicate happiness had permeated every corner of Topkapı Palace; yet now, that happiness had given way to a profound silence. The palace rooms had lost their former colors, and cold walls were draped in somber shadows. The lively atmosphere of the corridors had turned pale and gloomy with the sudden passing of Handan Sultan(Ahmed's Mother). This loss was a devastating blow, especially for Sultan Ahmed, who had relied solely on his mother and himself for guidance. Ahmed now felt like a child within the stone walls of the palace, stripped of his last safe harbor.

The guard at the door bowed respectfully and announced, "My Sultan, Mahfiruz Sultan and Prince Osman are here to see you, sire."

Trying to conceal his grief but unable to mask his deep resentment, Ahmed responded, "Let them in." When Mahfiruz Sultan entered, she could see both the sorrow and the anger in Ahmed's eyes. He paused for a moment, his expression tense, before demanding, "Why have you come?"

Mahfiruz Sultan, understanding his anger, calmly approached him and replied, "My lord, I heard of Handan Sultan's passing and wanted to check on your well-being. I came only to remind you that you are not alone." Silently, she hoped that perhaps Osman's presence might bring a glimmer of solace to Ahmed's heart. "Perhaps Osman can add a touch of hope to his spirit," she thought.

Meanwhile, Osman, with slight hesitation, stepped away from his mother and attempted to walk towards his father. As he wobbled, his small, clumsy steps amused him, though a flicker of embarrassment ran through his mature soul. However, this fleeting feeling of embarrassment mixed with the palace's cold and solemn air to create a momentary sense of comfort. When he finally reached his father, Ahmed leaned down to pick him up, lifting Osman into his arms. Osman looked into his father's face, and with a shy voice, murmured, "Father…"

At the sound of his son's first word, Ahmed felt an indescribable joy within him. Trying to hide the tears forming in his eyes, he embraced his son tightly. "There aren't enough words to say how proud I am of you, my son," he whispered.

An old nurse watching this moment from a distance beamed, smiling as she remarked, "Oh, my Sultan, the young prince spoke so early, masha'Allah! The son of such a noble ruler was bound to mature early."

Mahfiruz Sultan observed this tender moment with a smile. Gently, she moved closer to Ahmed and softly said, "My lord, we will always be by your side." Watching the proud expression in his mother's eyes, Osman felt a sudden pang of embarrassment. The fact that his mother was proud only because he had spoken filled him with an odd sense of shame. My spirit feels like it has lived a lifetime, yet my mother seems to see nothing more than this small body. Those looks... they make me feel like a child, even though I know there is so much more within me.