Captured For The Sultan’s Pleasure

Roksolana wished she could kill the man in that instance as she looked around and saw everyone staring at her, jealousy reflecting in their gaze. All except Seyiddah and Khadijat who both looked happy for her.

She knew that the Sultan had just given her more trouble than she could bear. They already hated her, even when she had done nothing wrong. Getting chosen to be the Sultan’s maid seemed like a big deal to the kitchen maids and Jamal had chosen her, putting her in an even bigger mess. What had she ever done to deserve all the trouble and pains?

“Okay, everybody. Go back to work. The meals won’t cook themselves.” The kitchen head said, dismissing everyone.

Afterward, she called Roksolana to the side and explained her job as the Sultan’s maid. Some of which includes making sure the Sultan’s meal was ready at the right time. The food also had to be perfectly made the way the sultan likes his meals and they have to be hot as he hates cold meals.

Roksolana also had to taste the meals and make sure there was no mistake about it. Then she had to remain with the Sultan until he was done eating, then clear the table. Roksolana felt like crying as the woman went on and on. The only good thing about being his maid was the fact that she got exempted from any kitchen duty. All she had to do was make sure the Sultan was satisfied. In other words, she was now an assistant kitchen head. The kitchen head called everyone together.

“From today, Sofiat will no longer be the kitchen head assistant but Roksolana. You must all listen to her. Is that clear?”

“Yes, Chef.” Everyone chorused.

So that woman was the assistant? No wonder she was so proud and arrogant. At least, one good thing came out of her being in charge of the Sultan’s meal. The wicked woman would no longer be able to control her anymore. How nice would it be if the woman could get a dose of her own medicine? Roksolana walked up to the woman and with a wicked smile, she commanded her.

“Sofiat, pick up all the chicken pieces. Get three new chickens and get them ready for dinner. And remember dinner is just one hour away. If the chickens aren’t ready, there will be no dinner for you.”

The woman stared at Roksolana like she was crazy. Roksolana refused to let her gaze wavered as she stared back. After about five minutes, Sofiat looked at the chicken pieces lying around helter-skelter and looked back at Roksolana to see if she was serious. Roksolana merely cocked her brows at the woman. She watched as Sofiat bent over, picking up the pieces. When she was done, Roksolana turned away from her to get the Sultan’s dinner ready.

Jamal got to his house feeling happy with himself. He was sure that once Roksolana found out how huge of a favor he had done for her, she would bring his meal later with a smile on her face. Jamal was sure that she would give herself to him out of gratitude. Thinking that she needed to meet him at his best, he rushed to the bathroom to take his bath.

Roksolana smiled as she and some maids took the Sultan’s meal over to him. He likes his meal perfectly, right? Roksolana couldn’t wait to see the look on his face for the perfect meal she had prepared for him.

They walked into the house and set up the table. Roksolana dismissed the maids when they were done and waited for the Sultan on her own. She saw him coming down about twenty minutes later, his hair dripping wet and Roksolana realized that he had just taken his bath. She gulped as he ran the towel in his hand over his bare chest and averted her eyes. Even when his footsteps got closer to her, she still didn’t look at him.

Jamal smiled as he watched Roksolana trying hard not to look at him. He put his face close to hers and spoke.

“Are you so scared your emotions will betray you if you look at me?”

Roksolana felt his breath fanning her neck while he spoke and she felt something wet soaked up her underwear. She turned to reply at him and seeing how close he was to her, she staggered back.

A strong pair of arms fastened itself on her waist and held her still, preventing her from falling. Roksolana heard Jamal chuckle as he helped her stand firm. She turned away from Jamal and refused to thank him for his help since he had been responsible for the fall in the first place.

Jamal watched Roksolana’s stubborn stance for a minute, thinking about the inner battle she must be fighting with herself. He watched as she fingered the pendant on her neck unconsciously.

Unable to watch her go on anymore, Jamal tapped her lightly by the arm. When she looked at him, he kissed her lightly on the lips, swallowing her shocked gasp. He sat down by the chair and opened his meals, savoring the delicious smell that filled the air.

Jamal picked up the spoon and ate a spoonful of rice. He picked up his glass of water and forced the rice down his throat with it. He turned to glance at Roksolana who was trying really hard not to laugh out loud and immediately knew she was responsible for the saltiness of the food. He almost smiled at her act of childishness. So, she wanted to kill him now by over-salting his meal? He knew just what to do.

“Have you eaten?” Jamal asked her.

“No. I’ll eat when I get back to the kitchen,” Roksolana answered.

She looked at him and bit her tongue for the response she gave and the implications of her words. The action aroused Jamal and he almost didn’t want to punish her anymore. But he knew that if he didn’t, he would continue getting such meals from her.

Tasting the varieties of food before him, Jamal set the salty rice, the sandy chickens, the uncooked beef, and the hot peppered soup in front of her.

“Sit down and eat them. Make sure there’s not a single bite remaining or I might force you to eat them myself,” Jamal told her.

Roksolana cursed under her breath as she sat down. If it weren’t for her running mouth, she wouldn’t be in this mess. Why had she even thought of exerting revenge this way, knowing that the Sultan could easily turn the table on her? And she knew that she couldn’t refuse the man unless she was ready to suffer twice as much pain.

As she picked up the spoon, she prayed the rice wasn’t too salty and the pepper she had put in the soup wasn’t much. She felt her eyes water as she chewed the first spoon of rice in her mouth.

“Swallow it, Dawn.” The Sultan commanded.

Jamal watched as Roksolana forced the food down and smiled to himself. He picked up his spoon and began to eat what good food was left on the table.

As he ate, he realized that she was the first woman he ever had a meal with. First on the boat and now in his house. He felt a sense of happiness in his heart. After watching her take the fifth bite, he decided to pity her. Knowing that he can’t just ask her to stop eating, he dropped his spoon and stood up from his seat.

“I have something important to do. Leave as soon as you are done eating,” Jamal told her. He walked away from the table up the stairs to his room.

Roksolana dropped the spoon as soon as Jamal disappeared, picking up the glass of water and drinking enough quantity to wash the saltiness in her mouth. She waited for five more minutes to see if he would be back. She packed up the meals when he didn’t reappear and ran out of his house.

Jamal chuckled as he watched Roksolana rush out of his house, carrying a tray containing the bad meals with her.

What am I supposed to do with her? He asked himself, still smiling.