Dalia said this jokingly but with her usual seriousness. It made Anais’s smile falter a bit, but Dalia didn’t seem to notice.
“Since Kamar requested it, this law is above other rules and laws. Make sure you follow it, Anesa.”
With that, Dalia stood up. The lesson was over.
“Then I’ll take my leave now, Anesa.”
“Thank you, Dalia.”
After Dalia left, Anais went out to the garden. As always, she sat on the bench and called for Hashim.
– Are you there, Hashim?
– I was here on time today.
When she called in Kamar language, Hashim suddenly appeared from the bushes. He had a few leaves stuck to him, which looked both funny and cute, so Anais removed them.
– What are you doing with leaves stuck to you, grown man?
“Amazing, Anais! Your accent is quite like a Kamar person!”
“That’s because I had a good teacher.”
Hashim, who had taught Anais, was genuinely happy with her progress. Anais hesitated to make a difficult request to such a Hashim, but he was the only one who could help her here.
“Hashim, I have a favor to ask.”
“A favor?”
Hashim’s clear face at the sudden request made Anais feel even more troubled. However, since she learned Kamar language, Anais’s plan had been elsewhere.
“I’m planning to escape the harem disguised as an Odalik (servant).”
“What? That’s too dangerous, Anais!”
Hashim exclaimed in surprise, but Anais’s resolve was firm.
“Dalia said I’ll be presented to the Sultan soon. I don’t think I’ll be chosen right away, but if I end up sleeping with the Sultan, I’ll never be able to leave this place.”
“I understand, Anais. But promise me you’ll come back immediately if it seems dangerous.”
“Thank you, Hashim!”
Overjoyed by Hashim’s permission, Anais hugged him tightly. Hashim’s face turned bright red, ill-fitting his large frame.
“Anais, please!”
Anais laughed out loud as she pulled away from Hashim.
“In Kamar, you only do this with your husband.”
“In Irene, even strangers hug each other and dance together.”
Of course, not this tightly. Hashim let out a big sigh.
“Ah, really… So, what’s your plan?”
“I’ve already prepared an Odalik’s clothes. One of the dresses I received is similar to an Odalik’s when you remove the decorations. I’ve secretly removed all the decorations. Soon, everyone will go to the Kamar goddess’s temple to pray, right? Since all the Odaliks will go to the temple then, I’ll sneak out at that time.”
“Yes, that would be the most suitable time.”
Hashim nodded after hearing Anais’s plan. The day of prayer to the Kamar goddess was the most important day. The security would be relaxed on that day.
Anais was further encouraged by Hashim’s agreement. She had been preparing for this for a long time. It was the result of constantly observing how Dalia and the servants moved.
“Do you know the way out?”
“I might get a bit lost, but if not, I’ll just follow the wall.”
“Anais…”
Hashim’s brow furrowed, and worry clouded his handsome face again. Anais stuck out her tongue.
“I’m joking. When Dalia taught me about the harem, she told me which of the three courtyards has the exit and that I’m allowed to go as far as the courtyard.”
“Thank goodness. You scared me.”
Truly startled, Hashim rubbed his chest with his hand.
“Then what should I do?”
“Wait for me about 200 cubits (about 900m) away from the harem exit. We shouldn’t be noticed by the soldiers there.”
“Alright. Please be careful, Anais.”
“I promise.”
****
“You tried to escape from the harem?”
Anais told the story, omitting Hashim’s existence. Even without Hashim, the outline of the story was roughly correct.
“Yes, that’s right. But I failed.”
That was obvious without asking. Anais was in this court because she hadn’t managed to escape from the harem.
The guardians realized that the audience was now listening to Anais’s story with great interest. Although Anais wasn’t eloquent, the story of a slave trying to escape from the harem captured people’s attention. Her awkward accent actually made people focus more on her words.
Feeling the change in the gaze focused on her, Anais opened her mouth. She needed to get these people on her side as much as possible.
“That day, I saw the Padisha for the first time.”
***
The plan proceeded steadily. On the day of prayer, Dalia and the servants all left to pray, and only one or two eunuchs remained.
Standing guard was their assigned duty, but they seemed distracted by something else and didn’t stop Anais in her servant disguise.
Everything was going smoothly. Anais carefully headed towards the courtyard with the exit. She had worried that Dalia might have taught her wrong, but it was an unfounded concern.
‘Phew-.’
Safely arriving at the courtyard, Anais took a small deep breath. She could see the exit beyond, and people passing underneath it.
If she could just cross this area, she’d reach the exit, and after walking about 10 minutes past it, she could reunite with Hashim and return to her family’s embrace.
Her heart felt like it would burst out of her chest. However, Anais didn’t rush and passed through the crowd. The large harem exit was open for anyone to enter or leave on this prayer day.
Thirty steps. No, less than twenty steps remained. But unfortunately, Anais’s luck ran out there.
-Stop right there.
One of the harem guards blocked her way. The sharp tip of a spear glinted before Anais’s eyes.
-Which section are you from? It’s suspicious to wear a veil in the courtyard.
Hearing the guard’s words, Anais only moved her gaze within the veil to look around. Being inside the harem, even the women weren’t wearing veils.
-I’m running an errand.
-An errand? For whom?
-F-for Dalia Usta.
At the mention of the high-ranking Usta’s name, the guard lifted the spear blocking Anais.
-Next time, don’t wear a face-covering veil in the courtyard. You could be mistaken for a spy.
-Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.
Anais nodded in response to the guard and was about to move towards the exit when a not-so-loud voice froze everyone in place.
-What’s going on here?
-Sultan!
