In the shadow of the second race, Prince Bora delivered a powerful speech with carefully chosen words to inspire Mustafa. His eyes gleamed with belief in his brother and deep respect for him. Each word reflected not only a competition but also the commitment and trust between brothers. In Mustafa's eyes, there was a determination and ambition fueled by Bora's encouragement.
On the other hand, Prince Biladis, subtly witnessing his brother's successes, shouted, "Did you see that no one can defeat my brother?"
The second race commenced after a brief interval where both sides rested and regrouped. This time, it was an arm wrestling match, and among the palace residents, Mustafa's superiority in this field had become legendary. Everyone awaited the competition with excitement and curiosity, knowing there was not a single person capable of defeating Mustafa in this struggle. Within the palace, the tension and anticipation brought by the second race were palpable in the air.
The atmosphere of the palace was filled with a crowd gathered around the brothers Mustafa and Vural, shouts and cheers echoing in the air. Both of them placed their elbows on the table with a determined stance. In their eyes, there was a resolute expression indicating that the battle had just begun. Arm wrestling commenced, and both Mustafa and Vural were drenched in sweat as they fought. Time was passing, yet no one could succeed in defeating the other.
It was evident that Prince Vural had significantly enhanced his strength in arm wrestling over the years, as Mustafa was just seconds away from slamming his arm down. With only moments left before Prince Mustafa lost his second battle, sweat was streaming down his forehead like a torrent. This defeat would shatter his reputation in the palace. The arm wrestling champion who had remained undefeated for years, Prince Mustafa, losing in this contest as the strongest figure in the Ottoman Palace, would indeed disrupt the balance of the palace.
Prince Bora spoke passionately to encourage Mustafa: "Come on, brother, show them what you've got! Gather your strength once more! You are the king of this, believe in it, brother."
Bora's impactful words created an atmosphere of mobilization within the palace. Mustafa, fueled by this encouragement, closed his eyes for a moment, took a deep breath, then opened his eyes with an entirely different energy. The atmosphere in the hall was filled with determination and a spirit of struggle. The joy in Prince Bora's eyes seemed as if he had already tasted victory.
For a moment, silence prevailed; everyone watched in astonishment as Mustafa unleashed an unexpected burst of energy. Then, a hint of worry appeared in Vural's eyes. Prince Mustafa, on the brink of victory, prepared for a final move, aligning his arm in a straight position. All eyes were fixed on this epic moment.
As Prince Mustafa rapidly brought down Vural's arm, the hall fell momentarily silent. However, afterward, the other princes erupted into enthusiastic cheers, motivating Vural in the final moments: "Vural, Vural!" Yet, Prince Nevzat maintained his neutrality throughout the battle, standing as a silent observer. He was resolute in not siding with anyone.
And the moment arrived. Prince Mustafa achieved victory in arm wrestling by slamming Vural's arm onto the floor. Most of the young princes in the palace lowered their heads in astonishment.
In that moment, a silence pervaded among the crowd in the palace. Everyone couldn't shake off the surprise of Prince Mustafa's triumph. Prince Bora rushed towards Mustafa with a joyful shout, embracing him and declaring, "Here is my brother!" The other princes, still in shock, bowed their heads and stood quietly.
On the other side, a disappointment was evident on Prince Vural's face. The formidable and agile arm wrestling champion of the palace had been defeated by Mustafa this time. This defeat held a particular significance for him, as no one within the palace walls had challenged him except Mustafa.
However, Mustafa didn't boast about this victory. Maintaining a calm demeanor, he internalized the excitement brought by the triumph. In his eyes, there was a depth shaped by years of training under Sadi Pasha's influence. The victory couldn't disturb Mustafa's profound composure; it couldn't revert him to the childlike Mustafa of the past when leaving the old palace. Clearly, the education he received alongside Sadi Pasha provided not only physical strength but also profound inner balance, fundamentally altering his character.