Dear Readers,
I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for your incredible support of Osman II: Rebirth of a Dynasty. Your continued encouragement through Power Stones, comments, and shares truly means the world to me.
A special thank-you goes to Oxzinax, no_one_4250, Falken19, Mustifa_89, Valerian07, Daoist8ZKfWR, and Ridwan_Nugroho_0749 for your generous contributions. Every Power Stone is a reminder of your belief in my story, and it inspires me to keep creating.
It's a privilege to share Osman II's journey with you all. Together, we're breathing life into this tale of resilience, reform, and destiny. Please continue to share your thoughts and feedback—they are invaluable in making this journey even more meaningful.
Thank you once again for being part of this adventure!
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The sound of a baby crying echoed through the halls of Topkapı Palace. Osman, striding quickly toward the room from which the sound originated, paused upon reaching the door. The guard at the entrance began preparing to announce his arrival, but Osman gestured with his hand and said, "Ali, wait. There's no need."
The guard, respecting this command, stepped aside, and Osman opened the door himself. Sunlight streamed through the window, filling the room with a serene glow. At the center stood Mehri Banu Hatun, cradling Şehzade Süleyman in her arms, attempting to calm him. A warm feeling stirred within Osman as he took in the scene. Silently, he stepped into the room, motioning for the other attendants to leave.
"Thank you for your efforts," Osman said softly. The attendants bowed slightly and left the room. Once the door closed, the scene resembled a living painting: a man, a child, and a mother a tableau of peace and unity. "They look so perfect together," whispered one of the attendants outside the door.
Osman approached Mehri Banu Hatun and carefully took Süleyman into his arms. The baby, who had been crying moments before, suddenly calmed down as if nothing had happened once he was held by his father. Witnessing this, Mehri Banu Hatun frowned slightly and said, "It seems my son loves his father more than he loves me."
Osman smiled at her words. "It looks like you're jealous of me over our son," he teased.
Mehri Banu laughed in response. "You know I'm only joking."
Osman chuckled warmly and added, "But I'm jealous of him over you. He's so lucky; he spends nearly all his time with you."
These words made Mehri Banu blush. Unable to resist, Osman reached out, ran his fingers through her hair, and planted a gentle kiss. At that moment, the room was filled once again with the sound of the baby's cooing. Şehzade Süleyman babbled, drawing all attention back to him. Osman immediately turned his focus to his son.
Watching the tender scene between Osman and Süleyman, Mehri Banu Hatun found herself recalling memories of her own father and life in his palace. "If only I'd had a father like Osman," she thought. "Perhaps none of this would have happened. But I suppose I can thank my father for one thing: he brought Osman into my life."
While playing with Süleyman, Osman glanced at Mehri Banu Hatun and noticed she seemed deep in thought. Gently, he asked, "Mehri Banum, what's wrong? Are you alright?"
Mehri Banu shook herself from her reverie and replied, "No, I'm fine. I was just thinking about the past."
Osman's expression turned serious. "Mehri Banum, no matter how much you say you've forgiven your father, I cannot stand to let the man who hurt the woman I love live peacefully in this world. At the very least, he won't live in comfort. Don't worry; I will soon take revenge for you and your mother."
Hearing this, Mehri Banu replied anxiously, "Osman, I no longer want revenge. I don't want more people fighting each other. I wish everyone could live in peace. I've let it go; please, you should too."
Osman answered in a calm tone, "Don't worry, Mehri Banum. Only those who deserve it will perish. Those who do not oppose my dynasty will not be harmed."
His words brought relief and a strange joy to Mehri Banu. A warmth filled her heart. She stepped closer to Osman, embraced him, and kissed him. Surprised by this unexpected gesture, Osman froze for a moment. Though they had been married for years, this was the first time Mehri Banu had taken such an initiative, which both startled and delighted him. He reciprocated her embrace.
But they had forgotten one thing.
Süleyman started crying again. Slightly exasperated but amused, Osman handed the baby back to Mehri Banu. She took Süleyman into her arms, slightly embarrassed. Osman jokingly suggested, "Perhaps we should let the wet nurses look after him for a while?" and burst into laughter.
Thus, peace and joy once again filled the room, completing this warm and tender moment.
Beyond the Topkapı Palace, in the Ottoman Empire's prized armory workshop, a flurry of activity unfolded. The walls reverberated with the hammering of blacksmiths, while lanterns suspended from the ceiling illuminated the sparks of steel being forged. Everyone was hard at work—some tested the sharpness of swords, while others meticulously adjusted the trigger mechanisms of newly designed tubular firearms.
This bustling effort mirrored the Empire's escalating tensions and its endeavor to preserve the delicate balance of power. Threats from the Habsburg dynasty had drawn the state's strategic focus westward. At the same time, in the east, Shah Abbas's provocative maneuvers were unsettling the Turkmen tribes along the Ottoman frontier. The armory, therefore, was more than just a bastion of defense it had become a key arena for both innovation and diplomacy, shaping the Empire's ability to counter its rivals on all fronts.
Yusuf, the master craftsman of the workshop, studied a set of blueprints spread across the table. These plans were filled with Osman's personal instructions. "The Austrian principalities are testing new siege cannon designs. Our task is to create a cannon with double the range," Osman had ordered two weeks earlier, and today Yusuf would present the results.
In one corner, artisans from the eastern bazaars were assembling lightweight yet effective tubular firearms to be sold to the Turkmen tribes. These firearms, destined to challenge Shah Abbas's forces, served a dual purpose: to protect Ottoman borders and undermine the Shah's authority.
"Sir, this is the prototype for the new cannon," Yusuf announced. The cannon was brought to the center of the workshop with the help of two soldiers. Yusuf, wearing a proud expression, added, "Its range is doubled, and its accuracy has improved by thirty percent."
Osman, as if he had anticipated this outcome, smiled slightly. "Yusuf, this state stands strong thanks to devoted craftsmen like you," he said. "Complete the preparations. The shipment to the Turkmen lords must begin tomorrow."
At the far end of the workshop, an apprentice approached Yusuf with an idea. "Sir, I've tried an improvement for these new tubular mechanisms. It reduces firing time and allows for more shots to be fired," he explained. Yusuf examined the apprentice's design carefully, then nodded approvingly. "A fine improvement. We'll include it in the report to Osman Han."
Meanwhile, news from distant fronts had captured Osman's attention. In the east, Shah Abbas's agents were attempting to sow discord among the Turkmen lords, while in the west, the Austrian principalities were forming new alliances. Osman knew he had to refine his strategies even further. Thus, every worker and craftsman in the armory bore a critical role.
"Each new weapon is engraved in the future of the Ottoman Empire," Osman thought. "The peace and balance of these lands depend on every hammer strike here."
The craftsmen, apprentices, and soldiers, aware that they were shaping history, dedicated themselves to this sacred endeavor. Every effort, every innovation was a step toward securing the Ottoman Empire's unshakable strength and its place in the new world.