Leyla: The Black Tulip

The Royal Halvet

At the beginning of March, the crocuses and narcissus begin to sprout. Then, the jonquils and hyacinths follow. And finally, the fruit trees burst.

The Bostanjis come to the harem garden and uncover a large square area. The ground is laid in beds of loam mixed with river mud, and a border of turf is laid to keep the soil in place.

Leyla is constantly weeding, working in manure, and watering all the beds, but especially the tulip beds. As she kneels on the turf border, she meditates on the forces that might be affected by crossing colors. Even her dreams feature tulips. Although Leyla works alone, sometimes the Mistress of the Flowers will come watch her.

As the snow melts, the Chief Housekeeper announces there will soon be a halvet, or a private celebration, for the royal family to welcome the first day of spring. All the Bostanjis and gardeners are called to work to prepare the gardens.

Throughout the next several days, everybody works tirelessly, raking the grass, trimming branches, adjusting stones, bringing out cages with colorful birds. The garden becomes like a paradise, like a garden of Allah.

On the first day of the spring, the royal family, including all the Sultan’s wives and favorites, plus the Princes and Princesses, will promenade the palace gardens. Although acemis aren’t allowed to participate, Leyla wishes to watch. She can’t contain her curiosity. As the other gardeners finish their last tasks, she slips away, and finds a small space behind a sycamore to squeeze herself inside. She knows if she is caught, that will be the end of her.

She watches the final preparations with awe. Late in the morning, a corps of eunuchs arrive and lay carpets on the grass. Then, the odalisques come out, carrying food and sweets. Then parasols and canopies, and carpets and cushions follow. Then, musicians and singers.

Finally, a procession of eunuchs clears the way for the Valide Sultana. She’s pale, but very fashionable. Her cheeks are painted red, and she wears emeralds and pearls. A pear-shaped eunuch walks alongside her—Master Hyacinth, the man who bought Leyla from Madam Siranush! Clearly he is a very important person.

Next, the older wives come out with their own odalisques, eunuchs, and children. There are girls and boys around Leyla’s age, all dressed in lavish clothing. The women are unveiled, since the gardens are completely blocked off. They recline on divans under silk tents. They wear tunics with fur collars and hats. The odalisques dance and sing songs for the royal family. They feast on sherbets that Leyla heard were made with snow from Mount Olympus.

Leyla had never seen so many beautiful ladies all at once. They are the privileged ones, living in a world all their own. Leyla wishes she was a part of their world, too, filled with beauty and ease, not orders and work.

Leyla sees a boy in a maroon vest like a fancy brocade tunic and touches the ground, no doubt a Prince. He wears a white turban with a jeweled aigrette. At his waist sits an ornate scabbard holding a scimitar. He looks just a couple years older than Leyla. Leyla thinks he looks very serious and alert. On his shoulder perches a falcon, equally as alert.

Then, a girl about Leyla’s age enters, dressed in a royal blue gown. She is holding the hand of a young girl. They cross the lawn and sit down. The older girl pulls the child close, and begins braiding her hair. The little girl’s head turns, and Leyla’s eyes open wide. The little girl is Lena! Leyla’s heart fills with gratitude, knowing that Lena is safe.

Suddenly, somebody grabs Leyla’s arm and pulls her up, covering her mouth so she doesn’t scream. It is the Prince in the maroon vest. He demands to know what Leyla is doing there. She tries to cover her face, since she’s not wearing a veil. Leyla explains she works in the garden. The boy retorts that nobody except the royal family is supposed to be in the garden. When Leyla responds she knows this, but she wanted to see the halvet with her own eyes, he answers that there’s nothing wrong with this desire. He releases her, but says that if he sees her again where she’s not supposed to be, he’ll have to cut off her head.

Leyla hurries back to the conservatory where Belkıs is looking for her. Leyla explains where she’s been. Belkıs berates her for taking chances and breaking rules. But she is also curious about what Leyla saw. Leyla describes the clothing, the women and girls. And she also tells Belkıs about the Prince who found her and threatened her. Belkıs says the Prince must be Prince Mejnun, the Padishah’s youngest son. The rumor is he doesn’t have a mean bone in his body, for his head is always in the clouds. He’s a lover of peace, and doesn’t wish to run an empire.

Then, Leyla tells Belkıs about seeing Lena. Belkıs explains the girl must have been Princess Fatma, and Lena must be Semiramis, her living doll. Semiramis is a human plaything for Princess Fatma. Most likely, Princess Fatma will keep Semiramis with her all her life.

Belkıs continues that Princess Fatma was married at age five to an old Pasha. They didn’t live together as husband and wife—the marriage was more a formality. But, the Pasha died in a war against Hungary. Now, Princess Fatma is set to be married again, to the Sultan’s Grand Vizier, İbrahim Pasha. They say İbrahim Pasha is the most enlightened person in the empire. He is brilliant and rich, and is the real mind behind the Padishah. İbrahim Pasha is very much against war, having experienced the horrors himself. Although he already has other wives and children, being married to İbrahim Pasha is a good arrangement for Princess Fatma.

That evening, Leyla cannot stop thinking about Prince Mejnun’s threat to cut off her head. And thinking about Princess Fatma’s marriage to an older man. And little Lena, who is finally safe and sound. There could be much worse things than being someone’s living doll.