When the danger became clear, the Grand Signior, who was still a child, broke down in fear and sorrow. He cried openly and threw himself at the feet of Solyman Aga, begging for help. In his distress, he called out, “Lala, Lala, kurtar beni,” which means, “Tutor, Tutor, save me.” This cry showed both his youth and his terror.
Solyman Aga, deeply moved, lifted his young master into his arms, not without tears of his own. Together with the Vizier, he tried to comfort both the child and his mother. They swore solemnly that they would rather die themselves than live to witness such a terrible destruction of the royal house.
Procession to the Presence Chamber
After this, they escorted the young Sultan forward. Several ladies of the court carried lighted torches before them, guiding the way through the palace. Their destination was the Hozoda, also known as the Presence Chamber, where the principal officers of the court were always in attendance Ephesus Sightseeing.
As the torches approached, the guards stationed in the chamber were astonished. Seeing the light, they moved forward to learn what was happening. When they realized that the Grand Signior himself was coming, they hurried back at once to awaken their fellow guards and summon them to their duty.
The Sultan Addresses His Officers
The Grand Signior was seated upon the throne, which always stood ready in the Presence Chamber. The officers of the chamber, forty in number, gathered before him and respectfully asked whether His Majesty required their faithful service.
At this moment, Solyman Aga spoke with great force. He reminded them that those who eat the King’s bread are bound to serve the King. He declared that they had already allowed traitors to destroy Sultan Ibrahim, and now those same enemies sought to destroy the young ruler as well. It was now the duty of the Sultan’s most trusted servants to protect him with complete loyalty.
A Promise of Justice
Among the officers stood Mustapha Pasha, the Sword-Bearer to the Grand Signior and chief of the Presence Chamber. He was a man of great courage and firm resolve. Having already suspected the ill intentions of the Old Queen, he answered boldly that the Sultan should not be troubled. God willing, by the next day, the heads of his enemies would lie at his feet.
The First Act of Authority
Seeing that the situation allowed no delay, the Vizier and the other officials began to act immediately. Pen and ink were brought, and an official order was prepared for the Sultan’s signature. This decree commanded the arrest of Bostangi Pasha as a traitor, accusing him of breaking the law of the night by keeping open the gate of the King’s Garden.
Thus began the swift response of the court to defend the throne and restore order.