Chapter 1.
Alparslanlar Mansion It was one of the most magnificent mansions in the East—Alparslanlar Mansion. It had an undeniable beauty, owned the most valuable lands, and held significant influence over the aghas of Mardin. Nothing could happen without the knowledge of the aghas. However, other aghas also had their say, and if even the smallest mistake occurred, the aghas would gather to make a decision. Whatever the council said, it would be followed. Mehmet Agha, the head of the Alparslanlar Mansion, was talking to his young son Ömer, teaching him what it meant to be an Agha. The outer door slammed against the wall with a loud bang. Five villagers and a group of girls, no older than thirteen or fourteen, entered. The villagers were of average height, with one large man whose belly reached down to his knees. He pushed the girl forward. The girl’s clothes were torn, and her headscarf, like her, was tattered. Ömer, who was sixteen, tried to make sense of what was happening before him. His eyes wandered down to the girl on the ground. She had her head bowed, her golden hair brushing the floor, and she was breathing heavily, holding herself up with her hands. Upon closer inspection, Ömer noticed the girl’s tears staining the ground. Just then, Ömer heard his father's voice, and Mehmet Agha’s deep voice echoed through the mansion: "How dare you enter my home without permission? Have you forgotten your manners? Don’t you even fear your Agha anymore?" The men, startled by his voice, backed away and hid behind the large man who had pushed the girl. The large man swallowed hard and spoke confidently, "Agha, if we have wronged you, please forgive us. But there’s trouble in Kınalı Village. This small girl is spreading rumors among the men, and as the village head, I brought her to you. Do with her what you will." Although Mehmet Agha didn’t like the village head, he knew that the villagers always followed his orders. So, if a decision was to be made, both sides had to be heard. Mehmet Agha turned to the girl, his voice firm: "Girl, get up. Tell me, is what the village head says true?" The trembling girl slowly rose, her head still down. When she finally looked up, Ömer was stunned. The girl was beautiful—her eyes were a deep blue, her lips perfectly shaped despite being cracked. Ömer was mesmerized by her beauty. Tears continued to flow down the girl’s face as she shook her head slowly. The village head added, "Agha, the girl cannot speak. She has been mute since birth. Her mother left her after giving birth, and the villagers say she was seduced by a man who abandoned his own wife. This girl is just like her mother, Agha." Mehmet Agha felt pity for the girl but knew it was time for his son to learn to make difficult decisions. Although he sympathized, he had a son who needed to take responsibility now. "Aghas, if I am the Agha, then my son will be the Agha in the future. The final decision is his. Whatever he says goes," he said, looking at the trembling girl, sighing as he had learned to ignore the voice of his conscience. Ömer, astonished, looked at his father while the villagers exchanged confused glances. A memory came to Ömer’s mind—his father’s words: "My son, when the time comes, you must put your conscience aside and make decisions for the greater good. Pray to Allah, and do what is best for everyone." Ömer took a deep breath, putting aside his admiration for the girl. He focused intently on her and said firmly, "Then, Aghas, this girl will serve in this mansion from now on. And from this moment on, no one will speak ill of her. She is the honor of this mansion, and the honor of Alparslanlar Mansion is sacred. Anyone who speaks out against her will face the consequences." The villagers looked at each other in disbelief. How could this be? The young Agha had taken the girl from them, seeing them as guilty just like they were. They exhaled sharply, frustration evident. This girl was exactly what they wanted, and they couldn’t afford to lose her. The village head, with determination, said, "This won’t do, Agha. We need to marry this girl off to someone from the village so that people see it, and the rumors will stop." He said, hoping for approval. He looked to his Agha for approval. Once he got it, his plan was to take the girl as his own wife. Mehmet Agha was proud of his son’s words. He realized that all the lessons he had given his son were not in vain, and from his son’s words, he understood that he would grow into a brave young man in the future. But in the end, the village head’s words began to trouble him. Mehmet Agha said with suspicion, "But who would want this girl? Isn’t her reputation ruined in the village?" The village head, however, had to carry out his plan without letting the Agha know. Ömer listened in disbelief, unable to believe his ears. It was clear that this vile man had set his sights on the young girl’s honor. Since the girl couldn’t speak, it was left to this so-called village head to make the decisions. Ömer, unable to control his anger, said, "How could anyone speak over my words? Didn’t you say the final decision is mine, father? Are you really going to let this old fool, the village head, marry the girl off to him?" Mehmet Agha, with irritation, said, "Lower your voice, son." He turned to the villagers in disbelief. "My son Ömer speaks the truth; the final decision is his. If he says that the girl will be under our protection and in our service, so be it," he said. The village head, about to protest, said, "But Agha..." Mehmet Agha, irritated, said, "Enough! Leave now, you’ve prolonged this matter enough." The villagers scattered like birds.
