This　was　intended　to　be　a　book　recounting　and　depicting　the　most　valuable；

most　vital　aspects　of　our　realm；　and　just　as　with　the　Treatises　on　Physiognomy；　a

portrait of Our Sultan would be situated at the heart of the book。

Furthermore； since the illustrations were made in the Frankish style using

Frankish methods； they would arouse the awe of the Veian Doge and his

desire　for　friendship。”

“I’m　aware　of　all　that；　but　are　these　dogs　and　trees　the　most　valuable　and

vital　aspects　of　the　Exalted　House　of　Osman？”　he　said；　gesturing　wildly　at　the

illustrations。

248

“My Enishte； may he rest in peace； insisted that the book show not Our

Sultan’s wealth alone； but His spiritual and moral strength along with His

hidden　sorrows。”

“And　Our　Sultan’s　portrait？”

“I　haven’t　seen　it。　It’s　probably　wherever　that　heretic　murderer　has　hidden

it。　Who　knows；　it’s　probably　in　his　house　at　this　very　moment。”

My late Enishte had been diminished to the status of a man who’d

missioned a menagerie of odd pictures that the Head Treasurer deemed

worthless；　rather　than　one　who’d　struggled　to　plete　a　book　worthy　of　the

gold　he’d　been　paid。　Was　the　Head　Treasurer　thinking　I’d　murdered　an　inept

and untrustworthy man in order to marry Enishte’s daughter； or for some