Chapter 2 - Because She Is The Emperor's Special Queen...

*** chapter 2. she is the Emperor's special Queen…

"Wake up my queen".

A voice woke me from my sleep. I looked at the tall building in front of me, it was the largest palace I have ever seen. It's was made of gold. lot of people were going in and out from different directions.

"Excuse me my queen".

I turned around and saw a young girl besides me , she was dressed up in a light gown. Her clothes were neat.

"Let me help you with that" she took my luggage in.

I was surprised how neat a maid could look in this kingdom. In Camelot a maid would work from morning till night with no time to look after herself.

A man came out from the palace door, he was walking towards me. "I think that's the emperor" I said to myself. He didn't look scary the way people say. In front of me was a nice and charming man smiling at me.

"You are welcome to Akkad, my princess" he said with a bow. Moving forward I brought forth my left hand for him to kiss. A thing queen Celesta taught me.

"I am very pleased to meet you, my emperor" I said with a fake smile.

"I am not the emperor, Am the Empire's prime minister. You shall be meeting with the king soon".

I felt so embarrassed. I looked around the palace to see if the people were watching. Everyone was staring at me like they saw a ghost. I stood there, wishing mother Earth would opened the grounds and put me to rest...

I walked into the palace, interior design was breathe taking. The walls were beautifully painted with a lot of artwork on it. It seems the Emperor was a lover of art.

There was a giant door which was closed. I wondered why it's was locked. All the doors in the palace were wide opened except for that one. I turned and asked the servant besides me.

"Why is that door locked?"

"It's not locked my lady, that's the women's quarters. It is called the Harem. All the wives, sisters, and mothers of the Emperor live there. It's like a small kingdom in the palace". she explained.

"Oh, I see…"

The Door opened. A woman in her late forties came out accompanied by two maids. She was looking beautiful despite her age. Her face smiled with each step she took. She was in a hurry and her eyes darted about as if she was searching for someone. Half way to were I stood. She stopped, Her face changed from anxious to relieved as soon as she saw me.

"Princess Ariadne right?" She asked.

My face brightened as she called my name. Queen Celesta told me that my name was given to the Emperor instead of Eva. At least I get to keep my identity.

"I am Queen Aslaug, the Emperor's mother" she introduced herself.

"Oh" I bowed a little to show my respect.

"Am sorry your majesty I didn't Know you were the one".

"Am not offended, how was your trip to Akkad?" she came forward and hugged me.

"It's was interesting but tiring". I answered.

"I understand, the distance from Camelot to Akkad is much. I welcome you to the women's quarters".

"Anne" she called one of her maids

"Yes your highness," one of the girls that stood behind her step forward with her head low.

"You shall accompanied the princess to her room and make sure she doesn't lack anything" She told her.

She turned to me and said "My princess, Anne will be your personal maid, more servants will be assigned to you later by women leader"

"I appreciate your kindness, your majesty" I thanked her.

"Is nothing, that's the little thing I can do for my future daughter-in-law" she smiled. (Who said all mothers-in-law were wicked? Mine seemed different.)

The queen mother raised her hands above and offered prayers to the gods. She took a coconut from the tray and broke it.

"You can now come in, my princess".

I marched into the room with confident. What I saw was a large hall full of women, I took a heads count, there were hundreds and thousands of them . They were clamoring, chatting, screaming and shoving each other.

The Harem was like a market square full of women to me. Some were admiring their jewelries, another group of women were playing cards... I looked to right side of the hall and saw some staring into the mirror. No one seems to notice my presence. The queen mother tapped me from behind, she knew I was lost.

"My princess you must be tired after the long journey, I want you to take a rest, the night is going to be long".

"Yes queen mother". She smiled and left. Every thing was strange to be at that moment, all this women were so beautiful, why wasn't the king contented? I turned around to take a good look at the women again.

"Are you blind or something is wrong with your brain?"

I heard a voice, it was so loud and rude. I looked down and found out that I mistakenly stepped on her dress. Quickly I withdrew my leg, I cursed my self for being so foolish.

"Do you know how precious this dress is to me? The Emperor gave to me himself".

(Who asked you? Nobody cares)

She didn't even allow me to explain myself, she went ahead and continue shouting "You are lucky that am in a good mood today or else I would have punish you immediately".

"Am sorry" I said with my head low.

"Sorry for your self" she hissed and made her way to one of the rooms. Anne stopped her.

"Am sorry Empress, she is the new queen. She just arrived".

She stopped and turned back to take a second look at me "I see... The princess just arrived and she is already causing problems for me. You better watch where you go, young woman".

I wished I could withdraw my words, she didn't even value my apology. Why will the Almighty allow me to meet with cruel, wicked and annoying souls!

I got to my room, I was so tired that I couldn't observe a thing. It was exceptionally huge with everything a woman would need

"In case you need anything, please let me know so that I can inform the Empress" Anne Said.

"Empress? You mean the Queen Aslaug?" I was still confused as to who she was referring to.

"No my lady, the woman you just bumped into, she is Empress and the head of the women's quarters".

"W-what…She?"

"She is the Emperor's special queen".

"oh, is that so?" I actually lack words at the moment.

"Only she is acknowledged as the Empress, the rest of the Emperor's wives are know as the queens" Anne explained further.

"Why?"

"Because she is the Emperor's first wife".

"I see…she is not friendly at all".

"If you want to enjoy your stay in this palace you have to respect and obey her, that's all my lady" she warned.

(Eewwww. Respect my foot!)

"Okay, You must leave me to rest, am exhausted". I tried to be authoritative towards her. I wanted her to feel that she was talking to a queen.. A thing that princess Eva will do if she was here.