Chapter 8 - The King's Absence

Queen Ariadne's POV.

Six weeks later...

I spent most days in the room. There so many activities going on in the palace, but I didn't attend any of them. I took a pen and wrote a letter to Queen Celesta. She told me to keep her updated. I was going to write to her because of the secret we both share. If we don't communicate, the truth will come out. I wondered what the emperor would do to me, if he found out the truth. He was going to use me as a sacrificial lamb for the gods to feed on or he would strangle me to death on the spot!

I quickly clear my thoughts and focus on the letter:

"To my Dearest father and mother.

How are you doing? I hope you two are fine?

We are all fine here except for the Emperor, it's been six weeks since he traveled. I have Missed you a lot within this few months, I wish I could come and see you. Most of the night I spent crying in my room , there is no one here to console me like you do. I missed the times we spent in the garden. Hope to see you soon".

Yours favorite,

Queen Ariadne.

Nothing was true about that letter except for the Emperor's journey. He traveled after the night we spoke. I have missed him a lot, despite the way he treated me. I wish he would come back soon.

I handed the letter to the royal messenger, telling him to deliver it to my parents in persons( O Yes my fake parents!)

The distance from here to Camelot was much. I believed the letter will reach them in three weeks time.

My mood was good for the day, one could say I woke up on the right side of the bed. I quickly took my bath and let the maids helped dress up. After I was done, I went to greet mother in her room.

It's been four days since I saw her. She told the maids not to let me out of the room. The reason for this, was that she wanted me to gain weight within this short time, the Emperor was not at the home. Mother also told me that the Emperor told her to take care of me and make sure that I lack nothing.

I felt special about it, the Emperor finally took interested in me or ....

I stopped at mother's door and knocked. Few minutes later, the door opened. Mother was lying on her bed reading a book. I walked into the room and I greeted her with a smile "Good morning, queen mother"

"Good morning my child, how was your night?" she answered.

"It's was fine mother, how are you doing today?"

"I am getting better my child" her face looked sad, like she was crying the whole night. I went closer to the bed to get a better view, then I realized that she did cried last night.

"Mother, what's wrong with you?" I asked.

"My son had traveled for weeks now, I haven't heard from him at all, this is so unlike of Sargon" she worried.

"I understand but Sargon is a grown up man, he is the Emperor of this empire , I am sure nothing is wrong with him, where ever he may be," I consoled.

"You two, haven't spent time together, yet you know him more than I do" she smiled.

"Time doesn't matter mother, there is something holding him back there, and I know it is important".

"Yes I believe, do you miss him?" she asked. I was shy at this moment. I have never missed a man before apart from my father.

"No mother.. me.." I stammered.

"You are stammering, queen Ariadne" she teased.

"The Emperor and I didn't get along before he left but I still missed him" I said.

"Really ?" her expression changed from anxious to relieved.

"I found joy in my pain. Mother, Have become the Emperor's wife , I must learn to accept him the way he is" I explained.

"You spoke like you have been married before. I can't wait to see my grand children".

"Mother!" I exclaimed. If only she knew what was going on between the king and I , she won't talk about grand children or was she referring to the other queens?

"Am so glad that you two, got married, the gods have blessed my son with a good wife".

"My son is suffering within him, he needs someone to talk to. I hope you will be there with him in every situation. Get to know Sargon, you will understand him".

"Okay, mother I will try my best".

"You should go spend the day with the other women, don't waste your precious time with this old woman".

"Mother , I enjoyed spending time with you" I told her.

"But you should chat with the other wives of the Emperor, know what he likes and dislikes" she said.

"As you wish mother", I bowed. I have never discuss with the women of the quarters, this was going to be strange for me but I have to do it, it was for my own good.

I dragged the blanket from the edge of the bed and pulled it up to mother's shoulder to cover her. Poor woman she was worriee about her dear son, only the gods know where the hell this man was!