Chapter 37 - The Birthday....

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Queen Ariadne's POV.

In less than three days I recovered. I could do most of the things by my self . The Emperor and his family were very supportive during this period. He made sure that I didn't lack or complain about any thing. Everyone was caring and this speed up my recovery process. Queen Valeria always brough my food to my room. Her behavior had changed towards me and she was also caring, despite all these, I still watched my back.

I woke up this morning excited. It's my twenty-first birthday. I didn't tell anyone about it, because of the unfortunate events that took place within these past months. I was going to inform the Emperor as for mother, who was still sleeping, I would inform her later.

I met the Emperor in the walkway leading to the men's quarters. He was walking fast and I tried my best to meet up with him. I wondered where he was going to that made him moved so quickly.

The Emperor stopped. He stood with his hands behind, it seemed like he noticed someone was following him. "Why are you following me, Queen Ariadne? The Emperor asked. I didn't expect him to notice that it was me who was behind.

"Greetings your highness, can I have a word with you?" I asked politely.

"I don't have much time in the World princess. Hurry up if you have any thing to say" he said impatiently.

This statement was annoying but I was getting used to some of his odd talks and this was just one of them.

I took a deep breath and started "Today is my..."

"We will talk later, I promise" he cut me off. Before I could say anything further the Emperor left immediately. I was not going to go after him, it was obvious he didn't want to talk to me.

I went back to my room angrily and I sent for Anne. She was the only one who would listen to me. The Emperor only cared about himself. Just few days ago, he was taking care of me, making sure that I didn't have chance to complain of anything.

"My lady, you sent for me" Anne interrupted my thoughts. I looked up to see her face before she noticed that I was crying.

"Why is the Emperor's Queen crying now?" Anne asked as soon as she saw my face.

"Am I?" I tried to clean them off with the back of my palms. I didn't know that tears were rolling down because I was lost in my thoughts.

"You are crying Queen Ariadne, is obvious" she came closer and stood right next to my bed. "What wrong Queen Ariadne?"

"You know that today is my birthday right?" I asked like I told her before. We hardly discussed such things and Anne wasn't aware of my birthday.

"Oh my world" Anne screamed, covering her mouth with her hands to show how surprised she was. "I didn't know my Lady"

"It slipped my mind that's why I didn't remember. Sorry for not telling you on time" I apologized.

"Don't worry about it. Happy birthday my queen" she said with a big smile.

"Thank you my dear" I smiled but it disappeared immediately. My face went back to the way it was. Sad!

"What happened my Lady? Why is your face like this?" she kept asking.

"Anne today is my birthday and nobody knows about it" I said.

"Don't worry I will pass the information to Mother, princess Morgana and the other queens." Anne said. I could feel the excitement from her voice.

If there was one thing Anne didn't Know was that the Emperor was the only person I wanted to inform. I wanted him to wish me on this happiest day but, this was just one of my dreams and nothing else.

"You didn't say anything queen Ariadne, have you told the Emperor? "

"No Anne. I trying telling him this morning but he was too busy to attend to me"

"Maybe he had a meeting or an important matter to attend to. I will look out for you, when he is free, I will let you know. okay?"

"Thank you so much Anne" I stood up and hugged her. She was indeed my savior, am glad we were together in this.

"Anything for you" she said. Anne went out and I was left alone to go back to my thoughts again. What If the Emperor doesn't wish me today? What if I informed him and he behaved otherwise? All these scared me , my husband was unpredictable and he always do what he wanted not what was right.

I took the books I borrowed from mother's room and started reading again with the hope that before I finished it, Anne would come to tell me that the Emperor is finally less busy.

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The Author's POV.

The Emperor was nowhere to be found. Anne tried her best to search for him but she didn't see her Mistress's husband, she even went ahead and asked people around but the results was same. She wanted Queen Ariadne to be happy on this special day no matter. The lady had gone through hell ever since she came to this palace.

Just when she was about to go out of the women's quarters, Anne saw the Emperor coming towards the building. She didn't go after him rather, she waited at the door patiently.

"Greetings your highness" she bowed when he came to use the door.

Without stopping the Emperor answered her " Anne of Queen Ariadne, greetings

She went after him this time. The Emperor entered the women's quarters leaving her outside. Didn't he see that she wanted to talk to him?

"Your highness…" Anne called.

"What is it want Anne" he asked with a frown. She was too scared look at him.

"My Lady wants to have a word with you, Your highness" she managed to speak up though her head was lowed.

"Where is she?"

"I will go and call her" Anne said. She raced to the room to get her mistress.

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Queen Ariadne POV.

It's was afternoon. I wanted to take my bath before the door slammed opened. Anne rushed into the room like someone was out there to kill her. I got scared immediately and asked "what happened Anne?"

She couldn't answer me. I told her calm down and breath in- breath out. When she did it. I motioned on her to speak.

"The Emperor asked me to call you" she finally said with hands on her chest. I smiled at this news.

I told Anne to take a break and rest while I go meet the Emperor. He stood adjacent to Queen Valeria. It seemed he was here to see her not me. With the jealously burning I approached him "You sent for me your highness" I said.

"Your maid said you wanted to speak to me Queen Ariadne" He stared at me with those fierce eyes.

"Yes your highness" I uttered shyly. "I wanted to tell you that today is my birthday"

"So what exactly do you want me to do?" He asked. I was shocked to hear this from him. The other women in the quarters started whispering to themselves. By now, Queen Valeria stood at her door looking at door. I know she over heard our conversation. I felt bad and annoyed with his question.. I left him on the spot without an answer- this was the only way I could pay back for the disappointment the Emperor had caused me.