Chapter 39 - A Birthday Wish II....

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Emperor Sargon's POV.

I got a letter from one of the neighboring kings saying that my father's chef was seen in the east six days back and it seemed he had come to settle there. I wondered why he choose east of all places in the world. People of east hardly accepted any one in their environment for him to be there that means he knows someone there.

I was still trying to comprehend what I just read before mother stormed in to the room. Along side with her was Queen Valeria, I wondered what was wrong this time around. It been long I had a good rest in my own palace.

"Sargon dear, We need to talk," mother said. Her face showed that she wasn't happy. Queen Valeria stood behind like she was her maid. When had these two became friends? If they were then, this was going to be difficult for me. Although I enjoyed seeing them together.

"What is it you want mother?" I asked with my eyes focused on the letters in front of me.

"It's about Queen Ariadne" mother Said. Just then I remembered that she came on behalf of her precious daughter who had taken my place in my mother's heart ever since she came to this palace.

"Yes go on" I urged, like I didn't know the reason why they came here. Yes, of course, I refused to wish the daughter of my mother a happy birthday and she came to punish me for it.

"You didn't wish her, today is her birthday Emperor" Queen Valeria spoke at last. Few days ago, she was against Queen Ariadne, to day she is fighting for her. I wondered what was going on in my own palace.

"So?" I gave them a shocking response. Mother's jaw dropped opened, I could see she was more shocked than Queen Valeria.

"You are her husband Emperor, you shouldn't let your wife craved for your attention like this mother" advised.

I didn't answer rather my eyes were focused on the letter. This act of mine irritated my mother a lot, that I knew already.

"At least send a gift to her your highness" Queen Valeria suggested. I couldn't believe she said that any way, it was good that my home will know some peace.

"You are not saying anything, Queen Ariadne is serious crying" mother said. Her eyes looked worried instead of the anger she brought in the first time she walked into the room.

The thought of Queen Ariadne weakened me. I almost stood from my bed to go see her but I stopped. This was not what I planned earlier, I sank back to the comfort of my chair, with my eyes staring heavily at the two people that stood in front of me.

"Did she send you two to arrest me?" I asked.

"No she didn't. We came here on our own accord, please go and see her" Mother pleaded. I felt pity for the both them. If only they knew.

"Is alright mother, I will do that later. Right now am busy" I said, showing them the letters I had on desk.

"What is that son?" Mother asked. She reached for the letters in front of me but I stopped " it's personal mother" I said quickly. She was shocked to hear this from me. Maybe I was rude this time, because I didn't want her to know the content of the letter. Mother had been lying to me all these years about the curse that had befallen me. I wanted to know the root and the cure to it. This letters might lead me to my father's chef.

"Okay, I will go to my Chambers now. Don't forget to check on Queen Ariadne" she said, her eyes on the letter. I hope she didn't suspected anything.

Mother left the room alone. Queen Valeria stood closed to my bed, she didn't move nor speak.

"Are you going to stand there for ever ?" I asked.

"No your highness. I want to asked for a favor" she finally spoke again. Why was today like this? Everyone came to me because of the favors they wanted me to grant to them. Nobody bothered about me not even my own Mother.

"Go head Queen Valeria" I said. My eyes were fixed on her.

"If you don't mind, can I spend the night in your room?" She asked. Queen Valeria was the most courageous woman I ever met. No one will come to me with this kind of favor not even Queen Ariadne. I was the one to choose who to spend the night with not them. A night time table was organized during to their arguments of who was going to spend the night in my room, and even that it's was Queen Vida's turn not hers.

'Am sorry, but I don't want to spend the night with you. Maybe tomorrow Queen Valeria" I said. This was one of the disappointment, she didn't except- rejection.

"Did I do something wrong? She asked quietly. Queen Valeria looked innocent at this moment, I wished she could see her face.

"Not at all. I have matters to attend to night that why"

"Then, I will leave your majesty to rest" Queen Valeria bowed and left.

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Queen Ariadne's POV.

Its was getting dark and mother didn't give me the feedback, I wanted to go to her room and asked her if she managed to convinced the Emperor. I bathed quickly and put on my dress. Then, I headed for mother's room. The hall way of the Women's quarters was quiet, no one was seen around. This was unusual of them. By this time of the day, women were seen in different corners chanting, dancing and laughing.

I slept after mother and queen Valeria left the room. I didn't realized that a lot had happened out here.

Where is everyone? And what was wrong?? Was the kingdom under a threat or war??? Many questions ran through my mind.

"Queen Ariadne, you ?" It was Anne's voice. I looked up to be sure and she was the one. Thank Goodness all my questions will be answered. She was dressed in beautiful blue dress with a ribbon pinned on her dark hair.

"Where are you rushing to" she asked again. I didn't even know where I was going to.

"I don't but where is everyone?" I asked, stretching my neck like a giraffe to see out the building.

"Oh… didn't you hear?"

"About what exactly" I asked confused. Of course I was.

"Today is the Emperor's anniversary with Queen Alissa, everyone went to support them" Anne said. I was surprised with this news I just received. Few hours ago the Emperor refused to wish me but now he was going to spend time with another woman.

"Really?"

"Yes my Lady. Queen Alissa asked me to inform you but when I got to the room you were sleeping and…" Anne started narrating the long drama to me.

"Is okay" I cut her off heading back to my room to continue with my sleep. Today was indeed my worst day, I was not expecting this bomb to be thrown to my heart. With all these happenings, I ran to my room with tears. I could hear Anne's voice followed me behind asking me to wait for her but I didn't. I wanted to be alone for now.

"My Lady" Anne came as soon as I locked the door. I didn't want to answer but I had no choice to than to. Bad timing for her.

"What is it Anne?"

"Please open the door. I have to get you ready for the party" she said.

I couldn't believe that Anne was on their side this time. She was supposed to shun them all, right from the beginning when they gave her the invitation card.

"I want to be alone Anne" I said. She was going to be surprised with my words but I have to act as a Queen right now.

"Please open the door" a new voice came up. It's wasn't Anne this time around. I wondered who it was, with the anger in me, I opened the door ready to pour out my mind before I saw Queen Vida.

"You?" I asked. She was the least expected person on my mind at that moment.

"You should get dress please, you are the reason why am here" She scolded. Queen Vida entered the room immediately, her eyes darted back and forth looking for my wardrobe I guessed. At last she saw it, the perfect Yellow gown. I didn't know who brought the dress to my room, it was new and I didn't ordered for it.

"Whose dress is that?" I asked Anne. She started stammering like the question was a difficult one

"No… I... or..dered for it… my lady.. I thought you were going to attend the party"

"Of course, she is going. Don't worry Anne" Queen Vida insisted.

"Am not going to the party" I said stubbornly.

"Why Queen Ariadne?" She stared at me like the answer was written on my face. I was not going to tell her the reason. Because it sounded foolish and stupid to anyone's hearing, jealously was no excuse for this childish behavior I portrayed.

"I feel weak Queen Vida. And I haven't even dressed for this party" I lied. This might free me from this but it seemed I was wrong. She conquered.

"Get the Makeup Artist Anne, I will help your mistress get dress" She said. Anne dashed out of the room like this party was her anniversary instead.. Why was she so much in a hurry? This girl was weird some times.