Chapter 40 - A Surprise Party

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Queen Ariadne's POV.

"Should I add some powder to her face ?" the makeup artist asked queen Vida. She held a big foam in her hand.

"No, I think is perfect" she answered. Carefully Queen Vida put a gold necklace around my neck. She wanted to remove the Necklace the Emperor gifted me when he came back from his journey but I refused. 

"But that necklace look better off" she insisted.

"The Emperor gave to her" Queen Vida Anne chimmed in. I wondered who side she was on, this evening.

"Wow, I didn't know" she said. I was happy that we don't have to struggle over this. I was already tired of this makeup that took almost two hours. Queen Vida insisted that I look more beautiful than any other woman today, I had no choice than to endure. Don't forget nobody has ever won an argument against her.

"The lipstick is perfect now," the makeup artist said, as she rubbed a little to my lower lips.

"Can I?" I asked quietly. Since we started the make-up, they refused that I don't look into the mirror till it was completely over. It's wasn't easy for me as Lady to sit quietly without glaring at the mirror while I had my face made up.

"Yes, you can your highness" the makeup artist permitted. I moved to the mirror, and the image I saw when I looked into it was different. This wasn't the regular Ariadne one could see everyday. I look astonishing and beautiful, this was unbelievable. I turned to thank them for this.

"Thank you all"  I said almost with a tears.

"Don't cry please, you will ruin your makeup" Queen Vida told me. Quickly, I tried to hold them back.

"Is time for the party, shall we ?" She added.

I stood up from the seat and gathered the Hem of my dress in hand. It's was so heavy, I tried my best to walk carefully on the stairs. I wasn't used to these kind of dresses. This was new for me, I wish I could go back and find another dress but it was late. We were closed to the Hall.

I could hear no music at all. Why was very where quiet now? Or did we came late? No way, I spent hours trying to look this good. There was no way the party would end without me flaunting it.

"Please, Wait here your highness" the guards stopped me at the door. I remembered the day of my trial, this was how I was stopped from going inside until the Emperor had given his permission. Was this the same thing?

"Don't worry Queen Ariadne, every thing will be fine" Anne assured she was excited I could tell from her voice.

Another guard came behind the door and told us to come in. That was when its started again, those knots that lived in my stomach whenever I was about to faced a crowd.

Anne helped me  lift the Hem of my dress so that I will not step on it. When I got to the hall, every one stood up immediately, clapping and singing a song" happy birthday to Queen Ariadne."

I never expected this. The large number of people here couldn't be compare with the ones that came for the king's Ball. There were Hundreds and thousands of people present in the hall and their voices echoed as they sang. 

The hall was decorated in Yellow- that was actually my favorite color and also the color of the dress I wore. Anne, Queen Vida and the makeup artist were all this. How on Earth did I not notice this! 

There were several tables arranged with flowers and drinks for twenty persons. The longest table in hall as usual was were the Emperor sit with his wives. But today was different, it's was occupied with other members of the Royal family and some new faces I believed were part of the family.

The Emperor was slowly moving behind them I could see him. Was this all his doings? I don't really get it. Why did he gave me all the attitudes in the morning if he was planning this. Just then I remembered what happened on princess Eva's birthday, four years ago. Her parents gave her a surprise party! This was what the Emperor did for me... A Surprise party for the ordinary Ariadne, my eyes were deceiving me now or maybe this was all a dream. I wished someone could pinched me right now.....

"My Lady, give me the permission to take you to your seat" A tall handsome man said, interrupting my thoughts. His eyes were blue and upper lip was thick. His fine body was built like that of the Emperor. I saw the resemblance, they actually looked alike. Was this brother? Or what?

"Is something wrong?" He asked with a smile.

"Not at all" I answered. only then did I realized that I have been standing at the door all these while. 

"Please, Lady Ariadne give the honor to adore you" he said. 

"Sure" I replied. With one of his knees down, the young man took my hand and kissed it. I felt shy, honestly I didn't like this feeling… people might think different. I was about to redrew my hand when he held it and asked "shall we?' I nodded in agreement. 

My seat was not where I thought it was. Two thrones were placed adjacent to the front door. The Emperor sat on the left throne while the one on the right was empty. It's was reserved for me.

The young man led me to the throne. When we got there, he ushered me to seat. I sat on the throne with my head bent. I didn't know I was going to be the center of attraction this night. Their eyes made me uncomfortable.

"Father, I brought your wife to you. Aren't you going to reward me?" The Young Man asked the Emperor. Father ? This was strange. Am sure this was a mistake though they looked alike a lot. I wanted to know the Emperor's reply by all means so I paid attention to their conversation.

"I must say am impressed with the way you handle  every thing, Son" the Emperor said with a smile-this was rare… he hardly smile or laugh but today, he did for this man. Does that mean this Young Man standing in front of us right was my husband's son?? Why didn't anyone told me about it?