Chapter 51 - The Creator Is The One Who Gives Children...

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Queen Ariadne's POV.

I hurried to my room immediately. We were not expecting Queen Valeria to stormed into the room like that, the condition  she found in,  really made her angry.  But what can I do? She was the king's wife so am I!

When I got my room, there was no body in. It's was just the way I left it before going for the party yesterday. Anne kept a dress for me on the stand close to wardrobe. The dresses she kept there were the ones , I would wear after taking my bath. She made life so easy for me.

I sat down on the bed and took my shoes off.  My legs were tired of wearing all these shoes. I was not used them, because in Camelot maids wore simple sandals and sometimes we walked bare footed for days. Those we're the pains of being a maid in the West.

My mind went to King Gaius and Queen Celesta. I wondered how they were doing right now. After the dinner yesterday, the Emperor didn't even allow me to speak with my parents. I don't blame him, because I also wanted us to be together.

I wondered why, all of a sudden, the man became a caring and loving husband I always wished and dreamt about. 

"My Lady, can I come in?"  It's was Anne. She stood at the door with some flowers. I loved them a lot, that's why every morning, she changed the flowers in my room.

"Come in please Anne," I answered. She walked in to the room with a smile like she just won a lottery. Anne wore a purple skirt and white long sleeves shirt. Her hair was packed in a hair tie like always.

"I heated your bathing water before few minutes ago Queen  Ariadne" she said dropping flowers in each vases in the room.

"I have taken my bath already, no need for that. Thank you."

"Okay, but… how come? Don't tell me you took your bath with cold water? The Emperor won't forgive me, if you fall sick my lady because…"

"The Emperor was the one who prepared my bathing and …" I stopped. What I saying? Anne was going to tease me the whole day, now that she was aware that I spent the night in the Emperor's room.

"Wow that's good news Queen Ariadne. Am happy for you" she said.

"Anne, nothing happened, we just slept in each other's arm. Am not ready yet, I told him last night" 

"Did he agreed?" she asked eagerly.

"Yes he did. I also surprised that the Emperor could say yes to such a demand. How ever, am glad about it" I stood up from the bed and went to the mirror- my favorite spot.

"Okay, but, when will you be ready?" She took a comb from the drawer and started arranging the tips of my hair.

"I don't know Anne. May be when am ready to accept him as my husband" I said. Making in a rush wasn't my thing, the emperor was my husband but he rejected me first!

"You should think about it care fully. Your decision is not a bad one, however you need to think about the Emperor too. He is your husband, whether  this is decision going to affect him or not?"

"He agreed to it Anne" I replied. The Emperor understood me perfectly well , I told him that we should wait for love to grow in our hearts. At least in my heart, they said he had no heart.

"Even if he did , that doesn't mean everything is fine within" Anne continued.

I stood up from the bed. What was Anne talking about? Why did she seemed unhappy now??

"What's wrong Anne? I don't understand what you are saying?" I asked her.

"Forgive me for interfering in your private lives but I want to advise you like a sister."

"Of course Anne, in Akkad you are the only sister I have. Feel free to tell me what you think is right."

"Okay , am happy  to hear that" she said. "You know the Emperor is yet to announce his heir?"

"Yes, I am aware of that".

"He is still a young man of twenty-five. By the will of our creator, the emperor will live for a hundred years" she said in a quiet tone. It seemed Anne wanted to say something important.

"Yes . I pray so".

"But with this fame and wealth, the Emperor has no child." 

"What do you mean by that Anne? Doing the party yesterday, the Emperor introduced a young man to me as husband son. His name is ehn…

"Prince Edward is his name. He is the Emperor's nephew.".

"How?" I widened my eyes like it was a dream.

The Emperor had an elder sister by the name princess Diana. She was married to a prince, who died in battle. Her brother Emperor Sargon brought her home after hearing the news. Few months later , Princess Diana found out that she was pregnant" Anne narrated.

"How old was the Emperor then ?"

"He was fifteen when his sister gave birth to Prince Edward . She died immediately she put to birth" 

"O Lord. Such a disaster" I mumbled. This was really a tragic live story.

"According to what my husband told me the emperor cursed himself for days blaming his sister's death on him".

"Why will he do that? She died while given birth right?"

"Yes my lady that was what my Vidor told me. I never care to ask anyone, it's not my business to poke nose in to the private matters of the royal family".

"I understand what  you mean Anne. So what about this children, I see in the women's quarters?" I asked giving her the bottle of hair oil that was on the mirror table.

"Not all the women belong to the Emperor. Some are his sisters in law. Few of these children, were born out of wedlock but the king accepted them because he loved children" Anne said, applying the oil to hair.

"The Emperor has many wife , why is he childless?"

"The creator is the one who gives children. If the Emperor is destined to have a child one day, he will surely become a father" Anne concluded.

"So how does this relates to me now?"

"We all looked up to you! Maybe, you might be the one who will give you the Emperor this child he desperately wants."

"What are you saying Anne? The Emperor lack of children is because of his wickedness. Perhaps, if he changes, the creator might bless him with one" I told her. Such a Cold hearted was not fit to be a father.

"We hope he does. I pray you change that stone heart of his with your charm" she packed my hair to a pony tail style.

"He is your Emperor, don't forget please. The gossip is over, before we get caught" I reminded her.

"What do you want for breakfast or the Emperor prepared a meal for you? Anne teased. 

"I knew you were going to tease me the whole day. Go and get my break fast, am so hungry Anne."

"Okay my lady she placed some of the flowers on the table and left with an empty basket".