Chapter 52 - He Was Having Fun With Queen Ariadne....

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Queen Ariadne's POV.

Anne was something else. What she told me today really confused me. This was strange, a man with hundreds of wives had no child? This was no ordinary fallacy, it was serious matter that needed critical thinking to arrive at the reason Or was he impotent? Yes, I remember the women in the kitchen gossiped about some impotent men they married. Maybe that was the case with the Emperor.

There were many mysteries about this family. First, its was a curse, then a witch and now, the man I thought had these children I saw in the Quarters every day was no father! They were all hiding something from me and sooner or later, I will find out what its was.

Not too long  she left, Anne came back with my breakfast. Its was potatoes served with hot  stew. I didn't eat much because of the problems ahead. I had to talk to my parents immediately.

"Anne" I called out to her. She was dressing my bed as soon as I called, she stopped and came to me.

"Yes my Lady, are you done with your breakfast?" She asked, staring at the food remaining in the tray. I know she was worried as to why I did not eat much.

"Yes Anne , am full"  I said , standing up from my seat and I started making my way to the bathroom.

"Is there anything you want me to do for you my queen?"

"Call my parents for me. Am waiting here for them" I said. We needed to talk in here, so that we don't make mistake out there. The emperor was going to kill us himself, if he finds out we were fooling him. 

"My Lady, only your mother can come in to the women's quarters. Your father won't be  allowed" She said. I forget about the number one rule of this harem. I wondered why the Emperor made such rules for us? Women should be restricted from going to men's quarters too, only then will the equation balance.

"Please do inform my mother," I said. Talking to Queen Celesta was very important, I wanted to warn her of Queen Valeria, before it was too late. 

"I will do that my lady" she bowed and went out if the room. My mind went back to the moments I spent with the Emperor last night. So much has happened that I forgot about the image I saw in his eyes. Maybe I was hallucinating. After all yesterday was a hectic day for me. 

"Can I come in?" Queen Celesta asked. I was surprised to see her so soon. It's was not up to seven minutes, Ann left the room when did she reached the guest quarters? Or perhaps they developed wings?? It's won't be strange nor scary because this palace was a domain for secrets.

"Come in Queen Celesta" I made my way to the door. She wore a blue dress with few jewelries that made her look a little younger than her age. Her nails were kept long like always. Also her hair was tied up with a lot of designer pins. 

"Your room is very beautiful" she said with a smile when she walked into my room. Of course, how did she want it to be?

"I hope the king is fine?" I asked, shutting the door after her. I didn't want any one to eavesdrop or interrupt our conversation. 

"Yes of course. The emperor sent for him few minutes ago. I was actually lonely, I had no choice than to Stroll I the women's quarters. Anne met me by the door" Queen Celesta explained. Now I understand why she came here so quickly.

"Please do have a seat" I showed her a sofa by right.

"Thank you Queen Ariadne" she answered. 

"There is no need for that you are my mistress. You made me what I am right now?"

"No… am a wicked woman queen Ariadne. I sent you here to suffer, please punish me for what I did" she cried. I was surprised that Queen celesta went on her knees. Very strange and  or was she pretending again? This was one of her numerous talents.

"There is no one here Queen Celesta" I assured her. "Say your mind , am listening".

"I know we are alone. That's why am asking for your forgiveness. Please don't hate me for this mistake of mine" she pleaded. This was getting interesting and confusing at same time. All of a sudden, the queen of Camelot wanted mercy and pardon from a low class maid like me? Or has she changed truly? I had to be sure in order to avoid falling in her trap.

"Stop this pretending please. Like I said no one is here."

"Am not pretending queen Ariadne. Ever since I heard about your death , I became restless. We are the cause of what had befallen you. Please, forgive me" she apologized. Queen Celesta was still in on her knees, when she said all these. I was shocked to hear those words from her. I was now convinced that she was telling the truth.

"I believe you now" I said. She looked surprised that I did. The queen Celesta I knew before will never bowed to anyone woman no matter what but today she did, that shows there was a change.

"I hope you find a place in your heart to forgive and accept us as your family "

Wow, family? Did I get it correctly or something was wrong with my brain? 

"I have forgiven you all. Camelot us my home , I always knew that" I said.

"I glad you did thank you , they said you have a large heart, now I confirmed it Queen Valeria told me. "But please be careful with that other wife of your husband, I don't like her at all."

"You mean Queen Valeria?" I asked. She was the only one pestering my life ever since I came to the palace.

"Yes , be very careful with her. Make sure you watch your back. You never can tell what a devil can do" Queen Celesta advised. 

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The Author's POV.

Queen Valeria sat on a stool in the room while Malia made her nails. Naana was grinding some herbs on a big stone right next to them. The Queen mother was ill, and this medicine she was preparing would make her feel better.

"What is the latest gossip Malia?" Queen Valeria asked. Her legs were kept on Malila's laps who was trying her best to make them look good. 

"Your anniversary of course Queen Valeria" she answered, adding more of the green paints to her big toe.

"What are they saying?" 

"Whether your anniversary party is going to be as big as Queen Ariadne's birthday party or not?" she told her. Malia knew that her mistress hated anything to that had to do with the other Queen. 

"Why will they compare me with her? Am the Queen of queens and everyone knows that. My party will be ten times of what the Emperor did for her" Queen Valeria said, rolling her eyes up. If there was one thing she hated most in this world right now- Ariadne. The woman kept on bothering her peace by interfering with the relationship she had with the Emperor. If she didn't do anything about it now, then the prophecy that Naana told her might come to pass.

"I don't know Queen Valeria. It's normal in every palace where the king has more than one wife". 

"Are you on my side?" She asked. "This is not a normal palace Malia. This is Akkad- the home of great Emperor."

"No one is arguing about that my dear" Naana chimmed in. "But you must come to understand this… that the youngest queen might be the one to take your place in this palace."

"Never Naana. Not when I am alive" Queen Valeria shouted, standing up from the stool, she threw the cup in her hand. 

"Why are you getting angry? This is just the beginning Queen Valeria" Naana continued. "Yesterday, the Emperor threw one of the biggest Party, Akkad had ever experience."

"Exactly" Malia supported, spicing up what Naana said.

"The party doesn't mean anything.  Sargon can do it for any of his queen if he wants to" Queen Valeria said, fighting the tears in her eyes. She knew that the celebration yesterday had a disadvantage on her reputation. Many were going to ask why her birthday was never celebrated in such a way!

"Stop lying to your self my dear. Last night, you sent me away just because of the emperor yet, he did not come to see you. Why? Because, he was having fun with Queen Ariadne" Naana reminded about yesterday again.

"Naana stop irritating me. Am not worried about that" Queen Valeria lied. "Sooner or later, the Emperor get bored, only then will Queen Ariadne comes to her sense."

"I don't know about that" Naana said , gathering her equipment and the herbs. Her work in the room was done. "But am going to advise you like a friend, you have to act fast before you lose everything you ever labored for."

Before, queen Valeria could answer Malia interrupted. She didn't know that her mistress wanted to say something "I over heard the guards discussing."

"About what exactly?" Naana asked.

"They said the Emperor had made some progress to find the person who impersonated queen Ariadne." 

"W-what… Do …" Queen Valeria stammered. She was shocked to hear this. Her body became to heavy for her legs to carry. All of a sudden, she began to feel dizzy and her head ached so much. 

"Yes, Queen Valeria. Am not mistaken about this. I went to deliver some items to the men's quarter as you instructed then I overheard them talked about it" Malia explained.

Blinking her eyes repeatedly, she grabbed  hold of her self and concentrated on the problem before her "leave me alone, all of you!" She said in a quiet tone.