Chapter 53 - The Jealous Queen Ariadne...

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Queen Ariadne's POV.

After Queen Celesta left. I laid quietly on my bed, the emperor has not come to see me nor sent for me. It seemed to me like he was enjoying himself without me, not his fault. The Emperor had hundreds of women including those that were his concubines.

If he wanted to spend time with all of them, then, I would have to wait for two years before seeing him. I was the youngest of his Queens yet, he choose me yesterday.

That night was long and I  found it too short. Was it because of the Emperor? Have I fallen for this man? No way! His feelings was one I couldn't rely on because the Emperor was just like a chameleon – his color changed from time to time. If I decide to give him a space in my heart definitely, he would break it without thinking twice. I was the Emperor's wife and that should be enough for now.

The Queen mother Aslaug, was sick. She had a fever this morning so I was told. The Emperor's mother was good to me. All these months I spent in Akkad she stood by my side, even when I went through the toils and disappointments. My prayers for her everyday was that the creator should have mercy on her and let her see her grand children. 

Standing up from my bed, I took my gloves to go and see mother. When I opened the door, the Emperor was not far from the room next to mine. I didn't spent much time trying to figure where he was going to. He came to the women's quarters, definitely he would come to see after.

I ran back to my bed "The emperor should see that I could leave without his presence" I said to my self. He  must not know that he was my witness. I grabbed the blanket on the bed and covered my body, pretending that I was asleep.

This was not going to work. If the Emperor comes to room and he notices that I was asleep, he will leave immediately for the fear that I might wake up. But who cares? I wanted him to wake me up with a kiss on my forehead (but these were just my dreams)

I stood up from the bed and went to the mirror. I sat down and opened the bottle of oil. I applied it to my hair. Anne made my hair few hours ago, what was the need for this? 

There was a knock on the door and I felt so restless. Was it the Emperor? When did the man became a gentle man up to an extent that he knocked before entering. This was an improvement, maybe he had changed over night.

"Come in please" I answered. The door opened slowly and the Emperor walked into the room slowly. He wore a green robe now. With a white trouser to match and of course his turban was there. He took each step with pride. What a proud man!

"I thought you were resting but here you are spending the day at a piece of glass" he said,  walking towards me. 

"Greetings Your highness" I stood up from my seat and greeted. 

"Thank you, how are you doing today?"

"Am fine, though I was lonely all day" I uttered, regretting those words as soon as they came out. The Emperor's face showed that he was surprised with my statement. I was so foolish!

"But you have your parents and maids around. I even heard that you prefer spending with … ehnn.. the wife of Vidor, what that her name again?"

"Anne is her name your highness" I finished the line for him. So the Emperor too listens to gossip. I wondered who and who spreaded such news.

"What are you thinking Queen Ariadne" the Emperor interrupted my thoughts.

Don't mind my manners. Please have a seat, you are welcome to my abode" I said, pointing at the sofa not too far away from where we standing.

"Don't worry about. I rather watch, while you comb your hair. You should sit instead" he said. Watch me comb this hair? I was faking it , the hair was not scattered. it's Still looked perfect.

I sat down because the Emperor wanted me to. I brought  my loosed hair front and I started combing it gently. The Emperor stood behind me with a smile this time, I became shy. Cold shivers ran through my spine when his cold hands touched my shoulder. 

"Do you miss me  my dear Queen?" He said, with hands on shoulders.

"What?" I asked, swallowing hard. Of course, I missed you and when you were not around, I yearned for you every minute.

"Is not necessary to say yes. I have prepare a horse class for you tomorrow. I hope you come around" he took his hands off me immediately. I wondered if I did something wrong.

"Thank you, your highness. Am grateful" I said.

"Will you come to my room tonight?"

The Emperor was inviting me again! If we kept on spending nights together, he might change his mind about the promise. "I must not rush things" I said to my self.

"Say something queen Ariadne. Am waiting for you" the Emperor asked impatiently. 

"Forgive me your highness. I want to spend time with my family, they will soon return back to Camelot" I lied, avoiding the gaze of his eyes. 

"That's good. Take care of yourself then. We will see tomorrow then" he smiled and made for the door .

"Good night your highness" I said. He stopped for a second, I thought he was going to come back to me but the Emperor never danced to anyone's tune. He opened the door and left.

I felt like going after him to say sorry and I also wanted to spend the night with him but no my ego won't let me. The image of him touching Queen Valeria's face this morning, kept on running in my head. The emperor didn't even care about my presence, I thought for a second that he was in love with her already no need for me to struggle and fit in. After all she was the principal wife and I was no body.

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The next morning, I woke very early. I had my breakfast and made my way to the sporting center. When I got there the Emperor was no where to be seen. The guards were there together with my in-laws. The stables were adjacent to the entrance gate and I could hear the horses neighed.

Queen mother sent a maid to inform me that the Emperor would join us soon. He told me to come here early in the morning but there was no sight of him now. I went to where mother was seating with my parents and I greeted each one of them with respect. 

I sat down, patiently waiting for the arrival of the Emperor. The Queens sat down behind us. I wondered if this was a race competition. He told me that we were going to practice so why was everyone here?

"Queen Ariadne" Queen mother called out when she noticed my anxiety.  "You shouldn't worry my child, I sent for the Emperor and he said they will come after their baths."

"They? Was there a new person in the palace?? Who was mother referring to?" I asked my self. I was getting worried for nothing. May be I should adjust to the way of life here- the way the other queens lived freely.  That will do for now.

We waited for about thirty minutes, before he came. When the Emperor arrived at the center , everyone stood up to show him respect. I did also, but mind you I was tensed up already.

With him was Queen Valeria, who kept on laughing like the emperor was tickling her. I wondered what he was telling her that made her so happy. The emperor walked towards his mother and my parents, he greeted them. 

He didn't even look at me except for queen Valeria, who kept on giving me the code that she slept in the Emperor's room. Only if she knew that I rejected offer yesterday - she was just a second option in this case.

There was a huge stand in front of us, they went into it and sat down. Queen Valeria hands were on his arms  all these time. I could see her turning to give me the *I got him looks.* Those ugly eyes of hers made me mad , I wished I could plug them out right in front of her so called Husband. 

The other women began to gossip. They were angry with the way she carried her self while entering the sporting center. Queen Valeria did not greet my parents or mother, she just held hands with the Emperor like he was going to fly away soon.. This behavior of hers irritated me a lot.