Chapter 56 - The Disappointment...

*****

Queen Ariadne's POV.

"Forgive me for not knocking Queen Ariadne" he said, moving slowly towards me. There was this feeling that aroused inside of me. If he comes closer I might hug him and wish for things to go further.

"Is all right your highness" I said. The ray of light shine on my body, I could see the way my fair skin glowed. My prayers were that the Emperor should leave soon, before we regret it.

"You don't have to be afraid dear wife" he said, when he got closed to me. Cold shiver ran through my spine , I could hear my heart beating. It seemed like it was going to come out through my mouth. 

"Am not afraid your highness. I just want us to keep to the promise. The Emperor's promise is one that should not be broken, remember?" I asked, giving him a quick glance. I saw the image again in his eyes. This time was not mistaken, if only I could bring a mirror, we would have capture this moment together. 

"What's wrong my queen?" He asked, with so much concern. I did not want to tell him about it, the Emperor might react the way I don't expect. The last time I asked about his turban, he gave me a shocking answer.

"Your eyes look different" I said. This was the biggest problem I had. My lips were going to put me in trouble some day. What was the need for me to tell the Emperor about his eyes?

He smiled at me. "I thought you saw it the last time why are you confused again Queen Ariadne?"

I was surprised with the way he spoke softly and the smile on his face. The Emperor was not angry with my Question. This was a good opportunity for me to asked him further.

"What happened to them? Why the image in there ??" I kept on asking him. He sighed. One might think that my questions were ones that would hurt, maybe they did or they reminded him of something in the past.

"I got it from birth. I hope they don't scared you away from me Queen Ariadne" he replied. The Emperor looked innocent while saying that. I felt pity for him. I was about to ask him if it's was connected to the rumor that said he was a devil in disguise, but he spoke first.

"I will leave you to dress up. See you at the party" he turned his back and walked a bit faster than I thought. In no time the Emperor was out of my room. This was strange to me, an image in a man's eyes? Did others noticed it? Or I was the only one!.

*****

It's evening already. We were late to the party, because of the heavy make up they wore me. I refused this but Queen Vida and Anne did not listen. I just hope the Emperor doesn't get mad seeing us come in late. Others might say I was quiet jealous of Queen Valeria and that's was the reason I wanted to spoil this night for her.

"Have the party started?" I asked one of the guards who stood at the door. Anne and two other maids walked behind me with hand fans. They were trying best to catch up with me. The makeup artist told them to fan me and make sure that I don't sweat because it might ruin my make up. 

"Yes Queen Ariadne" he said, removing the spear for me to pass. The party had begun and we were yet to reach the hall. I wished there was no passage before the hall. Its only made the journey seemed far.

"My lady you should slow down. See how you have started sweating" She tried to fan me again. I ignored her. 

When we got to the hall, it's was beautifully decorated like I expected. Different men and women who were dressed in suit and gowns turned to look at me. Just what I wanted… the center of attraction should be me.

The number of people I saw at the party was not up to my expectations. This was the king's anniversary party. It should be grand and never to be forgotten. Why did it look like it was one of the Queen's birthday party?

"All eyes are on you Queen Ariadne" Anne told me. I tried my best to smile but it faded immediately. I wished I would have wore the green gown Anne had chosen for me. 

I stood at the door with my hands side ways, wishing for the ground to swallow me at least that would do for now. 

"Allow me to usher you in my Lady" a voice startled me from behind. I did not turn to see it was, rather I asked Anne to check if it was one of the king's men.

"No my lady, it's prince Edwards, The emperor's nephew" she answered. That was better, I did not want the emperor to get angry like he did earlier when I spoke with his brother prince Elvis.

With prince Edwards, it's was different. He was the Emperor's son and now, that I was married to his father, he was going to see me like this mother. I turned to him and gave a warming smile. 

He asked me if I would not mind spending the evening with him since his father was busy with Queen Valeria. Of course, I didn't. This was the only way to stop brainless men from following me just like the emperor had said.

Our seat were not too far from my parents. I wanted to go and greet them but I got a message from the Queen mother, who also sitting down with them, telling me not to worry. We were going to meet after the party. I was happy at least I don't get to walk in front of these people.

Prince Edwards called one of the waitress to bring a drink for us. I took one from the tray when he came back. The emperor was looking at me the whole time, its made me feel uncomfortable. This was what I wanted in the first place, why was I feeling ashamed now? Was my makeup too bad ?

"I must said my father choose the best wife on Earth. You look like an angel sent from above" Prince Edwards finally broke the silence. My face brightened up immediately I heard those words. Was I this beautiful? Everyone kept on praising my beauty ever since I came to the palace.

"Thank you prince Ed…."

"Call me son. I mean you are married to my father, you have all the rights to call and treat me as your son" he said with a smile. I was beginning to like him. He was so different from his father, though their thinking capacity was almost the same. Because Anne told me that the Emperor addressed the second wife of the late king as mother and he gave her equal status in the palace before she disobeyed him.

"Okay, son" I replied. His eyes were just like the Emperor's. When I stared into them, I didn't see any image there. Those were just two blue icy eyes, charming almost all the women who dared to look at it.

The women who sat in front of us kept on making passes at him although he was younger than they were. But who could blame them? My son was too handsome to ignore.

"When is father going to take his eyes off you?" he whispered to my ears. I was surprised that he noticed it too. I did not reply to him rather I looked at the Emperor who was still looking at this direction. He smiled at me and I pretended like its was not for me.

It was time for the couples to cut the cake in front of them. Its was big and beautifully decorated with two crowns representing both the Emperor and his Empress. This would make Queen Valeria very happy because people said the cake was the most biggest ever seen in Akkad. 

The cake was cut and its was time for the couples to feed their selves. At the very last minute the Emperor asked them to cancel that item on the list. I wasn't surprise though, he was capable of anything. Queen Valeria was disappointed because he left her standing alone with a piece of cake in her hand.

I felt pity seeing her that way. Some of the queens went to console her but she threw the piece of cake on the floor and made her way out of the hall. The people began to whisper and murmur , many said they were not surprise with the way he behaved too.

"Come my Lady, I will lead you to the Harem" Prince Edwards told me. With his help I got out of the hall in no time. It's was not easy in there due to the commotion. I managed to get to the quarters, all thanks to my new son.

The women in the Harem stood closed to Queen Valeria's room. They were all talking at the same time, I could not hear a thing.. Queen Alissa was also there, I approached her to give me details of what was happening here.