Chapter 57 - A Mysterious Man...

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Queen Ariadne's POV.

"Queen Valeria locked her self in there. We don't know if she is fine or not!" queen Alissa said to me. I understood perfectly how hurt she was right now. What happened in the hall was a stain to her reputation. But, she has no choice than to accept the reality which was – the Emperor left her right on the spot, when the most memorable moment  was to take place.

"She said she is going to hurt her self, if the Emperor doesn't come to her" Queen Vida told me. "Queen Valeria had spent more than eight years with the Emperor. Why did she chose to be bitter over such a simple matter!"

"Exactly. I have married the Emperor for four years. We have never for once celebrated my birthday talk less of an anniversary party" one of the Queen, interrupted our conversation. It seemed she was listening to us right from the beginning.

"I will go and talk to the Emperor. Maybe he might change his mind and come to Queen Valeria" I said, gathering the hem of my dress to take a leave but Queen Vida interrupted me.

"They said his highness has locked himself in the room as well. Mother has gone there to try but I don't think there will be a positive result" she told me. The way she was confident about it one may think Queen Vida dwelled in the heart of the Emperor.

"Don't worry about Queens. Let me just give try" I said, refusing to be discourage by their words. Things were going wrong and I wanted to help fix this mess. Queen Valeria was locked up in the room, only the gods knew what was going on in there. I was very scared for her.

I got to the Emperor's door. There were about ten guards, who stood at the door, which was very unusual. Their faces looked like they were preparing to go in to a war with aliens. They almost scared me but I summoned the courage with in me – I mean the last courage left in me and I asked them if they can let me in.

"The Emperor gave an order that no body should go to the room without his permission" one of them told me. His face had scars on it, displaying all his struggles at wars.

"Please… can you tell him that I came to see him" I said, almost stammering.

"Forgive us my lady, in this situation our hands are tied up. We can't go in as well" he replied. Really? The Emperor was something else. Why will lock him self up just his queen did? Was this their anniversary prank to fool us ? I won't forgive the both of them if this turns out to be so.

I thanked the guard who spoke to me and I left the men's quarters. On the outside of the building, there was great storm coming. Wind blew from every corner making me uncomfortable taking another footstep. The women's quarters was not close by. I have to walk further to get to the corridors of it.

At that time, almost all the lights outside the palace blew off. The lightening in the sky made me find some of the pillars. It's looked like the rain would dropped any moment from now. I hasten my pace and my dress knocked down what ever it was because I could not see a thing in the dark.

I drew the gown from the waist but nothing happened. I tried removing but it drew me back. It was so quiet and creepy outside, I wished I never care came out in the first place.

Whooshing...

Came a sound of owl. I turned around to see if anyone was out there to help but I could not see a thing. All the guards who used to stand here were no where to seen. Fear gripped me and my heart started beating fast.

By now, the sound of the owl was loud enough and the lightening strike making me come face to face with this giant bird. Its large eyes frightened me. I got scared and gave the loudest scream I have ever given in my life.

It's also whooped, showing me it could also scream easily. I drew my gown and the situation remained the same, this time, I almost fell down if not for the good Samaritan who held me tightly. He kissed my forehead countless times, asking me to stay strong the guards will come soon.

In his arms I felt safe and better. He kept on telling me these words "I am here for you my dear." Who was he? This question I asked only once. Because my eyes became too heavy for me and I passed on. There was one wish in my heart at that time. I asked the creator to let me see this man in the morning, when I wake up.  His presence was like that of my husband and he reminded me of him very much.

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I woke up in the morning with my dress still on. I was in my chambers! on my bed. The Queen mother and some other queens stood beside me. They were all glad to see me open my eyes. I knew I frightened them last night again. But it's was not intentional. 

"Oh my poor child. How are you doing this morning?" Mother touched my head. There were tears already in he eyes. I felt sorry for them. 

"Am fine mother" I tried to sit up but my legs hurt so much. She stopped me from going further.

"Please, don't hurt your self. Lay still my child" she said. I obeyed without any hesitation.

"I had to send your mother to her room few minutes ago. She did not close her eyes for a moment through out the night" the Queen mother told me. I wondered if she was mistaken or what! Queen Celesta was up last night  and crying , all because of me? Where was the strongest lioness I knew? Did they really changed like I was told?

"Can I see her?"

"Don't worry my child. I will sent a maid to get  her but in the meantime try and eat something please" she said, looking at tray beside by bed. Of course, I was going to eat because of the hunger. My stomach did not receive any food since last night and it's was burning right now.

I nodded and she asked a maid to feed me. It's was not too long before Queen Celesta walked in to the room. Her face changed from anxiety to happiness when she saw me eating. She hugged me tightly and said 

"Don't ever scare me like you did today Ariadne" a tear drop from her left eye down. Bellow her eyes were black circles. I could tell that she did cried her heart out last night. I didn't say a word, rather I nodded.

Queen Celesta sat on the bed while mother excused her. She collected the plate for the maid and started feeding me. It's was funny but fantastic. I wished the people of Camelot could see how their fearless lioness had changed with in a short time. 

I was still eating when I remembered what happened last night. The storm, owl and the man who took me in his arms when I fainted. His hands cold and strong like they have touched me before. Every thing about him was familiar. 

"What are you thinking my child?" Queen Celesta asked me. She noticed that I stopped eating and my mind was far away from Akkad.

"Nothing serious. Do you Know how I got here last night?"

"No my dear. Thanks  to the creator that you are fine now "she touched my cheek softly. I was waiting for the Emperor's mother to tell me her own part.

"I don't know child. We found you on the bed last night and you had a temperature that was not good."

I looked at the other queens and they all gave me a negative answer. Nobody knew about the man who brought in to the harem. Even the guards that mother said she questioned did not have an  idea about the person who helped me yesterday.

I finished my food and they all began to leave the room. After some minutes, there was no one left except for me and Anne. She picked up my towels from the changing room. I knew at once that it was time to shower at least…

"My lady, please be careful with your steps" Anne Said, as she helped me come down from the bed. My feet had swollen a bit though I did not know how I got hurt like this.

"Don't worry Anne. Am fine" I assured her. 

"Fine? You left yesterday with two beautiful legs and this morning you came back with this, Queen Ariadne. They don't look like they belong to you she said. I knew she was not happy with the way I look, especially in this situation that the help I wanted to render was for queen Valeria.

"Am fine. I just wanted to Know who helped me yesterday" I said, when we got to the bathroom. She made me sat on the stairs.

"I thought you came back on your own" Anne was surprised too. How on Earth could I have find my way back in such a scary and frightening situation. Only if they knew about the owl, I am sure every one would have been worried.

"It's was a man Anne. His presence was familiar though I didn't have the time to study him properly."

"Maybe it's the Emperor, who saved you last night."