Chapter 58 - You Are One Of His Concubines....

"The Emperor? Maybe you are right. This person was much like him" I said, shyly. 

"You have come to know him with in a short time. I pray that you two never face any dangerous in your life again" Anne said, as she shut her eyes and clapped her hands together.

I smiled and got up from the stairs. The swollen legs were so painful, that I had no choice than to call Anne to help me walk to the shower. There I sat on a wooden stool, she provided for me and I took my bath like an old woman whose back was broken.

After having my bath, I dressed up and told Anne to invite the women who came to see me. As usual, they brought a lot of gifts and fruits. If there was something special about Akkad was the amount of the gift they gave out to one who was sick. Even in the village hospital, the sick patients got good medical care and food, drugs and water which was donated by the rich. Maybe that why this Empire flourish for so long.

"She is just as beautiful they say she is" one of the Noble women said.

"That's why she is the Emperor's favorite" Queen Vida said. She gave me a big smile, revealing her missing tooth. I laughed when she did that.

Was I really the Emperor's favorite? I didn't notice that. We never got along till I came out of the coma I was in.

"Continue laughing Queen Ariadne is good for health" queen Alissa urged. She was dressed in a simple gown as usual. One may think she was just a sister to the Emperor. I  admired her humility.

All of a sudden, the door of my room. We all turned to see who it was. Queen Valeria! She wore a white robe. Her hair was beautifully packed but not designed like before. The pins and flowers were all gone. She moved with her maids as usual.

"Am I interrupting something?" She asked. The whole was quiet immediately she stepped her feet in to the room. One may think that the goddess of death had come to visit.

"No Empress" Queen Alissa answered for us.  Empress? Really? After everything that happened she was not ashamed of the title that disgraced her. If I was her, I would have hidden my face for ever. Wait? Was I getting jealous already? 

"What brought you here Queen Valeria" I  managed to talk. I wished I didn't because the question sounded so disrespectful. Due to the incident last night, my brain had made me forget my place in this palace.

"Privacy every one" she ordered. This was one thing she loved doing, showing and exercising authority over the other women in the Quarters. And I Queen Ariadne, would never take such commands from her again. Not anymore! 

Some women sighed and shook their heads pitifully. They all began to leave quietly. I felt bad but I was in pain, fighting her would not help now until am back on my feet.

"What do you want from me Queen Valeria?" I asked her. 

She gave me a wicked smile " I was told you had this injury because of me. Am sorry that you are in such a state because of me."

Better I said to my self in a quiet tone. Thank Goodness she her finally realized that we all deserve respect in this harem. I was happy she could appreciate the fact that I almost lay down my life for her.

"Is nothing. My feet will be fine soon."

"Yes I know that Queen Ariadne. But next time , don't try interfering in a matter that is between me and the Emperor. Is better you don't help at all."

"What? Why will you say that?" I was surprised she said something so mean to me.

"Everyone is blaming me for your condition, like I sent you to go to the Emperor in the first place! How are we sure you went to see him because of me?" She rolled her eyes up.

I was shocked to hear these words from her. Some one that I got hurt because  I was trying to help her! Queen Valeria had the guts to come to my room and say or these rubbish. 

"Is that all you have to say?"  I asked, adjusting my self on the bed. I took the plate of fruits on the table besides me.

"Also, stop showing your self to the Emperor too much. Don't forget your place in this palace Queen Ariadne" she said, pointing her index finger at me. If not for my swollen legs, I would have bite it off.

"I don't think I know my place in this palace Queen Valeria. Please can you tell me more?" I behaved like a confused village girl who just got married to the Emperor.

"I am the principal and the first wife of the Emperor. The chief of his consorts and …

"The mother of his children right?" I added with a laugh. She was shocked to hear that from me. Her face was reddened with anger, if she was given a knife, she would not hesitate for a second to slice my throat like a ram.

"I don't blame you. How are you going to understand this?" She gave me a painful smile, which made me happy. 

"Why can't I understand? I threw some berries in to my mouth and I muched them in such a way that Queen Valeria would get annoyed.

"Because you are just one of his concubines. The Emperor used you as an instrument of entertainment. Once he is done with you , he will pick another princess from a neighboring kingdom to continue from where he stopped" she said. This was the highest level of insult I have ever received in my life. What did she take me for ? A piece of trash or what!.

"I think you should be less concern about that. Work on your relationship Queen Valeria. It's about to crash" I advised her. 

"Get out of my room before I call mother" I yelled , pointing at the door. She should be able to allocate it easily  because I showed her the way already.

She walked to the door and turned back " I promise you will regret this Queen Ariadne."

"Get out!" were the only words I could say. My chest ache so much because of the way I shouted. As soon as she left, mother and the older women of the palace ran to my room. Am sure they heard me scream that why they came.

"What happened to you my dear" mother asked as soon as she saw me cry.

"Her body is hot mother. I think she is having a high temperature again" Queen Vida said. She touched my forehead repeatedly. My head was aching along side with my chest. I wished someone could take the pain away.

"The Emperor doesn't want to come out of his  Chambers. I hope he is fine there" mother said. She looked worried and stressed out. I hope everything will go back to normal.

"Go get the physician immediately" she ordered. One of the women left quickly.

"Queen Valeria must have done this to her mother. Queen Ariadne was fine when we left her earlier" Queen Vida told her.

"Why did you have to leave her with Queen Ariadne?" mother turned asked them. She was angry and her eyebrows narrowed as she spoke with authority.

"Mother, forgive us but Queen Valeria is the Empress of the palace she gave the order to be left alone with Queen Ariadne" Queen Alissa answered.

"Yes mother, we could not disobey the leader of the women's quarters" Queen Vida said.

"Valeria has crossed the limit this time around. If any thing happens to Queen Ariadne, I will be forced to punish her" mother said. 

"The physician is here Queen mother" the woman who left earlier came back.

"Please let her in. This is urgent."

As usual, its was the royal physician. She carried her big bag  which contained all her medical tools. The last time I was examined by her. She told me to promise her that I would never get sick again.

"Get me a bowl of water" she said. The physician dropped her bag on the floor and touched my head.

"She has a fever your highness. I will get give her some herbs to calm her down. Don't you worry, she is going to be fine by evening" the old woman assured mother.

"What did you think cause the fever?"

"Her swollen legs and stress. She was stressed out. Its will be better if you all allow her to get some rest."

"We will do that physician."

"Take this Queen Ariadne" the old woman said, raising a bowl which contained some bitter herbs. I had no choice than to drink it. I needed to get well soon for mother and her son, who was punishing me right now. I hope he was fine.. I missed him so much.