Chapter 61 - The Good Wife...

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Queen Ariadne's POV.

Alissa was not bad looking the way Queen Valeria looked down at her. She treated her like she was not a wife to the king. Queen Alissa had never given me any reason to disrespect her, she always mind her business. I admired her personality because she had a large heart like her mother in-law.

"Queen Ariadne, you are still here?" She asked.

"Yes, am trying to comprehend all that happened today" I answered.

"You shouldn't bother about these things. Forgive us for spoiling your day Queen Ariadne" She apologized. Alissa was still standing far away from me. I wondered why she never came closer.

"Thank you Queen Alissa" I said.

"Don't thank me please and also don't call me Queen, just Alissa would do" she corrected. Such a kind woman, one who never raised shoulder with any of the Queen. She was too simple, no wonder Queen Valeria hated her.

"What are you doing here?" I asked. She left with my parents so I thought she was going to her room after there.

"Earlier, the Emperor told me to call you but I forgot to"

"When please?"

"We were all leaving the dinning hall and he asked me to inform you" she said. So that was what the whispering was all about.

"Oh, thank you. I will go immediately"

"Okay, Goodnight. I leave for my Chambers now" Queen Alissa told me. I could see from her look that she was exhausted and tired from the day's activities. Maybe she was among those who planned this party for and I was grateful to them. 

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Author's POV.

The door flung opened as Queen Valeria walked in with annoyance. Her face was red with anger and hands pushed every piece of furniture away. This was not the right way to talk to a daughter in law she thought. Mother was supposed to be on her side today but she didn't rather She supported queen Ariadne.

"What happened Queen Valeria?" Naana asked. She sat on a chair in Valeria's room. After the healing of queen Ariadne, the Emperor had asked her to stay in the palace until he finds out the Witch who tried to kill his wife.

"Am sorry angry Naana I wish, I could slap that face of hers" she replied, with both of her hands running through her hair. This was as a result of the rage in her.

"I don't understand what you are saying dear?" Naana stood from her seat, she went to where Queen Valeria was. It was clearly written on her face that She was confused.

"Am talking about that husband snatcher…. Queen Ariadne" she shouted. She knocked one of the flower vases , which was on the mirror table. She was about to break another before Naana stopped her.

"There is no queen Ariadne here, except for me and the innocent flower vases you are breaking. It's doesn't make sense seeing you do that."

"Naana, am broken. This is the only way to express my anger and the heartbreak I feel right now" Queen Valeria cried out. She rested her hands on chest and her back on the wall.

"But I warned you about her , you never listen to me" Naana reminded.

"What did you expect me to do at that time that everyone needed my help? The Emperor was down and there is no way I could stay back and watched my husband blame him self everyday for what was not his fault" Queen Valeria said. She loved the Emperor with her whole heart. Not being supportive when he needed her was not love at all. With what she did for queen Ariadne, her name went far as the Queen who saved her co-wife-which was a rare case in the world.

"The good wife of the Emperor, now why are you complaining?" Naana teased. 

"Are you making matter worse or you want to calm me down?" She asked. Queen Valeria was surprised with Naana's words but she think She is right, if only she allowed Queen Ariadne to die this wouldn't have been a case right now. After a thorough thinking and examination, Queen Valeria came to a conclusion that she was foolish by saving her rival and the only way to be a step ahead of her was to act faster and smarter.

"What are thinking about my queen?" Naana asked the wounded tigress in front of her.

"I would have listen to you at first. What happened today at the dinning hall proves that the Queen mother prefers the youngest wife over me!"

"I asked earlier but you didn't tell me anything. What happened at the hall?"

"Queen Ariadne and I got into an argument, instead of her to show some respect to me as the Empress, she went ahead and shouted at me like I was a slave girl. To make the matter worse, mother took her side" Queen Valeria explained.

"What was the argument all about?" Naana asked after listening carefully.

"About pregnancy and the …"

Naana interrupted her with a scream. Her eyes were widened after hearing those words. "What do you mean? Is she pregnant?" She asked.

"Not possible" Queen Valeria uttered. That was not going to happen, never! She would see to that.

"Why are you so confident?" Naana asked eagerly.

"Because the Emperor told me, he is not attracted to her. They are only termed as husband and wife outside the room" she said happily.

"Wow, that's strange.'

"Why?"

"Queen Ariadne is a very beautiful woman. In fact, she is one of the beautiful queens, the kingdom ever had" Naana praised her beauty. Indeed Ariadne was a real definition of beauty and among the Emperor's wives , she was the prettiest but Naana was afraid of saying it to queen Valeria's hearings, she was going to get angry definitely.

"Whose side are you Naana_ Queen Valeria asked. She was not pleased with the way Naana was praising Queen Ariadne's beauty. She, Valeria was the most beautiful wife of the Emperor.

"Am on your side my queen, but what I said was just a fact. If the Emperor said he is not attracted to Queen Ariadne, I wondered what's going on in his mind." 

"Sargon will never lie to me" She defended her husband.

"If you say so. But am still telling you to be conscious of everything. The Emperor might be in love with Queen Ariadne" Naana advised.

"Ha-ha" queen Valeria let out a stupid laugh. "The Emperor has no heart to love, you can love him but don't you expect the love back because it's not possible"

"Pardon me for saying that , but I just want you to see for your self , what's happening around you" Naana apologized. Due to the pride she had Queen Valeria was not going to accept the truth in front of her. The thought of another wife going soaring higher scared her.

"Despite all the hatred I get from mother, I still have the son" Queen Valeria bragged. She looked into the mirror and started admiring her self.

"You mean the Emperor?" Naana asked. She was surprised but happy that Queen Valeria's face had brightened.

"Yes Naana" Queen Valeria gave a big smile. She left the mirror stand to her bed and sat on it. It's seemed she was not satisfied with her position, she adjusted and laid down with one of her hand supporting her head.

"What are you up to?" Naana asked confused.

"When princess Morgana was asked to escorted me to my room, the king said he was going to see me later"

"Are you sure he will come?"

"Yes , he will Naana. The Emperor never go back on his words no matter what. Is high time you left my room please ."

Stefan closed his eyes and opened them again.

This time she was not alone. The tutor was standing beside the girl and his mother was going back to her seat. That means she was the one who invited them here.

Before he could say anything. The girl walked to where he was and knelt down "forgive prince Stefan. Your subject is sorry".

Now, Stefan understood why the girl was here. She came to apologize to his mother. He wondered if this was the reason, she insisted on a family breakfast.

He got cup from his chair and help her sit next to him " I am not angry. It's was my fault too. Forgive me."

His mother gave him a hot look. (I understand that type of look Stefan- ????????) ????

"You are not fault my prince" the tutor said. "Don't mind Angelina, she gets angry easily."

Angelina that was her name! Stefan knew that the girl's name was going to be special. She was very beautiful with talents.

"Your name is lovely" he said, looking at her closely.

"Thank you prince Stefan."

The king was burning with anger when he saw those two together. He had other plans for Angelina and Stefan was never included in any of them .

"Enough everyone I am starving" he said, looking at Stefan. 

Lincoln was trying to make him angry but he refused to be. Stefan didn't want to start a fight in present of Angelina or her tutor. She already had this bad thought that he was a bad person.

"Join us tutor" he said to her. She smiled and sat as the breakfast was served to them.

"Stefan my dear" his mother called. "The girl…"

"Mother her name is Angelina" he reminded her.

"Okay fine" she rolled her eyes. "Angelina made cup cakes especially for you. Will you like to taste them?"

"Wow. I can't wait mother" he replied. She spoke to one of the maids serving, who left and returned with a basket.

A strong aroma could be perceived when the basket was opened. The delicious cupcakes were served to prince Stefan.

"They smell like strawberries Mother" he said, eating a piece. "mmmh . Very delicious."

"Don't I deserve a piece Angelina?" Lincoln asked. "You brought the cake only for my younger brother. That is not fair."

Stefan wondered what was going on in his brother's head. The last time their mother asked the kitchen chef to make cupcakes. He refused to eat that they made him throw up. Three days ago, his youngest wife Queen Belle, made some for him but he threw them away. Why the sudden change for Angelina's cup cakes.

"I thought you don't like cupcakes" their mother asked. She was also surprised that he wanted to eat them now.

"Yes but I want to taste this one. They smell nice" he smiled.

"Give them to him please" Stefan told the maids.

Ignoring her two sons, she shook her head. Where they trying to disgrace her in front if these villagers? They dare not. She shrugged her thoughts silently.

"Who are your parents An