Chapter 63 - Frightened...

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Queen Ariadne's POV.

The Emperor and I were called by the priest to perform the prayers. This was done for the success of the empire and it's Emperor. Mother said that Queen Valeria was the one who performed last year. Am sure she would kill me after to day.

I sat down on the mat beside the priest. We began the prayers after the priests asked us to close our eyes. We did as he said. In fact, everyone's eyes  were shut.

After a few minutes of prayers. The priest told us to break the coconut that was kept on the tray. This reminded me of our wedding. Though Mother was the one who broke it for me instead.

After he broke the priest said  few words out loud and the people started clapping. I was surprised when I opened my eyes I saw them standing up to appreciate the Emperor like he just won a battle.

We thanked the priest and mother asked me to share some of the gifts to the poor. I was about going before the Emperor stopped me.

"You should not go out there alone" he said.

"Who should I go with" I asked politely, while mother stood at the door watching us.

"I will go with you don't need  to worry" he said.

"If you want to hang around me, just say that your highness" I smiled and made my way to the door. I knew that the Emperor would come after me to defended.

"Am doing this for our protection queen Ariadne. I do not want to hear stories. The last time I trusted Apollo on this  , he failed me remember?" He looked at me like I was the Apollo he was referring to.

"Yes I do. But it's was my fault don't blame him I corrected him. That day, Apollo told me not to go any where without the guards. And he tried following me every where I went to." I said.

"You two should not fight over the past Queen Ariadne. The future is bright" Mother chimmed in. She was listening to our conversation the whole time. Silly me! I kept on arguing with the Emperor.

"Your daughter is stubborn mother. She does not respect me again" He told his mother. Really? What was wrong with this man… it was because of him that I had to come here and now he was saying something different.

"Mother, he wants you to pay much attention to him. Please, don't I am your only child" I told mother, hugging her tightly.

"I do not want any of you to be my child anymore" mother said, acting like she was angry with us.

"Why mother?" I asked her.

"When are you too going to give me my grand child?" Mother looked at us with a start. The Emperor wanted to say something but he stopped. It seemed like words had left his mouth instantly. I wanted to laugh my heart out seeing him like this.

"Ask the Emperor, mother" I said, cursing my self silently. Its was my fault that we were like this. Maybe the Emperor was not potent as I thought.

"Over to you Emperor Mother turned to him. What is your own excuse?"

"Ask Queen Ariadne, she said there is no need for a child" He said. W-what! When did I say that.

He gave me smirk and left. I saw what he was doing. The Emperor left me eitg mother so that I could answer all the questions he was supposed to answer. "Mother , I need to give this to the children."

She saw the basket, I was holding. She was about to say something but I was far gone. The Emperor was going to answer for what he did I say to my self while I shared the sweets to the children.

After, spending more than three hours in the village square, a guard announced that it was time to go. I looked for the emperor but he was nowhere to be seen. He had been running away from me, now its was time to leave. I wondered how he was going to do since we were sharing the same carriage.

One of the men opened the carriage's door for me. When I stepped in to the carriage the Emperor was sitting with a scroll in his hand. He was reading it and he paid no attention to me.

I sat down beside him quietly. He did not uttered a word rather he adjusted him self. What a man!

"I want to ask you a question Queen Ariadne" he said to me. His tone had changed all of a sudden. I wondered who must have made the Emperor angry again.

"Yes my king. Am listening" I turned and faced him. His beautiful eyes fell down on my breast. I noticed it immediately and dragged my dress up. Why was there a need to ashamed Ariadne? This was your husband.

"What will do to someone who had broken all your trust?"

"I will never trust such a person in my life again" I said, regretting my words as soon as they cane out. Maybe I have forgotten the fact that we lied to the Emperor about my identity. What if he has found out the truth?

"What will you do to a disobedient subject?" He stared at me.

"Punish him of course" I said. What was wrong with my mouth?? I looked away immediately to avoiid his gaze.

"Thank you for the answer" He returned back to his reading. Through out our journey, no one spoke. My mind kept on beating more than usual. I just hope the emperor had not find out the truth about me .

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The Author's POV.

When she got to the palace, it's was late already. Queen Valeria did not answer any one who greeted her. The anger in her could burn any one.

This was not the first time Sargon had disgraced her this week. Every thing she tried to do annoyed him and it was all because of that crazy woman called Queen Ariadne. After she finishes with Evelyn, Queen Valeria promised to make the Emperor hate Queen Ariadne. She would beg for mercy from her but she won't even show that woman a little.

"Welcome Queen Valeria. How did it go?" Naana asked her as soon as she opened the door.

"Bad. Do not ask me again Naana. Am very furious right now," she started removing her jewelries. "I wished I didn't wear all these today."

"Why ? My lady" Naana took the shoes she removed and kept them properly.

"Why? He was all over her in the village. They were playing like puppies in front of everyone. Is obvious that she has won him" She ran her hand through her hair as tears rolled down her cheeks. Every thing was falling apart in front of her. Today the king neglected her. She wondered what would if he finds out the truth.

"Please don't say that. Like you said before he is just having fun with her. Very soon he will leave her and come back to you" Naana consoled.

"Do you see the eyes he used to stared at her? I noticed every thing right from the time he left the palace Naana ."

"I know how you feel but there are many things to worry about right now Queen Valeria."

"Naana Am scared… I do not want to go back to my parents please" Queen Valeria cried. Naana did not like the way she sounded if she did not change the topic now, Valeria might lose all the little hope left.

"We still have hope Queen Valeria."  Naana gave some hope. She collected the jewelries from her and out them in the drawer. Since Malia was not here, she had no choice but to act as a maid to Queen Valeria

"Yes I Know" she got up from the floor and wiped her tears away.

"Am going to kill Evelyn now. Make sure you cast that spell on this room so that no one would come in. In case any thing goes wrong tell them am sick"  Queen Valeria told her. She went to pick her black hoodie. As usual, she put it on and opened the tunnel behind the curtains of her room.

"Am going now Naana" She said, pushed the Dusty door forward

"May the creator protect you. Am going to do all that you have instructed" Naana was scared for her. Queen Valeria was angry now, she just hope no mistake would  be made. This would be their doom if any thing goes wrong.

"Also please, tell Malia to go to bed. I don't need her presence in my room tonight"

"I will . Please do take care of yourself. Take this, its will protect you from all danger" Naana gave a dry grass . Queen Valeria collected it and left. She was going to finish everything to night no Matter what.. When she was done with Evelyn… it would be Ariadne's turn.