Chapter 68 - Her Missing Ring II

**

Queen Ariadne's POV.

"You have not answered my question, Queen Valeria" The emperor reminded her. She was lost in her thoughts.

Answer him, young woman.

"I think I left it in my room" she told the Emperor.

I grabbed one of the pillows and hugged it tightly. It looked to me like Queen Valeria, lost the ring that the king gave. Her eyes were focused on me, trying to scare but I sat down with no fear.

"You should look for it immediately. Only when the ring is found, then I can  talk to you" he said, walking back to the bed- to me!

She curtsied and left with anger and confusion all written on her face. There was more to this drama that just displayed in front of me. They were both hiding something. Though, I was not sure about it but their behaviors created many doubts in my mind.

"Why are you keen on that ring?" I asked the Emperor, who sat down closed to me.

"Because it's a ring not just a golden one but a gift from me to her. I expect to wear it always" he yelled. Wait.. Queen Valeria woke up the beast in him but, I was the one who was getting scolded, Instead of her.

"But it's only today , that she did not wear the ring on her finger. I do not see why you should be angry over it" I blurted. I wished they never cane out.

What was wrong with me? Queen was capable of defending her self then why was I siding with her now.

"Are you too, planning to betray me?" The Emperor asked me. I was scared, looking at his face. He was not the lovely husband that he was few minutes ago. His eyes turned red filled with rage.

Terrified, I stood up from the bed. The vase kept on the table besides the bed fell down and broken. Seeing him like this frightened I had no  choice but to follow the option that came to my mind – run Ariadne !

Of course, I ran out of his room leaving him in that state. When I got to the room , Arya was asleep. That gave me some relieved, it was better she did not see me in that state.

"My lady , what happened?" Anne rushed to where I was. The speed I used in  entering was quiet suspicious. Any one could understand that something was after me.

"Nothing Anne,  Get me water please" I managed to say. When she left I went to where Arya laid. She looked innocent yet the world was cruel to her. Arya was example of my childhood. That's why I wanted to be the best mother to her.

"She asked of you after you left" Anne said, offering me the glass of water. "I have to recite five poems for before she slept off."

"Thank you Anne" I said with a smile. "Raising a child can be stressful but it's the best thing that ever happens to a woman. You will experience it too."

Anne smiled and I bade her good night. What ever happened in the Emperor was terrifying. Have never seen him like that ! If he could get angry like this for a ring that could  easily be replaced, what then will he do when he finds out that am not who I claimed to be

That night I did not have a proper rest. I switched position all through from the bed to cushion to the floor. Many thoughts ran through my mind. If he finds out the truth then mother will not be able to save me too.

Should I tell him the truth or ?

**

The Author's POV.

Queen Valeria scattered the whole room just to look for the ring the Emperor asked of her. She could not remember the exact place she left it. It's been long, she kept track of all her jewelries, because of the problems she was facing at the moment, all these were not important.

"Malia, please check under the bed too. It's might be there" She told her. Malia took a light and bent down to search for the ring. After two minutes, she stood up and said "there is nothing there Empress"

Queen Valeria was furious as to who came to her room and took the ring. With anger, she stormed in to the hall of the women's quarters. Any one who saw her knew that she meant business. They all began to circle her.

"Call every woman in the quarters out. What I have to say is important" she ordered. Few maids went separate ways and they started informing the women who were absence.

Queen Valeria gave some time. After she noticed that everyone was there. She started with her announcement. The women were angry that she could command them like that.

But she did not care as long as they live she would always be their leader.

"You all know that the Emperor gave me a special golden ring  on our last anniversary" Queen Valeria said. From the women reaction, it could be seemed that they were aware of this, there was need for her to repeat her self.

"Quiet" she commanded.  "Am still talking. I kept the ring in my room and now, I can't  find it."

More women began to whisper. This made her angry. When she wanted to say something, the whisperings interrupted her. Looking around, she could not see Queen Ariadne any where. That bit*h! Queen Valeria cursed.

She thought this was the only way to teach Queen Ariadne a good lesson.

"Malia go to that  room" she said pointing at the last door  "and call the great Queen Ariadne out!"

Malia left. It's took her seven minutes to return back to Queen Valeria "she is coming my lady."

Queen Valeria  planned her punishment and this time , nobody was going to interfere. Not even the Emperor nor his mother because the both of them went to the castle to see Grandmother. They made a mistake of leaving her in charge.

Her blood boil when she saw Queen Ariadne approaching them with that adopted child of hers. She wished that Arya was sent out of the palace. If this girl grows up here, the she would become her greatest problem.

"Why did you delay coming out? Where you feeling too big to come out?" She asked the woman who stood in front of her.

"No Queen Valeria. Arya was still having her breakfast then. That's why I sent Anne, here" Queen Ariadne explained. On her back laid Arya who was sleeping.

"That's not an excuse. If I call like this next time, di leave what so ever you are doing and come out. I will not take this stupid excuse again."

Queen Ariadne was pissed off with this attitudes of hers. But she had no choice but to accept Queen Valeria's instructions. She was doing this for Arya's sake.

**

Queen Ariadne's POV.

"Did you go to my room without my permission?" Queen asked, flipping her to annoy me the more.

To her room? To do what?

"I have never been to your room queen Valeria. I do not understand why you are asking me such a question" I said, adjusting Arya who laid on my back peacefully.

"My golden ring is missing and am sure you know already" Queen Valeria said. Who cares about her ring?

"Yes, I was there when the Emperor asked you for it" I said without fear. If only Arya was not with me. I would have not answer her from the beginning. She wanted to make a mockery of me by using her position And I was not going to allow it.

"If I do not find my ring , no lunch for you all" she gave a wicked smile. I wondered why a woman possessed such evil character..

The women began to protested against her decision. They told her that they would help in finding the ring. I got angry and I told her what came to my mind.

"Queen Valeria" I called her. She stopped. Every where became quiet, this step I was taking was bold and risky. But I did not care. Some one need to teach this mad woman a lesson.

"You do not have the right to stop us from having our lunch. Just like you, we are also the Emperor's wives. Making you the leader of the harem does not mean that you should use your power to abuse us."

The other women agreed with what I said. They were not happy with what she was doing.

"What are you trying to do Queen Ariadne?" She asked me. You want to turn these women against me?

"That's not what I meant queen Valeria but if you think so. It's fine" I left them.. Walking out of her was disrespectful and I did it on purpose to show her that I was not afraid of her.