Chapter 71 - The Emperor Now Knows...

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The Author's POV...

Their gaze met. Queen Valeria quickly rolled her eyes and look away. This act of hers only angered queen Ariadne, who did not want to disgrace her in public. Now, she had no choice but to tell everyone what this evil woman did to them.

"With due respect your highness, am sorry for  interrupting you  but I have something to say" Queen Ariadne spoke out at last. They were all surprised to hear from her. She stood at the door where every one could get  better view of her. She could hear the whisperings of some of the men besides as they said "she is the Emperor's favorite now". But how true was this?

"We will talk later Queen Ariadne. I am in the middle of something" the Emperor answered her. He thought she wanted them to talk in private. But there was no possible way he could not leave these people and attend to her. He has been dying to talk to her about what happened two nights ago in his room. The queen was scared when she saw him like that.

"It is important I say it here" She insisted. Queen Ariadne was adamant as to the whisperings of Prince Edwards, who pleaded with her not to cause tension in the room. She wished he knew what the Empress did. Arya was lying sick on the bed right now, Anne was in the dungeon and it was all because of that Witch over there.

"Did you not hear what the Emperor said?" Queen Valeria frowned at her. She knew what queen Ariadne wanted to do. But this would go the way she had planned it. Once the Emperor gives her attention, she would tell him all the lies she had come up with. The women will be punished again.

"Am not leaving until he listens to me" Queen Ariadne snarled back. The way Valeria was interfering, really annoyed her. The Emperor who sat down there was quiet. Why did she keep blabbering rubbish!

"I also what to speak to your majesty. You should wait for him to finish with the matters of the empire" Queen Valeria told her.

"What I have to say is relevant compare to yours , am sure of that" she restored with  a smile. This made her opponent more furious.

"Go head Queen Ariadne, if is not personal" The emperor finally gave her the permission to speak. Queen Ariadne gave a smirk and started .

"My maid, Anne has been missing since yesterday.  I have searched for her every where I could…"

"Where and where did you Search for her ? " Queen Valeria interrupted her. She folded her arms waited for an answer.

"Am not talking to you. Respect your self please" Queen Ariadne said. She knew what Queen Valeria wanted to do. To turn everything against her but she was not going to allow that to happen again.

"Am the one who will ask the questions Queen Valeria, stop confusing her" the emperor told her. He motioned on Queen Ariadne to continue with what she was saying.

"Did you send her on an errand or she was going home? One of the council men asked. He was an old man who age should be fifty- five. He sat down on the chair not to far from the King's throne. The seats were arranged based on rank.

"Yes Sir. I sent her to get food from the village. Since then we have not seen Anne" she answered. Queen Ariadne was fighting hard not to let those tears out of her eyes but they did came. Anne was in the dungeon, all because of her quarrel with Queen Valeria.

Food? The Emperor Wondered. There was enough food in the palace. He could even feed the whole empire, even if he wanted to. So why was there need for queen Ariadne to sent her maid to the village?

"Do not worry Queen Ariadne. I will sent some men to search for her" he said, shifting back his attention to the scroll in Apollo's hands.

On the other hand was Queen Valeria who was tensed up. She locked Anne up in the dungeon since yesterday, if the Emperor finds out about this he would be angry and mad. She just hope Queen Ariadne shut up her mouth soon.

"I know where she is your highness."

Just when Queen Valeria thought Ariadne was through with her reports, the woman added another. What she trying to prove?

"If you know where she is then, tell us?" The Emperor adjusted himself. He was eager to know more. Queen Ariadne saw this as a game of football, it was her turn to play a penalty. She was sure of scoring this time.

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Queen Ariadne's POV.

"Anne is in the dungeon, your highness" I replied, taking a step forward. Prince Edward asked me not to say anything in public that was likely to create drama. But, I had no choice here. Queen Valeria was the one who started this game, I was just a learner here. - learning from her was fun.

"What is she doing there?" The old man asked. His beard was grey. His jaw moved along side with his chin.

"You should ask Queen Valeria. She is the one who locked her up" I said, pointing at her. They all turned towards her direction. People began to whisper when I called her name. This was the moment we were all waiting for. I wished someone could call queen Vida.

"Valeria?" The Emperor was surprised. He stood up from his throne and dismissed the people. When they left, the members of the royal family stayed back for the full story. To make matters worst , queen Valeria was trying to deny very thing.

"Tell the guards to release Anne immediately" he ordered, with one of his hand holding his face. The Emperor was down and I could see this. He trusted queen yet, she broke his trust.

"Why did you punish her?" He turned back to her. Not like I expected, his anger was under check for  now, it would explode when I tell him about the locking of the kitchen.

"She …. Anne … the maid disrespect me" Queen Valeria stammered. I knew she was lying , if the king believed her then I will expose her true colors.

"Anne is my maid, if she disobeyed you, up to the extent of you throwing her to the dungeon , do you not think it was important to inform me?" I threw a question as her. There was no way I was going to allow her to escape this time. Not when she had hurt all the people I loved.

"Answer the question queen Valeria, she is talking to you" The Emperor sided with me.

She wanted to say something before the door of the room flung opened. Mother stormed in to the room with the other women. Her facial expressions showed that she was angry. Today, was not a good day for Queen Valeria, because Justice had come!

"Mother , what happened to you ?" The Emperor asked her. His mother was one of the person he cared about. If she appeared in the court this angry then, mercy and forgiveness were far way from Queen Valeria.

"Arya is sick, and queen Valeria is responsible for that" she told him. "How could one be so heartless and wicked to starve both the queens and children of the Emperor."

"I do not understand what you are saying mother" his brow furrowed in confusion. He did not want to believe what mother said. I was surprised that she broke the news to him like this.

Queen Valeria was still standing closed to the Emperor. She must be shivering by now. Everything was against her, I hope she feels what I felt when the Emperor doubted my fidelity all because of her.

Before I could say the word yes! Anne walked in to the room. She looked hungry and unkempt. I ran to where she was to see if they flogged or tortured her..

"Am fine my lady, do not worry about me. I am glad that the emperor is back" she said, holding her stomach. Anne had not eaten since yesterday. If Vidor comes to know of this he might stopped her from coming to the palace.

"Please, take her to my room and help her clean up. Make sure she is well feed" I gave out instructions to the maids who came with mother. They took Anne away.

Back to Queen Valeria, I was ready to make her pay for all the pain she had caused us. Queen Vida gave me a smile when I looked their direction. To them I was their inspiration because no had ever stood up against the Empress. What I did shocked  them.. I hope they take it as a condition precedent to follow any one who tried to be a tyrant in the future. Let no one be the master of your breath!