*****
Queen Ariadne's POV.
"I don't want you to stress your self about tomorrow. I will introduce you two to grandmother" the Emperor assured. Now, my mind was at rest. If he introduce us to her then she might consider our importance.
"Okay your highness" I said. He kissed my forehead again. I looked behind, the girl was not there again. What a relieved! I wondered why I became jealous and selfish like Queen Valeria. With this behavior I put on this evening, there was no difference between the two of us.
"You should retire now. I don't want you to wake up late" he said, leading me towards the exit. He held my hands as we walked. I couldn't stop looking at him, I have finally fallen for the Devil.
"Are you going to stay back Emperor?" I asked, while glaring at the naked girls who were still dancing in that circle. My eyes met with prince Elvin , he looked away quickly. Was he afraid of the Emperor or our gaze? He was confused as the girls here.
"Yes I going to stay back. Do take of yourself please he let go of my hand. See you in the morning, sleep well my queen."
With those words the Emperor went back and joined the other men. I left there as quickly as I could.
******
The Author's POV.
"It's hurt to see you with another man" Prince Elvin said in a low tune, when he saw the Emperor kissed Queen Ariadne in the garden. He did not understand why Sargon, his younger brother got everything that he ever wanted in this life.
The day he set his eyes on Queen Ariadne was on her birthday. She looked beautiful and stood out mist of all the women who were present in the hall. Her presence brought nothing but joy and peace to his soul. Whenever she stared at him with those large eyes of hers, just the way she did few minutes ago, his blood pump more than required.
"Prince Elvin, what is making you happy this evening?" His brother, prince Baron asked.
"She" he pointed towards the exit, it was at that time Queen Ariadne was leaving the garden. Prince Baron searched around to see if there was another girl his brother was mistaken about. But there was no one going that way except for the Emperor's favorite wife.
"What are you saying? She is the Emperor's favorite. How can she be the reason for your happiness?" He asked his older brother, whose eyes were still fixed at the same direction.
"I am in love with her" prince Elvin said aloud. His brother quickly covered his mouth. Prince Baron looked at the people sitting closed to them. He wanted to be sure if they did not hear or understand anything.
"He is drunk , take him in" One of the men told him. Prince Baron nodded, he was relieved that no body understood the abomination that came out of Elvin's mouth.
"Let's go and talk about this else where brother" he pulled Elvin up and made their way out.
Just when they were about to leave the garden, the Emperor stopped them.
"Where are you two going?" He looked at Baron then Elvin, whose head was bent.
"He is a little drunk. I am taking him to the room" Prime Baron answered.
"Please do. Tell him not to get drunk tomorrow, I don't want Grandmother to see him that way. Take him away" The emperor said, excusing them
Prince Baron was relieved that he left them. With much struggle and falls , they finally got to prince Elvin's room and he laid him on the bed. He was glad that his brother was quiet the whole time the Emperor spoke. Had it been he said any thing there, they would have been trouble by now.
"Are you back to your senses or we should wait till morning?" He asked.
"You don't seem to understand how I feel brother. When mother comes tomorrow, she will" prince Elvin said, unbuttoning his shirt. I wish Queen Ariadne would have been here instead.
"Your dreams mad man. Wake up from that fantasy dream of yours. Big brother Emperor will not spare you if any thing goes wrong with Queen Ariadne" prince Elvis reminded him. He was shocked to hear all these from his brother, surely Sargon would punish anyone that dares him.
"He has thousands of them. Why can't I just have one? only one" Baron he asked.
"The one you want is his favorite. There is no way he will allow you to have queen Ariadne."
"And she is the only one I love, Baron" prince Elvin shouted. He didn't understand why his brother was taking the Emperor's side instead of his.
"Love is about two people. It's can't be just you Elvin, wake up" He said, making way for the door.
"I will have her no matter" Prince Elvin kept on muttering.
"Goodnight, dreamer" Prince Baron shut the door behind him. His brother was crazy for the time being. He was going to try and control Elvin. When their mother comes back she will take over.
*****
Queen Ariadne's POV.
Morning finally came. I was anxious all night, I just wanted to know our fate. Grandmother acceptance determine my stay in the palace.
"Have you light all the candles Queen Ariadne?" mother asked. She walked faster than I thought.
"Yes mother, I brought flowers from the garden too" I replied, when I managed to catch up with her.
"Everything has to be perfect today. Tell princess Morgana to line up all the maids" she went out of the harem. Really? That old woman has not arrived and yet she caused much panic than I thought.
I made Grandmother's dishes with much Care. I made sure that the ingredients were carefully added. We didn't want any disappointment today. When every thing was done in the kitchen, I left for my room. Arya was with Anne, she needed to dress up before the carriage arrives.
"Hurry up with her" I said, handing over the dress to Anne. "Make sure her hair is neatly combed."
"Yes my lady. Why don't you take your bath" Anne gave me a look that I didn't understand. "Forgive me for saying this but you look awful right now."
"Me?" I touched my face. The mirror was not far from where I stood . I took few steps and glared in to it. I looked like the Ariadne in Camelot. What happened within this few days?
"I will go and take my bath. Hurry up Anne" I said with a panic.
I didn't wait much time in the bathroom. The water was cold bit who cares, the carriage has left four hours ago to pick Grandmother from the castle. I wanted to be present at the entrance to welcome her.
"Anne what color of dress , do you think I should wear?" I asked when I came out of the bathroom. She was done dressing Arya.
"Wear the yellow gown , that you wore when we went to see the village priest. It's suit you well."
"Okay, get it for me, while I applied some oil to my skin."
Anne opened the wardrobe and picked a yellow gown. She brought the gloves along.
"Thank you" I collected it from her and started wearing. "Give me the gloves too."
"Are you not going to make up my lady?" Anne asked, with her brow furrowed in confusion. Make up ? What was she thinking… this was no joke to me.
"Not all. I am fine."
"No way, I will go and check if Grandmother is close by. If there is no carriage coming, I will send the make up artist to tidy your face a little" Anne said, closing the doors behind her.
Tidy? Why will she used that word! I wondered if I looked so bad after preparing for Grandmother's home coming.
Not long after she left the makeup artist cane and tidied my face just the way Anne had said. After that I sent Arya to stay with the other children.
Out side the harem , the women stood according to their rank- who came into the palace first. Just when I was about to stand last, the emperor beckoned on me to come. They were all surprised to see me stand next to him.
"Give me your hand Queen Ariadne" he said. I did as he said. My pulse steadied when he touched my hand. This was not the first time we touched, but it seemed he woke something inside me.
"For how long we will stand here?" I asked him. He wore a red shirt. At this moment, I wished that Anne would have choose the red dress for me instead.
"Soon dear, calm down or you might ruin your beautiful face" the emperor whispered to my ears. I found my self giggling when he said that.
The iron doors opened. The carriage ride from the gate to the entrance. It's skipped to a halt in front of the building where we stood. My chest dropped when I saw it. I could hear my heart pounding heavily.. The Emperor drew closer and he wrapped one of his hand around my waist.