Chapter 82 - The Plan...

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The Author's POV.

Early in the morning, she woke up with a brilliant plan. If its goes well then Grandmother will be on her side and the Emperor will come back to his senses. 

"Malia what do you think?" She threw the orange in her hand at the maid. "Is my plan going to be successful or not?"

"It depends my lady. The Emperor is hard to predict" Malia said, picking up the dirt's that her mistress threw around the room.

The room was littered with oranges, peels, papers and ink. It's was Malia's duty clean. Queen Valeria cared less. She stood up from her seat and went to the mirror. There, she brought her face up and glared into it. Many things have changed within these few weeks. The way she dressed with out makeup. No wonder the Emperor did not care to look at her for second. Queen Ariadne has taken everything from her including the Emperor.

"Malia get a maid, tell her to inform the emperor that Grandmother has a headache" She ordered. "In the meantime, cover your self with a veil, tell the guards, that Queen Ariadne has fallen ill."

"I will my queen. Is there something you would like me to do for you?" She asked, picking up the last orange on the floor.

"No. Make sure , no one finds out about this. And go before the maid does" Queen Valeria said. If the news of Queen Ariadne reaches him first, she was sure that the Emperor would come to his queen.

"Nothing will go wrong this time, my queen" Malia bowed and left. With anxiety, Queen Valeria went to see Grandmother, she wanted to be there when the Emperor comes to the harem.

Grandmother's room was upstairs, which called for a better view because queen Ariadne room was downstairs. Outside, her room, she saw Malia leaving the quarters with a maid. That's means the emperor will be here any minute.

Wearing her shoes, which was besides her bed, queen Valeria headed for Grandmother's room. When she got upstairs, the old woman was selecting some clothes from the palace seamstress.

"Is it not too early Grandmother?" she asked shutting the door, behind her. Queen Valeria was expecting her to be asleep.

"No my child. The empire is having a feast soon. I want to a fine dress for that" Grandmother said. "Also, I got tired of sleeping on the bed."

"I understand that. Everything is ready as planned" Grandmother she said, looking at the seamstress who was busy showing off the clothes.

"You may leave now" Grandmother dismissed the seamstress. The woman picked up her things and left. 

"Have the message been delivered?"

"Not yet, your highness. Malia would do as she was told" queen Valeria answered. "Now we have to wait for the Emperor to react."

"My son will come to me. I am not worried about that" Grandmother said with confidence. Queen Valeria's wish was for the Emperor to disappoint this old woman, only then will her hatred for Queen Ariadne comes to life.

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Malia looked for a maid who will run the errands for her. When Queen Valeria was the chief of quarters, she made her the head of maids. Now, that mistress was no longer in charge, her position was at sake. Malia wondered who will be the next women's leader.

"Come here Elizabeth" she called the maid, who was washing. 

Elizabeth stopped what she was doing and walked to where Malia was. She hope it's was not trouble this time.

"Go to the Emperor and tell him that his grandmother wants to see him. She has a headache."

"But Malia, you know I can't see the Emperor. By the way is too early, no one is going allow me pass through to his living area."

Malia hated running errands for queen Valeria most times. This was going to lead her in to trouble. The guards might not let them in but if they come in contact with one of the Lords , she was sure they would help.

"Meet with any of the lords" Malia insisted. The maid was afraid she could see but what was there to do? Queen Valeria orders must be followed.

"What if they are still sleeping? You know I can't pass through, is too early" Elizabeth said.

"Don't worry, go and do your work Malia said, leaving for the men's quarters . There, she met Apollo. He was going to the Emperor's room.

Good morning prime minister she greeted.

What are you doing here by this time? Apollo wondered what brought queen Valeria's personal maid to this side if the palace.

Without wasting much time, she told him about Grandmother's health. Apollo promised to tell the Grandmother. While he was gone, Malia asked a guard to inform prince Edwards of queen Ariadne's illness. 

Now, the plan was set. She hoped queen Valeria does not get her into trouble this time.

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Queen Ariadne was nowhere to be found when the Emperor woke up. He was not surprised by that, after all he was a monster last night. The screams and fights she put on were still fresh in his head. 

Standing up from the bed, he picked up the clothes on the floor. Queen Ariadne's shoes and jewelries were still in the room. He took them and take a look at the necklace in his hand. It's was the same piece he gave when they first got married. That's means she cherished it.

There was a knock on the door. The Emperor thought that it was Queen Ariadne who had come to collect her jewelries and shoes. Stepping back a little, he adjusted his trouser and said.

"Come in please" The door opened and Apollo walked into the room. The Emperor was disappointed to see him. He was expecting Queen Ariadne not him. 

"Did I do something wrong your highness?" The prime minister asked, surprised with the way his master face changed immediately.

"No, Apollo" the Emperor yawned. "I was expecting Queen Ariadne not you, that's why."

"Oh. Should I go and get her for you?" Apollo asked his master. 

"No, she left these" he said, showing him the items that she forgot in his room. "Take them to her, please."

"I will your highness Apollo said, collecting the shoes from him. "I have a message for you sir."

"Bad or good news?" The Emperor moved to his reading table and sat down.

"Bad, your highness. Your grandmother had a headache last night" Apollo told him. "The messenger said a physician attended to her but she needs your attention."

"Grandmother…" the Emperor rubbed his hands on his face. If only they knew what was going on with him this morning, he was sure no one would try to disturb again.

"Will you go to her ?" Apollo asked him. He knew that the Emperor loved his grandmother and if he does not go, the old woman will still forgive him later.

"Do not worry about her. I will see her after the council meeting. Matters of the harem should wait for now Apollo."

"Excuse me father, Can I come in?" asked prince Edwards, who stood at the door. He was already dressed for the day. Looking at his father, he was surprised that he was yet to even take his bath.

"Good morning my prince, come here" the Emperor said with a smile.

"Father I brought sad news . It's urgent" Prince Edward said, without moving from the spot.

"What is it son?" The Emperor stood up from the chair. Just when he thought the bad news was over, prince Edwards came with another one.

"Queen Ariadne is ill. I couldn't get to the women's quarters but they said the situation is serious, father" he said, with a sad face.

The Emperor did not say thing rather he took a shirt on the bed and wore it.

"You shouldn't wear this your highness" Apollo said. He knew that the Emperor was stubborn and he won't listen to him.

"Father at least dress properly before go…" prince Edwards was yet to finish his statement, the emperor dashed out the room.

He was the reason why queen Ariadne was in pain. She told him to stop last night, but he did not listen to her rather the monster in him kept driving in to her like a mad man.

Grandmother could wait but he can't forgive him self if any thing bad happens to Queen Ariadne. Mother was going to hate him that he was sure.

The Emperor was seen running towards the harem. Every body was surprised seeing like that. Apollo and Prince Edwards followed him behind but they stopped as soon as he entered the women's quarters- which was forbidden for all men.

"We lost him" Apollo said. "I wanted to ask if I should postpose the council meeting."

"No , we can't. Tell them that the Emperor had an emergency in the harem.. I will wait for him to come out" prince Edwards said, looking in to the harem.