Chapter 84 - The Princess Of Elevar...

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The Author's POV.

Meanwhile in the orangery…

"Grandmother, have you seen what I meant by that?" She asked the old lady, who was still shock with her grandson's behavior.

"Do you think Sargon is in love ?" Grandmother asked.

"That's impossible" Queen Valeria said. She never imagine the Emperor fallen in love with another woman. After many years of marriage, every thing had gone to the drain. And now,  She couldn't even compete with the least the youngest wife.

"Nothing is impossible. I hope Sargon comes to his senses soon. That woman is driving him crazy" Grandmother said. She was worried that her grandson might not show her the same love he had for her years back.

"Mother is not doing anything about it. In fact, she is one of the reasons why Ariadne had grown wings in this Palace" Queen Valeria rolled her eyes.

Unfortunately, the Queen mother came out of the harem. She has been searching for them for almost thirty minutes. Queen Aslaug found them sitting comfortably, She went to break the news to them.

"Grandmother here you are. We looked for you every where, I thought you went out of the palace" she said, walking closer to where they sat. In her hand was a scroll.

"Where you worried? Grandmother asked, with a smile. Queen Aslaug startled them. She hope she didn't hear them.

"Yes, I was. There is a message from Elevar kingdom"

Read it to us Aslaug.

she opened the scroll and read through it. Her face dropped, and she stared at Grandmother.

"What is it mother?" Queen Valeria asked.

"The letter said, Marlena has come of age and is ready to be the Emperor's wife now."

"Princess Marlena?" Queen Valeria screamed. Just when she thought her problems would finish after Queen Ariadne leaves the palace, mother came with another  shocking news.

"Finally the long awaited day have finally come. You should inform my lion, that his new bride will be in Akkad soon" Grandmother said excitedly. Queen Valeria wondered what was exciting the old woman.

"I will, after the council meeting" mother said with a sad face. She didn't want Sargon to take another wife again. There had enough problems already in the harem.

******

Fifteen days ago.

In Elevar kingdom…

The room was big enough for five persons to stay but only a Princess owned it. Gifts were placed on the tables and king – size bed. On the wall was a painting of a red -headed girl. There was different boxes of clothes on the floor, it's was obvious that some one was going to embark on a long journey soon.

"Marlena , you should reconsider your decision. There is still time to do that" her cousin Daniel said. He was worried about her future. He wished she would listen to him rather than being stubborn.

"Your cousin is right my dear. There is more to life than being the Emperor's wife" Queen Harley joined in. She had been listening to their conservation for the beginning. Daniel was trying his best to convince her daughter not to go to Akkad.

Marlena, an average height girl, who looked like she was in her early twenties.  Her red hair was tied in to a pony tail style. Her skin was pale and her face was oval in shape.

The young Princess kept on glaring into the mirror as though they were not talking to her. She observed her face and found out that she had a pimple.

"Will the Emperor like me this way mother?" she asked, pointing at the pimples on her face. "What do you think Daniel?"

Daniel looked at his cousin for a start. He wondered why she was hurting her self to impress a man that had thousands beautiful wives in his harem "is not that bad , Marlena."

She turned to her mother. Marlena wanted to hear her opinion too "what do you think?"

Queen Harley signed. "Daniel is right. Its manageable."

Marlena walked to where her mother was sitting "is so hard to know if he would like me, mother. I have so many women to compete in Akkad."

"That is what we were saying" Daniel said. He was glad that Marlena was beginning to see things for herself. If they continue with their persuasion and talks, maybe she might change her mind.

"The Emperor of Akkad has a thousand wives in his Harem. They are very beautiful, people who had seen them said they look like women born outside our planet" queen Harley told her. Marlena listened attentively, one may think she would change her mind after the discussion.

"Also , only two of his queens are well known in the kingdom. The rest are just there" Daniel added, to what his aunt said.

"Queen Valeria and Ariadne right?" Marlena asked. She grabbed a drink to cool her tongue. Her family was trying to scare her but she was not going give to their demand. The Emperor of Akkad was hers.

"Yes Lena. The first and last wife are his favorite, so they said" Daniel told her. He came closer to where she sat.

"Queen Ariadne is the last wife yet, she managed to make it within these few months of marriage. Why did you think mine will be different?" she turned and faced her cousin, with a furious look.

"That is the way life, Lena. What works for you might not go well for another, because everyone has his destiny and fate" Queen Harley explained.

"Enough mother. I don't want to hear anything from you or Daniel. Please tell father , I am ready to leave" Marlena said, ruefully.

"You should think before leaving Lena" her mother advised. She was afraid to talk to her daughter in a loud voice. This was because of the way her husband treated her.

"F-father…." She screamed her life out. They were irritating her with their advices. Marlena wanted to leave Elevar immediately. Her wish was to marry Sargon, the Emperor of Akkad.

"What happened to you, my sweet princess?" A man in his fifties walked in to the room. He wore a white shirt over his short body. He had the Daniele features as his daughter Marlena.

"Tell mother to stop bothering me please" she said. The king gave queen Harley a look and he turned back to his daughter.

"Are you ready?"

"All my life has been a preparation for this father. You all are delaying me right now" she answered.

Yes! all her life had been a preparation for this. The late king of Akkad had betrothed his son, to princess Marlena as soon as she was born. This was to strengthen their relationship as family and friends. And to unite two kingdoms. Although they had no seen each other, the young Princess had prepared her self since childhood to be perfect wife for the young prince.

She was supposed to moved to Sargon's palace three years ago when she was sixteen but his mother refused that she has come of age. Finally, Marlena was eighteen now. And her body was ready to borne a child, perhaps that was the reason why queen Aslaug made her to wait.

While waiting for eighteen years, she had heard of the wives, his majesty took. Her heart was broken each time father mentioned it to her. Now, Marlena was going to Akkad to take what was rightfully hers.

Of course, The position of the chief of consort was supposed to hers, since she was the Emperor's first fiancée.

"How many days will it take us to reach Akkad?" entering the carriage, she asked one of the men she rode with.

"Seventeen days my lady."

"What a long journey. I pray we make it much early" she said, slamming the windows of the carriage.

******

In Akkad…

The Emperor sat on his throne while Apollo explained to them, the strategies to attack an alien kingdom. They were planning to conquer another state , it seemed the Emperor was not satisfied yet. In the room were council members which consisted of competent and intelligent men , whose knowledge was vast when it's came to handling the affairs of the kingdom.

"Father, the Mariwa army are very strong. We might end up taking fifteen thousands men to the battle field" prince Edwards said. He sat on the first seat after the Emperor. Opposite him was prince Elvin, who was lost his thoughts. Queen Ariadne's illness had taken over his senses leaving him worried.

"The prince is correct, your highness" one of the council men,  council whose name was Agas said. "We need extra  to do this job."

"Apollo" the Emperor Finally spoke. "Can we raise five thousand men in three months?"

"We could try my king. But, training will start immediately."

"Prince Elvin will do that for us" he said, looking at his step brother. "What do you think ?"

No answer. Prince Edwards tried to communicate with him, but it seemed Elvin was lost in his wild thought. His face had a big smile.

"Uncle Elvin, the Emperor is talking to you" prince Edwards whispered. It didn't help this time.

"Elvin" the emperor thundered. He stood up from his throne and walked to where his brother was. His voice startled the prince as he jumped up from his seat.

"What is wrong with you? Didn't you sleep last night?" He asked, trying his best to be polite.

"No.. yes… I was lost in my thoughts, your highness" prince Elvin bowed. He dare not look into his brother's eyes. The Emperor might discover his little secret.

"I see. You should explain things to him" the Emperor told them.. He look at his brother once again and he left the room.