Chapter 85 - Grandmother's Hatred..

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The Author's POV.

In the courtyard, the two prominent women in Akkad were having a conversation. They were yet to hear from the Elevar kingdom and this got them worried.

"Its been twenty days, since we received the letter from Elevar. Are you sure the princess will come?" Grandmother asked with a worried face. Queen Aslaug was knitting a garment for her grand daughter, princess Arya. She knit while listening to Grandmother's complaints.

"I don't know mother. The letter said the princess sets immediately" she answered. The old woman was impatient, only the creator knew her motive.

"Have you told the other women?" Grandmother was referring to the other women of the Palace. If a new Queen was to join the harem, celebration was made in the Harem. Three days to her arrival, they all sing and dance. Also, golds were shared both in the harem and outside. When the Emperor married six wives at a time four years ago. The Queen mother took gold and distributed them to the villagers. This was done to pleased the gods and to ask for blessings. – more wealth, prosperity, peace and of course healthy children. But the Emperor never experience new born cry in his palace.

"Yes of course." Queen mother replied.

"What about Ariadne?"

Mother wondered why Grandmother had to mention Ariadne. It was clear to her now that the old woman did not like her daughter in law.

"She should give the new bride a chance to be with her husband" Grandmother added, when Queen Aslaug did not answer. This was the only way they could bring Ariadne to her knees. If the Emperor ignores her.

"She is also his wife. I don't think is right to stop her from seeing him."

"Did you see the way , Sargon talks to me anytime that woman is around ? His senses leave him immediately."

Mother gave a long laugh. The expression on Grandmother's face was funny as she frowned.

"Now, what is funny Aslaug?"

"Grandmother,  Ariadne did not start well with the emperor. She was treated like a slave when he got married to her. I am happy seeing them together. The story is long one, we continue some time" mother stood up from her seat and headed got the door.

"Now,  where are you going to?"

"To see if this suit my granddaughter".

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Queen Ariadne's POV.

I was heading for the Emperor room. Queen Alissa just informed me that he wanted to see me. I wonder what happened this time around. When I got to the door, the guard opened it for me without knocking. Impressive, I never knew he was this eager to see me.

There were trays of food on the table, when I entered the room. So much to eat! I wondered if the Emperor had a dragon stomach to swallow all these food. He was standing closed to his reading table . A  smile appeared on his face when  soon as he saw.

"Good evening your highness" I curtsied. He continued smiling, as he walked to where I stood.

He wrapped his hands around me and said "my Ariadne, the light of my palace." Wait! Was I dreaming? I wished Anne was here to pinch me. The Emperor called me the light of his palace, that was unexpected.

"Your servant is here, my Lord" I answered. With out changing positions, he looked at me with those mesmerizing eyes of his. I wondered why the creator made a  devil to be this handsome.

"My Lord, I think I like the sound of it. Will you continue to call me by that?" His eyes traced mine, when I tried to look away. I was blushing when he said that.

"Yes your highness, if you wish" I replied, shyly.

"Thank you for coming. Please join me for dinner Queen Ariadne, I want us to spend quality time together."

-He said quality time…

"So this was what was this food was all about. I didn't refuse, of course , I joined the table to dine with the emperor. He called one of the maid to served us while we ate in silence.

"Can you tell me about your childhood?"  He finally broke the silence.

What? The soup I was drinking choked my throat making me to cough. Why was he asking me that now. My childhood was a mess! I lost both of my parents and I had no choice than to move to the castle as a slave. Telling him the experience, princess Eva had will be quite convincing.

My childhood had no interesting story. Is better I don't tell you of those sad moments" He didn't look surprise like I expected, rather his brow raised and dropped each time I spoke.

Was it a form of communication?

"I understand" he said. "Rather, tell me who do you look like ? I don't see any resemblance with Queen Celesta nor King Gaius."

Coughs…

The emperor took water from the table and passed it to me. I drank immediately, while searching for an answer. Has he discover the truth? If not then why all these questions?

"They said I look like my great grandmother. She was a dancer" I said, dropping the bowl of soup. It seemed I was not destined to drink without choking.

"Then , she must be very beautiful because you are a goddess on Earth."

"Wait! Was that the only reason he asked me those questions Earlier? I almost choked to death here, anyways Thanks be to the creator , I was relieved.

I didn't lie to him. It was true that I looked like my great grandmother. My mother once showed me her picture years ago. I could still remember her face.

"Queen Ariadne, is there a problem?" The emperor asked. It was obvious that he had been talking to me since but I was lost in my thoughts. "Are you thinking about your family?"

"Yes. I miss them so much" I cried. Tears were actually flowing from my eyes. He was going to see as a cry baby.

"Please don't waste those precious tears" he said, standing from his seat. The Emperor came to where I sat and held my face in his hands.

"I am always here for you, my queen" He brought his lips closer to mine and …. That was when Grandmother entered the room. Darn it! This old woman didn't know when to come in or to knock.

Her grandson was furious. I saw his hands formed into a fist. He kissed my forehead and dropped my face gently. Then, he turned to his grandmother.

She was not the only one in the room. Queen Valeria, Alissa and mother was present also. Seeing them  together, I knew there was a serious problem on ground.

I felt ashamed to face them, so I sat and faced the wall, with my eyes shut tight.

"Forgive us for interrupting, my lion" Grandmother said. I could feel the pride in her voice. She really despised me. Do I irritate them that much?

"If this act was done by another person, I would have throw such an idiot to the dungeon. No matter where you are going or whose room you want to enter, you have to knock" the Emperor bawled. I was surprised, with the way he spoke to his grandmother.

I thought he feared and worshiped her. What happened now?

"Please forgive us my child" mother apologized in low tone. I love everything about that woman. She was meek and humble. She was indeed a queen mother.

"What do you want now?" He said, returning back to his seat. Not greeting my elders was a sign of disrespect and lack of home training, so I turned towards Grandmother to see if she would accept my greetings. The old woman gave me a bloody look, I looked away immediately.

Nevertheless , I stood up from my chair and went to her.

"Good evening Grandmother" I curtsied.  She didn't answer. When I looked up to see her reaction, she shrugged her shoulders. Wow, it was clear that that my presence caused discomfort.

"Greetings my  dear," Queen mother answered. She gave me a smile that assured me that everything was fine. The emperor didn't say a word- I was glad that he saw what his grandmother was doing to me.

"What do you three want to discuss with me?" The Emperor asked them again. I was looking forward to hear the urgent message they carried. "Queen Ariadne, please do lie on the bed when you get tired. These three will take most of my time, I bet you" he laughed. It was funny seeing him laugh like this , so I joined him.

The look on Queen Valeria almost made me lose my steps. I felt her eyes following me behind. Gosh! I had only few friends in Akkad.

"The princess of Elevar will be here in two days time" the queen mother told the Emperor.

"You told me that four days ago. What is new about it?" He asked.

"We were suggesting that the wed…."

" Ariadne, attend to Arya" Grandmother interrupted her. "You shouldn't leave her alone like this."

Like how? this was the new excuse she had? To sent me away. She didn't want me to listen to their conservation.. So I left.