Chapter 89 - Because I Love You...

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The Author's POV.

A woman appeared at the door. There were other women behind her. Marlena knew at once that was Queen Aslaug, the Emperor's mother. Adjusting the hem of her dress, she smiled and waited for the woman to come to her.

"Look over there" Queen Vida said, pointing at the woman she had already guess was the queen mother. "That is the Emperor's mother."

"I know" Marlena sassed. not bothering to look at the woman beside her. She has been waiting for this moment, all her life time. That morning, she clocked eighteen, her father sent gifts to the village to celebrate her birthday. Finally, she was going to get married now.

"Welcome to Akkad, princess Marlena" queen Aslaug said, hugging her. This was a warm way of receiving a guest. That means they were all waiting for her arrival. It was a relief.

"Thank you Queen Aslaug" she said, with out bowing. Many of the women present were surprised with the way, she held her head high while talking to the Emperor's mother.

"Please, take her boxes inside and …" Mother stopped and took a second look at the boxes that were besides Queen Vida. 

"Oh… I took everything I would need for the wedding" Princess Marlena said, when she noticed that  the emperor's mother was looking at the boxes.

"It is fine. Ask the maid to take them in and hurry up with the dressing" Queen mother said to Queen Vida.

"Queen Mother, I want my makeup to be the best. So can I get extra hours?" Princess Marlena asked.

"The Emperor is waiting for you at the altar. I am sure you don't want to keep him waiting for long."

She didn't answer. The women were giggling, it means that the Emperor might get angry if she keep him waiting. Without arguing, she performed the welcoming rite with mother. When they were done, she was taken in to the harem.

Princess Marlena was surprised how big the harem was. It would have be empty if not for the tables, chairs and few mats that laid around. Every one left for the party, it was obvious.

Queen Vida led her to a room, which would be hers hence forth. It was big but not like the one she had in Elevar. There was a bed, neatly dressed in white sheets and a blue blanket. The sofa was opposite the bed. A black rug was placed in the center of the room. "Not bad" she said to her self.

"The maids will dress  and make you up"  queen Vida said. "I am going to the home now."

"Why?" Princess Marlena asked abruptly. This question was rude and might lead to a quarrel but she didn't mind.

"Why? Because I am the Emperor's wife and not a servant. I was just trying to make you feel comfortable when you arrive" She replied , leaving the room.

Princess Marlena was mad. How dare that woman answer her like that. She picked a vase from the table and drew it on the floor. The maid became scared of her and they covered their eyes.  This was just her  first day in the palace and things were turning upside down.

**

The Emperor was patiently waiting at the altar. He wanted to talk to Queen Ariadne, before things get out of control. He had wronged her but she misinterpreted everything. Princess Marlena was betrothed to him when he was thirteen.

" How many minutes remaining, priest?" He kept on asking the man who sat down opposite him. The royal priest was dressed in a long skirt. His chest was bare and his big Tommy shoot out.

"Two more minutes your highness" he said , shakily. This happens every year when he sit at the altar with him. He would answer all the questions trembling.

The Emperor called Apollo who was standing closed to the altar. He was dressed in a nice outfit. - He should be the one on the Altar not him.

"Tell mother not to keep me waiting" the Emperor said to him. He bowed and left.

Not to long after he left, Apollo came back and this time, the women were behind him. People turned their eyes towards them. The wives of the Emperor were very beautiful. There was  no man that would not look at them twice and wished they we're his.

Queen Ariadne joined the women as soon as they entered the hall. She moved elegantly to the altar and helped the bride sit beside the Emperor.

Emperor Sargon was surprised with the way she acted. He thought she was not going to attend the wedding. He wanted their eyes to met but all this time, Queen Ariadne did not even give him a glance.

"Help me god. For I am desperate" he mumbled.

"Did you say something to me?" The girl under the veil spoke. She was brave enough to talk at the altar. When Queen Ariadne was on this altar ten months ago, she was quiet. It seemed princess Marlena was the opposite of what the Emperor thought she would be.

He didn't answer rather he asked the priest to start the marriage rite. It's began with incarnations, asking the creator to bind them as husband and wife. Queen Ariadne's permission was asked to proceed further with rites and she agreed to it.

After minutes of promises, the royal priest declared them as husband and wife. Queen Ariadne took Arya and she made for the door immediately. When the Emperor saw her leaving he didn't care about his bride or the people who wanted to congratulate him.

He went after Queen Ariadne. Mother wanted to stop him but he was stubborn and would not listen to her. The royal family had no choice but to follow him.

"I hope he doesn't do anything stupid to her" mother said, when they got to the door. Princess Marlena did not stay back . She followed them behind. She didn't want people to rumor about her the next day as the Queen who was left at the altar by the Emperor.

Queen Ariadne increased her pace when she noticed that she was been followed by the emperor. With Arya in her hands , it's was not easy to walk with a long dress.

"Please stop queen Ariadne" the Emperor said , when she was about to enter the harem. She wouldn't have stop if not for the word called respect.

"Why the coldness queen Ariadne?" He asked, when she turned and faced him. Her beautiful eyes stared at him like they would soon come out.

No answer. By now, the family members were watching the telenovela. Grandmother was angry that the youngest of all the Emperor's wife was the one who would disrespect him in public.

"Are you deaf queen Ariadne?" She asked.

"Stay out of this Grandmother" the Emperor shut her up. It was good he did that. This conversation was between him and Queen Ariadne, no one was allow to intrude.

"I want to know if I have wronged you in any way at all?" The Emperor demanded. He wanted Queen Ariadne to tell him in face to face that he had broken his promise.

"You broke your promise to me, Emperor" she finally spoke, with  painful smile. "I believed you when you said *I will try not to marry again*."

"I didn't break the promise Queen Ariadne. Princess Marlena was engaged to me long time ago" he started explaining to her. "You are my last wife. She is just a revival of a old covenant."

Princess Marlena who was standing behind the crowd was surprised with the way his majesty called their blessed union. – blessed union indeed!.

"And you didn't care to tell me when we were discussing about it your highness. Even when the wedding was been planned, you are kept it away from me. I feel like I am not part of this family" She said, giving Arya to one of the maids.

"Do not say that my queen" he said, holding her hand. "You are my wife and my joy."

Queen Valeria rolled her eyes. She hate seeing them together, today Queen Ariadne had managed to steal all his attention despite not being the bride.

"Please we are sorry for hurting you, queen Ariadne" mother apologized on behalf of the entire family.

"Mother, I trusted him" she started sobbing. Queen Ariadne wondered  why she was creating a drama out of nothing. The Emperor had apologize , what did she want again?

____maybe a kiss would do___

"I am getting blamed for something that was not my fault. The message was support to get to you through one of the Queens" his voice thundered all of a sudden. "How is it my fault that I pay for all the sins my fore fathers made?."

The Emperor did not stop there he continued " you are the most important person in my life Queen Ariadne. Marrying another wife doesn't mean I am going to stop caring for you. You know why?"

Queen Ariadne managed to asked. It was getting quiet intense outside. Every one was looking at them.

"Why?"

"Because I love you Ariadne" his voice echoed in her head.