The Devil In Guise - Chapter 163

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The Author’s POV.

Marlena stood in front of the Harem. She was getting tired of the Emperor. He didn’t pay any attention to her for days. It’s always been Ariadne, Ariadne and Ariadne. Just when she was about to go back to her room, she saw prince Edward.

In his hand, was a cage housing two birds. Queen Marlena could not help but admire them.

She walked towards him and stopped. “Greetings, my prince. What a beautiful evening.”

He looked up and saw her. Prince Edwards was not expecting any of the women to be outside by this time.

“You startled me ” He said.

“Forgive me your highness, I didn’t mean to do that” She replied. He looked like the Emperor. They had same features, though Edward was younger. His Spartan shoulders showed a mighty strength. Something she would want to lay on.

“No problem, queen Marlena. I am fine” The prince said, as he headed towards the gardens. “Bit don’t do that again.”

“I won’t” she said in her head.

“Are those yours?” She asked following him behind. Queen Marlena knew that the birds was his. She wanted to keep conversation by asking questions.

“Yes , they are” Prince Edward answered. They were given to him by the Emperor on his last birthday. He was still Wondering why his father gave him only birds. Was he trying to test him again?

“Really? They looked so pretty” She said as ,they reached the garden. Prince Edward did not stop. He went to a tall tree and sat on one of the rocks. It seemed he has forgotten that she was with him in the garden. “Can I see them?”

“Sure, here you go” he handed the cage to her. Queen Marlena could not help it. As the birds chirped in the cage, so did her heart. The handsome son of the Emperor has stolen her love for his father.

When she sat opposite prince Edward , her heart pounded harder in her chest. His cute lips curved in to a smile. Making it hard for her to control the urge to go and kiss them.

“What happened Queen Marlena?” He asked all of sudden. She was dumbfounded. Has he notice the way she admired him? Such a cute man should not be allow to roam around the harem. The women might decide to rape him. But who will dare the Emperor’s only son?

“Nothing. You have same hair as the Emperor. I can’t help but admire them” she said , shyly. There was no response from him. Prince Edward opened the cage and let the birds to fly out. Queen Marlena was surprised. Why was he setting the free?

“You should go back to the harem. Queen mother will be angry if she find out that you are not in your room at this time of the night” He told her.

Queen Marlena did not like the sound of that. It was true that mother was going to be angry if she find out that one of them was outside the harem. But, prince Edward can defend her if he wanted to. He did not like her, it’s was obvious.

“Goodnight, my prince” she bowed and made her way to the harem. Before she could get out of the main garden, queen Marlena almost stepped on a snake. She screamed her heart out.

It was prince Edward who came to her side. He called the guards.

“Come let’s go. We can’t kill the snake. We have a campaign ahead of us” He said, leading the way to the harem. He would have not attend to her but her shivering body scared him. Will she be able to make it to the harem? “But if you can not walk to the Harem, let me know.”

Queen Marlena stopped. She was feeling dizzy. The snake frightened her. If there was anything in this world she hated the most was snakes. They scared her a lot. “Please call a guard to help me get to…” she couldn’t finish her last sentence. He rushed towards her and she fell in to his arms.

Feeling strange , prince Edward carried her to the door of the harem where he met his father and Grandmother. The look they gave him were quite embarrassing. He was carrying a woman in his arms. His father’s wife.

“Guards” the Emperor called and they came running to him “Take Marlena to my Chambers.”

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I heard the Emperor calling for guards. It seemed they have found out where she was. Who was she with and what was she doing? Maybe it was one of their plans to keep the Emperor away from me.

And they succeeded. The Emperor did not return that night. We waited for hours. Some of the women got tired and went to their various rooms. Prince Edward later came to deliver the Emperor’s message.

“My father won’t be coming tonight. Every one should go back to her room , quietly” He said in a commanding tone. I noticed that he was angry. The women left for their rooms immediately.

“Prince Edward” I called, moving closer to where he stood. I could see the anger in his eyes. But what happened outside there?

“Good evening, mother” prince Edward greeted, avoiding my gaze. For the little time, we spent together I got to know when he was happy or sad.

“My son? If I am your mother then you would have come to me when you have a problem. Why carry such an angry face around?”

“I am fine mother” He spoke. “Goodnight.”

Really? He was just like his father! Stubborn humans!!

“Edward, please” I called his name without a title. The way he looked at me scared me a bit. Was he good to slap me the way his father did? “forgive me but if you can’t tell me your problems then why do you call me mother? Stop calling me that if you feel I am too small to occupy that position.”

His facial expression changed. He was surprised. Prince Edward came closer and took my hand. “You will be my mother forever. I respect you a lot that’s why I gave you a chance in my heart. It is true I have my problems but…”

“Why did you stop? But what ?” I asked with my brow furrowed in confusion. Is it your father?

“No mother. Its Grandmother. She blamed me for what happened to queen Marlena” Prince Explained. “She said you are not training me in a proper way.”

What? Prince Was not a small boy of six that I have to control all the time. He is hardly around me . The Emperor carried him every where he went to. How did his mistake became my bad parental upbringing?

“What did your father say about this ?” I asked.

“Nothing” he said, with a frown. “I don’t know what he is thinking right now. Queen Marlena came to me this evening. I even told her to return back to the harem. We were coming back when she saw a snake and fainted.”

“Mmmmh. I understand now” I said, crossing my arms. “They wanted to get back at me Edward. They want the Emperor to choose another mother for you.”

“But I am not a toy for them to play with” He slammed his foot on the floor all of a sudden. I was surprised by his action.

“Calm down and I will handle this as your mother” I told him. “Go back to your room, my prince .”

“Fine mother , goodnight” prince Edward said.

I watched him leave the harem. It was an honor to be the mother of the Emperor’s only son. Was that the reason why Grandmother pull up this stunt? I have to stop them before was too late.

“Queen Ariadne” I heard a voice. “Come dear .”

When I turned around I saw mother and grandmother. A lioness and a snake. They were two different people although both of them were married in to this family.

“Grandmother, mother” I curtsied. “I am sorry about what happened to Marlena. Edward was here and he told me everything that happened.”

“Instead of romancing all day, I advised you to take care of your children especially Edward. The Emperor will tell you more tomorrow” Grandmother left after she uttered those words. Annoying right? It’s was high time I taught them a lesson.