The Devil In Guise - Chapter 165

“Queen Ariadne, we understand your worries . This is the first time, you are going to separate from the Emperor. It’s hard to stay alone” Grandmother spoke. She stood behind the Emperor with her hands crossed on her abdomen. Funny woman. Why was she pretending like she was sad for me? They wanted this and it was happening.

“Apollo will stay in the capital and rule as my representative” The Emperor smiled and left the room. Grandmother was angry at me once again. This time , she did not hide it.

“What do you think you are doing , queen Ariadne?” She asked, angrily.

“I don’t understand your question , Grandmother.”

She took a step forward and closed the distance between us “if anything happens to my grandson or Edward , I won’t forgive you. Have that in mind.”

Was that an open threat? When they left. I cried like the Emperor was going to die in that battle. Even if he does not, I knew I was going not to survive this.

Queen Alissa suggested that I leave the palace for the castle but I refused. If I give them a chance, they would make sure that I don’t come back to the palace again and that will be a victory for my enemies.

I paced around the room for few minutes before leaving. Apollo was going to stay back and he won’t side with their evil no matter what.

“My lady?” I heard a familiar voice when I came out. The women were in their various corners as usual, gossiping. I turned towards the direction of my room and saw Anne. She was putting on a blue dress with a black hoodie on. I ran to where she stood and hugged her. “My dear Anne, you are looking very beautiful. How are you doing?”

“Fine my Lady. I was worried about you” she said, with tears in her eyes. I wanted to tell her all the terrible things our enemies have done to me before the women came around us. They seemed happy to see her. Many of them congratulated her.

“Come , let’s go in side” I held her hand as we walked in to the room.

“The Emperor spread the news about my pregnancy.”

“Not just him. Grandmother used it as an excuse to send you away. That old woman.”

“I heard the Emperor will be leaving for Akkad tomorrow. The next day, he will join the rest at the Battlefield” Anne told me. She was the wife of the commander. Such news , will be heard from her first.

“I feel like my death is close Anne” I said, shakily. “They will kill me before the Emperor comes back from war.”

“Do not say that my Lady. You are the Emperor’s favorite. They won’t dare” she assured. “What ever happened the last time will not repeat itself. If anything happens to you, queen Valeria will be the first suspect. Your highness won’t spare her.”

“Its doesn’t change the fact that I will be dead before them” I reminded.

**

The Author’s POV.

“The Emperor will be leaving soon , grandmother” Queen Valeria sat on a seat in her room. She was wearing a red dress with a crown on her hair. Her face had a long smile on it.

“I know , Valeria. He entrusted the harem to me” she answered. There were three maids in the room, dressing her up. Grandmother spread her arms sideways as they tied the robes of her dress.

Still not satisfied with her answer, queen Valeria drew closer to the mirror stand and asked “What are we going to do about Queen Ariadne? She should leave the harem before the Emperor’s returns. This is the only opportunity we have .”

Grandmother turned and looked at her. She was serious and it seemed she had a plan already. Turning to the maids, the old woman said “leave us alone.”

They stopped what they were doing and left.

“What do you have in mind, Valeria?”

“We should finish her before the war ends” she suggested. “Ariadne is nothing but a bad omen, grandmother.”

“I can’t order the guards to kill her. The Emperor will never forgive me for that.”

Queen Valeria smiled. Grandmother was so shallow minded to think that they will dig their graves by themselves. Even if mother order the execution of queen Ariadne, the guards were not going to do it immediately. They had to consult Apollo who was now the regent of Akkad.

“No. We won’t kill her that way, grandmother” Queen Valeria said, standing up from her seat. She walked around the room before she finally told her plan “we will burn queen Ariadne in her room.”

“What?” Grandmother was shocked. Her hands trembled when she heard queen Valerie’s plan. “You want me to burn the entire harem just for one woman? Sargon will kill me after that.”

“Grandmother….” Queen Valeria called but she shrugged her shoulders and faced the other side of the room. The plan was going to be perfect if grandmother agrees with her. “If you listen to me then you won’t regret this.”

“Go ahead.”

“We will pour oil in her room and keep the rest of the women away. Before the fire Should affect the next room, we will call the guards on duty to take care of it” Queen Valeria explained. Her chest kept rising and falling as the old woman did not reply.

“I think I like your plan” Grandmother finally spoke. “We will discuss this after the Emperor leaves.”

Good. That was what she wanted to hear. She walked back to the seat and raised her head up high. Queen Ariadne was no longer living being. She was already a ghost!

**

Queen Ariadne’s POV.

I increased my pace as I climbed the stairs to the Emperor’s Chambers. He sent for me. I knew I was going to spend the night with him. This was his last night in Akkad.

We were not going to see for a long time. Only the god’s knew whether we will see again.

I got to the door and took the guards to inform the king that I was here. He went in to the room, few minutes later, he told me to go inside.

I entered the room with so much excitement only to be disappointed by people who were present. Grandmother and queen Valeria? What were they doing here??

I bowed and greeted “Your highnesses, it’s an honor to be in your presence.”

“Come queen Ariadne” The Emperor gave me smile that became my ray of hope. I walked in to his arms and we hugged.

“We will be going your highness” Grandmother spoke for the first time. She was not happy to see me but will I do? It’s was not my fault that her grandson chose me.

“Go on mother. I will come and see you before leaving tomorrow” he answered, holding my left hand ,tight.

“I hope so. Good night” She left together with her handbag.

“Why was Grandmother here ?” I asked, after the door was closed. They were no longer in the room to give me those looks.

“Harem business, queen Ariadne” The Emperor answered. He pulled his shirt and kept on the chair. His beautiful skin sparkled as he walked to where I stood.

My heart skipped when he wrapped his hands around my waist and drew me closer. My breath stopped as I stared in to his red eyes. They filled with pain and rage. A pain that no one understood.

I wanted to ask him if he had any problem bothering him.

Behind his angry face was a sorrowful one with bitterness.

“Come” The Emperor said, kissing my forehead. “Come let’s make the night memorable. If I don’t come back , never forget this night queen Ariadne.”

I was surprised. What did he mean by that? “Don’t say that your highness. You will come back to us.”

“I hope so” He released me and started walking towards the bathroom and I followed him behind maintaining my pace.

We entered and he looked at me with a smile. I saw few maids who were preparing his bathing water. They were trying to draw his attention with different looks and walking steps. As soon as they saw me , they became stabled again and I ordered them to leave. The jealously inside of me, found it’s way back. They were lucky that I was not in a bad mood.

“Why are you jealous , queen Ariadne?” He asked, turning to see how I looked. “They are also women like you. Who knows? I might pick one of them and marry her.”

“Don’t you dare” I screamed and jerked. Quickly, I regretted my words as soon as it came out. What was I doing?

“I shouldn’t dare? Who are to tell me what to do?” He took a step towards me. I became afraid. Was he angry?

“I am your wife, your highness” I managed to say. The room became hot and too small to contain us. I took another step backwards and this time, my back thrust the door, telling me that this was the dead line. What has come over me ? The Emperor could kill me behind this closed doors and nobody….. I mean no one will demand an explanation.