Chapter 11: HELENA. IN A TAVERN.

"Helena??" Frida called in surprise as she walked closer to her.

"Hey, honey. Finally, you returned!" Princess Helena squealed happily as she dropped the brush she was holding. "I've been waiting for so long for you".

"Hold on, what're you doing here? I mean...how did you get here?" Frida scoffed.

"Urgh? Can't I pay a visit to my friend anymore?" Helena rolled her eyes and Frida strolled to the table.

"Anyway, welcome". She mumbled as she arranged the books on the table.

"So, how have you been, Frida? How's Lord Aldo?" Helena asked and Frida shut her a suspicious stare.

"Since when did you start asking after Lord Aldo, Frida? Anyway, he's in his chambers - in case you want to see him" Helena replied sarcastically.

"Oh!! Seriously Frida. I'd really love it if you could take me to his room".

"Whaat?? Have you gone nuts?? I hardly know Aldo and I'm not even sure we've ever spoken to each other. So, how do you expect me to just take you to him?" Frida scoffed and Helena just rolled her eyes with a *fine*

"Anyway, how's his newly wedded wife? I heard the marriage had taken place yesterday?" She asked.

"Well, yes. You heard correctly".

"And how was it? How's the wife?".

"Stop asking me silly questions, Helena. I don't know anything about the wife, okay? You should know me by now that I love minding my business".

"Oh, boring. Anyway, are you aware Master Aldo would've gotten married to me?" She asked and Frida turned to look at her, seeming surprised.

"Well, yes. You know, when the letter was taken to Arianna's father, he'd rejected it and said he wasn't giving his daughters out to Aldo. So, the letter got to my father next, but before my father could reply, Arianna's father had already changed his mind and said he was ready to give Arianna out. So, you see? I was so close to being the lucky one". She explained wistfully, feeling a little hurt.

"Wow" Frida just mouthed and turned back to the table and Helena felt bittered that she wasn't saying anything to help. What a friend indeed!

Anyway, with or without Frida's help, she was still going to get what she wanted.

She had been so close to being Aldo's wife before Arianna ruined it. And she was going to make sure she ended up ruining the marriage as well.

*

"Seriously Arianna, I think this is a bad idea" Hera said as they stood in front of the tavern.

"And what exactly could be wrong with this, Hera? It's just for fun and isn't like we'll be killing anyone". Arianna rolled her eyes and tried going further, but Hera pulled her back..

"But that's a place mainly for men and I don't think someone like you should be found in it. Besides, we don't even have any money on us. Come on, Arianna. Let's just go". She grumbled.

They'd been taking a walk round the community when they came across the tavern which happened to pique Arianna's interest.

"Nobody knows me as the Master's wife. So, let's go" she rolled her eyes and proceeded to the tavern and this time around, Hera couldn't stop her.

So, she followed.

*

The tavern wasn't as crowded and noisy as Arianna had expected and she concluded it was due to the fact that it was morning.

She saw about three ladies cleaning some tables and serving drinks and the rest of the people that filled the place were male. Hmph.

"Wow! A lady's here for a drink" a man closeby suddenly grinned and Arianna shut him a deadly stare.

She looked around and found the only table that was crowded as it had about five men on it, with two playing a game.

"It's chess!" Arianna whispered to Hera, her eyes beaming.

Oh! Chess was her favorite game.

They moved closer to the table and joined the rest of the men standing to watch the game.

Some coins were placed beside them which meant they'd actually set a bet.

"Oh!! He's trapped, man!!" One of the watchers exclaimed and the others laughed.

They were so engrossed in the game and couldn't even notice the two ladies that'd joined them.

Arianna watched with ecstasy as the two men played the games perfectly, each seeming to be a pro. But, tch! She was sure she could do better than them.

"This is so interesting," Hera giggled and nudged Arianna.

Minutes later...the game was over with the fat man emerging the winner and the watchers cheered him as he loaded the coins into his pocket.

"Woww" Arianna looked at Hera and whispered.

That was money!!

"And who wants to go next?" The fat man asked with his hands spread apart, sounding so bold.

"Well, let me give it a try" another man replied and took the seat on the other side of the table.

He brought out his coins, same with the other man and the game began.

It was tough and interesting, but after a long while, the fat man won again.

"Woah!! You're the best at this Zack" the men cheered at him and Arianna could notice how his head swelled.

The loser stood up with a grumpy look, probably feeling angry that he had lost such an amount of money.

"And who else wants to take the seat?" The fat man asked again and before someone else would reply, Arianna did.

"I will".

All eyes turned towards her direction.

"What? A lady in our midst?" She could hear them mumbling.

"Arianna! What're you doing??" Hera said huskily, but Arianna ignored her.

The money was damn too tempting.

The man turned to look at her, actually surprised.

" A lady?" He laughed. "Okay, honey. Come on and let's have some fun".

And without hesitation, Arianna hurried to the other side of the table and took the seat.