A Warning Message...

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Queen Ariadne's POV.

My head ache so much that I wished I didn't wake up. It seemed like the world was rotating on it too. I opened my eyes slowly, I groaned at the pain in my joints.

"My Lady are you awake?" A voice asked.

I blinked and widened my eyes twice before I could see it was. Anne was the first person I saw, that voice earlier belonged to her also.

"Anne" I said quietly. My voice was disappointing, I knew she could barely hear me.

Mother was smiling at me though I could see tears rolling down her cheeks. They were of joy that I was sure. She looked older than before or was something wrong with my eyes?

"Don't say anything my child, just take a rest" she sat at my side and ran her hand through my hair arranging it. I don't need anyone to tell me but I looked like a ghost after laying in this bed for days.

"For how have I been here mother?"

"Almost a month My Queen" she said. I tried to looked at the mirror but it's was far away from me. I saw nothing.

"So long" I said almost with tears.

"Yes my lady" Anne answered.

"I thought I was dead mother" I sobbed bitterly. Finally, the long awaited tears came out. Have been holding them ever since I woke up.

"You don't have to cry any more. We are here for you" she assured.

"Why are you standing at the door brother" it's was Princess Morgana's voice. I looked at the direction to see who she was referring to. It was the Emperor! O my Word!! I remembered the dungeon, the punishment and the death sentence. I wished I never woke up in the first place. It was not too late, I could pretend to sleep again.

"Sargon, you?" Mother asked. Even her didn't noticed that her son stood at the door listening to our conversation.

"How are feeling Queen Ariadne" he said. The Emperor made his way into the room. Each step he took scared me because I knew they represent the steps I will take to the dungeon later.

"My body hurts , especially my hand" I cried. Maybe I was over reacting when the Emperor asked me how I feel. He was supposed to pamper me at this moment, this was only chance I got.

"Am sorry about that" he said with his head bent. Was I dreaming? Or I was truly dead ! No! I needed someone to pinch me a little. Wake me from my deepest sleep oh heavens. The Emperor said he was sorry... This illness was the best thing that happened to after I got married.

Queen Valeria appeared at the door with an old woman. She looked happy seeing, her smile increased when I smiled back. What was wrong with everyone? Change was indeed a constant thing.

Finally, she is awake now queen Valeria held my hand lightly "This is Naana, She is the one who treated you, also she is a witch."

I widened my eyes immediately. My ears heard it correctly a witch in my room!.

"Don't be afraid, my child. She is harmless" mother said.

"I want to asked you questions about the day you met with the witch that did this to you" The old woman said or better still old Naana.

I looked at mother for a go ahead. She nodded in agreement, I had no choice than to answer to this witch.

"It was at the temple. The maid we're sharing the gifts to the poor, there was no time left so I joined them. All of a sudden, a woman dragged me to a corner when I wanted to help her. There she did this to me" I started sobbing again. This time I held my hand tightly indicating what that witch did to me.

"Wait... The day you were accused of being with a man" princess Morgana asked.

"Yes, it was a woman and not a man. Maybe Evelyn didn't see us well" I answered. At least, I was happy someone was following my story.

"You should have informed me of this earlier" the Emperor finally spoke.

"I told you that day but you didn't believe me your highness" I reminded him. Maybe he has forgotten but I didn't. Every moment was fresh in my brain.

"We are sorry , Queen Ariadne" Princess Morgana apologized. I nodded and continued with my tale.

"Did she said anything to you?" Naana asked. This old woman kept on asking me questions like she was any different from the witch who did this to me.

"Answer her please" mother pleaded.

"She said the poison was a warning message to the Emperor" I replied.

Every one was shocked. All these while I have been in this mess because of their Emperor. Only the gods knew how many secrets the royal family were keeping from me. I looked at my husband to see his face, I wanted to see the guilt eyes of his clearly but as usual he disappointed me. The Emperor seemed normal after hearing my story!