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The Author's POV.
The same night, the queen left with her maid, Malia, and two other guards. She promised the Emperor that she will be back by sunset hopefully with the witch called Naana.
They all traveled for a distance and were too tired to continue with their journey. Queen Valeria told them to take a rest while she go further. The guards refused but she insisted. This was the only way to get rid of them.
Naana's house wasn't far from the empire. It was much closer to Akkad than Finn.
Queen Valeria made them travel so far because she didn't want the guards to suspect anything. If she decides to the road leading to the west they will tell the emperor, who will later link it up with what happened on the night of the ball.
With a lot of talking, the guards finally let her go alone. They were also exhausted, hungry and thirsty. Queen Valeria headed back to Akkad using the easiest road there. She reached Naana's house early in the morning. The old woman was surprised to see her at that time of the day since she didn't send for her. Queen Valeria told her of the situation and what she was supposed to do while in the palace. But Naana declined the offer saying no matter what she won't step her foot in the palace.
"This is an opportunity we shouldn't miss" queen Valeria said. "If you can wake the Ariadne from her slumber, the Emperor will reward you and I will be seen as a true leader who saved the life of her fellow woman."
" The Emperor will surely kill me, once Ariadne recovers. Am not foolish"
"Yes, you are. Why are you so scared when am there with you ?" Queen Valeria asked. Naana was being childish and this behavior of hers was making her angry. Instead of sleeping in her chamber, She traveled miles to come and get this woman.
"Say whatever you want but am not going to help that Devil king of yours" she snarled.
It's my husband you are talking about, watch your tongue old woman Queen Valeria shouted. The words angered her. Naana's mind was already made up, she could tell. But Queen Valeria wasn't someone who gave up easily. She promised the Emperor that the witch was going to follow her back and so shall it be. Whether Naana Likes it or not, she was going to the palace this morning.
"Is this how you want to pay me? For everything, I did to you?? They told me witches were selfish but I never believe until today "Queen Valeria said bitterly. She was pretending to get the old woman emotional. Naana owned her a lot for saving her head.
"Stop saying that, I care about you too, Valeria"
"Then, do this for me. The Emperor will reward you with gold. We will use it to our advantage, think of it" she persuaded.
"Fine, am coming with you. I want you to be happy in your marriage that's why I am doing this she finally gave in.
Quickly, Queen Valeria hugged her. She knew no matter what Naana was not going to abandon her when she needed help the most. Being emotional towards her was the only key to unlocking the cold heart of a witch.
The Emperor didn't sleep in his Chambers last night. He sat beside Queen Ariadne's bed throughout the night. He was hoping that by sunset, Queen Valeria will return home with the witch named Naana.
When all this was over, he was going to find the witch who did this and he will use her as an example for others to follow. To him, this act was done on purpose to kill his queen, an act of revenge as the pathologist. But how queen Ariadne came in contact with a witch in the dungeon was still a surprise.
He had kept a lot of his enemies locked up for years, but he never kept a witch down there. Once a Witch was caught either by him or his soldiers, he made sure she was killed on the spot to avoid them using black magic on him.
Though most of them attempted using magic on him didn't work. The reason for that was unknown to him. Maybe it was for this same reason they all called him the Devil king. Emperor Sargon got used to the names they gave him since he was a child.
When he was nine, a witch prophesied that Sargon will be the terror everyone would run from. He was going to assume the throne when he clocked twelve which he did. His father, the late king tried within his power to stop the prophecy but all was in Vain. He died and Sargon came into force just like the winds that never lost their balance.
He wasn't going to leave queen Ariadne here alone, mother was still sleeping in her chamber and princess Morgana went to visit Grandma. Leaving the room without anyone around here made him scared. The emperor felt that even his palace wasn't safe anymore. His wife was poisoned right under his nose and without knowing he left her in the cold to die.
when it was evening, the Emperor asked the Queen's mother to watch after Queen Ariadne while he attended to some matters. of course, she agreed. she loved Ariadne more than anything, if this was the only way to keep her safe then mother was willing to do it.