18 The winner is...

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Queen Ariadne's POV.

Queen Valeria walked into the hall. Her dress was beautiful but she looked unhappy and weak. The Emperor sent for her immediately. He saw her sad face and was curious as to what happened to his special queen that she wasn't present earlier.

"Greetings to you Emperor," she said without a smile.

"What is wrong with you queen Valeria".

"I was about to come to the party when I felt dizzy."

"Have the physician come to see you?"

"No, my Lord. Everyone is happy enjoying your party, I don't want to ruin that"

"There is no way, I will allow them to party while you are sick," he said.

All because of this witch, the Emperor was going to forbid us from enjoying ourselves? By the way, there was no enjoyment here. Everyone was scared of him.

"Please sit close to me, so that I can look after you."

Queen Valeria looked in my direction and smiled. I wondered what was funny? We were not friends so there was no need for her to smile at me.

"Queen Ariadne, if you don't mind I would like to sit next to my husband!"

I stared at her for a while. What was this woman saying? This husband was ours why was she feeling like none of us, deserve him! I was about to stand up from the seat before the Emperor stopped me.

"Please sit, you are not feeling well too," he said.

"But where am I going to sit?

"Queen Alissa will let you have her seat, Don't worry."

I looked at Queen Alissa's face and its expression showed that she wasn't happy giving Queen Valeria, her position. The seat was not next to the Emperor but to me. I knew Valeria was boiling within her. But I didn't care, she came late.

"The final results are ready, I will be honored if you give me a listening ear to announce them," Apollos said.

"What? Did I just miss this year's contest or this is another competition?"

"I thought you don't want to participate?" the Emperor asked.

"I wanted to, that's why I came"

"You are sick, I can not allow you to join the contest", he said.

My heart leaped for joy seeing her angry face. At least another Queen or even a normal citizen could have the chance to win this year. It mustn't be here every time.

The third runner-up was a noblewoman. The second was a princess. I was disappointed with the judges because failed to choose a poor citizen- at least to give them hope that their efforts weren't in Vail.

But they didn't, rather they gave the positions to the rich women of Akkad. The next person they called was Queen Alissa. According to the announcement, her walking steps were the best and she was gifted.

"The winner is the most beautiful woman on this planet. Her dress is the best amongst all" Apollo continued.

Everyone was patiently waiting to hear the prime minister announce the winner. I looked around and saw many faces expecting their names to be called. I didn't care much that was why I let out a loud laugh.

The Emperor stared at me like he was going to hit me soon. Indeed today was a terrible day. I kept on annoying him and sooner or later he was going to bounce back at me!

"Queen Ariadne, I honored you" Apollo bowed.

At first, I thought maybe it was because I laughed so loud that, why he came to me. But looking at the crowd, clapping their hands like I just won the contest baffled me. W-wait... I won the contest. Yes, Queen Ariadne was the winner!

"My lady, come forward please," he said.

I stood up from my seat. My heart was pumping fast, panic-stricken. Did I just win or Apollo was joking with me?

I stood in the center of the hall. All eyes were on me, they started whispering. From their faces, one could tell that they were happy, I won this time around.

The king stood up from his throne and presented gifts to me. These included pieces of jewelry, clothes, shoes, and two boxes of gold. I was so happy, I wished my parents were alive to watch me bring glory to their name.

Anne came forward with the maids. She took my gifts to the room, while I stayed back and danced with the king.

I felt his hand around my waist for the first time. It tickled me. I was scared and uncomfortable. No man had ever dared to touch me like that, now, I had no choice but to let my husband do so.

He took his right hand in my left. I felt a quick shock and my body shook. I was frightened by each touch. The Emperor noticed my body movement, he saw that I was shy and couldn't look at him.

Gently, he grabbed my waist harder and pulled me up making me step on him. I understood what he wanted to do and quickly, I placed my feet a bit far, taking each step with him.

I felt better because I laid my head on his chest comfortably. The Emperor was tall and built. His muscles popped out of his outfit, one could see that he was gifted.

I was lost in my world of imagination, that I didn't know when the music stopped. Our Bodies were still closed and my head lay still.

"Queen Ariadne, it's over" he whispered.

I broke free from his hold like I was forced to dance. It was a shame for me for relaxing, so much In a man's arm. People we're going to insult me for being so indecent, that I know. Just then, I remembered that this man was my husband and the great Emperor. Nobody will dare to say anything means even if they wanted to.

Queen Valeria's seat was empty when I got back. It seemed she couldn't stand to see me dance with the king. That woman was full of jealousy. I wished she comes to realize one day that the other wives too, deserve the Emperor's love and affection.

The soldiers who went to war with the Emperor including Anne's husband were promoted and awarded. I asked the king for the other announcement, he wanted to make earlier. He responded that the announcement was for another day.

The king gave his vote of thanks and left. He didn't want to thank nor appreciate us for coming, it was Mother who forced him to.

After he dismissed us, I followed him behind.

I wanted to ask for permission to go pray in the temple tomorrow. If he would allow me to, I will be happy.

"You mean the village temple?" he turned and looked at me.

"Yes, your highness" I replied.

"Why the village temple, when there are a lot of beautiful temples in the palace. You can make use of one" he walked into his room.

I wasn't going to give up easily. Tomorrow, marked the 11th year since my parents died.

I wanted to honor them by visiting the poor and spending time with them since it would have been the same thing, my parents will do if they were alive today.

When I got into the room, Queen Valeria sat down on his bed with the Emperor's hand around her waist. I felt jealous suddenly, the two were too close to each other.