We All Have A Bad Side...
Emperor's Sargon's POV.
Queen Ariadne stood beside my bed. She wore a pink dress with a pair of gloves to match. I looked at the woman in front of me she was scared and timid. I wondered if it was for the obvious reasons or it was because of the rumor she heard about me. I didn't blame her one in her place would do the same. It seemed like she wanted to say something but was scared.
"Go on Queen Ariadne, don't be scared" I urged hoping she will be confident to speak out whatever she wanted to tell me.
"No...I wanted.. yes..." She stammered.
"I don't understand a word you just uttered" I interrupted.
"My Lord, it.. the divorce" she trembled. Her face was still showing the fright she had on our wedding day.
"You want to divorce me?" I asked.
"No, why will I do that?" her hands were on her dress the whole time, tightening her grip as she spoke. Being afraid of myself, was a normal thing. Many fainted in my presence, this was not a new case.
"I don't know…because am a bad man" I stood up from the chair and laid down on the bed. My eyes were still fixed on her.
"I didn't say that, it's concerning Caldor's case" she answered. I knew that she didn't want to divorce me but seeing her in this confused state gave me joy.
"What about it queen Ariadne ?".
"I am here to plead with you, your highness, grant him this divorce please," she said.
"Why do you want them to be divorce queen Ariadne?"
"Because it is necessary and the only way out, my king."
"How I don't understand?" I asked.
"Two people are trapped in a relationship, one doesn't love the other," she said.
"Yes, I know that".
"Caldor went ahead and loved another woman despite being married" she continued. I nodded In agreement.
"Then, there is no need for them to stay together if love doesn't lead, we must look for a way to free them".
"Our relationship doesn't have love, does that means we will soon divorce?" I teased.
"No your highness, ours is different from theirs".
"Are you sure?" I glanced at her.
"You are the Emperor. You can marry many wives, but Caldor in this case is restricted".
"Where do you learn all these from queen Ariadne?" I asked. "Because an information reached me here before you came, it said you are a stubborn princess. I wanted to confirm it but now that I am disappointed with this!. You are the opposite of your rumor".
"Sometimes what we heard about someone is not true, we all have our a bad side but that doesn't mean we should let it overshadow our good".☺️
"Queen Ariadne, I can't go against the law I told her. My hands are tied, there is nothing I can do in this situation" I explained.
"You are the emperor, no one can oppose your decisions, you are the law itself".
"I know I am the king, but these laws were here long before I was born. There's no way I can go against them now".
"Laws are enacted to guide the people, they are meant to protect and meet the need of the people" she became bold all of a sudden, I didn't know she was this confident.
"Yes, I know that queen, Ariadne".
"But the process whereby these laws, do not meet the needs of the people then, it's no law".
"Really?" I pretended to be confused.
"The laws are supposed to act as remedies that cure the situation, not a means of oppression on the citizens" she replied.
The way she spoke reminded me of my grandmother, she was a very bold woman and never allowed injustice before her. We often argued when it comes to courts matter. Queen Ariadne was just like her.
"Yes king Sargon, many people are oppressed by these laws".
"How do you know that?".
"The people are afraid of coming to you, every one fears your wrath. That's why you don't get to hear them" she cried.
"Then, I am sorry there is nothing I can do about this," I said.
Suddenly, she went down on her knees and sobbed softly as she pleaded, pausing now and then to wipe tears from her eyes. asking me to grant the divorce. None of my queens have ever knelt in front of me seeking justice for a citizen. All they cared about was their selves, the clothes they wore, whose room I was going to spend the night in, etc.
But today was different, for the first time, Queen Ariadne asked for a favor. I couldn't refuse her this, she was my last wife, and I had to give in to her demands.
"Get up please" I helped her stand on her feet and made her sit on the bed.
"Don't cry because of this please, you are my queen I am going to grant your request".
"Really?" Queen Ariadne was excited, she tried to stand, then our hands slightly brushed, she stopped moving, I felt quite strange at the moment. A shiver went down my spine. I wondered why I was feeling like this. It was so odd for me.
"Thank you, your highness, for granting my request" she finally broke the silence.
"Are you the one there ?" She was referring to the painting hanging on the wall. I painted it three years ago, many wondered how I do that- Painting myself. ( I found it easier than Anything).
"Yeah, that me three years ago. After I conquered the Swenta kingdom. Santa was one of my biggest achievements, they produce the largest revenue for the empire due to their largest population.
"Wow, I must say the painting is fine," she said.
"Thanks, queen Ariadne, I make one for you someday".
"I will be glad your majesty".
"Okay then, I see you are ready to leave".
"Yes my lord", I heard her sigh, a sigh I knew, for I have heard it many times ever since she came into the room.
"I will send word to Apollo. I will grant them divorce if that's what you want".
She nodded and left the room. I was feeling angry with myself for letting her go like that, she was my wife and I have the right to ask her to spend the night with me. Why was I afraid?
She didn't look like a stubborn one to me. Queen Ariadne appeared to be humble and meek. I have said mean things to her, ever since the day she came to this palace. She didn't hesitate to come to me this night on a matter that was not of importance to her. Or was she acting up? If she wanted she would have asked for jewelry? But she didn't…. There was something about her that interested me, I was yet to know what it was!