~Ariadne~

I stared into the giant mirror opposite the wall and I observed my reflection. The image I saw was a poor orphan who had no right to make decisions for herself. At the age of ten, I was dragged to the palace to work for the queen and, after serving her for ten years, this was my reward.

"Here you are, Ariadne". A woman in her late thirties walked into the room. She placed her cold hands on my shoulder.

"Or should I say, queen Ariadne..." She mumbled and gave a wicked smile.

Queen Celesta was the wife of the king, His Royal Majesty, Gaius of Camelot. She was the goddess of the palace where I served as a maid. Her rules and regulations were obeyed no matter what. No one dares to defy her.

"You need to get ready quickly. The carriage will soon be here to take you away. I don't want the great Emperor to be suspicious, or do you want that…" She smirked.

"No your highness" I answered, standing up from the chair, I walked into the changing room.

Queen Celesta was not a friendly person on a normal day. She needed a big favor from me. She had no choice but to behave nicely.

The Emperor was the most fearful name in the kingdoms beyond seas and oceans. His name rang from one lip to another with fear. People said he had no HEART and was cruel.

Emperor Sargon of Akkad was the richest and powerful man ever known. His soldiers were the strongest and largest. They invaded many cities, conquered, and made these territories theirs. He united these kingdoms into one, thus making it an Empire.

"Aren't you done dressing? I can't wait for you anymore, silly girl" Queen Celesta shouted.

I didn't want to go out because I knew what was waiting for me outside this changing room was destruction.

My entire body trembled, and my head was spinning at this fact, but only one sentence continued to rumble in my head: "I must run." With trembling hands, I fetched water from the iron can and washed my face, which was covered with sweat. The stream of cold water that watches onto my face calmed the racing of my heart and my hands shook less.

Why wouldn't she let me be !

I shuddered and immediately depressed at the idea, which left me with no choice but to follow the last option, namely; marry the Emperor. I came out of the dressing room and stood in front of her with my head bowed. The dress I wore belongs to Princess Eva, the king's daughter.

"Your highness, I am ready ma".

"You don't have to call me your highness anymore, get used to it. I don't want you calling me that, in front of the emperor".

"Okay ma," I said.

She took the lead and I walked behind her maintaining my pace. The king sat down in his throne room with his hand supporting his chin.

His daughter, Princess Eva, sat down on the chair next to him.

"Is she the maid replacing Princess Eva?"

"Yes my King, she is perfect for this" The Queen reassured,

"She served me for ten years, father. No one knows me better than her" Princess Eva said.

I turned my eyes to see if the king would be fair in his judgment and change the Queen's decision.

Don't let me go… was all I could think of.

The door opened, and a knight walked into the throne room. He stood at the door waiting for permission to speak. Not too long ago, the king sighted him. "You may speak Anthony", the king permitted.

"Your highness, The emperor's carriage has arrived. They are here to take the Princess".

"There she is," Queen Celesta said, pointing at me. "My beautiful daughter", she wrapped her hands around me tightly and started sobbing. She kissed my forehead continuously, so hard that her makeup became mine.

But I knew everything was just pretending to get people to think that I was the princess.

Different stories had reached our kingdom saying the Emperor was a Devil in the guise of a man. He had a great temper that was not good for anyone around.

Each year, he picks a wife. These girls were the various princesses of the kingdoms around his Empire. No one dares to refuse the king's demand, because death was the only punishment for disobeying Him.

A few weeks ago, the Emperor had sent a letter to the king telling him to set a date for the wedding between him and the princess of the kingdom. Queen Celesta brought the idea that I should be given to the Emperor instead of the princess.

Cruel right? She was indeed a wicked woman!

Outside the palace, I saw all the maids lined up with fake expressions trying to please me. I looked away out of frustration.

Was it because I was an orphan? Why will they treat me this way??

I strode down the stairs from the entrance door, like a princess just the way Queen Celesta had taught me. She walked by my side the whole time, taking each step with me. She darted her eyes towards the gate and saw only a carriage. She didn't look satisfied.

"Where is the emperor," she asked the man beside her. He was the Emperor's messenger.

"He didn't come, your majesty. The Emperor said he was too tired to make a journey".

Can you imagine that? The groom was too tired to make it to his wedding.

"The Emperor sent an apology and requested a wedding to be rescheduled at his palace".

The queen wasn't happy with this new information. She turned to the king and said in a quiet tone.

"What are we going to do ?"

"We don't have a choice but to let her go".

"Tell the emperor that we send our greetings and his wish is our command," The king told the messenger. Taking my hand, she moved to the carriage and whispered: "Don't make any mistakes, little one, or you might get yourself into trouble over there".

She kissed my cheeks and let go of my hands. I felt the world running around me. They let me go without thinking twice about how I felt. I wished my parents were alive to support me.

The carriage started, and a sad song was sung for my departure. One may think I was going to meet my end.

And yes, I was going to meet the Devil himself.

We traveled for days, stopping at different kingdoms to take a rest. When people saw me, they treated me with respect like I was a princess...

Oh, yes, I was a fake princess and a would-be Queen.

I thought about the life I was going to live in the palace. I didn't know what it was like to be someone's wife. All my life I spent in the palace trying to please the princess. When I thought of my departure, I was relieved from the burden of getting scolded for everything I did.

"When are we going to reach the palace?" I asked the men I rode with.

"We shall arrive tonight, my queen. Be patient".

Queen? Have I married already?

This word scares me a lot.