*****
I lay down in bed all day. Many knocked on the door to find out what was going on with me but I did not answer any of them. I just wanted to be allowed. There was no way I will escape the emperor...not now that I found out that he was a monster...he would find me anywhere I go.
I should have known all these years. From the rumours and gossip outside the palace. Anne told me not to mind the talks about him being a Devil. She advised me to love him if my heart wished. I wondered if she knew the truth all this while. Was she playing this game to me too?
Someone knocked on the door interrupting my thoughts. I sat up and wondered who it was. Was it the Emperor? My eyes flew to the candle stand by the corner. I was not going to disappoint if he tries anything funny.
"What are you thinking, Ariadne?" I stopped myself. "Did you ever love this man?"
