Ashter was Ares. Avalon could not believe it.
She could hear Ares trying to speak in her head. Trying to get past her channel but she had completely shut that down.
She did not want to speak with him. Never. She wanted to avenge him. And he already knew about it. Because she had blurted it out to Ashter who was also Ares. That hurt so much. So I have ended up with no hidden agenda?.
No she has to find another hidden thing to do. A way of avenging him. He knows about my first plan. Well partially.
The next morning, Penelope was so worried about her.
"Your majesty please atleast eat something. The king needs you our kingdom needs you. It has been almost a week since you have decided to not eat anything. Please your majesty, these is in no way healthy."
He had hurt her, yeah he had but what was the point of keeping the maids worried.
It has been three days since Ares visited her. Hell! He did not even visit her, he had sent one of his soldiers to do that.
So it is better to keep her head up, she need not starve her self to seek his attention.
All she had done since she had heard of Ares was seeking his attention.
Now she would make sure he is the one seeking her attention.
She would make sure of that.
"Penelope!" Avalon called at once form inside her chamber.
Hearing her majesty's voice, it has been about a week since Avalon spok to her. Penelope quickly responded.
There was noway she was going be the weak one.
Ares will beg for her attention, he would beg for everything. She would make sure of that.
"Do you want me to come in your majesty?". Penelope asks carefully.
"Yes. The door is opened." Avalon says peaking through the door, of her chamber. There are a lot of maids waiting for her outside. She fidget a little, but was expecting to see someone else.
Ares!. But then he would not show up. He is always busy with the works of the kingdom. Never checks on her. And she, has a queen is do nothing than to ensure the inner the chambers of the women in the palace are in accordance.
Things are so boring and frustrating. Sometimes she would wish she should have stayed with her father. But then he sister's death is yet to be avenged.
That was what was keeping her from failing.
"Ah! Your majesty. You never would know how much we were worried. The king says to keep these from the historians and the outsiders that the queen has refused to carry out her duties." Penelope informed her with a worried look.
"I am sorry I could not act like a queen that I am. I am sorry for making everyone worried." Avalon apologized her head low from embarrassment. The reason she had made all these happen, was only known to her . And she did not get the results she wanted.
So why not explore on her new duties, that would be quit fun.
"So what do I start with?" She asks.
"The daily cooking. You as a queen must join the other princesses and the king's concubines in cooking the breakfast. But dinner would be made by the maids. Your majesty I am relieved you decided to come out. You may have your reasons for not wanting to come out. But I am sure you have finally made the right choice. "Another maid said, she has long red hair. Gently brushed side by side.
And made in a braid, a pink pin holding them in place, matching with her pink skirt.
She looks very young. And beautiful. She is a new one, Avalon noted. Or maybe she does not work in these chamber before she decided to meet no one.
"Thank you. I appreciate you. And what is your name?".
Avalon asks, a beautiful smile plastered on her cheeks.
"Abigail. Your majesty, I am a new spoil. I am assigned as your slave your majesty. I a glad to be your maid" Abigail's response was that of an excitement than other maids who are always sad on their slavery.
"You must be happy to be here. Aren't you?" Avalon asks, curiosity in her tone.
She was well aware that maids do not like their work.
"I am very happy. I am atleast free from my daily punishment your majesty. I really love to be your maid. I have heard a lot from my fellow maids about you". The girl says her head bowed in curtsy.
Her smile very contagious, and a happy mood she was plastered on her face.
"Then I hope you heard a very good news about me. Not that I have spent a long time in the palace. I really look forward to being with you Abigail" Avalon says and the girl was pleased.
She could notice the look of jealousy on the face of Penelope. She knew that of her majesty takes a liking in Abigail, she would not be liked like before. But there was nothing to do about it.
"You could have gotten us all punished, we missed you so much." Penelope Infoms her Voice in a low tone , as she said to her majesty ear.
"I am sorry. And never worry about Abigail, I will always want you by my side. It has always been you. And it will remain that way. It would not hurt to take a liking in some other maids too. As long as you both get along well."
As Avalon joined the other concubines in making breakfast, she was greeted with their heads bowed.
Most did that with hate filled hearts. Some because they had to do it. Else they want to be punished.
Avalon is the queen afterall, so no matter what they think about her or do to her, she would not mind. She just have to focus and not cause any ruse between her and the princesses, and the other concubines.
Penelope quickly warned her about the behavior of one of the princesses. Princess Khadija.
She was known to always cause a scene during breakfast and in the kitchen. She always makes sure to seek for Ares' attention.
She had been obsessed with him, just like many other maids had been form their young age.
And now that she is Ares' queen, the same man Princess Khadija is obsessed with, she would have to be careful around her.
It was steam cooked soft grain rice, vegetables, seafoods and different varieties of meats.
Avalon is not a great cook, but with the aid of Penelope on her side, she was able to make an healthy looking cuisine.
"Ah! Very good looking, thank you Penelope. I would not have been able to make anything if not for your help." Avalon appreciates wiping her hands with the napkin on the left side of the kitchenette.
Other concubines are not speaking with her, they looked displeased with her presence.
Ofcourse they would be.
Not too long, she was done making breakfast, her maids helped her in carrying the other dishes, Avalon was ushered the the grand hall, where the table has been set for breakfast, only that every woman of the palace would make her husband's meal.
There was no one in here, except a few maids.
Not too long, the room was filled with chatter. Prince Dorian and Prince Derrick entered the hall, with all their glory, dressed in their royal robes.
It was at these moment that Avalon could see the resemblance. They looked too much alike, non of them looked like Ares, or non of them carries the same features as Ares.
Both taking their seats. On the left was prince Dorian , and on the right was seated prince Derrick.
Closer to the king and queen's chair.
That seat belonged to her. The thought of seating next to her worst enemy was not a good one. Avalon was not ready for this.
Not ready to see Ares yet.
The other faces of people Avalon has never met before. And other princesses she met in the kitchen joined them.
Avalon stood near her seat, not ready to take a seat. She was been observed by other concubines. Their predatory eyes scanning her seat.
It was not long when Ares joined them.
When he walked in it felt like everything stopped for Avalon.
The room that was filled with laughter and charter is suddenly replaced with quietness.
Of course the king has arrived, every single persons stood on their feet and curtsied. He did not respond, instead responded with a nod and took his seat.
His face was still the same, stoic and effeminate. He looked stressed, like he was carrying something on his shoulder.
The kingdom was on his shoulder of course.
"She should have been there for him. What kind of a queen runs away from her duties".
She heard on of the princesses whisper to prince Derrick's wife.
The latter just responded with a snort.
But looked satisfied with whatever Khadija was whispering to her.
As soon as Ares took his seat, everyone followed.
"We have been well, I suppose?." Ares asked, passing one look at Avalon, for her to take her seat. She was the only one standing awkwardly.
And she quickly obliged.
"Yes your majesty". Every persons echoed.
It was like they were accustomed to these response.
Once the king started eating , the others also took their cutleries to start eating.
To her surprise, the king chose her own food.
The food Avalon made.
One bite and the king could not hold himself back.
"Wow, who made this?". He asks, scanning the room if any maid would reply.
But was surprised when Avalon replies in a soft tone.
"I did your majesty".
"This is- this is splendid. I like it" he stammered.
Clearing his throat, he added.
"I am your husband. You do not use the title of 'your majesty' for me okay?" Ares says, his eyes glued to hers.
Those green eyes, she had missed them. The look he was giving her was that of admiration.
"By the way you look beautiful. And I missed you" he says and Avalon choked on her food.
She should not have looked at him.
Penelope quickly passed her some water and whispered in her ear.
"It is going to be an haughty breakfast".
She did not understand what that meant.
It was when she looked in the direction of princesses Khadija, the look she was giving her was not a good one. Those eyes of hers are haughty.
If looks could kill, them she would not only choke on Ares' looks.
Khadija could kill with her looks.