THE CHOSEN ONE : CHAPTERS 1 – 10
BY HAZEL BOOKS. H
CHAPTER 10
QUEEN NANA’S CHAMBER~3PM
Esmeralda took slow strides as she entered Queen Nana’s chambers. She was actually summoned by the queen mother. The queen’s piercing gaze settled on her, her voice firm but measured. “Esmeralda sit, I summoned you for a reason” she gestured a seat for her and Esmeralda gulped down nothing.
“Haven’t you thought of giving the emperor an heir?”
Esmeralda’s cheeks flushed, her eyes dropping. “I’ve tried, Queen Mother, but…he always prevented it.” She swallowed hard, her voice barely above a whisper.
Queen Nana’s eyebrows arched, her expression skeptical. “Prevented it? How? Does he not find you attractive?”
Esmeralda’s face grew hotter, her eyes fixed on the floor. “I…I don’t know, Your Majesty. I’ve tried everything to please him, but…he just doesn’t seem interested.”
Queen Nana’s gaze softened, her voice taking on a hint of nostalgia. “I see. Well, Esmeralda, I was once in your shoes. I too was a mistress, long before I became empress.” She leaned back in her seat, her eyes gazing into the past. “I was young, beautiful, and ambitious. I caught the eye of the former emperor, and I became his mistress. But I was determined to rise higher. I used my wit, charm, and beauty to manipulate him, I also used the opportunity since he can’t have an empress in his lineage.”
Esmeralda listened, entranced, as Queen Nana continued her story. “And it worked. He fell deeply in love with me, and eventually, he made me his empress. But it wasn’t easy. I had to fight tooth and nail for my position, against rival mistresses and courtiers who sought to bring me down.” Queen Nana’s eyes narrowed, her voice taking on a hint of steel. “I had to be cunning, ruthless even. I had to use every trick in the book to maintain my position, to keep my emperor satisfied.”
Esmeralda’s eyes shone with admiration, her mind racing with the implications. She too could rise from mistress to empress, if she played her cards right. Queen Nana’s words were a trace of hope, a reminder that even the most unlikely of women could achieve greatness with determination and cunning.
“Yes, your highness…..I’ll strive till I get that position” Esmeralda smiled “I’ll make him mine just like queen mother did” she said inwardly biting her lips gently.
“That the spirit, but don’t worry I’ll support you” Queen Nana urged and she nods smiling back at her.
THE CHOSEN ONE : CHAPTERS 1 – 10
EMP. AUGUSTUS CHAMBER~7PM
“Your highness, the Queen mother is here” The guards outside announced and he gazed at the door.
“Let her in” he said in a low but commanding voice.
Queen Nana swept into Augustus’ chambers, her presence commanding attention. The room was dimly lit, the only sound the soft crackle of the fireplace. Augustus looked up from his book, his eyes weary, his mind still lost in the pages.
“Augustus, my son, we need to talk,” Queen Mother said, her voice firm but measured.
Augustus sighed, his gaze drifting back to his book. “Mother, what is it? I’m busy.”
Queen Mother’s eyes narrowed, her voice taking on a hint of frustration. “Busy? With what? Your books? Your precious knowledge? You’re the emperor, Augustus! You have a responsibility to the empire, to your people.”
Augustus’ gaze remained fixed on his book, his voice detached. “I’m aware of my responsibilities, Mother. But I also have a right to my own interests.”
Queen Mother’s face flushed with annoyance. “Interests? Your fascination with the goddess? Augustus, you need to focus on the present, not the past.”
Augustus’ eyes finally met his mother’s, his gaze steady. “The past shapes the present, Mother. And the goddess…she holds the key to our future.”
Queen Mother’s expression turned skeptical. “The goddess? You mean the same goddess who has failed to grant you an empress not even an heir? The same goddess who has seemingly abandoned our family?”
Augustus’ eyes flashed with a hint of anger, but his voice remained calm. “The goddess has her own plans, Mother. Her own timeline. I have faith in her.”
Queen Mother’s eyes softened, her voice taking on a hint of concern. “Augustus, I want what’s best for you, for the empire. And that includes securing the future, ensuring the continuation of our line. Esmeralda is a beautiful and intelligent woman, perfect for the role of empress. And you need an heir…..”
Augustus’ gaze drifted back to the window, his voice firm but detached. “When I’m ready, I’ll make her empress.” He said to make his mother satisfied but she wasn’t
Queen Mother’s eyes narrowed, her voice taking on a hint of frustration. “When you’re ready? Augustus, you’re the emperor! You can’t afford to wait for fate to decide your path. You must take control, shape your own destiny.”
Augustus’ stood up walking towards the window, his voice calm but firm. “I said, when I’m ready, Mother. That’s final.”
The tension between them was palpable, the air thick with unspoken words. Queen Mother’s face flushed with annoyance, but she knew her son’s stubbornness all too well. She left the chambers, her mind whirling with schemes to secure Esmeralda’s position as an empress.
Meanwhile, Augustus’ gaze remained fixed on the sky, his thoughts elsewhere. He had been waiting for a sign, a hint that the goddess would change his fate, break the cycle of destiny that seemed to haunt his family. But so far, the gods remained silent, leaving him to ponder his own path.
Astrid entered the chamber and bowed his head “your highness” he said in a firm but respectful tone.
“Summon Esmeralda” he Muttered with no emotions in his voice.
“Yes, your highness” Astrid bowed again and left the chambers.
THE CHOSEN ONE : CHAPTERS 1 – 10
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