Queen of Persia

Love and Schemes

There he was, sitting on his fancy bed, and there I was, back in his chambers. He had summoned for me to be brought in after the celebration had ended.

He looked up once he felt my presence approach before him.

“Esther,” he smiled, “come closer my queen.”

I swallowed hard at the fact that he had now addressed me as 'his queen.'

“Don't be afraid, come.” he took my hands, pulled me before him, and sat me besides him.

I sheepishly smiled.

“Good evening my king,” I bowed my head.

“You suggested that I request more days.”

I giggled softly, “Well done my Lord. Good move on your part.”

He grinned and placed his warm hands behind my neck, “you are intimidatingly beautiful my queen.”

I smirked, “but I do wish that it was simply not my beauty that flattered the king.”

“No Esther, it is who you are. It took one night to feel soothingly open towards you. I did not feel that way towards any other lady.”

“Well then,” I raised a brow, “I guess I'm all yours.”

“And forever to be,” he grinned, “tell me Esther, is this all you dreamed?”

“Well it's a bit luxurious my king,” I responded, “just tell me that you love me. I want to know that this is all truly real.”

“If it's simply love that you ask for then I apologize to say that that is too little of a request. I am in love with you Esther.”

I smiled, “As am I my lord, but,” I raised a brow, “No one ever mentioned that the king was so soft with words.”

He laughed, “I'm not all that grumpy my queen.”

“Pleasing to hear,” I smacked my lips.

He looked a bit serious now.

“My queen, were you surprised that you were my chosen?”

“Well we all believed that Julianne would be your chosen.”

He chuckled, “Aah Julianne; charming, but there was one problem.”

“And what was that my king?”

He paused, “She wasn't you.”

I felt warm chills inside of me.

“I-”

I was interrupted by pounding on the door.

“Who is it at this time that knocks on my door so fiercely?!” The king spoke irritated by the disturbance.

The guard at the door walked in after presenting himself and being given permission by the king to come in.

“What is it?” the king groaned.

The guard bowed before us, “Good evening my king, my queen.”

“Good evening Gedeon,” I greeted.

“What?” the king scowled.

“You are needed my king.”

“Can't you see I'm busy with my queen?” he raised his voice.

I grabbed his hand to calm him down.

He sighed heavily, “By whom?”

“Lord Mordecai my king.”

“My-my uncle?” I stood up dramatically, “Is all well?”

“I don't know my queen, but he says it's rather urgent.”

The king turned to face me, “Everything is fine my queen. Go back to your chambers. I will see you when sunrise.”

I nodded, but still confused by the matter.

“I'm not aware of what decree I need to write for all of you to stop troubling me after hours,” I heard the king grunt once they were out in the halls.

“I'm very sorry my king,” the guard humbly answered.

I paced back and forth in my chambers. The desperate desire to know the reason Mordecai had an urgent need to see the king kept me from sleeping.

“Are you okay my queen?” my lady in waiting asked as she gently made my bed.

“I'm fine Marie,” I exhaled.

“The bed will be done soon my queen,” she assured, “And then I'll have to take you in to pick your night gown.”

“Marie, sleep and fancy night wears are the least of my worries right now.”

“What can I get for you to help you settle my queen?”

“My lady, I am fine. And stop addressing me as ‘'your queen’ so much.”

She chuckled, “but it is my duty. That is who you are to me.”

“No, you are my friend.”

“Your friend?” she slightly raised her voice, “No! my queen, you are above me. I am your servant.”

“Well I your queen demand you to address me as Esther for once.”

She bowed, “As you wish Esther.”

There was a light knock on my door.

“See who it is,” I demanded as I fell back on my bed.

Marie gently opened the door.

“It is Gedeon, the guard,” she informed.

“Please allow him in,” I stood up rapidly.

Marie opened the door wide for Gedeon to walk in.

“Gedeon,” I called.

“My queen,” he bowed.

“What can I do you for?”

“Lord Mordecai requests to see you my queen.”

“Yes please let him in,” I permitted with relief in my heart.

He bowed.

As he walked out the door, Mordecai stormed in and closed the door behind him.

“Queen of Persia,” he bowed.

“Uncle please get up and tell me what the matter is.” I turned towards Marie, “go get some sleep Marie. It is late at night. I will see you in the morning.”

“But my queen you have yet to change into your nightwear.”

“And I will. Goodnight Marie,” I smiled.

She hesitated to answer back with Mordecai's fierce eyes upon her.

She bowed and made her way through the door at the back of my chambers.

“Uncle,” I turned towards Mordecai, “What's the issue?”

“Queen Esther,” he sighed heavily, “sorry for ruining the celebration for you, but there's something you need to know my dear.”

“What is it Uncle?”

“Esther dear, the king was being plotted against.”

“What?” my eyes wide, “By who? And Why?”

“Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king’s well trusted eunuchs that guard the gate of the palace were angry towards the king and conspired against him. I was sitting at the gates when I overheard them plotting. They planned to kill him tonight.”

I exhaled bitterly, “what did the king do?”

“He investigated the matter if it were true. They will be hanged on the gallows first thing when sunrise. You need to be careful. We do not know the cause of their actions. The same thing can happen to you."