QUEEN OF BABYLON - BOOK ONE

7~QUEEN OF BABYLON

Melanie threw the purse down furiously, "Who is she? What does she think she have done by coming here?" she asked herself loudly.

Her maid lope picks up the purse. "My Lady you shouldn't be furious the king gave you a purse meaning he wants you to stay. What will you have done if gave you a scarf?" Lope asked.

Melanie stopped pacing and thought about what her maid said, she still has a chance of being the Queen. All she needs to do is get rid of Nephrite.

Nephrite couldn't believe it, the king gave her a flower. She expected nothing but a sign that she has to leave. She took the flower and placed it in a vase near her window. Nephrite was lost in thoughts as Sybil entered.

Sybil went straight to her and gave her a hug. " I am so proud of you the king was stunned the whole palace was at your presentation." Sybil said.

"I was shocked myself I didn't expect the king to acknowledge me, I was surprise" Nephrite said going over the events again. The two women fell into discussion.

They were both interrupted when an eunuch called Dokman came in. "You are being summoned in the Harlan" he said. Sybil nodded and excused herself, she followed the eunuch out.

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Sybil entered the Harlan and was shocked to find a woman standing near the throne.

"Avanti!" she said. The late Queen's elder sister.

"Sybil! You haven't aged a bit!" Avanti.

"And neither have you" Sybil said with regrets. What will Avanti be doing here, the queen sister left after her death. She was empress dowager of Persia, why is she here now.

"I will go straight to why I am here, I heard my nephew Nebuchadnezzar is seeking a bride" Empress Avanti said.

"And we are doing all we can to help find the best" chief Royal Dual of the late queen said.

"Well I suppose no maiden have been found yet or wait! He gave flowers to that median trench" Empress Avanti said.

"The king have the right to choose who he wants and why are you opposing the median princess?" Sybil ask.

"Oh no worries now Royal dual. But I am here now" Empress Avanti said and walked out.

Sybil knew there and then that there was trouble. Avanti will stop at nothing but to get the king to choose the maiden she propose. Something had to be done......

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Sybil was in her chambers thinking about yesterday confrontation with Empress Avanti. Why is she really here? What does she want? The queen is died why is she here again. She was lost in though when her doors opened and a girl rushed in.

"Aunt Sybil! Aunt Sybil? Where are you?" the voice asked. Sybil recognized the voice and stood up immediately.

"Atalanta, my sweet child" Sybil says with her arms stretched wide. The younger girl rushed into her arms.

"Its so lovely to see you again aunt Sybil" Atalanta said.

"You are now more beautiful than ever" Sybil said as the girl twirl round so she can see her dress. "I have many stories to tell you" Atlanta said and both sat down and went down memory lanes.

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GRAND JADEITE PALACE, EMERALD CITY