QUEEN OF BABYLON - BOOK ONE

35 - QUEEN OF BABYLON

"Mother!! Father!!!", Nephrite shouted as the chariot conveying her parents rode into the Karel. She raised her Saree and ran down the stairs into her mother's open arms.

"Blessed be the supreme maker!! My precious Jade",her mother queen Narial says crying out of joy. Nephrite also burst into tears seeing her parents once again is all she can ask for.

Her father King Hamsa came out too and hugged his daughter, the little girl who was just a baby yesterday was now known as the King's betroth. The whole world sings of her praises and how she earned the King's favors.

"You must be tired from your journey, you must rest"-Nephrite turns to alias -"quick prepare the best quarters for my parents. You prepare their bath and food for them"- she turns to her man eunuch Gilbert -"send words to the king. Tell him his betroths parents are here"- to her parent -"let's go in and tell me all about the kingdom". They all exit and walk in.

After her parents have being settled into their quarters, nephrite is seen with her mother queen narial as both take a stroll in the gardens talking and arms locked together.

"You seem to love the king",her mother said and nephrite blushed brightly.

"How can you tell?", Nephrite ask with surprise and growing warmth.

Queen Narial laughed. "Because he is all you seem to talk about since have been here",she replied and pat her daughters cheek. "Am so proud of you my child. Am proud of the woman you have become. Being in love is not crime but be sure to get it in return",she advised her daughter who nodded briskly and hug her again.

Nephrite looked up and saw Sybil walking towards them smiling. "Mother meet the chief dual of Babylon Sybil. She helped me from day one",nephrite introduced.

"Blessed be the womb from which the future queen of Babylon was conceived",Sybil say bowing slightly at the other woman who smile and pull her into a tight embrace.

"I am indeed happy to know my daughter has another woman whom i trust",queen Narial says.

Both women spoke for a while before they were interrupted that an important convey has arrived and they were needed.

By the time they would reach the front of the palace yard the king was already there.

A woman dressed in rich suede dress and expensive jewelry that shone from where she stood stepped down from the carriage. She walks to the king whom she embraced, the grandma khan also embrace her.

"Who is that?", Nephrite found herself asking.

"That is Queen Anambika. Ist daughter of Grandma khan, king Nebuchadnezzar father's sister and Queen of Syria",Sybil said. She have always known the late king's sister to be cruel and evil.

She have never for once meant anyone good in the entire kingdom. Its a miracle her kingdom was still prospering.

"Does she pose any threat?",queen Narial ask facing Sybil who shook her. "There's only one way to find out",Sybil replied and left their side.

Queen narial took her daughter's hand and gave it a light squeeze. "You don't have to be scared. Am certain no harm will come your way",she say. Nephrite turns to her mother and smile. For the life of her she was slightly scared of this woman who just arrive Babylon.

This woman who didn't even smile but frown at everyone. For the mean time she was willing to believe her mother and hope for the best.

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Nephrite stood at her vanity and stared at her mirror lost in thought as she roll the engagement bangle bracelet the king had given her on the table. Her mind wander far and wide.