The golden sun of Marduk pass gracefully over Babylon revealing a new day and break of dawn. Every creature on earth felt refreshed and alive as they went about their business briskly and cheerfully.
A month already passed since the king's illness and it was already forgotten.
The regal princess of Babylon sat in her antechambers staring at the gift Asjink gave her on her birthday before he died. What she love was the face of Krishna Kumar and goddess sita on it.
She ran her hand on it repeatedly lost in thoughts. Something is definitely wrong what did asjink find that Taoflat wanted him dead.
The king is in danger? How? Why? Who wants him dead? She's missing something and she knew it but what??
Nephrite ran her hand on edge absentmindedly and it made a sound. She sat up and tried tracing the sound and surprisingly it cracked open.
She pull the lid off and in it were the cutest creature she has ever seen. Baby coyotes. Nephrite gasp as the creature scrawl, they looked scrawny and thin. She was certain they starving.
"Alias! Lada! Lilith!!!!! Anybody there!!!"she called not taking her eyes off the thin creature.
They all rush in. "What is it,mother?"lada asked with concern.
Nephrite point at the coyote smiling. "What are they?"Lilith ask wanting to rub them.
"Coyotes. Rare and hard to find in this region. Your father gifted them to me on my birthday"nephrite explains she turn to alias "get meat and water. Fast!!". Alias runs out as lada sat down.
"They look hungry"she said watching as they struggle to move about.
"That's because they haven't eaten! If they have they won't look hungry!"Lilith reminded.
"How do we tell each one apart?"lada ask again touching nephrite hands. "How will she know,lada?"Lilith ask again irritated at her twin naïve nature.
"I was not referring to you!"lada shouted facing her sister. "Well I chose to answer!"Lilith retort.
"Girls? Stop fighting"nephrite say not looking at any. Lilith stuck her tongue at lada who frown. "Mother????"she whines.
"Lilith! Leave your sister alone!"nephrite warns. Lada smirks and face the animals as alias rush in. She place the meat on the table. Nephrite pick up a chunk and fed the animals. They gobble it fast wanting more.
Nephrite laugh as she kept feeding them.
"What will you name them?"Lilith ask admiring the creatures. Nephrite smile and was about to respond when sigma rushed in, she knelt.
"Your highness! The maidens are asked to cook for the king and as we speak are on their way to him"sigma reported.
Nephrite stands up. "Why am I just informed now???"she ask placing the fox in the box as they were asleep now. She rush out with them behind her.
Nephrite arrived at the kitchen, she met Melanie coming out with her retinue behind her. Melanie smirks. Their retinue bows.
"You look like you were chased"Melanie note. Nephrite ignores her and made to pass but Melanie blocked her.
"Get out of my way"nephrite growls. "And why should I?"Melanie snicker "you want to cook?? Can you even cook???"she asked.
"For the sake of Marduk Melanie out of my way!!"nephrite warns.
"Please your highness"lada begs.
"Oh isn't the bastard children of the traitor????"Melanie laughed.
"Melanie!!! I will not have you speak to my wards that way!"Nephrite warned. Melanie laughs again.
"Why do I always find it amusing?? You name bastards as your wards? How pathetic!".she say.
Nephrite move to hit her but stopped, she pushed Melanie out of the way and hurried to the kitchen.
"Good luck with your cookings!!!"Melanie calls after her laughing wickedly as she left.
Nephrite made to open the doors but it won't open. "Quick! Check for any open doors"she commands and they all ran to check.
Minutes later they returned telling her how all doors has been locked. This can't be happening to her! Not now! Melanie will surely pay.
"What will you do now your grace?"sigma ask worried.
"The king can you dismissed if you don't show up"Lilith adds. Her mother can't afford to fail! Not now!
Nephrite stood confuse. What will she do? She can't fail! Lilith is right the king Will dismiss her if she don't come. She looked around until her eyes fell on some fruits hanging off their branches. She knows what to do.
Her mother told her when there's life there's a way and now that is the way.
"Quick help me gather fruit. The ripest only"she instruct, they didn't question but did as told. Sigma went to check the doors and found one open, she rushed back. "Your highness! An open door!"she announce.
They up as many fruit and rush inside the kitchen. Nephrite dump the fruits on the table.
"They even locked the storage!"lada scoff pulling a door knob. "Cruel!'alias agrees.
Nephrite grabbed a big bowl and poured the fruits in, she washed it carefully then rinsed it before cutting them in cubes. She took another glass jar and pour the fruit in it before adding honey on it. Then she grind the fruit into juice and pour it in a cup, she place it beside the fruit.
Grabbed a white cover and carried it out praying the gods help her.
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Emerald celestial city, jade palace. BABYLON
In the great dinning hall designed to the fullest with the finest of gold and precious stones where the great king of Babylon dines.
Beside the king sat the khan, the chief dual and the empress dressed in finest purples.
The king sat at the table bored, he really dont know why he was seated here. it was his aunt idea to have the maidens prepare food for him.
Not like he cared about them or what they were doing he just wanted to see his heart beat. NEPHRITE.........
King Nebuchadnezzar stared at the woman before him and frown before glancing at the food. Why can't she be natural?
She looked fake! His feet were on the table as he as went down on the recipe or whatever she called her dish.
"Out!"he say in a calm Voice. The maiden near tears packed up and rushed out.
Without any care in the world Nebuchadnezzar huff and roll his eyes as the next person walked in with confidence. Peacock.
"Great one your meal is served"she said smiling. Nebuchadnezzar looked down at the food then back at her, Melanie went on to explain. Nebuchadnezzar yawned out of boredom, the food looked nice but he was not willingly to find out or even taste it.
He was not judging by the look of the food but with the maiden, he wanted something different, he ate exotic dishes from the best cooks in the world everyday but he want something different more natural and special.
Then his mind went to his heart again.
Where's Nephrite???????
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YOU ARE READING
QUEEN OF BABYLON - BOOK ONE
Historical FictionQueen of Babylon, about a strong woman who must possess all the skills of a leader. A woman who must have the will, power and authority to Tame the greatest king who ever ruled, and to manage the great kingdom of Babylon to prevent it ruin.....
