Chapter 12: Chapter 12

Zachary’s P.O.V.

I chuckled while strolling towards her terrified form with heavy steps while tracing my bloody sword on the ground.

Finally, I got what I wanted.

′My Angel, my prized possession’

“If I knew that this would make you kowtow this fast, I would have done it at the beginning itself”, I snickered while pointing my sword at the massacre I’ve created. Angel didn’t reply. She was completely silent but her captivating eyes kept spilling endless tears which showed her fear.

I finally stood in front of her. Raising my hands in the air, I wiped out her tears with my fingers before letting out a dry chuckle.

“Why are you crying Princess of Moonland? Are you regretting your decision of falling in love with a beast like me?“, I grinned and abruptly grabbed her left wrist. Diana yelped as I cinctured my arm around her slim waist before flushing her fragile figure towards my toned chest. She immediately grabbed my biceps for support and stared at me with glassy eyes.

My jaw ticked. Her tears, her sobs were now peeving me. Is she regretting her decision? Does our confrontation change her opinion of me? Does her love for me disappear this fast?

My blood boiled just by that mere thought. I cupped her wobbling chin with my fingers making her gasp.

“What happened? Are you repulsed by my touches? Are you feeling disgusted with me?“, I sneered and tightened my grip. Her pupils dilated in fear while her lips started quivering.

“SPEAK DAMMIT!!!”

I shouted on her face but she remained unfazed. I was shocked as I expected her to fight or scream but she barely flinch. Wrapping my both arms around her waist, I pulled her impossibly closer to me and looked straight into her ocean blue eyes.

“The fuck are you doing here? Why did you think that you can leave me in a lurch after promising to stay by my side forever? Your Demon Prince is now the King of Hell. You can’t double-cross the mighty Zachary. You have to be mine whether you like it or not and-”

But before I could lash her further, Diana placed her right palm on my forehead and closed her eyes. I was perplexed but my eyes widened when a golden dazzling flame started oozing from her trembling palm. I was too stunned to react but ignoring my shocked state Diana started gliding her palm all across my broad forehead while murmuring something softly.

“W-What?”

I was about to retort when suddenly I felt myself calming down. The rage and fire that was charring my insides just a few seconds before and was making me lose my mind slowly started fading away. Feeling the softness of her skin, I close my eyes relishing the warmth of her body that was permeating deep inside my core.

“Take his pain away, God. Protect my love please”, Her dulcet tone rang in my ears. My mind involuntarily relaxed and the stiffness of my muscles was slowly waning.

It felt as if I was floating on the clouds. The tranquility of the azure, vast sky with fluffy white balls of cotton swirling in it and the bright sun shining in between like a golden, flamboyant chandelier dangling from a ceiling, was just marvelous. The cold breeze brushed my face making goosebumps all over my body. It feels so serene and good to be free from worries, tensions, responsibilities, and burdens. Like a free bird wandering in the seamless sky with no care for the cruel world that wanted me to dance to his tunes.

It was a divine moment. I have never felt this peaceful before.

Slowly and steadily, I landed on a gigantic white cloud that was soft like fur. I laid down while resting my head on my arms. Staring above, my eyes sparkled with the streaks of orange and red hues that were smeared all over the spotless canvas of the sky giving it a breath-taking view. I closed my eyes, wishing not to wake from this beautiful dream anymore.

End of Zachary’s P.O.V.

Everyone was stunned to see their King who had created a bloodbath just a few moments ago resting on the shoulder of a fragile girl who was not at all afraid of him.

Diana was continuously raking her hands over Zachary’s forehead, head, and hair. The demons were earlier enraged when they saw her performing alchemy on their King and were about to attack her but when they noticed Zachary calming down, they dare not to interfere. And why not, it was for their good. But what amazed them was that their ruthless and demonic King was being cured by a small and innocent girl.

Zachary was completely under Diana’s control. He was in a stupor and was oblivious to everything going on around him. His men saw how his body turned limp. His knees buckled as he was about to faint. They instantly rushed to help him and Diana as they feared Zachary’s bulkier form would crush her but all their worries went down the drain when they saw Zachary sitting on his knees with Diana in his lap. His hands were wrapped tightly around her waist and Diana hook her legs around his waist. Zachary made sure to keep her close and safe even in an unconscious state.

When Diana noticed Zachary staggering, she quickly wrapped her small arms around his neck and rested his head on her left shoulder. And like a child, Zachary also wrapped his arms around her and clung to her like a baby.

Orkus stared at the duo in awe. He couldn’t believe his eyes. The girl didn’t even try to run nor was she horrified by his son’s hideous appearance. Instead, she was focused on simmering him down.

Calix was also shell-shocked and even proud of Diana’s healing powers. The surprising part was that she was too small compared to Zachary but she made sure to keep him secure in her arms. Diana wiped off Zachary’s sweat beads with her bare fingers and was continuously running them through his Auburn hair. She kept kissing his forehead and crown while muttering sweet words in his ears. It was such a beautiful and cute sight to behold. Calix’s eyes filled with happy tears.

Bringing Diana into Hell was too risky. Zachary’s wrath was at its peak and it was too dangerous for her. He was chary of the risks involved in the stunt he pulled but it he was helpless. It was a do-or-die situation. But he didn’t have the slightest idea that she will be able to calm the raging King down.

His lips curved in a soft smile as that moment he could see a perfect wife, lover, and mother in the Princess of Moonland whom he had considered incapable and a frail and bubbly girl who only loves goofing around.

Finding no movement from Zachary, Diana slowly took a peek at him and found him in a deep, peaceful slumber. A small smile etched on her face. She then tilted her head and looked at Calix who nodded getting her signal.

Very cautiously, Calix then detached Diana from Zachary. He wrapped his large wings around him like a shield and vanished in thin air. Diana wiped her tears with the back of her palms and stood quietly on her spot. She knew Calix had taken Zachary back to the mansion but she couldn’t rein in her fears.

She was right now in Hell, a place which she wouldn’t wish to visit even in her dreams. And right now, she was not only in that deadly place but also all alone, in between the demons, defenseless and helpless.

The smell of blood, rotten flesh, smoke, and ashes hit her olfactory bulbs. Diana scrunched her nose in disgust but dare not to cover her nose as she was too terrified of these cannibal creatures. Though she acted tough with Zachary it was only to cure him other than that she was utterly terrified of this ghastly place. Her body was trembling violently as she was like a poor, helpless soul who was caught between bloodthirsty devils who were ogling her with hawk eyes. Calix even left her here and now she has no idea how to leave this place. With a palpitating heart, Diana remains frozen on her spot, praying silently for Calix to take her back.

“Child?”

She instantly shot her head up hearing a soft voice. Geryon was standing in front of her while staring at her with a gentle gaze.

“Come, I will escort you to Zachary’s room,” he made sure to speak as politely as possible. He couldn’t resist helping her after noticing her frightened state. She was like a deer who was caught in the headlights, scanning her surroundings now and then.

Diana looked at him with hesitation. Geryon gave her an assuring smile. She then meekly nodded and simply followed his suit.

Barbas, the greatest wizard of Hell and the royal family’s doctor, was treating Zachary who was lying on the bed, sleeping peacefully. Diana was sitting beside him while holding his right hand. Her sorrowful eyes were mourning silently and cursing herself for her selfishness and stubbornness. On the other hand, Calix was trying to calm Delphyne who was bawling her eyes out. After bandaging his injuries, Barbas finally looked at Orkus who was standing near the bed.

“The King only had a deep cut on his left wrist and chest, nothing else. I have treated his wounds so there is no need to worry.“, he said professionally earning a curt nod from Orkus who was watching everything with a blank gaze. His words instantly brought relief to the souls who were praying for the well-being of their loved ones. Diana’s face instantly lit up like a fresh daisy.

“That’s so good to hear”, she spoke softly making Calix smile.

Barbas tilted his neck towards her. Diana also flashed him a benign smile but her face dropped when her eyes met with his raging ones.

“Who gave you the right to treat our King? How dare you perform witchcraft on him? The reason behind this massive bloodshed is you. It had always been you all. You filthy Angels are always responsible for ruining our lives!! Bloody sick blood, who even brought you here??”

Diana flinched hard at his venomous words and gruff tone. She didn’t expect him to be this vile and harsh to her.

Calix hollered at him, “Stay within your limits, Barbas. Princess has nothing to do with him. I decided to bring the future Queen to our King. So, mind your fucking tongue if you don’t want me to pull it out!!”

His thunderous growl turned Barbas pale. All the blood got drained off his face as soon as his words registered in his mind.

“F-Future Queen? But Prince Calix, she is an Angel-” He instantly zipped his mouth when Calix shot him a death glare.

“Don’t put your nose in matters which don’t require your opinions. Moreover, you should thank your stars that the King is asleep right now otherwise-”

Barbas immediately went down to his knees, “Forgive me, Prince Calix. It was my fault. It won’t happen again.”

He started crying and begging. Calix didn’t say anything further. He only clicked two of his fingers in the air and gestured him to leave. Without wasting time, the poor wizard instantly scurried away.

Diana’s P.O.V.

I was watching everything with shocked expressions. I looked at Calix only to see an arrogant smirk plastered on his handsome face. He was enjoying the supplication of that poor doctor. Though he was way too harsh with me I didn’t answer him back out of deference to his age, experience, and status in the royal family.

They are so different from me. I was currently trapped in a room with unforgiving and imperious people and breathing the same toxic air which was filled with vanity and wealth.

I then turned my head towards Zachary who was in his dreamland. He looked so calm and innocent. No one can tell that he is the same Heartless Devil who had killed thousands of his men just a few hours ago.

My heart turned heavy as my eyes saddened. Calix’s double face changed my opinion. He appeared so sweet to me but it wasn’t his true identity. I couldn’t forget his contemptuous smile when he was enjoying that doctor’s defeated state. He like crushing people under his shoe and rejoices in their fears and cries. The same goes for Zachary. Still, I won’t blame him.

It wasn’t his fault that he is cruel. He was born and brought up in an atmosphere where ruthless and cold-hearted beasts live. Where I know compassion, he loves oppression, where I believe in spreading love, he loves shedding blood, where I learned kindness, he only knows how to sate his madness and stubbornness. But then again, he was only taught this since childhood. I was right, we both are opposites.

I knew that though Zachary is a King inside this implacable mighty King of Hell lives a child who craves love and affection. A child who never got the taste of kindness and selfless love. Who was deprived of a father’s preaching, motherly love, and the protection and fun of siblings? Everyone only saw him as a King, the strongest Demon who will lead their people and bring the entire universe down to its knees. They imposed their dreams on him and ignored what his heart wants.

But today I make a promise to myself. I will change Zachary. And not by force but by the power of love and affection. I will make him understand the worth of selfless love and kindness. I will bring out the soft and gentle side of him.

A leopard can’t change its spots. I know it will be a difficult journey but nothing is impossible. He will resist and fight but I will win his heart.

‘One day, I will change him. And I will never leave his side and will stay with him forever.’

*****