Chapter 26: Chapter 26

Theodore’s P.O.V.

“YOU GOLD-DIGGING BITCH!!! YOU HAVE THE AUDACITY TO PLAY WITH ME??”

A thunderous growl echoed which was enough to shake the entire Angel Tomb, the sanctum where my fate got sealed a few minutes before.

That voice had a blend of anger, and frustration but most importantly pain,

Hurt.

Sadness.

Grief.

It belonged to none other than me, Lord Ernest’s eldest son and the King of the Theo dynasty, for whom love and happiness were only a pipe dream.

The hall which was cheering for their new Queen was now still as dead. The only sound that could be heard was my heavy breathing and her heart-wrenching sobs.

Diana was finally mine. After exchanging the rings when the priest tied our souls with the sacred bond and completed the ceremony, I wasted no time catching a glimpse of my beautiful wife’s face. I gently removed her veil but the moment my eyes landed on her face; I froze.

Thirty minutes before

Being a prince and that too being the apparent heir of a dynasty that had a huge responsibility on its shoulder is not an easy task. My ancestor was Elijah, the ruler of Heaven. Mom and Dad doted me a lot as I resembled a lot of him. After the death of the great Elijah, his son Edric gave up his title as he thought that Heaven doesn’t need a ruler to be governed. The desertion of demons restored the peace and harmony in Heaven and there was no reason for the angels to fear anymore. The angels also supported his decision and since then Theo dynasty are only the protectors of Heaven.

But things started taking an ugly turn when Orkus, the new King of Hell started to breach our world as he wanted to conquer Heaven. He had many times tried to invade the Theo Dynasty as it is the center of Heaven but we always defeated him.

Dad was the King of the Theo dynasty at that time. He was burdened with responsibilities and stress. The rulers of other kingdoms always pressurized him to save Heaven instead of helping him. I was the eldest among my three brothers. Being of no use and simply watching my father skipping meals and bearing people’s rants boiled my blood. Mom and Dad were beleaguered with tensions about saving Heaven and protecting its denizens. Unable to take this anymore, I decided to step in and help them.

I started looking into the matters of the kingdom at the age of 10 and by the time, I reached 18, I was a skilled and a brilliant warrior. Dad himself taught me the tactics and secrets of devils which could help us in bringing them down. When princes of my age were busy dating girls and enjoying their life, I spend my days studying and grasping knowledge, chiseling my mind, and sharpening my skills. My morning began with books and practices and by evening, I would be knocked out cold with bruises embroidered on my worn-out body.

Christian and I used to train together but George was younger so he used to spend his time goofing and playing. I had no problem with that. My life was devoid of fun that’s why I let my brother do whatever he wants to.

Practices and responsibilities became a part of my life. I was only living to achieve the dreams of my father when an angel came into my life.

The first time I saw her was with George, laughing at his jokes. I thought my eyes were tricking me as I was mesmerized by her beauty. Dressed in an elegant green gown, she looked no less than a fairy. Her porcelain skin sparkled under the rays of the sun and her brown locks danced in the air as she threw her head back and laughed wholeheartedly, without any care. The sight left me speechless.

Suddenly George’s eyes landed on his stupid brother who was gawking at his friend like a creep. His lips twisted in a wide smile as he ran to me and dragged me with him to introduce me to his little friend. For the first time in my life, I felt nervous about meeting a girl. But the moment our eyes met; I knew I won’t be myself anymore. My resolve drowned in her ocean orbs and that’s when I named her, my Doll.

Her smile was the most beautiful smile I have ever seen in my life. After our first encounter, I realized that the organ inside my chest not only pumped blood but is also capable of feeling emotions. I didn’t even realize when that Doll claimed my heart and introduced me to a feeling that I always stayed away from.

Love.

I still remember the days when I used to watch her from afar to see her smile, hear her complaining about the teachers, or chuckle at her pranks which she used to play on her friends. I was no longer that cold Theodore who was only a perfect son but turned into a love-sick teen.

Her smile used to make my day. The rage I felt when she talked with other guys, the jealousy that surged in my veins watching her smiling at them started messing with my mind. I could hardly focus and started becoming restless. I tried to resist this foreign feeling to focus on my aim but my heart always conflicted. After a lot of arguments with my heart and mind, I finally admitted my feelings.

I was in love with her.

Diana was like a Goddess, her beauty was breath-taking and her heart was of gold, I knew she would make a perfect match for me but I didn’t have the courage in me to confess. So, I opted for other ways to bring her close to myself. I made sure that no boy except George befriends her. To make my plan successful, I told George the truth and my brother did the rest of my task.

I was on cloud nine when my marriage was fixed with Diana. Finally, the girl who was always on my mind would come into my arms, stay by my side, and hold my hands forever.

Damn!

I was rejoicing in my victory when all of a sudden Orkus’ son demolished my dream palace, crushed my dreams and when I came to know that Diana loved him not me, I was shattered.

That’s when a fire of vengeance erupted in my heart.

A stubbornness.

A desire or rather say a madness.

I wanted Diana, at any cost.

If not by love, let it be force then.

I made my feelings obvious and let everyone know how I feel for her. After the coronation, I wasted no time and declared a war against Moonland. I had decided to siege Moonland and forcefully claim Diana. But the arrival of Ariel and her supporting my plan made things easier for me. I knew Diana would never consent to this but if she doesn’t want to be mine,

Still, she has to be mine.

The moment she entered the church, I felt her opening the gates of my heart. But something felt off.

Her gait looked confident and she looked happy. I was confused a little but saw it as a good sign.

Maybe she accepted her fate?

Well, that was good then. But no sooner did she approach me than her muscles turned stiff. Today I finally got what I wanted but I couldn’t bring myself to be genuinely happy. Diana was on the edge throughout the ceremony. I know she never consented to this but she looked scared.

But she looked happy first? What changed? My brain was giving me warnings as Diana did look suspicious but I decided to brush off those feelings and concentrated on the ceremony.

But the moment the veil was off, the curtains fell leaving everyone shocked. I noticed a thick blanket of white smoke rising in the air. Frowning I look up but my eyes widened when I saw everyone jerking on their spot as if they gained consciousness. That’s when it dawned on me.

We all were put in a trance.

End of Diana’s P.O.V.

Back to the present

Jasmine was lying on the floor with her silky locks sprawled all over her face while her tears kept drenching the silk carpet. Pressing her elbows on the floor, she somehow tried to sit up while staring at Theodore who was bristling with rage.

Jasmine was dreading the outcomes of her stubbornness but it was too late to regret it. Theodore did marry her thinking of her as Diana but as soon as he opened her veil, the spell collapsed and so did her dreams. Everyone was stunned to see her in place of Diana and sadly, Jasmine had to bear the brunt of everyone’s anger and hatred.

“Theo, you can’t treat your wife like this. Don’t forget she is our Queen now,” Catherine, Christian’s wife shouted as she rushed towards Jasmine and embraced her tightly.

Theodore shook with anger as he was already enraged with Diana’s betrayal and Catherine’s words only rubbed salts on his wounds, “SHE IS NO FUCKING QUEEN!! THIS TRASH CAN NEVER BE THE QUEEN OF MY REALM!! AND YOU-”

He then shot a glare towards the priest who immediately started trembling like a leaf.

“Break that sacred bond now, I don’t accept her as my wife,” he gritted. The priest looked at him in shock.

“You can’t do that, Your Majesty. You took vows in front of the Almighty. Once the marriage is done, we can’t undo the rituals as it will be an insult to the Lord,” he tried to make the hard-headed king understand.

“She has tricked us, Father. Why would my brother take her responsibility? We would never accept her as our Queen,” George seethed and came in support of his brother.

Christian narrowed his eyes at him, “What’s done has been done, George. We should accept it instead of creating a scene. Theo, I know you’re upset but you should accept Jasmine-”

“I WILL KILL HER BEFORE ACCEPTING HER AS MY WIFE!! SHE ISN’T MY WIFE, NEITHER SHE WAS NOR SHE EVER WILL BE. The law to follow the sacred bond was made by our ancestors right then I invalidate it right now, I can do that and no one has the power to go against me,” Theodore roared, his voice trembling in anger.

Jasmine blanched in horror when Theodore withdrew his silver sword from the sheath and strode towards her like a predator.

“Your Majesty, please you can’t do this in a church,” the priest yelled and tried to stop him but he was dragged back by the guards.

“You dare trick me now be ready to visit Hell,” Theodore spoke with clenched teeth while advancing towards a sobbing Jasmine.

He was only seeing red at the moment. Diana’s betrayal had taken a toll on his sanity. He was deceived not once but twice; his heart was broken by the same girl who made him understand the meaning of love. His wounded heart which was bleeding and grieving for her betrayal a few minutes ago was now craving blood. Blood of those who again separated him from his doll. And right now, his biggest enemy was none other than Jasmine, his wife.

Catherine shielded Jasmine with her arms while Christian leaped on Theodore to stop him. But Theodore pushed him away and towered over both the ladies.

“Once I kill you, I am going to marry Diana, my rightful wife. No law can force Theodore to do anything without his will”, he grated out.

Jasmine’s eyes turned blurry when Theodore mentioned Diana as his rightful wife. No words could describe the amount of pain she was feeling right now. She knew he wouldn’t accept her this easily but she didn’t know that he would kill her to get Diana back.

Theodore raised his word in the air to behead Jasmine. She let out a horrifying shriek and quickly shielded her face with her arms when all of a sudden someone snatched the sword from his hand and threw it on the ground. Theodore immediately turned to the left to see the culprit who dare to stop the King.

But before he could open his mouth to rain him with profanities, his face was turned to the right as a loud smacking sound echoed making everyone gasp in shock.

“You may be the king but you have no right to kill the Queen of the Theo Dynasty, son.”

*****