Chapter 32: Chapter 32

Inside Theo’s Palace

Fisting her green gown, Jasmine slowly descended the stairs and ambled to the kitchen with precarious steps.

Things had been only worsening since the day she became a member of the royal family. Though her in-laws, Christian and Christina care for her, the enmity between George and her has still not ended yet. He wouldn’t spare a minute ridiculing her. He would ignore her presence in front of everyone but whenever their paths crossed, he would load her with buckets of taunts, threats, and the things which would be enough to kill her alive.

As for Theodore, he completely ignores her existence. They both hadn’t spoken a word, Jasmine because of her fear and Theodore ’cause he can’t stand her for a second. The thing which annoyed him the most was his parents fawning all over a girl who tricked their son into marriage.

But with passing days, Jasmine realized that she has to break this wall between them. For how long will this continue? Maybe if she tries to please him or make a move to win his heart, he would melt and accept her. That’s why she asked for Christina’s help and got a piece of advice which was to cook his favorite dish. A blueberry cheesecake.

Jasmine stood nervously at the entrance and waited for getting noticed. The cooks first looked at each other confused and then shifted their eyes on her who was busy fiddling with her fingers.

Suddenly a portly man with an aquiline nose and gray eyes approached her. Flashing a soft smile, he spoke, “Your Majesty, I am Fabian, the butler of the royal family. May I help you with something?”

Jasmine nodded, “Uhmm, I just wanted to make something for the King? Can you help me with that?”

Her words startled everyone present there but soon their faces beamed with joy.

“Sure, your Majesty. It will be our pleasure,” Fabian chirped and guided Jasmine inside the kitchen.

Time skips

Theodore’s P.O.V.

“Good morning, Theo”, Christina greeted me. I simply nodded and looked at my parents who were also watching me with glowing faces.

‘What’s with this happy mood?’

Ignoring their creepy smiles, I bowed to them before taking my seat which was the head seat. My father had passed me all his responsibilities which also included the authority and power I hold in the house. Though I had the right to cancel my marriage and kick that pesky peasant out of my life, my father’s commands bind me. He is still the decision-maker of this house and I wished to keep it this whole life but now I am starting to regret my decision.

I have been ignoring that girl for a week. It was one of my ways of punishing her. Maybe if I ignore that attention seeker, she would realize how much damage she has done to me. George was strictly against this idea but I don’t have the heart to hurt my parents knowing that they have already become great fans of Jasmine.

‘But what I didn’t know was that I had to rethink my decision so soon.’

Saying the Grace, I picked up my fork and was about to dig in when my mother stopped me.

“Theo, you need to taste this first”, she exclaimed while passing me a plate of blueberry cheesecake. My eyes widened in shock but slowly a small smile etched on my lips. It was my favorite.

“Thanks, mother, it looks delicious,” I said while taking the plate gently from her hands.

My mouth watered just by looking at it. I wonder how heavenly would it taste?

It was made exactly the same way I like. Nuts topping with extra blueberry sauce and whipped cream.

I immediately picked up the knife and sliced it in half. Jabbing the fork, I shoved a large piece in my mouth. But the moment, it touched my taste buds, I froze.

‘This was made by Jasmine.’

Gulping down my rage, I peered at my mother who was waiting for me to sing praises of her daughter-in-law. She tricked me again.

Lifting my head, I scanned the dining area when my eyes collided with the shaking hazel ones who were watching me from afar with anticipation.

‘So, this witch won’t stop seducing me. I am done now.’

I avoided this girl for a whole week like a ghost. The reason how I got to know that she made this cake was again because of that sacred bond. After the soul unites the two angels, they can feel every emotion, guess every move, and can even read each other’s minds. It is like living in different bodies but with one soul.

And that’s what happened to me. Her smell and the fake love she poured into this dish were evident in the morsel which I pushed down my throat forcefully.

Enough is enough. She has no idea with whom she’s messing.

It’s time for payback.

I immediately softened my gaze and flashed her a smile.

“Come here, love.”

End of Theodore’s P.O.V.

Everyone froze in their spots after hearing the three magical words that slipped from the King’s mouth. Jasmine almost fainted when she heard that endearment.

Love?

Christina smirked. She looked at her and enthused, “Jasmine, come, join us.”

As if pulled from back the reverie, Jasmine blinked her eyes multiple times before giving her a nod.

Her silver heels clink across the shining marble floor as she entered the dining room. Her gaze was down all the time as she could feel Theodore’s heated gaze on her. It made her happy yet nervous at the same time. She has no idea why he called her that but she couldn’t ignore the wild thumping of her heartbeat that was celebrating her first victory blissfully.

Reina’s heart swell and she couldn’t stop herself from cheering her, “Yeah come, child. See, my Theo liked your cake so much. You know son, she made it herself without any help. She was too meticulous and is a complete perfectionist when it comes to cooking. She double-checked the cake twice as she didn’t want to disappoint you or compromise with your taste.”

She continued praising her culinary skills. Theodore smirked at her mother’s futile attempts and kept glaring at Jasmine who blushed shades of red. Reaching there, Jasmine first bowed at her in-laws earning a nod. She then scraped the chair back which was next to Theodore and was about to settle down when he abruptly stopped her.

“Not their darling”

Her heart skipped multiple beats. She was nonplussed as to why he was being so affectionate? Still, she didn’t say anything and waited for him to complete but the moment he did, she paled in shock.

“On my lap.”

His words stunned everyone to the point they stopped breathing.

George spat the steak on his plate while Christina choked on her food. Reina and Ernest stilled in their places while Christian’s eyes almost bulged out of his sockets. But Theodore completely ignored them, his eyes were fixed on Jasmine.

“Didn’t you hear me, wifey? Come here, right now.”

His sonorous voice abruptly turned stern while his eyes turned hard when she didn’t budge. Jasmine internally flinched when she saw his features darkening. Glancing at Reina for help, she again looked at Theodore but her heart almost stopped when she saw him flare.

“The one thing I hate the most is people making me wait.” Theodore gritted increasing her anxiety.

Any woman would love it if her husband tries these sugarcoated words on her but for Jasmine, it was like trapped between Scylla and Charybdis. She for sure wanted Theodore to accept her but not this way. It would be embarrassing for her to sit on her husband’s lap in front of his whole family.

Christina sensed her discomfort and let out a nervous chuckle to ease the tension lingering in the air, “Theo, I think you shouldn’t-“

“I am saying the last time, COME HERE!!”

Jasmine jumped when Theodore roared thunderously. She immediately scurried to him and without thinking twice plopped on his lap.

The royal family gasped in shock.

Ernest immediately pushed the chair harshly making it land on the floor with a loud thump and stormed away from there in rage. He was utterly disgusted. Christian narrowed his eyes at Theodore but before he could lash at him, Reina beat him to it. But what shocked him was that her anger was directed towards Jasmine who was trembling in Theodore’s lap.

“YOU SHAMELESS GIRL!! DO YOU EVEN HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT HAVE YOU DONE??”

Jasmine snapped her neck towards a seething Reina and shot him a puzzled look. She vigorously shook her head in denial and opened her mouth to say something but was stopped when she felt an arm snaking around her waist. Gulping nervously, she looked down and then back at Theodore. But her eyes popped out when the corner of his lips tugged upwards.

Her eyes widened in realization. Theodore smirked at her but within a blink of an eye, he turned his expressions rueful and looked at Reina. Letting out a deep sigh, he spoke “Exactly Mother. At least she should have denied me out of deference to you guys but no. She is so desperate to please me.”

Her jaw dropped. Jasmine was flabbergasted. Never in her wildest dreams, she had thought that his reticent and well-mannered Theo could be this evil.

She again tried to defend herself but was cut off by George who also came in support of his brother.

“Such an ill-mannered woman. Hey you, maybe your mother used to serve your father on his lap but this sort of behavior is highly unacceptable in the royal family. Our precepts and traditions are based on principles, morals, and cultures unlike you, promiscuous woman.”

His words made Jasmine blow her top. Pushing Theodore away, she jumped on her feet before yelling at George who was glaring at her with resentment.

“HOW DARE YOU!! WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE TO TALK SHIT ABOUT MY PARENTS!!”

“AND HOW DARE YOU RAISE YOUR VOICE AND CURSE IN FRONT OF ME!!”

Reina shouted back turning her silent.

“The women of our family don’t raise their voice or scream like uncivilized grassroots. I know that you belong to a poor family but still, we accepted you after seeing your dedication towards Theodore. But that doesn’t mean that you would disrespect us. Theodore was only testing you but you should have used your mind. I know you don’t have a mother to teach you the basic manners but your sister is highly cultured and well-mannered. That’s why she was friends with Diana. Didn’t she teach you some? Jasmine, just because you’re the Queen that doesn’t give you the right to perform such depraved acts.”

Jasmine looked at her in disbelief. They were turning everything on her.

Christina tried to defend Jasmine but her voice was suppressed by George’s blare.

“EXACTLY!!! I already told you that she’s only here to siphon off our wealth nothing else. I hope Dad reconsiders his decision so that we can get our rightful Queen back.”

His vicious words broke her. Jasmine lowered her head while her mother-in-law and brother-in-law continued berating her, slicing her innocent heart with poisonous blades. Tears pooled in her hazel orbs which slowly started dripping down her rosy cheeks. She won’t deny that she liked when Theodore called her like that but what she failed to notice was that it was only an attempt to humiliate her.

She was thirsty, thirsty for his love and affection and that cunning man simply took advantage of her lovesickness and made her a standing joke.

Theodore looked at Jasmine who was crying her eyes out. Reina and George after unleashing their anger stormed away not before passing her a glare. Christina immediately ran to Jasmine but before she could console her, Jasmine ran away from there.

She then turned to Theodore who was watching her retreating figure with contentment.

“I know you did this on purpose. What’s the matter with you, Theo?”, she grated out, completely pissed with his heartful act.

“Consider it as a warning.”

He answered in his deep voice turning her speechless.

‘Did he know that it was her who gave Jasmine the idea to woo his heart?’

Christina gulped and her expression morphed into fear when she looked into his fiery eyes.

“I-I just.. Theo, you need to understand her feelings,” she pleaded, her green eyes turning watery when Jasmine’s innocent face that only craved his love and attention flashed in her mind.

But Theodore wasn’t fazed a bit. It was as if he had turned into a stone.

He looked at her with piercing eyes before speaking with a clenched jaw, “I don’t need people’s opinions or their advice on how to live my marriage life. You are responsible for whatever happened today with Jasmine. And if you don’t want a repeat of today’s episode, better stop interfering in my matters.”

Christina was stunned by his harsh tone. But Theodore merely blinking at her disappointed face turned his heels and exited the hall while smiling triumphally.