Chapter 59: Chapter 59

Inside Theo’s Palace

“OPEN THE DOOR THEODORE, I AM WARNING YOU!!! YOU CAN’T CAGE ME HERE!!!!”

Diana screamed at the top of her lungs while banging on the mahogany door with the silver chains that were wrapped around her wrists.

“I WILL NEVER BECOME YOURS!! YOU HEAR ME? LET ME GO MONSTER OR ELSE I WILL KILL YOU!!!”

The metals clank against each other making a loud noise as she repeatedly hit the door with all her force.

As expected, Theodore brought Diana to his kingdom. He didn’t mind using force as he had already decided to deal with her heavy-handedly. But what surprised him was the silver chains dangling from her wrists. He tried to cut them off but they were unbreakable. Later he came to know from Reina that these chains have been put up on Diana by Zachary and can be only broken by Vincenzo. This thing didn’t settle well with him. Anger and jealousy soared in his heart that set him up on a new mission which was to destroy all memories of Zachary so that Diana becomes only his. After locking Diana in his room, he didn’t waste a second and left for the Oregon Kingdom to meet his uncle Vincenzo.

On the other hand, Theodore’s parents were on cloud nine after they found out that their son had finally got his hands on Diana. Reina even started the wedding preparations after all that’s what she had always wished for. But Christian and Christina were completely against their decision, especially Christina. She considered Jasmine her sister. When she came to know that Theodore threw Jasmine out of the palace without even letting anyone know, her concern for Theodore turned into revulsion. She instantly left the Theo Dynasty to look for Jasmine. Christian, on the other hand, was ashamed of his eldest brother’s heartless deed. He decided to talk to Theodore regarding this but he had already left the kingdom by then.

Meanwhile, the youngest prince was living with his pain. Unfazed by the tumultuous going on in the palace, he preferred to lock himself up in the room as Theodore’s betrayal had left a deep scar on his heart. He was unable to overcome it so he decided to estrange himself from the outer world.

“P-Please let me go. I am tired.”

Diana croaked and slumped to the floor. Her throat had turned parched from screaming for so long. Wearied and depressed, she curled up into a ball and buried her face in her knees.

“I-If only you wouldn’t have toyed me, Zac, things would have been different today.”

Tears were running down her cheeks like an endless waterfall. Theodore took away her weapons because he knew she would attack him. Her magical powers had also turned futile as Theodore was much stronger and so was his family. Moreover, the Theo Palace was draped with an iron-clad, tutelary shield that was almost impossible to break. The Queen of Hell was caged in the golden castle and with time, she was slowly losing hope of freedom.

Diana squeaked and instantly moved away from the door when she heard a thud from the other side. Collecting her gown, she stood up and moved back. Her senses went on high alert.

‘Please don’t be him

With a bated breath, she mentally prepared herself to confront the monster but to her relief, it came out to be Reina who was smiling at her softly. But her smile faded away when her eyes fell on her bruised hands.

“Oh no, what are you doing Princess?” Reina exclaimed in worry. Her gaze then landed on the blood stains that were smeared all over the floor.

“Stop hurting yourself, Diana. We will get rid of these chains soon.” She said and took her bloodied hands in hers. She thought that maybe the Princess was raging because of the restraints on her hands. Reina then gently ran her fingers over her wounds and in no time, they disappeared leaving no scars behind.

But what shocked her was Diana’s supple, shimmery, porcelain skin. The silver chains on her wrists looked so ethereal. They resembled a piece of jewelry. Her lips stretched in a wide smile as she kept running her fingers on her arms. She was being too gentle and cautious fearing she might hurt her.

“Your man had gone to call Vincenzo. He would soon help you get rid of these chains.” Reina said and looked at Diana only to find her glaring at her.

“He isn’t my man. I am already married to Zachary. He is my husband and I love him. Stop with this nonsense.” She snapped at her and yanked away from her hold.

“Tut Diana. Don’t speak this way to your mother-in-law. I can understand your pain. How hard it had been for you to survive in those hideous surroundings. I can see that the infernal powers had overpowered your senses and corrupted your mind but don’t worry. Now, you’re in safe hands. I have promised my son that I would soon cure his wife. I will revert you to your original self. Trust me.” Reina explained to her while caressing her face.

Diana was nonplussed, “What do you mean by ‘original self? I am completely fine. It’s you and your sick son who are in dire need of help. Go and get yourselves treated.”

Reina bit her cheek. She was slowly losing her temper. But for his son’s happiness, she was ready to bite the bullet. Giving Diana a fake smile, Reina held her hands and took her to the lavish sofa. Making her sit there, she then picked up the glass of water that was kept on the table.

“Here”, she said while handing her the glass but Diana didn’t accept it. No way she would accept anything from her after knowing about her wicked plans.

Reina chuckled as she read her face, “It’s just water, Diana. You still don’t believe me? Fine then. Allow me to clear your suspicion.”

Her saccharine words made Diana retch. Reina then grabbed another glass. Diana watched her keenly as she drank the water to prove her innocence.

“Happy? Now drink it.”

Reina again forwarded her the glass. Her eyes were all the time staring at her flawless and glowing face. Diana though was in a disheveled state, her beauty still had no match. Her pink lips, small face, and large blue eyes looked so appealing that even her anger made her look adorable.

Reina kept staring at her fondly but her smile dropped when her eyes met with her bloodshot ones.

Frustrated, Diana craned her neck up and shot her a teary glare, “Why are you forcing me to marry Theodore when you know I don’t have feelings for him? Why can’t he just accept a simple fact? He created havoc when he was forced into a loveless marriage. You all even supported him at that time because it was an injustice in your eyes. But now when your son is doing the same to a married woman, you’re approving it and even encouraging him. Why? Just because he is the king of the most powerful kingdom of Heaven.”

“No, because you’re an Angel and you should be wedded to an Angel only.”

Theodore spoke gravelly as he stepped into the room. His heart skipped a beat when their eyes met. Diana still had that effect on him. But his jaw ticked when she turned her face from him as if his presence revolted her.

A man with salt-and-pepper hair and amber eyes that were hidden behind his round glasses also entered the room alongside Theodore. Reina immediately rushed to greet him as he was none other than Vincenzo.

“So great to see you, Vincenzo. Please help my daughter-in-law.” She requested him but was puzzled when he scoffed at her words.

“You mean this woman.” He spoke while pointing his index finger towards Diana. Diana also looked at him as his gibe didn’t go unnoticed by her.

Vincenzo then passed through Reina and started walking towards Diana, “How can you let a girl who had come from Hell, lived with a Demon, and drank their unholy water marry your son, Queen? This tainted, promiscuous, blasphemous which is a disgrace to our world. She doesn’t even deserve the future King of Heaven.” He spoke, and his pitch rose an octave by the time he approached her. Reina gasped as Vincenzo started to shake in anger but Diana stayed calm.

His words threw Theodore off the edge. Clenching his fists, he marched towards Vincenzo and was about to retaliate but was beaten by Diana who let out a plain chuckle, “Future King of Heaven? Are you sure about that ’cause I don’t see any qualities of a true leader in this man,” she snickered while sizing Theodore up and down.

Reina and Theodore were dumbfounded by her response.

Diana continued ridiculing him, “If I am tainted then what’s your opinion about this characterless and reprobate person who even after having a wife is holding a married woman captive and worst, forcing her to marry him? Isn’t that a disgraceful and impious act in your eyes or you’re deliberately condoning this? After all, no sane person would approve this unless and until he is being rewarded by Lord Ernest’s depraved and retarded son.” She spat while looking straight into his eyes.

“ENOUGH!!!”

Theodore growled and pounced on Diana like a raging bull. Grabbing her neck, he threw her on the wall which shocked both Vincenzo and Reina.

Diana moaned in pain; all the air was knocked out of her lungs as she didn’t expect that he would be violent to her. She had always thought of him as a gentleman but he was far being from gentle.

Diana tried to pry his hand which was suffocating him to death but Theodore only tightened his grip, his red-rimmed eyes were blazing with fire.

“THEO? HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?” Reina rushed to him and tried to pull him back but Theodore jerked her off. He was only seeing red. Diana’s brutal words had sliced his heart into two.

“Leave me, Mom. Enough is enough. This girl is taking me too easily. You don’t have an idea who the real Theodore is, Doll. You keep messing with me, infuriating me, pushing me off my limits. You are standing right in front of me and have the temerity to swear at me? You must have a death wish, don’t you?” He grounded his teeth and with a harsh tug, pulled her closer to himself making her bump into his chest. Diana let out a yelp and grabbed his shoulders for support.

“The thing which I hate the most is disrespect. I love you but that doesn’t give you the right to disobey me.” He sneered at her face. Diana bit her lips and looked at him. His gaze softened a little when they met with her teary blue ones. Realization struck him hard.

He was choking her.

Theodore mentally cursed himself for hurting her but still, he schooled his expression calm, reminding himself that it was all her fault. He was the future leader of Heaven and his wife embarrassed him in front of everyone. He can’t let this slide, no matter what.

‘She needs to learn.’

Diana was horrified. She had never witnessed this side of him ever. Her chin wobbled when Theodore shot her a black look and cupped her chin.

“I never pegged you as a brat. You are spoiled and I intend to change that. You need to be trained and get your mind straightened. But firstly, we need to get rid of them, Uncle Vincenzo”

His strident voice alerted Vincenzo who immediately handed him the sword that was bathed in a golden liquid. Diana kept staring at the sword in awe but she screamed in fright when Theodore abruptly raised the sword in the air and with one swift motion, cut the chains.

“Thank Lord.” Reina chirped and embraced Diana in her arms who almost stumbled to the ground. After disenthralling the Princess, Theodore threw the sword away and walked towards Diana who was shivering like a leaf. He tried to hold her but Diana swatted his hands.

Shooting him a resentful glare, she continued moving back trying to hide from his hawk eyes.

“D-Don’t you dare come near or touch me. Stay back.”

She kept chanting, her lips trembled and her pupils dilated in fear. His bestial acts had terrified her to her core. Never in her dreams, Diana had imagined Theodore to be this vile. He almost killed her yet there was no sign of remorse on his face.

Theodore kept staring at her, silently studying her expression. His chest tightened when he took in her disheveled state. Swollen wide eyes, red button nose, quivering lips, dampened pink cheeks, and unruly hair. He had scared her too much.

Theodore felt guilty. He had no intention to do so but Diana’s continuous denial triggered his last nerve.

Diana was breathing heavily; she opened her mouth to speak only to choke on her tears. She was startled when Theodore approached her within two long strides. She immediately cowered back and shielded herself with her arms. A scream left her mouth when he grabbed her dainty arms in his callous hands and peel them off her face.

“N-No please.”

“Quiet.”

Theodore hollered and pinioned her arms against the wall and looked into her glossy cerulean eyes.

“Don’t piss me off, Diana. You’ve always jilted me, disregarded my feelings, and disrespected my love for you but not this time. You are born to be my Doll, get this thing straight in your head.” He rasped.

Diana shook her head stubbornly and retorted, “I never jilted you. Your love is one-sided, I never had any romantic feelings for you. You can’t force your love on me or punish me for not accepting your madness. I only love Zac. Why can’t you-”

“SHUT UP!!!”

She jumped when he growled at her face like a wounded animal. Her heart almost leaped out of her ribcage when Theodore placed his index finger on her chapped lips and shot her a murderous look.

“Not a word.” He grated out. Diana was too frightened to fight back as his face had turned red with anger.

Theodore then leaned forward which automatically made her close her eyes. Disgust crawled in her system when she felt his hot breath fanning her lips.

“Even if my love is one-sided, even if you don’t love me, even if it is my stubbornness still you have to marry me.”

Her eyes shot open.

He was mad.

Theodore read her mind as he voiced her thoughts next, “Yes I am but my decision is final. I have cared enough about everyone and lived with everyone’s expectations. Not anymore. It’s time to think about my happiness which lies in you. You have to be mine because I desire you. You have to be my woman because I am obsessed with you. I promise you that I will give you so much love that would compel you to forget about that bloodthirsty monster. You will be my wife, the mother of my children, the daughter-in-law of the Theo family, and the Queen of the Theo Dynasty. This is your destiny and the sooner you accept, the better it will end for you.”

Saying that he moved away from her. Diana couldn’t maintain her balance and sat on the floor with a thump.

Raking his fingers through his tousled hair, Theodore then looked at Reina who seemed satisfied with his behavior.

“Mom, make sure she eats and discipline her. Fasten the wedding preparations, I don’t want any delay. Tell Christian to invite the nobles of all the kingdoms. I want to show everyone that Diana is my wife.” He spoke in an imperative tone; his eyes were cold as ice.

Reina immediately bobbed her head and smiled gleefully, “Don’t worry son. Things will be executed the way you had planned. And don’t worry about Diana, I will make her understand. She has to listen to us for the sake of her family.”

She snickered and sashayed to Diana. Bending to her level, she lifted her chin with her finger and threw her a fiendish smile. Diana stifled her cry but tears kept leaving her eyes.

Theodore had locked her family in the dungeon. Arthur was going berserk and wasn’t willing to give him his sister so the King threw the whole family behind the bars. It also gave him leverage as he could now mold Diana the way he wants. And she has to give in as her family was still under his clutches.

Theodore then looked at Diana. He clenched his fists when he found her looking at him helplessly. Deep down he knew he was doing wrong but if he gives up this chance, he will lose her forever.

Extinguishing her last ray of hope, he looked away from her and walked out of the room with Vincenzo following his trail.