Chapter 61: Chapter 61

Inside Theo’s Palace

“Fuck my head hurts”

George cursed while massaging his forehead. He stood up with the support of the bed and staggered to the restroom. The room reeked of alcohol which was nowadays his only friend.

Almost a month had passed since Diana was brought forcefully to Theo Dynasty and the poor prince had still not overcome his favorite brother’s betrayal. George didn’t leave his room for a month and had drowned himself in alcohol which was his anodyne to escape the bitter reality.

Abandoning his cape on the floor, he was undoing the buttons of his shirt when an astringent remark seized his moves.

“Crying wouldn’t bring your Rosalia back, baby.”

‘Whoosh’

“AHH!!!”

Kiora screamed and placed her palm on her chest when George abruptly threw a knife at her which sliced through the air and went straight at her. It was about to cut her in two but thanks to her quick reflexes because she quickly dodged it and the knife ended up ruining the wall behind her.

“Fuck you, asshole!! I would have killed you if it had scratched me”, Kiora roared and lunged at George but her eyes widened when he grappled her throat, stopping her midway, and slammed her on the wall. Her face turned white when in one swift motion, he changed their positions and was now hovering over her with his deadly long fingers sucking the life out of her.

“How dare you come here?”

He growled menacingly. Kiora started clawing his hands, drawing out blood but it didn’t affect him. He was only seeing red at the moment.

“I-I was about to help you but Zachary had caught me. You don’t know how hard it was for me to hide from his eyes and come to you. Things haven’t been going well for me too.”

“LIES!!!”

George raged and punched beside her head startling her.

“I begged you for help, I even got down on my knees but you refused. I know you had heard from me but still, you turned your back on me. Why show up now? Everything is ruined. I was a fool for expecting help from a demon? When my blood, my idol betrayed me then, *scoff* you don’t even stand a chance.” He grated out.

Kiora continued struggling when George suddenly released and took a few steps back.

“I don’t need your fucking help or want anything to do with you. If you love your life then leave within the count of three or I would kill you.” He threatened.

Kiora broke into cold sweats.

‘Damn, what should I do now? He is easily giving up.’

Anxious, she rushed to him and tried to hold him, “George there’s something very important that I need to tell you-AH!”

But she was cut off midway as he pushed her onto the ground and grabbed his sword.

“Looks like you didn’t understand my words. Fine then.”

Kiora panicked when he removed his sword from the sheath and started approaching her. She started crawling back while looking at George whose expression was lethal and his eyes unforgiving.

“George, it’s about Diana. She is-”

“I don’t give a fuck about her nor Theodore nor anyone. You know what, you came at the right time witch; my hands were itching to kill someone. What if my voice and my feelings have been always trampled on, at least I can find a way to quell my rage,” He rasped and strode towards a sweating Kiora who was sailing on the floor.

Her mind turned blank. George was deranged. He was unleashing all his pent-up rage and frustration on her. Though Kiora approached him with a fabulous plan, to inveigle him in killing Diana, sadly it didn’t work out as he wasn’t even ready to lend her an ear. She was confident that he would agree to her every command after all he was hurt, depressed and broken right now. He needed support and she was ready to give him one.

But her plans went down the drain. Kiora had the power to control him but she kept pushing her luck, weaving ways to convince him but George was vindictive. He had lost his sanity.

A yelp escaped her mouth when her back collided with the cold wall. Shivering, she looked at George but her heart stopped when he lifted his sword in the air.

“N-No George listen.”

She tried to stop him but it was too late. George let out an animalistic growl and brought the sword down with full force.

“JASMINE IS A DEMON, GEORGE!!”

Meanwhile

“I can’t find the exit. Each corridor is the replica of the other.” Diana muttered under her breath as she rounded the last corridor and jumped in another.

After a lot of elbow grease, she finally managed to get out of her room but now her biggest headache was to locate the exit. She was on edge as guards were at every door, every corner.

Diana was ambling barefoot to minimize the chances of getting caught. Her hair had turned damp as she was so scared. She knew she won’t be able to hide for long and that’s why it was very important for her to find the exit as soon as possible but Theo Palace was like a labyrinth. She doesn’t even know where she had started her mission.

‘Oh my God.’

Her breath hitched when her eyes spotted Theodore who was moving straight in her direction. His expressions were grim and his gait was authoritative.

Diana without thinking twice made a blind dash to the other side only to bump into Christian. He quickly grabbed her, “Are you alright?”

Diana was shocked and she could tell that he was shocked too.

“Yeah, yeah. I am fine. Thanks” Nodding her head, she bowed to him and tried to scurry away before grabbing the devil’s attention.

“Doll?”

Diana froze on her spot but didn’t dare to turn around.

‘Lord, save me please’

She squeezed her eyes tightly hearing his footsteps that were approaching her at a rapid pace. Diana visibly shivered when she sensed him towering over her but kept her head down.

“What are you doing here, Princess Diana?”

His baritone ran chills down her spine. She knew he would kill her if he finds out the truth.

‘I need to play smart’

Diana looked at him and gave him a soft smile, “Your mansion always intrigued me Theo so I tried to explore it.”

Theodore was stunned by her response. His heartbeat escalated when he saw the pink hue on her cheeks as she spoke shyly and tugged the rogue strand of her hair behind her ear.

He nodded his head positive, “Of course, you can. Wait, I have a proposal. Allow me to give you a tour of my kingdom. You’ll surely love it, Princess Diana.”

His tone was gentle and amicable but it only exasperated her.

‘Does he feel nothing for Jasmine? He is openly flirting with someone’s else wife and is not even ashamed of his acts. I can’t believe he was once my dream prince. Such an insolent and profligate guy.’

Theodore frowned finding no response from her. He tried to touch her hand but Diana instantly moved back which ticked him.

She nodded and spoke politely, “Yes please.”

Christian was watching them silently. He shifted his eyes to Theodore only to see him analyzing Diana. His heart ached for his brother. Deep down Theodore also knew that he would never supplant Zachary as her heart had already found his solace. But Theodore’s heart was in dilemma. Though he had found his rightful owner, his obdurate conscience wasn’t still ready to accept her.

A new hope enkindled in his heart. Enough is enough. He had always been an onlooker but it was time for him to step in and guide him on the right path.

Diana squirmed under Theodore’s intimidating gaze. He was staring at her without blinking but his stoic face was troubling her.

‘Did he read my thoughts?’

Gulping, she opened her mouth to defend herself but was cut off by Christian.

“There’s good news for you Brother.”

He said and placed his hand over his shoulder which was successful in breaking his trance.

“What news?”

Christian spoke, “As per your orders, Dad and I have sent invitations of your marriage to all the neighboring kingdoms but your friend, Augustus wants to congratulate you personally. And that’s why he had invited you and Diana to his kingdom. I think you should take her there.”

Theodore looked at him, “But that can be dangerous, Christian. I can’t afford to step outside Theo Dynasty, at least not now.”

He spoke and wiggled his brows at him. Theodore knew Diana would lap up this opportunity and try to escape him.

Christian gave him an assuring smile, “Don’t worry, Brother. I will also go along with you and keep a watch. Moreover, Augustus is our friend, nothing would go wrong.” He affirmed and gave a light squeeze on his shoulders.

His words were somehow successful in brushing away his worries. Theodore then heaved a deep sigh and turned to Diana who was watching both the males confused. Walking closer to her, he grabbed her hand. Diana jolted a bit and tried to yank it off but he only tightened his grip.

“Let’s go then.”

“Where?” She asked him.

“Augusea Dynasty”

Diana shifted her eyes to Christian whose face held a satisfied expression.

“I’ve never been there before. Where is it?”

She said and looked at Theodore. He inhaled sharply before answering her.

“It’s a small kingdom near Azalea village.”

*****

“Jasmine, we are out of fruits. There are hardly two and three left in the store and we have to get the stock ready by this evening or else Aunt Stella will kill us.”

Rose shouted while paring off the apple and flipping the loose strands of her unruly hair that was tied up in a messy bun.

Jasmine who was chopping the cashews quietly put back the knife and nodded. Wiping her hands, she removed her apron and hung it on the wall hooks, “I will be heading to the forest then.” She spoke curtly and grabbed the wooden basket kept in the corner.

Rose pivoted when she saw Jasmine leaving and tottered to her, “Yeah, I have prepared the list. Make sure you get the fresh and juicy ones. They are really good for tart and jams.” She chirped.

Putting on her sandals, Jasmine took the list from her hand and looked at her.

“I don’t need a reminder. I have got a grasp of it by now.”

Saying that she exited their cottage.

Rose’s smile dropped at her acrid tone. Her gaze turned rueful as she stared at Jasmine’s retreating figure that soon disappeared in the woods.

“She still hasn’t forgiven me.”