Chapter 68: Chapter 68

Inside Theo Palace

A drop of tear cascaded down the puffy cheeks of the gloomy Princess who was staring out the window hopelessly. Though she wasn’t shackled, she was confined within the four walls as per the King’s order who had surpassed all limits of cruelty. Caressing her stomach, a heart-wrenching sob escaped her chapped lips which soon took the form of loud cries.

Diana burst into tears and clutched her stomach tightly, her body shaking violently as she cried for the safety of her unborn child whom the cruel King had ordered to kill.

Flashback

“HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?? HE IS OUR FUTURE, THEO. HOW CAN YOU EVEN THINK OF SOMETHING LIKE THAT??”

Reina screamed at the top of her lungs while shooting daggers at her son who was ensconced in his throne and was giving her a vacant stare.

Lord Ernest flared as his attitude didn’t settle well with him, “Theodore, don’t forget that I am the one who had given you the authority, the power on which you’re oppressing us today. Diana is carrying our future heir. After centuries, the Almighty finally graced us with this happiness and you want to snatch it. Why in the world do you want to kill him or her when you know very well that our heir is the key to the sovereignty?”

Christian who was standing at the corner was boiling in rage. He was highly repulsed and embarrassed by the selfishness of his family. But what disgusted him more was Theodore’s decision. He had blatantly refused to accept Diana’s child. The reason was again his enmity with Zachary. He wanted Diana all by himself which means that she should cut all her ties with Zachary, be his name or be his blood.

Theodore who was staring at his furious parents simply rolled his eyes and tilted his neck, “My decision doesn’t entail an imprimatur, and the thing which I despised the most is disobedience. You all have no say in my matters. Diana will be my wife so the child should be mine. He or she should have my blood in his or her veins. The baby in her womb right now is impure blood which I would never tolerate at any cost. The royal heir should be pure blood, a true Angel. He or she should have the blood of a true Theo in his veins. I would never give this auspicious title to a Demon child.” He spat.

Christina who was standing beside Christian finally ran out of patience. She stormed towards Theodore but before she could reach him, a loud smacking sound reverberated in the room which stunned every soul present there. They all stared at Theodore whose face was turned to the right but what shocked them was the fingerprint on his cheek. Christina agape and looked at Diana who appeared out of nowhere and slapped Theodore in front of everyone.

Theodore who was still in shock slowly regained his senses. Turning to the front, he looked at Diana with wide eyes who were glaring at him, her blue eyes glistening with unshed tears of rage and resentment.

“How dare you? What do you think of yourself? Who gave you the right to decide the future of my child? You abducted me, caged my family, threatened me to marry you, and now you’re planning on killing my child? You monster, how come I failed to recognize your true face? You call yourself an Angel? Pure blood? You’re worse than demons. At least they have hearts but you’re not only a vile, self-conceited bastard but a reprobate and cruel man. Your charms are sham, I was a fool who mistook you as a gentleman. I pity Jasmine who fell for a fucking asshole who isn’t even hesitating to kill an unborn child.”

“SHUT UP!!”

Diana flinched hard when Theodore yelled at her face but every cell of her body galvanized when he grabbed her throat and pulled her near his face.

Christian and others ran to save Diana but they were held back by the guards.

Diana clawed his wrists but Theodore grabbed her hand and twisted it behind her which made her cry in pain.

“Yes, I am gonna kill that piece of mutt in your womb because I hate Zachary. That demon is no one in front of me. He took you away from me once, he was the one who snatched my happiness first now I am gonna take away the people who are dear to him. I want him to feel the same pain, burn in the same fire of agony and be at his lowest point just the way I was once. You made me love you, Jasmine played with my feelings, and then you both left me. Why? Because you got your loved ones so you forgot about me. You are gonna just leave me to die while you whore around your man, bitch? Am I a toy to you peasant that you are gonna discard me after getting bored?”

Diana was horrified by the change in his voice. Theodore’s aura abruptly turned spooky and he looked possessed. It was clear that he was imagining her as Jasmine. He was deeply hurt but his anger had transcended his sorrow and turned him vindictive.

Petrified she tried to move back but Theodore tightened his grip on her dainty wrists. She hissed in pain feeling her bones getting crushed.

“I won’t leave anyone of you. After destroying my sanity, you have no right to leave me. I need a payback. You have to stay with me, willingly or unwillingly, I don’t give a fuck. I will marry you forcefully to make you regret your decision of leaving me. I will kill your child to make that fucker pay for snatching what was mine. And lastly, I would bring her back to me because she belonged to me.”

His words blew her top. Diana harshly jerked away her hands and shot him a stink eye, “You are sick Theodore. No one forced you to love me. I wasn’t bound by my parents to love you. We are grown-ups. We are free to choose our life partners. This marriage was fixed without my consent.” She snapped at him.

Theodore fumed, “Yes it was. That’s why you are liable to fulfill the promise your Dad made. Aren’t you ashamed of going back on your words?”

Diana understood that he was trying to turn everything on her. By now she had understood his shrewd games.

Heaving a deep breath, she looked at him and spoke in a bored tone, “I am fed up with you. Let me make myself clear as it is too much now. I won’t marry you neither I would let you harm my child. If you do, I will kill you.”

She threatened him but to her surprise, Theodore chuckled as if her words amused him.

“Sure, you will marry me. You have no other option. You are the sole reason for my misery. Now you are going to be my saving grace. I would use you to get everything that I ever desired for.”

Diana stared at him in confusion but her eyes widened when Theodore suddenly pushed her back. She screamed and tried to save herself but before she could hit the ground, someone saved her. Diana instantly turned to her side only to find two female guards holding her firmly.

“Lock the Queen in her room. Make sure no one enters the third floor. Stephen, delegate more guards near the Princess room. The area should be put under heavy security till tomorrow morning. Mary and Cara, keep an eye on the Princess and make sure she doesn’t do anything stupid. I want my bride to look healthy and happy tomorrow.” Theodore said and shot her a sly smile.

Diana paled at his words.

“N-No, NO!!! I WON’T MARRY YOU!! HELP ME!!”

She screamed her lungs out and thrashed violently in their hold but Theodore turned deaf to her pleas. He waived his two fingers in the air and her faithful guards instantly jumped to action. Nodding, they dragged Diana away while Theodore’s family stared at the crying girl ruefully.

End of Flashback

Violent sobs escaped her lips as Diana placed her palm on her mouth and cried her heart out. She was terrified for her future and her child.

“What should I do? Where should I go?“, she mumbled in a hoarse voice. Her patience was hanging on the edge. Zachary was nowhere and she was about to give up on her last hope. Theodore had lost his sanity. The determination she had witnessed in his eyes was compelling her to believe in her destiny. The man who had forgotten the difference between right and wrong, how can someone expect him to be compassionate?

Clutching her stomach, Diana rested her head on the wall and stared into space with dreamy eyes.

“I-If you didn’t come on time, I would have no option but kill both of us.”

Meanwhile

Azalea Village

“I am grateful to you Demon King for saving my life.”

Zagan who was currently leaning on the floor spoke in his deep voice. He then lifted his head and looked at Zachary who was staring at him with an astute gaze.

“I genuinely apologize to you for causing unnecessary trouble. Please forgive me for my childishness. Only you can save everyone. George had captured Rose and now is heading for Jasmine.” He said and lowered his head in shame.

But his words turned Calix queasy who was standing beside Zachary.

“WHAT??”

He growled and lunged at him. Zagan was taken aback but before he could understand, Calix threw a punch at him.

“AND YOU’RE TELLING ME THIS NOW?” He roared and again raised his hand to smack him but Zachary caught his fist in midair.

“Cal, this is not the time to fight. We need to take things slow because our haste decisions can endanger the girls’ lives. And you better don’t forget that only Kiora and Zagan aren’t faulty here. You also have played a significant role in this drama.” Zachary gritted and harshly jerked his hand. Calix glared at him but didn’t argue further.

Zachary then trained his eyes on Zagan who was still lying on the floor while wiping the blood off his lips. He walked towards him and grabbed him by his left forearm. Pulling him to his feet, he looked straight into his eyes before speaking in his husky voice.

“We don’t have time for chit-chats. George has got his hands on Jasmine and is currently taking her to Theo Dynasty.”

His reply shocked both Calix and Zagan.

“H-How do you know this?”

Zachary looked at Calix, “Don’t forget that Jasmine is a demon. But I can’t trace my wife. I think that bastard had put some magical seals around his palace.” He spat and groaned in frustration. But Zagan was overjoyed by this revelation.

“So that means you know she is your sister? I also told Jasmine the truth about her being the daughter of the royal family.” He chirped while clasping his hands but clammed his mouth after earning a death glare.

Calix smirked when he saw Zagan staring at Zachary like a scared cat. He then looked back at Zachary and placed a hand over his shoulder to grab his attention.

“I think then you should try mind-linking with Jasmine. Maybe she can find you.”

Zachary nodded but suddenly a loud shrill shook the trio. They all quickly hid behind the trees and zeroed their gaze toward the source of the sound.

Zagan was also hiding along Calix and Zachary; his eyes were pinned on the same spot. But his heart almost leaped out of his chest when the familiar voice fell on his ears.

“Jasmine?”

A whisper slipped his mouth but anger surged in his veins as soon as the scene unfolded.

In front of him was George riding his horse, his lips were twitched in an evil smirk but what got him riled up was the iron chain in his hand. He was dragging a battered Jasmine with that chain who was shackled up from head to toe like an animal. George wasn’t alone but was accompanied by a troop of guards.

Zachary curled his fingers in a tight fist as he took her disheveled appearance. Torn clothes, messy hair, bloodied lips, puffy eyes, scratches, and long gashes were all over her arms and injured feet. Though she was crying and tugging at the chains, she looked as if she was drugged. She was blinking her eyes multiple times and was trying hard to remain stable but was failing miserably.

“He fucking did something to her.” Calix snarled as he saw the way Jasmine was trying to fight her unconsciousness. And George was taking the advantage of the dizziness and was hauling her like an animal.

For the first time in his life, Zachary’s heart ached for his sister. She was his blood and for the first time, he felt a pull toward her. The love and concern for his sister turned his eyes teary. He looked at George who was laughing at her pathetic state.

That was enough to evoke the beast inside him. He felt a strong urge to save his sister but if he confronts him now then he wouldn’t be able to get to Diana. Jasmine was not in her senses and he can’t enter the Theo Palace.

But someone else was on a warpath. Incensed Zagan rushed for her rescue but Zachary grabbed his arm and pushed him back.

“What the fuck? I have to help her.” Zagan raged but Zachary shook his head in denial.

“Don’t be stupid. Your precipitancy would end up getting Jasmine killed.” He spoke seriously but Zagan didn’t pay any heed to his words. He again tried to step forward but Calix grabbed him from behind and covered his mouth with his palm. Zagan started thrashing in his hold but his strength was incomparable against the sapphire-winged demon.

Calix then looked at Zachary whose gaze was fixed on Jasmine.

Jasmine stumbled on her steps as George tugged the chains hard. Her arms were covered with numerous cuts as she tried to fight back but her weakness was indisposing her. George had cast a spell on her which had turned her weary. Her energy was sapped so that she can’t fight.

All of a sudden, Jasmine stiffened on a spot when she felt a strong presence near her. She could smell powerful and dark magic in the air. Though she was in a daze, her powers were pushing her to stay awake. With droopy eyes, she vaguely scanned her surroundings when her eyes caught a familiar figure.

Jasmine blinked her eyes to clear her vision. She could make out an outline of a male figure that was watching her from afar.

Zachary exhaled a sigh of relief. Jasmine did spot him; her hazel hues were staring at him. With cautious steps, he moved out from his hiding spot.

Jasmine was still trying to decipher the esoteric figure but her eyes turned to the size of saucers when the mysterious figure finally revealed himself. She was exhilarated but didn’t show it on her face or else George would get suspicious.

“Don’t worry. I will save you.” Zachary transferred his thoughts which Jasmine was easily able to catch.

Her heart swelled. She kept a straight face but couldn’t keep her tears at bay after seeing the truth with her own eyes.

Zachary was her brother. It was proved now.

She deliberately slowed her pace. Her eyes lit up when she spotted Calix and Zagan who were also giving her an assurance smile.

Zachary then gestured for her to look at Calix. She obeyed his command and gazed at the sapphire hues which hypnotized her. She could feel energy surging in her veins and the effect of that nasty spell slowly tailed off.

Jasmine then moved her arms. Her body didn’t ache any longer and her vision also turned clear. Calix healed her but he didn’t heal her wounds or else George would come to know.

“Finally I got you, little witch. Now you’ll face Hell or will be sent there. But I don’t think it would be a problem as you already belong from there.” George snickered along with his guards who also giggled at his pun.

‘Yeah, and I will surely show you one once I get my hands on you.’

Jasmine sealed her lips into a thin line as she tried hard not to laugh at his stupidity.

“Move fast devil.”

One of the guards chucked and jabbed his sword on her back. Jasmine nearly fell because of the impact but somehow balanced herself. She ground her molars in rage as she could feel her back on fire. How badly she wanted to snap his neck but the circumstances forced her to swallow her rage.

Jasmine panicked as they were about to cross the forest. She slowly turned back to look for Zachary. Relief washed over her when she found him following her from behind.

“Don’t worry. You have my back now.”

*****