Inside Theo Palace
“YOU CLOSED ALL THE PORTALS?? HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND, FATHER??”
Theodore’s raging growl boomed in the magnificent hall as he glared at Lord Ernest with anguish-filled eyes, who was completely impassive to his pain.
“Mind your language, boy. Just because you’re the king that doesn’t give you the right to disrespect me. It’s still a very small punishment for those two traitors in my eyes. They should consider themselves fortunate that I have only forbidden them from entering our world. If someone else would have been in their place, I would have beheaded him”, he spoke sternly while ensconcing himself comfortably in the armchair.
After the little drama that happened in Angel Tomb, Lord Ernest ordered everyone to accept Jasmine as their new Queen and scolded Theodore to close Diana’s chapter and embrace his new life. Reaching the kingdom, the first thing he did was to close all the portals for Demons from entering Heaven. He even banished Diana and Rose from entering Heaven ever. This news struck Diana’s family as well as Theodore like a whiplash. Arthur along with Jerrick immediately left for Theo Dynasty to talk with Lord Ernest but they were stopped midway by Christian. He threatened Arthur not to debate on this topic otherwise he would demolish his entire territory. Arthur was furious but was helpless as he didn’t have enough power or men as the Theo Dynasty. For the sake of those innocent people, he left with empty hands.
On the other hand, Theodore and George were going ballistic, especially Theodore. He was already furious with Jasmine and now the gates which would lead him to Diana were closed by his father.
“HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME?? YOU KNOW I DON’T LOVE THAT FILTHY PEASANT YET YOU’RE FORCING ME TO ACCEPT HER!!“, Theodore raged. His voice trembled due to anger. Jasmine was currently in his room and that mere fact was charring him. On top of that, his parents were favoring her instead of him.
Reina, his mother, narrowed her eyes at him, “Theo, you should be ashamed that you’re humiliating your wife right in front of everyone. Aren’t you happy to get a girl who did everything only to marry you, son? You’re lucky that you got a partner who loves you so much, Theo. I am happy that you didn’t get married to that double-faced snake Diana. Her sister-in-law Ariel manipulated you but at last, Lord blessed us with a daughter-in-law who loves and respects my son with all her heart. Why are you so desperate to have a girl who doesn’t even care about you and putting a blind eye on a girl who loves you madly?”, she berated him.
George scoffed, “She loves Brother or his status? He isn’t putting up a blind eye mother, it’s you guys who can’t decode the evil games of that witch. Ariel tried her best and even went against Diana to make her marry Brother. Jasmine not only fooled him but Diana and Rose too. She trapped everyone in her game and used Diana as a pawn. My friend is innocent Dad so is Rose. Moreover, she feels nothing for Brother. She is only after his wealth and reputation. No one even knew her name before but now she would be called the Queen of the Theo Dynasty. It’s a complete win-win situation for her,” he spat venom.
His words only scratched Theodore’s wounds, oiling up his anger. His hate towards Jasmine increased ten folds.
Christian noticed him seething and shot a glare at George who continued filling Theodore’s ears against Jasmine, “Shut the hell up George. You reminded us of her current status just a few seconds ago, right? Then you also better drub it in your mind that she is your brother’s wife as well as your sister-in-law. A part of our family and the Queen of Theo Dynasty. My baby brother, I heard from a bird that you were forcing Rose which had nothing to do with Diana and Theo’s wedding. Would you take a minute to throw some light on it?”
His muscles tensed after hearing Christian’s sarcastic tone. He curled his fingers in a tight fist and lowered his head when he felt everyone’s judging eyes on him.
Reina marched towards him in anger, “IS THAT TRUE GEORGE?? SO, YOU WERE READY TO MARRY A PEASANT BUT YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WHEN YOUR BROTHER DID SO??”
George grounded his molars but kept quiet. Christina also came in support of her husband, “In fact mother, Diana was also being forced into this marriage. We all know about her love for the Demon King but Theo didn’t want that. The truth is that he threatened Ariel to help him get Diana otherwise he would kill Arthur and destroy Moonland.” She spat while glaring at Theodore who shot her a death glare. Lord Ernest and Reina gasped in shock. They didn’t know that Diana was being forced into this marriage. They were brainwashed by Theodore that Diana begged him to save her from Zachary. They were proud of their son being her shining knight in armor while in reality, he was trying to claim her forcefully.
Reina looked at Theodore who avoided eye contact with her.
“WOW!!! SO, MY BOTH SONS WERE FORCING GIRLS ONLY FOR THEIR STUBBORNNESS!! AND HERE, I THOUGHT THAT DIANA IS WILLINGLY MARRYING THEO!!! GOOD JOB, PRINCES OF THE THEO DYNASTY!! YOU REALLY MADE ME SO PROUD TODAY!!”
She clapped her hands while tears leaked down her eyes. George and Theodore closed their eyes in shame.
Ernest grabbed his forehead as it was too much for him to take. His obedient, well-mannered, and brave son who was the apple of his eye was forcing a girl? He couldn’t believe it.
Theodore slowly lifted his moistened eyes only to see his mother crying on Christina’s shoulder. Guilt stabbed his heart as he was the most loved child of his parents who admired him a lot. But his vile deeds today made them disappointed and ashamed. They couldn’t believe that they raise a monster who has no respect for women.
With staggering steps, Theodore walked towards Reina who looked away from him in anger. He extended his hand to hold her but she immediately turned around and stomped away from there. Christina also followed her trail.
Letting out a heavy sigh, he shifted his eyes towards Ernest only to find him staring at the floor with a long face. The fact that he was the reason behind his parents’ agony tore him apart.
“Father-”
“Then my decision was right.”
Ernest cut him midway taking him off guard. He then looked at Theodore who was staring at him with a puzzled face but immediately dropped his gaze to the ground when he noticed his grim eyes. He stood up and went near Theodore who not even for once met his eyes. Placing his hand on his left shoulder, Ernest gave it a slight squeeze before speaking in his deep voice.
“Without further ado, I will just come straight to the point. It will be good for you to accept Jasmine and erase Diana from your mind. If you’re really sorry and want our forgiveness, better start a life with Jasmine and give us an heir as soon as possible.”
As if struck by a lightning bolt, Theodore shot his head up and looked at his father in shock.
“WHAT-”
“She is your rightful and lawful wife. The sooner you accept, the better it will end for you. I won’t hesitate to punish you if you dare cheat on her.”
Ernest grated out and then diverted his gaze towards a pale George, “The one who disrespects or hurts the Queen of Theo dynasty, he or she would be burnt at stake right in front of the kingdom. This law applies to all, be it a commoner or a member of the royal family.”
With that, he turned his heels and exited the hall not before giving a death glare to both his sons. Christian was also taken aback by his father’s words but decided not to say anything and left the hall quietly.
No sooner than the hall emptied, George strode towards Theodore who was glaring at the silk carpet with bloodshot eyes. He clenched his fists to the point that his fingers turned white at the tips.
George immediately grabbed both of his shoulders. His eyes widened when he felt his chest heaving with an uneven pace.
“B-Brother calm down. Don’t worry we’ll find a solution soon. You won’t have to brook that girl all your life. I would always stay by your side brother, no matter what.”
He tried to encourage him but he was indirectly fanning the flames. His soothing words only riled up Theodore more.
Theodore turned around and closed his eyes contemplating deeply. George kept staring at his back with raised brows but he flinched when hearing a dark chuckle.
“She is very fond of me. She loves me, right?”, Theodore rasped, his voice was cold and his tone was a sinister one. Turning around, he let out a scoff and walked past George who looked at him in shock. The shine in his beautiful eyes was replaced by malice and George could also find a tinge of vengeance glowing in them.
Theodore smiled cynically while pushing his hair back with his fingers revealing his broad forehead.
“You’re so desperate to earn my love? Fine then. I give you my word, Jasmine. I would love you to the point where’ll you feel suffocated in my arms. You want me to accept you right? Then I’ll grant your wish.”
George gulped as his eerie tone ran chills down his spine. At the moment, he was witnessing a completely different Theodore. He felt as if don’t even know him anymore.
Theodore slowly made his way to his throne. Raising his hands, he traced his fingers on the armrest.
“Because of this, you trapped me, right? You want to be the Queen, right? My wifey, I would drown you in golds. You got blinded by the brilliance of diamonds fine then, I would carve designs on your body with them. I would torture you to the point where you’ll beg me to kill you. My love would become a noose around your neck. Every move you make, every breath you take, it will be decided by me.”
He gritted as his eyes shone with a new madness. His parents’ disappointed faces, Diana’s betrayal, and lastly his father’s pressurizing him to accept her started playing in his mind like a recorder.
He was done being the good guy. What’s the need when no one can understand him?
If no one can feel his pain, then he will show them how it feels to be deceived.
Theodore smirked as his eyes blazed with a new promise. A deadly promise.
“Let’s welcome our new life in my way, wifey.”