Theo Palace
Jasmine’s PO.V.
“You did a fantastic job, my little girl.”
Zachary praised me and I smiled at him in return. But the pride I saw in his eyes for me turned made me emotional. Tears welled up in my eyes so I immediately shifted my gaze to the floor. But unfortunately, Zachary had noticed that.
“Hey, Jasmine? Are you okay? Is that Theo giving you a hard time?“, he inquired but I was surprised by his angry tone.
I shook my head negative and cleared the tears off my face, “No, it’s just. Since I got here, I had only been offered insults and scolding. After so long someone appreciated me and showed me concern. Don’t worry, it’s nothing,” I grinned and kept wiping my tears.
Zachary turned silent at my response. I peeked at him only to find him staring at me with a sorrowful expression.
“Please don’t berate me again that you did warn me. I know that already-”
“I won’t Jasmine.”
He immediately cut me off making me frown.
Zachary then snuck in a breath before looking into my eyes deeply, “I know you are regretting your decision. I can see it in your eyes but I am impressed with your will to fight back, Jasmine. Angels are supposed to be fragile, timid, shy, and submissive but you show no such signs. I am truly amazed by the way you dealt with everyone and took the ball into your court. It’s really a commendable task and I am not doing a favor to you by praising you, you deserve it.” He spoke curtly.
The tears which I was holding for so long immediately started running down like a waterfall as his words touched my heart. His gaze turned soft after noticing my tears. He then took a deep sigh before speaking, “Don’t cry, Jasmine. Theodore is a fool for not believing your worth. But you don’t let him extinguish this fire of yours. Just keep helping me and I would help you win your worth and respect. Trust me.”
I immediately nodded as I was too overwhelmed with emotions. Zachary flashed me a soft smile.
“You did a great job today so I would let you rest for now. We will talk tomorrow about our second step.” He said and raised his right hand in the air to disperse the loop when I stopped him.
“No, please wait. I need something from you.”
His hand froze in mid-air. He raised a brow gesturing for me to continue.
“I-I, can you help me win Theodore? He is still planning ways to get your wife. Is there a way I can erase Diana from his mind?“, I spoke nervously and looked at him with hope which soon vanished when I found his eyes turning red.
His aura abruptly turned evil and his expressions turned grim. I took a few steps back in horror because he looked ready to kill me.
“I-I am sorry. It’s okay if you don’t want to help. I-“, I started rambling in fear. God, why the hell I can’t keep quiet for once?
I tried fidgeting with my ring to end this magic but as if God granted my wish cause Zachary flicked his finger and in no time, the magical loop submerged in the wall.
‘Phew’
I sighed in relief and wiped the sweat beads off my forehead. Padding to the bed, I threw myself on it.
Resting my head on my arms, I stared at the white ceiling. A smirk made my way to my lips recalling the scenarios of today when I almost got caught.
Flashback
“WHAT THE HELL YOU BOTH ARE DOING HERE??”
My heart almost leaped to my mouth when I heard Theodore’s fierce growl behind me. My eyes of their volition went to George as if begging for his help only to find him staring at Theodore with an open mouth.
He was also scared, just like me.
We both soon heard his angry footsteps approaching us. My heartbeat accelerated with every step he took in my direction.
‘I am done, for real today.’
My mind instead of calming me down started fabricating the worst scenarios of me getting punished for my roguery. My palms turned clammy so I dropped that paper roll on the floor and fisted my gown in apprehension.
A yelp escaped my lips when my left forearm was taken in a bruising grip. I bit my lips to stifle my cry and peeked at Theodore who was bristling with rage.
“YOU!! I AM SO DONE WITH YOU, JASMINE!!! CAN’T YOU FOR ONE FUCKING DAY LET ME BREATHE PEACEFULLY??” He shouted on my face making me squeeze my eyes tightly.
“The day you entered my life, you have only been creating troubles for me. You are so desperate to get my attention that you’ve started messing with my kingdom’s safety. How dare you go against my order and step your foot here?”
He growled while shaking my arms violently. I cried in pain. Theodore then lifted his gaze and shot a glare at George who was staring at him horrified.
“You know that this place is forbidden, isn’t it? Then how come you let her enter here?”
‘What?’
My head was instantly snapped in the direction of George. His tensed muscles instantly relaxed as relief washed over him. He then looked at me but my breath hitched when I found an evil glint in his eyes.
‘He will lap this opportunity to turn Theodore against me.’
George bobbed his head in affirmation and gritted, “Yes brother that’s why I chased her all the way upstairs. You know I would never go against you but because of this wench, I had to go against your order. Forgive me, brother.”
‘THE FUCK IS HE SAYING??’
I immediately looked at Theodore and vigorously shook my head in denial, “No Theo, he is lying. He confessed in front of me that he had other plans to come here. He didn’t-”
But before I could defend myself other, Theodore cut me off harshly, “What he did is not important Jasmine. The thing which matters is you coming here when Christina did warn you. You crossed all limits today.”
“And for that, you’ll be punished.”
We all shifted our eyes to find the owner of those words. My soul left my body when I found Lord Ernest standing there while shooting daggers at me.
I looked back at Theodore and grabbed his hand, “Trust me Theo, George was-NO WAIT!!”
He didn’t let me complete my words and dragged me all the way downstairs.
“AHH!!!”
A scream escaped my mouth when I was thrown on the silk carpet harshly. I looked up with teary eyes only to see Christina and Christian staring at me with pity. But my mother-in-law was glaring at me with pure hatred. Theodore then walked past me and plopped on his throne. He didn’t even bother to help me.
Swallowing the pain of humiliation, I sat up and slowly try to stand on my feet when I was forcefully pushed back to the floor.
“Don’t move”
George sneered and dug his sword onto my back. Thank God, his sword was still inside the sheath but still, it pained like hell.
“WHAT ARE YOU DOING GEORGE?? HOW DARE YOU DISRESPECT JASMINE LIKE THAT!!“, Christian growled.
“He isn’t doing anything wrong. A traitor deserves to be treated this way,” Theodore rebuffed him. Of course, what can I even expect from this vile man?
He then diverted his eyes back to me. His cold eyes were only reflecting despise, rage, and revulsion for me.
“What were you doing there?”
My heart was beating too fast. I licked my chapped lips and tried to convince him, “I-I, I just went upstairs out of curiosity. I m-mean no harm, Theo”
“LIAR!!”
George yelled all of a sudden shocking each soul present in the room.
“She is lying King. I saw her trying to sneak into Vault of the Golden Warrior. I am telling you, brother, this girl has come with devious intentions. She only looks gullible and acts cute but I know it’s all her facade. I had caught her red-handed. She is a traitor, who knows maybe she is working as a spy for Zachary?”
My core tried.
‘God, he unknowingly spoke the truth.’