“How the hell can I get rid of them?” Arthur gritted while tugging hard on the silver chains that were wrapped around his fragile sister’s wrists like a prisoner.
Diana bit her lower lip to control her tears. Her family was going berserk to get rid of the chains which Zachary had put on her. Her heart squeezed painfully watching their distressed faces. Jerrick called the best wizards to cut the chains because by now they all had understood that they were magical. But nothing worked.
Ariel tried to break them with her powers, Arthur tried to cut them with his sword even Diana tried to remove them but all their efforts went down the drain. Frustrated, Arthur started to break them with his bare hands. At that moment, Diana felt only pure rage for Zachary. Because of him, only everyone was suffering. But she was hating herself more for being the reason for their tears.
“Arthur leave it. I think we should seek help from Vincenzo. He is the only one who can help our Di now.” Ariel suggested but her words exasperated both Diana and Arthur.
“What’s the matter with you, Ari? Why are you, again and again, bringing Theodore into every conversation? Didn’t you hear what I said before?” Arthur raged startling his wife.
Ariel vigorously shook her head, “W-What are you talking about? Vincenzo is a consummate in witchcraft. What if he is from Theo Dynasty? It’s not that he is forbidden to help the people of Moonland. Let’s keep our grudges aside Arthur and contact him, remember it’s for our Di.” She tried to sound sincere but Arthur read between the lines.
Diana looked at Ariel. She knew Ariel was still weaving ways to get her married to Theodore anyhow.
She let out a chuckle which made Ariel narrow her eyes at her, “Why don’t we contact Darius, Ari? He can also help me.”
Ariel clenched her jaw at her sarcastic tone but somehow controlled her anger. Composing herself, she let out a snort, “My father isn’t adept in black magic, Di. That devil had cast a spell on the chains and it can’t be broken by normal Angels like us ’cause you know Di; we don’t practice such depraved and evil spells. Only Theo Dynasty has the effrontery to break the spells of demons. Vincenzo, Lord Ernest’s younger brother was the one who revoked the curses of Binnazun and because of him only, we have been able to live peacefully.” She spoke.
Her words only push Diana off her limits as she jumped from the bed and shouted at her, “I KNEW YOUR TWISTED WORDS WILL ONLY COME TO ONE CONCLUSION. THAT’S WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN TRYING TO IMPLY SINCE THE DAY ARTHUR FIXED MY MARRIAGE WITH ZAC, ISN’T IT? But let me make it clear to you today Ari, I won’t marry Theodore, not now nor ever. Yes, I left Zac but it was because I needed a break and wanted to meet my family. But that doesn’t mean my love had faded for him or I have left him forever. Get this thing straight in your head, Zac is my husband. I know you don’t like him but that doesn’t give you the right to disrespect him.”
Ariel balled her fists in anger. Hearing her outburst, she also dropped her masque and replied to her with the same intensity, “Disrespect? For that, he first needs to have one. He isn’t worthy of my hate not of your love. Just see yourself, you had never talked to me this way. That bloodsucking monster had brainwashed you that even after everything you’re still defending him.”
“I ain’t defending him”, Diana yelled and marched towards her, “I am sick of you trying to push me to Theodore. I don’t love him, Ari, why is it so difficult for you to understand? Forget the past but now? At least stop this when I am already married. You know what Ari, your obsession with making me marry Theodore only means two things- one you are doing this for personal gain. Maybe Lord Ernest had told you to fix my marriage with his eldest son and in return, he’ll reward you. And the second is that I have become a sore in your eyes as you are adamant to throw me out of my house. But let me tell you this is my kingdom. I don’t need anyone’s permission to live in my territory. And also, I will not be marrying that vile and selfish man ever in my life. I love Zac and would love him till eternity. So, it will be better for you to mind your own business.” She gritted in an assertive and incensed tone.
“Stop it you two,” Arthur stepped in between to make peace between the two women who were shooting daggers at each other, “Diana, you take rest. We will devise a way to get rid of those chains and Ari, you also stop. Behave like a family and stop fighting for outsiders.”
He spat and glared at Ariel whose eyes turned red with unshed tears. Diana knew she crossed the line and offended her but her nonstop provocation flared her up.
Ariel then turned to Arthur. His gaze turned soft when he noticed her tears. Sighing, he raised his hand to cup her face, “Ari-”
But Ariel slapped his hands before they could touch her face and walked towards Diana.
“I raised you with my hands, took care of you, fulfilled your every demand, and loved you as my daughter and today you have questioned my love for you. You raised a finger at my upbringing. You were never a sore for my eyes instead you were the star of my life. You labeled my concern as my selfishness. Maybe my ways were wrong but I was so desperate to save you from Zachary. I am only trying to protect you and you think that I am doing all this to get a reward.” She spoke in a broken voice.
Diana fell into the pit of guilt. She lowered her head in shame while her chest tightened.
“Ari, I-”
“Stop”
Ariel cut her midway as she raised her palm in front of her face, “You have lost the right to call me that.”
Diana let out a sob. Fat tears rolled down her cheeks but Ariel continued speaking.
“You want me to stop interfering in your life, stop making decisions for you. That’s what you and your brother want so badly from me, right? Fine then, I give you my word. I won’t bother you ever. After all, this is your life.”
Saying that she let out a sad chuckle and without waiting for their response left while Arthur and Diana stared at her back remorsefully.
Meanwhile
Inside Theo’s Palace
“I TOLD YOU BROTHER I AM TRYING MY BEST!! I JUST CAN’T DRAG HER HERE!!”
George snapped at Theodore who immediately shot him a murderous glare. Marching towards him, he punched him hard making him cough blood.
“Lower down your pitch, alright? Don’t forget Kiora’s presence can only save your ass from being exported to the dungeon.” He sneered.
George glared at him with burning eyes, “Then throw me there. I don’t care. Kiora and I had a deal. Once we return the favors, we would never look for each other. I can only try but she won’t listen to me. I had already made it clear to you. Moreover, I am tired now. If you’re so desperate for Diana, go and bring her here yourself.” He grunted.
Theodore turned red in anger. Grabbing his collars, he again raised his fist in the air to teach him a lesson but was stopped by a guard.
“Forgive me for interrupting you Your Majesty but there’s good news for you.”
His beaming voice instantly rippled excitement in Theodore’s heart. Turning around with the speed of light, he jogged to him making George scoff at his eagerness to get Diana.
“What is it? It must be related to Diana or I’ll slit your throat.” He threatened the poor guard making him tremble.
“It is King. Princess Diana is in Moonland. Our spies have confirmed it. She is currently with her family but what’s shocking is that her hands are tied with silver chains. Looks like she was running away from Zachary but successfully entered Moonland when you had opened the portals.”
Theodore exhaled in relief. The news instantly knocked him off his feet. Finally, he got what he had been yearning for since childhood.
Without thinking twice, Theodore raised his right palm and closed his eyes. A coruscating blue-silver flame oozed from his palm. Those burning flames formed a cluster that soon evolved into a transparent loop.
George watched his brother silently as he closed the portals for the devils from entering Heaven. The loop finally collapsed and the flames also disappeared when all the portals got successfully closed.
Opening his eyes, Theodore looked at George who simply rolled his eyes at him. Chuckling, he then wore his cape and grabbed his sword.
“I am coming for you, my Doll. This time I would make you mine, with or without your consent.”