The Devil In Guise - Chapter 111

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The Author’s POV.

“Some times, we have to take drastic steps to realize what we want. I think that was the case with Angelina.”

“Whatever it is she feeling, I just hope is not too late” Zev concluded.

“We should talk to her about it” Alexandra suggested. She was very worried about her daughter. Angelina has been through a lot already.

“If she gives us a chance. The cellar is locked from inside” Zev said. He tried to open the door but he couldn’t. He was worried. What if she do something stupid?

A knock came on the door. They wonder who came to their house by this time of the day. Zev opened the door and Isabel walked in to the room. She seemed excited.

“What happened Isabel? Is everyone fine at home?” Alexandra asked. She stood up from the floor and went to meet her.

“No aunt. I have good news for Angelina. That’s why I came running” She answered. “Where is she ?” Isabel asked, as her eyes searched around. There was no sight of her friend.

“She locked herself in the cellar. We begged her to come out but Angelina won’t listen. You know how stubborn she could be some times” Alexandra told her.

“What news did you bring for her?” Zev asked.

“The prince is awake Sir Zev. The news is every where the people are celebrating” Isabel told them.

“Thanks be to the creator for the protection of life” Alex lifted her hands up and say little prayer of appreciation.

She moved to door where Angelina was locked up and said “my dear, do you hear the good news, your friend Isabel has brought for us?”

There was no answer. Alex knew that Angelina could hear her . She looked at Zev who told her to go ahead.

“Angelina, the prince is awake now. He is back alive.”

The door of the cellar opened like magic. Angelina came out of the room with her hair unkempt. Her eyes were swollen and teary.

“Mother what did you just say ?”

Her parents were happy to see her. Finally, she came out of that cellar.

“How are feeling Angelina ?” Zev hugged her. His daughter was his life but the creator made her destiny to be so difficult to understand. He had tried to change it many times but it’s seemed fate always found a way.

“Prince woke up not too long ago” Isabel told her. “I ran all the way here to tell you.”

Angelina started laughing. They were surprised by the sudden change of mood. She laughed up to the extent that she started crying again.

“Father I thought I killed him” Angelina said. “He is alive, I will see him again right ?”

“Yes Angelina. Prince Stefan is fine now. But you don’t look fine to us” Zev said, looking at the clothes she wore.

Angelina knew she looked awful and her hair stinks too.

“I will go upstairs with Isabel. Please mother , prepare my dinner. I am very hungry” she said climbing the stairs case. She was very grateful to Isabel for bringing such a joyous message to her. Now, Sleep was not going to be a problem to her.

**

The next morning Stefan managed to stand on his feet. He went to the dinning hall to Join the rest of the royal family. Before his illness, he usually had breakfast with Sigurd and Mustapha. But today was a different day. He had made peace with his brother Lincoln. Sitting together as a family won’t hurt.

Queen mother Daria sat opposite the king as usual. Princess Amara sat next to Stefan’s seat. They were not even engaged and the princess left her home land just to leave with a man who she was not sure of.

He didn’t like anything about her. She looked more like a man to him especially when she wore trousers instead of a lady’s dress. Her arms were masculine like a man. Was she a warrior or a blacksmith?

“Come here Stefan” His mother smiled at him. She pointed the seat closed to princess Amara was sitting. “You shouldn’t have bother to come out. Amara would have taken your food to you .”

Amara again! His mother was not going to give up till he accept her as his wife.

“Don’t worry mother I am fine” he smiled. Queen mother Daria stood up from her seat and went to where he sat and kissed him.

“Good morning my son. May no one cast an evil eye on you” She said. Stefan wondered how his mother was coping while he laid on the bed either dead or alive.

His food was served by princess Amara. She was doing everything possible to catch his attention. Of course she got it in the end.

“I asked them to build your statue in the center of the city” Queen mother Daria told him.

“For what mother?” He stopped eating and asked.

“You defeated death Stefan. I want to build your statue , don’t stop me please” She shrugged.

He didn’t say a word. Who was he to stop her by the way!

Stefan wanted to raise the issue of the marriage between him and princess Amara but he changed his mind. They all ate their food in silence.

In afternoon, his mother called him to her private chamber. Stefan knew the conversation they were going to have. It was about his forthcoming engagement with that princess.

“So when is the engagement mother?” He asked, his mother who was admiring her jewelries. There were very expensive and rare to find. Ever since their Grandmother died, Queen mother Daria took over everything including her clothes.

“What did you think of this one ? Will it suit Amara?” She changed the topic. He knew something was wrong that why she kept diverting.

“Mother please don’t run away from my question. I want to know what is happening.”

She dropped the jewelry and turned to him .

“Fine. I …L-lied to.. Y-YOU Stefan” His mother stammered.

“Concerning what ?”

“About the engagement. I went to red valley and completed the rituals for you. It’s was the only way out!”

Stefan furious. He was engaged without knowing. Was this how wicked she was? At least they should have ask for his opinion but no care because he, Stefan always obeyed!

“Cancel the wedding and call the engagement off” he told her.

Queen mother Daria looked at him. She knew it was not going to be easy to convince Stefan. But to call off the engagement was the last thing on her mind. Never! They have worked so hard to get to where they are.

Calling off the wedding between the two was like rejecting the treasure that laid beneath the palace of Red valley.

The plan was to send Stefan to go and rule over Red valley after his wedding with Princess. When he finally win the heart of the people then they would shift all the hidden treasures to Akkad.

But Stefan was being stubborn again. She wondered why she had to give birth to children that were not obedient.

Queen mother Daria glanced at him. Stefan was burning in rage. If there was anything to do other than calling off the engagement, she would gladly do it for him.

“Whenever I put my trust in you mother, you make me regret” Stefan uttered bitterly. He ruffled his hair more than a thousand time. A thing he would do when anger try to take control. *Is my whole life a joke to you? Some times I feel like running away from Akkad because of you.”

“I am sorry for doing that to you. You laid on that suck Bed for long . I had no choice than to do the necessary” she lied. The engagement took place when she traveled to Red valley. Stefan was yet to be sick then.

No response.

“Is there anything I could do to make you forgive me?” Queen mother Daria asked.

Stefan thought for a while. This was his chance to take advantage of his mother. After all , she did same to him.

“I heard that you increased the taxes for the people living in the slums. You even went ahead to stop them from fetching water from the wells” Stefan said.

She wasn’t expecting him to bring any topic concerning those people. They paying for the crime their committed. “Yes I did. They made the whole of Akkad suffer so I punished them back. It’s fair .”

“It’s not fair mother. They are Innocent. Even Angelina is innocent. Love is not something you force on anyone” Stefan explained. Maybe she got tired of me.

“And that’s why you laid in bed for days. Your foolishness will land you back in that sick bed. Forget about Angelina and move on with your life. I know she is beautiful but, she is not your partner. Amara is the one for you.

Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!

Creation is hard, cheer me up!

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