The Devil In Guise - Chapter 115

The Author’s POV

He sat at altar listening to all the chants. The marriage rites were longer than he thought. It was from one Ritual to another without stopping. At last he heard the Royal priest saying “I declare you husband and wife as from today.”

Stefan stood up quickly and went to where his mother stood. Princess Amara was still at the Altar. Everyone was surprised by his behavior but this was the best he could do.

“Why will you leave her there ?” Queen mother Daria whispered. During the old days when she finished taking her vows with the king , Stefan’s father, he swept her off her feet.

But what did Stefan know other than falling in love with girls that slapped him ? He was not happy marrying Princess Amara yet, he made it so known to the guests.

“I am supposed to carry her on my shoulders ?”

“It seemed like you want to back out Stefan” she said, faking a smile at the guests, who were present.

“The contract was to marry Princess Amara while you protect Angelina” He went to seat. The sofa was kept for him and his bride. Had it been was Angelina, he would gladly carry her in his arms and make her sit next to him.

“Why are you smiling Stefan?” Queen mother Daria asked, interrupting his thoughts.

He noticed that his mother has been following him ever since he finished at the Altar. Stefan hoped she doesn’t demand anything from him again.

“Mother, please let me be” Stefan answered. She looked unhappy but he did not care. “Go to your son, Lincoln. I Know he will be happy to hear you talk.”

“Sometimes I wish I am not your mother” Queen mother Daria said, leaving him alone.

He sank back to the sofa and closed his eyes. ‘Angelina where are you ?’ Stefan muttered.

Sigurd and Mustafa came to the hall looking for him. They were supposed to be at his side during the wedding but they couldn’t.

“Please, can you show us where the prince is ?” they asked one of the guards who stood at the door. He pointed at the left corner of the hall

“He is sitting without his bride Sigurd. Only the gods know the end of this marriage” Mustapha told him.

Sigurd knew that the marriage was going to end in tears with the news they brought for Stefan.

They went to where he sat. Mustapha was the first to talk .

“Prince Stefan” He said in a low tone.

“Angelina, please don’t go” Stefan responded, with his eyes shut.

They wondered if he was dreaming or he drank liquor?

My prince Sigurd touched his shoulder gently. Please opened your eyes.

Stefan jumped from the sofa, when he opened his eyes, he saw Sigurd and Mustapha.

“I thought you were not going to show up for my wedding.”

“You didn’t invite us Stefan. It is not our fault” Sigurd said, looking at Mustapha who nodded.

“Its not really my wedding. I felt like I am acting a play for the villagers” Stefan told them. He was not comfortable with sitting next to princess Amara at the Altar that why he came down. If it was Angelina the case would have been different.

“Sigurd once said, he wanted your bride. Why don’t you hand over Princess Amara to him ? Mustapha made a joke. At first when they came, Stefan’s face was sad. But now, that they spoke to him, his brightened up.

“No not her. I don’t like too” Sigurd said. “She looks like my younger brother.”

They laughed. While people looked at them. It was odd, seeing him with his friend instead of princess Amara.

“Come on guys, stop it. I don’t want my mother to bring her here” Stefan said, looking at Princess Amara. She was talking to the guests. It seemed they were congratulating her. “Let’s see how the marriage goes.”

His Friends laughed again. This time, they managed to get queen mother Daria’s attention. Together with princess Amara they walked to where the boys were.

“Greetings queen mother The boys stood up from the seat and bowed. The chair was meant for Stefan and his bride but he asked them to sit with him.

“Stefan you should not neglect your bride. This is your first day as husband and wife” She said, helping Amara to sit beside.

He shifted to the other end of the chair. The boys giggled, making Queen mother Daria angry.

“Please get me water, mother” Stefan said. This was the best way to dismiss her.

“Me? You are crazy. Don’t let this marriage consumed your brain, making think that you are superior to your mother.”

She left without an argument. This was the perfect way to dismiss her. He could not have think of any thing better than this.

He was left with Princess Amara and his friends. She would learn to take care of herself from now onward.

“Wouldn’t you introduce me to your friend ?” Princess Amara asked blinking her lashes several times.

Stefan wondered if she was trying to seduce him! If that was the case then the princess was wrong because no matter what he would never fall for her.

“It’s not necessary” he replied, facing his friends who stood closed to him.

“Stefan please can we talk? It’s important” Sigurd asked. The main reason they came for the party was the news spreading around. Angelina’s suicide.

Many have wondered what it was that led to such a decision by an innocent young girl. They visited her before coming for the wedding. The state they saw her in was terrible.

“It’s Angelina Stefan. She wanted to apologize to you few weeks ago but we stopped her” Sigurd explained.

“Why will you do that ?”

“There is no time to argue my prince ” Mustapha said in a low tone. He didn’t want Princess Amara to listen to their conversation. “We were trying to protect you. ”

“Angelina attempted suicide two days ago” Sigurd whispered. He looked around and saw that nobody was looking except for queen Natasha. Another Ally of queen mother Daria.

“What ?” Stefan’s eyes widened. He became restless and worried. Quickly, he headed for the door without listening to the rest of the story.

Sigurd and Mustafa followed him behind.

“Tell my mother that I will be back soon” he told one of the guard.

The stable was closer to the hall. Which means time would be saved. He picked his best horse and headed for Angelina’s home.

His friends had no choice than to return home that night. They wanted to tell him why she committed the suicide but it seemed he was more eager to hear it’s frim his lover’s lips.

**

The village was quiet when he rode that night. Stefan wondered if they all went for his wedding or there were another event going on in Akkad that he was not aware of!

That was not possible. No one dared to organize another event when queen mother Daria had a celebration.

His mother was feared by many. She was not the king but they obeyed her command. That why she threw the idea of him becoming king.

She said he was too stubborn and young to rule. Stefan did not a problem her decision because he had an elder who was desperate to rule.

According to the tradition, the king’s eldest son was the one who would ascend his throne after death. But if the king choose a particular son to rule then his wishes are followed by people after his death.

Before his father died, He told grandmother to make Stefan a king instead of Lincoln. To him, his younger son would rule Akkad better.

That night, his father passed away, Grandmother died too. Many said it was strange while Queen mother Daria kept saying that it’s was not strange because Grandmother’s death was due to heart failure.

As a child, Stefan did not understand all these things. He had no choice than believe his mother. But now, he was beginning to doubt her.

What if queen mother Daria was the one who murder both his grandmother and father? It’s was possible. She was ready to kill Angelina and her people.

Many thoughts ran through his mind as he stopped in front of Angelina’s house. He remembered the first day, he came here. The look on her face when she saw him at her house unannounced.

Stefan smiled. Even after getting married to princess Amara, his love for Angelina did not change. It seemed it’s was not getting stronger every day.

‘What are you thinking? ‘ he slapped the back of his head gently.

Depressing his thoughts Stefan came down from the horse and tied it to a nearby tree.

He took a deep breath and knocked on the wooden door. There was no answer. He tried again but no one reply.

Maybe coming here was a bad idea. He took a step backwards. ‘Go home prince Stefan’.

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

Creation is hard, cheer me up!