The Devil's Sweetheart

'Queen Eleanor Catharina from Royal family.' Leena repeatedly muttered under her breath. She has heard a little about the woman when she was young but never expected she is Grandpa Arthur's wife. Leena looked around and spotted around ten guards standing by the entrance who escorted the Queen. Whispers from the crowd wafted in the air, the titter tatter birthday party was down in the mouth with the new guest's arrival.

Evelyn and Sharon sitting over the table were looking at the woman with a displeased expression. Leena gazed in the direction of Devin and she could feel the atmosphere around him turned chilly. As if her eyes bored into him, Devin immediately turned around and the smile on his face returned seeing her. Their eyes met for a brief second, his eyes conveyed the message she needed that he would tell about it after the party ends.

Leena nodded her head in agreement and her gaze now landed on the young woman who was aiding Queen Eleanor. Dressed in a modest pale blue flowing long dress, a sparkling elaborated diamond necklace on her neck was exuding royalty. The people looked at the woman as if she was a beauty descended from heaven. "No wonder these buffoons have a very bad taste. What is the use of that face when she has ugly neck wrinkles? She looks exactly like that wrinkled old goat." Leena muttered with a scoff and turned her gaze to the Queen.

"You may stand here, Valeria." Eleanor's voice was stern and low.

"Yes, Your Majesty." The woman named, Valerie bowed and stepped aside.

Eleanor slowly walked towards Arthur."The royal family wishes you the happiest birthday and great year ahead, Mr.Wang."

"If my memory serves right, you are not invited here," Arthur monotonously said.

"You are still ruthless as always." Eleanor chuckled. Her husband might be fun and crazy in the front but she has seen the fierce facade of this man.

"What is your purpose of coming here, Eleanor?" Arthur knew this woman is up to no good when she appeared uninvited.

"Patience," Eleanor's eyes glittered with protruding wrinkles on her forehead. No one dares to call a Queen with her first name but Arthur was exceptional. She didn't mind. He was the man she loved. "I want to meet the family in private. Arrange it. The party can commence later." She said and her gaze turned to the aloof man watching her with cold-blooded eyes from the time she entered.

When Eleanor stepped down the Dias, Valeria went in to support her but she raised a hand and signaled her to halt. She solely walked towards him, all the way with a smile."How are you, child?" Her voice turned soft as she spoke to Devin.

"Why are you here?" was the only question, Devin posed.

His words killed her with no blood but her love for Devin would not curtail. He is her favorite grandson.

....

"She is talking fondly with Devin but why not you, Harls?" Confused, Leena asked Harley. Is that woman gender-biased?

"Let's go somewhere private," Harley muttered and dragged Leena to the secluded place where no one could see.

"Now tell me why doesn't she like you?"

"Because I_I am not a part of Wang's family," Harley whispered looking down.

"What?" Leena's mouth turned into an O. "I_I don't understand."

"I_I am an orphan."

"Are you not Aunt Evelyn's and_"

"That's what I believed," Harley muttered, her face turned rigid. "Like every other child, I tried in every way to please Eleanor, but she would never spare a glance at me. I did not understand her animosity towards me because she would treat Devin and Adney with love and care and they hated her for it. When I was eleven, a big fight happened in the family and that's when I got to know that I am not part of this family. Eleanor has almost sent me to the orphanage but at that time, the family supported me. Mom has even taken a hit from that woman while protecting me."

"I confronted them several times about my biological parents but they would always smile and tells me that I am their daughter." Harley turned and faced Leena. With a choked breath, she said."I have kept it hidden because I was scared people will judge me. Will you also_"

"No," Leena gently patted Harley's hand wiping her tears. "It's not your mistake, Harley. I am happy that everyone in the family treats you as their own. You should be proud to have such beautiful people around you."

"Thank you." Harley wiped her tears that were threatening to flow down.

"From now on, I will tear that old goat's withering, body if she tries to humiliate you."

"You are calling a Queen as an old goat?" Harley cackled at Leena's witty reply.

"She deserves that," Leena said in a lazy tone."But why didn't I see her when I visited home last time? Are they divorced?"

"No," Harley said. "They are still together by law but it's been fourty years, she is living separately in her own country."

"She is the queen of one of the prominent countries. Eleanor was the immediate heir presumptive when her father succeeded the throne and became the king. From childhood, I heard she is a ruthless woman and she was loved dearly by her father. Grandpa Arthur and Eleanor studied at the same university and they fell in love. When she conveyed her love interest, her father did not agree because he wanted her to marry someone from the royal blood. But Eleanor was adamant about marrying grandpa, so, her father accepted on the condition that grandpa Arthur should abandon his family and business and become the Prince of their country. Scared that grandpa Arthur would not agree, she concealed the truth from him. Only after the marriage whey, they proposed the idea to declare him the prince, the truth was revealed."

"Grandpa did not want to be a puppet in their family politics, so he denied the proposal instantly. At first, Eleanor threw tantrums, later she left the royal family and started staying with grandpa Arthur. But slowly he started to learn her true colors. When dad and aunt Sharon was needing her attention, Eleanor was busy plotting against her half brother from the second wife of his father. Finally, she succeeded in executing the man, and since there was no man to take over the throne, she became the queen and from then on, she would rarely visit home and if she comes, the day would be a disaster in our lives."

"Grandpa Arthur suffered a lot," Leena felt sad for him. Until now, she thought he was a happy soul but he is safeguarding his heart exhibiting a happy front. "So, she was the one responsible for grandpa's heatstroke?" Devin once told it was because of one woman but did not reveal the person.

"She believes that he is the reason dad and Aunt Sharon hates her and she would_"

"What are you both doing here?" Evelyn appeared coming out of nowhere.

"Enjoying the weather," Leena winked. "Perhaps you should join us."

Evelyn exhaled a deep sigh. If it was any other day, she would happily chit chat sitting along with them but not today. "Maybe some other day?" Evelyn said and turned to Harley. "Let's go. S_he wants to meet our family."

"Mom, I don't_"

Leena squeezed Harley's hand and whispered. "Say yes."

"I_I am scared," Harley muttered.

"Why fear when Leena is here?"

"What are you both whispering to each other?" Evelyn asked as she looked at the two girls in a serious discussion.

"Nothing. Let's go, mom." Harley said with determination.

"My girl is learning to become brave." Evelyn smiled and guided them to the place. The moment Leena, Harley, and Evelyn entered the room, except Devin, everyone in the family was present.

"Come here, Leena," Arthur gently smiled at her.

"Mr. Arthur.Wang. I.want. to. meet. my family." Eleanor enunciated each word. "Send her out."

"Then.you.must.also.send.the women.sitting.next.to.you.out.of.this.place." Leena emphasized each word with the same velocity.

"Childish tricks don't work on me,"

"Then behave like an adult." Leena countered.

"You_"

All the family members stifled their laughs as Leena tore Eleanor's arse off in just one meeting.

Eleanor gritted her teeth, wrinkles appeared on her forehead at the sight of the disrespectful girl. What can we expect from that Margaret's granddaughter? She has watched the press meet of her grandson declaring his love for this woman. She doesn't understand what kind of poison this vixen has put on him.

Just then Devin appeared and he straight away walked towards Leena without bothering about Eleanor and protectively wrapped an arm around Leena.

"You are here? I was waiting for you, Devin." Eleanor smiled.

"What do you want?"

"I saw the press meet." Eleanor lazily asked. "Is she your new girlfriend?"

"One and only." Was the response from Leena. Did she think that I would suspect Devin with her provocative words? Use your brain a little old goat. Devin squeezed Leena's hand. She has surprised him once again. Her response was enough that no hurricane can separate them how hard they try.

"Whatever, I don't care." Eleanor gazed at all the family members. "I am here to discuss Devin's marriage into the royal family."

"Princess Valeria," Eleanor gestured to Valeria to come forward.

Valeria smiled and greeted everyone in the family but it turned awkward when she did not receive the response she wanted.

"She is my cousin's granddaughter. She was trained under me. She is the perfect candidate to succeed in my position and I want one of my family members to continue the lineage. So, Devin will become part of the royal family."

"In your dreams." Devin's reply came heated. So, this is the reason for her visit

All the family members were seething in anger but controlled their anger.

"I knew you wouldn't agree easily, child." Eleanor chuckled and turned to the family. "If I am not wrong, I have done a great favor to this family in the past and Mr.Wang agreed he would forever be indebted to me. I am here to collect my debt.. In return, Devin has to become the prince by marrying princess Valeria."