The Devil's Sweetheart

A deafening silence prevailed in the room. Eleanor's words cut right through their hearts. If not the girl in his arms was holding on to his hand tightly, Devin would have thrown the old goat out of this place.

The silence was broken by Eleanor with her provoking words again."I will take your silence as a yes, Mr.Wang."

"Eleanor!" Nettled, Arthur hollered at the woman. "Knock some sense into your brain. I am not going to agree to your foolish demands." He didn't agree to become the Prince then. On what rationale did this woman think of pulling my grandson into her family politics. It seems she thinks Devin is an easy catch. If she had seen Venner behind it, she would know how ruthless he can be.

"It's your grandson whom you saved. Do you need to act tough with your own family?" Fredrick argued vehemently. The least respect he had for her has completely vanished today.

"What's going on here, dad?" Devin demanded. "I am not understanding a thing you are talking about."

"When you were three years old, you fell into a swimming pool and no one in our family has seen you drowning and it was Queen Eleanor who saved you on that day. If it was a second late, we would have lost....." Fredrick's voice choked at the thought of his son hanging the brim of life and death on that day. "We would have lost you forever if not for her. Your grandfather gave a word that the Wang's would be forever indebted to her in case she needed help."

"And it's time you pack back. Devin has to take over the throne. My half-brother died when_"

"You executed him." Arthur corrected her.

Eleanor's broad smile revealed every wrinkle on her face. "Indeed. I don't deny it. I loathed him. He was a weed that I had to pull out by force because he was my competition to the throne. If I had an elder or younger brother, there wouldn't be any conspiracies. But my father married another woman the moment my mother died and produced offspring. Had you taken up the offer and became the prince, I would have at least spared my half brother's life."

"Due to ill health, my two other cousins died before producing a male heir. Now, I don't have an heir to rule the empire after me. I don't want to pass on this throne to a random person. So, I want my grandson to take over it. I would suggest the Wang's give my grandson willingly or I will take him back by force." A malicious smile spread over her face.

"I am not giving my son to you," Evelyn aggravated on Eleanor with all guns blazing. She looked at Devin. He was sitting calmly as if he was not unnerved by that woman's words.

"Except producing healthy children, you are one good for nothing daughter-in-law." Eleanor scoffed.

"I am not asking for anyone's opinions. My husband knows the way, I handle things."

The rush of adrenaline passed over Devin but he didnot speak a word. He was silently calculating her mistakes.

"I wouldn't sit and watch while you throw dirt on my wife." Fredrick shook with rage. The mere sight of Eleanor disgusted him now. He got up and held Evelyn's hand to leave from this place, but Arthur signaled him to stay back.

"What's your whole point here?" Arthur asked.

"Simple. Devin and Princess Valeria will have to hold the wedding as soon as possible." Eleanor turned to face Leena as if she has a final say in this family.

"I pity the people in your country for having a heinous queen like you." Leena snapped at once. She had enough of this woman. "Now I understand why uncle Fredrick and Aunt Sharon despise you. Zero self-respect woman. You are not qualified to be called a human."

"Dare to repeat what you said." Eleanor shrieked. No one dares to disrespect the queen but she was insulted by this girl for the second time today.

Devin squeezed Leena's hand and stopped her from talking. His muscles hardened ruthlessly. He had the urge to hold Eleanor's throat and wreck the woman until she takes back the foul words she uttered. Had he knew, this woman would come, he wouldn't have brought Leena here. He grabbed Leena's hand to take her out of this place. While he was about to open the door, his footsteps halted when Eleanor spoke the most disgusting words he ever could hear.

Eleanor took Devin's silence as a signal that he is interested in the offer. "You can keep that woman as a mistress as long as she doesn't bore a child with you. The Kings and princes in our lineage have a history of having mistresses."

"My boyfriend doesn't have enough wealth to afford a mistress Eleanor Cath or whatever your name is. If you think your words have induced me to leave him, you have mistaken. I am not that woman who will sit on the sidelines and watch him slip out of my hands."

"What did you_"

"Kicking a barking dog will make it bark more. You are going to eat your own words soon." Devin calmly replied. No one could read his thoughts. His voice sounded as if he was not irked by her words but only he knew. His blood was swirling internally. He came to a decision today.

Devin wanted to pull Leena from this place but she was not done yet.

"Forgot to remind something. Don't take my boyfriend's silence as affirmative. Sometimes his greatest accomplishment is keeping his mouth shut, after all, a lion doesn't turn around when a small dog barks." Having said that, Leena turned to Devin extending her hand. Never she ceases to surprise me. He gently grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the room.

Eleanor dripped with spite as she watched Leena going with her grandson. 'No woman dared to talk back to me. I will make you pay tenfold.'

After Devin and Leena left, without a word, everyone in the room walked out of the room leaving Eleanor alone.

...

The atmosphere in the car was unwavering. Princess Valeria opened her mouth to talk but no word would come out.

"Do a thorough background check on that girl. Her past, her suitors, her ex-boyfriends. I want all the information as soon as possible."

"Yes, your majesty." The subordinate politely bowed.

....

Devin didnot speak a word all the way home. Leena was not used to this side of him and his silence was scaring her. Sometimes, she wished to read his inner thoughts. Getting down from the car, he opened the door for her without a word.

"I am not offended by her words," She held his hand and tried to assure him. Devin knew she was lying. No woman would like to be called a mistress.

"Are you sure you are not_"

"I am sleepy, Devin." She clung to him like a Koala. This is the only way to divert his thoughts. Only when she is in his arms, he will stop thinking about others.

"Alright, madam." He lifted her and before he reached the bedroom, Leena dozed off in his arms. He gingerly tucked her on the bed. Picking a tissue from the vanity, he removed her make up. He wanted to change her dress into something comfortable but backed off. She may not like it.

"Sleep tight." He kissed her forehead lovingly.

.....

It was late in the morning, Leena woke up when Carrot was continually licking her feet. "Hey! It tickles. Did you also learn from that idiot?"

Groggily, she woke up and looked at her mobile. "OMG! Ten in the morning! have a meeting with a client in another one hour." She hastily got up from the bed and rushed to the bathroom. On usual days, Leena spends two hours in the shower but today she skipped all the body care routine.

Getting fresh, she rushed into the living room to have breakfast but to her surprise, Devin was still in the home.

"You didn't go to the office?" Strange. Did he also get up late?

"No. I am taking a leave today." Was his reply.

"Why?" She walked towards him and checked his forehead. "Are you unwell?"

"No, sweetheart." He pressed a kiss on her knuckles. "I am perfectly healthy. I am taking you to a place."

"But I have an urgent_"

"I know you have a meeting with a client and I have informed Reese already. You don't need to get worried about it."

"Okay." Although she wanted to ask more, she restrained it.

...

"Where are you taking me?" Her curiosity was now like waiting for the next episode of her favorite series.

"Have patience, darling. You will know it soon."

When the car pulled off at a certain place, Leena looked around to see they were at a Courthouse? But why? When she thought of the possible ways, her lips parted in shock.. "Are we her for a Civil marriage!" Leena whispered in disbelief.