The Devil's Sweetheart

94

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, Lisa 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. Manoban."

"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 Lisa 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?" Lisa 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 Manoban's would be forever indebted to her in case she needed help."

"And it's time you pack back. Lisa 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 Manoban'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 Lisa. 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 Lisa but he did not 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. Lisa and Princess Valeria will have to hold the wedding as soon as possible." Eleanor turned to face Jennie as if she has a final say in this family.

"I pity the people in your country for having a heinous queen like you." Jennie 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.

Lisa squeezed Jennie'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 Jennie here. He grabbed Jennie'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.