PHYSIENTS WILL ALWAYS OFFER BEST STORIES AND LIVE STREAMING ALL TIME
Terms- Part 3
When the next morning arrived, as Madeline had requested from Calhoun, both of them sat at the opposite ends of the long table. The servants who had come to serve, couldn't help but have a questioning look at the change in the seatings because all these days, the lady had been sitting right next to the King.
It was Madeline who had asked it, but since the maids kept moving back and forth from one end of the table to another, she couldn't help but feel awkward about it. She had thought that she would feel better, where she wouldn't have to look too closely at him or where he could touch her, but she had made it difficult for the servants. Not to forget, Calhoun was still visible to her as he sat in front of her, enjoying his meal.
"Good morning, my King," she heard Theodore's voice from the door, who stepped in to talk. When his eyes fell on Calhoun with the lady not around, he turned to only find her sitting on the other side.
"Good morning, Theo," chimed Calhoun, taking in a bite and turning to look at his loyal man, "Was everything sorted out?" he asked the brown-haired man who bow his head.
"Yes, milord. Mr. Perris has been swayed, after you made your presence. He knows not to talk," answered Theodore. The man who was close to the King decided to ask with good humour, "Do we need to change the chairs here? I can ask the chair maker to replace the old ones if needed."
"That won't be needed," came Calhoun's reply, "Madeline was not happy sitting here, and she wanted to be able to see me directly than have her turn her neck. Isn't that right, Madeline?" he smiled, looking at her.
The King's right-hand man turned to look, and Madeline couldn't do anything but give a small bow to greet him which was returned instantly. She doubted she had to use words to explain to the man on what the truth was, because she believed he already knew. Theodore was the King's close man, someone who had tattle-tale on her, and she had barely spoken to him.
"Did you deliver the letter to the elder daughter of Harris?" asked Calhoun and Madeline's ears turned alert hearing this.
"Yes, milord," Theodore affirmed, "I had it delivered before returning to the castle this morning.
Madeline was happy to hear that. She hoped things would go well, but Madeline didn't know that the letter was not going to make Beth happy.
The letter had been received by Mrs. Harris by one of the King's official men when she was watering the plants in front of their house. She had been extremely pleased to hear that it was written by her younger daughter. When she went inside, Mrs. Harris called her elder daughter,
"Beth! Look, it's a letter from Madeline!" came the excited voice from the older woman. She had been utterly worried since the time the King had hinted how he knew about her passing the note that had her filled with dread. To receive a letter from her younger daughter, meant she was in good health, and the King had not done anything bad to her.
Where was her glasses? Asked Mrs. Harris to herself, searching for her glasses. Beth who had been preparing breakfast, came out of the kitchen.
"Beth! Read this, quick!"
Beth wasn't as excited as Mrs. Harris, but she was curious as to what might be written in the letter.
Beth took the letter from her mother, "Let me read it," she said, unfolding the letter she started to read,
"Dear Sister Beth. I hope this letter finds you well. The King and I shared a few words, and during that time, you happened to come up. He said he would help by speaking to Mr. Danvers about you so that you could rebuild the connection you shared with him. As you are elder to me, it would be rude and not right to get married before you."
When Beth read this out loud, her face turned red.
Mrs. Hariss looked taken aback. The King had mentioned taking Madeline as his wife, but she didn't know when that was going to happen. She then heard Beth continue to read,
"I thought it was only right to ask you if you are still willing to consider the man for a possible alliance. If no, the King said there are other bachelors who may suit your taste. I am treated well without any trouble. Tell papa, I am happy to see that he has his own shop now. I couldn't be any more grateful towards the King, though I am trying to come in terms with things here around me. Tell mama, not to worry about me. Things in the castle have been good. Do write me back. Lots of love, your sister Madeline," Beth concluded the letter, her teeth gritting against each other.
"Is that all that is written in there?" asked Mrs. Harris, and Beth handed over the letter to her mother.
"Yes. It looks like Madeline is finally acknowledging her life in the castle," Beth turned around to have a scornful look on her face, "She wants to stay there, and you were worried for nothing."
"But is it she who wrote it?" asked her mother, "When we saw her here, she looked upset."
"Maybe, she finally changed her mind," Beth was furious how it was hinted in the letter that though she was the older daughter here, Madeline was the first one to get a marriage proposal and who would be getting married first.
What Beth didn't know was that the game she had played with the lette before, someone had made use of the same tactic.
The first half of the letter were the words of Madeline, but it wasn't the same letter that she had written. Calhoun changed words with her handwriting once she had left his room, for his own interest.
Back in the castle, Calhoun thought about what he had done. A malicious smile adorned on his lips.
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Unexpected crowd- Part 1
Author's Note: I have placed an aux chapter at the beginning of the book (before chapter 1). Please take time to read the note.
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Calhoun stared at Madeline, who was eating her breakfast, across the table directly facing him where he didn't have to turn his eyes to the side but only to lift his head to look at her. He had agreed to her condition for the day with the thought that she would see that he was willing to allow a few things to be in her favour. The air that she so much craved was controlled, but it was there for her to breathe.
Her blonde hair had been brushed and tied with braids again, and he liked her this way. Simple and nothing over the top. Her movements were gentle and poise, without making her presence known to be too deliberate. Calhoun knew that Madeline could feel his eyes, across from the long table where they sat. She should have known that no distance would be more for him to reach her. She was trying hard not to look up, to meet his eyes and let him know that she could sense his eyes, but the King already knew.
"Are you happy?" he asked her, and she finally lifted her head, "Your sister will have her happy life which she's been looking forward to."
Madeline who couldn't deny, nodded her head, "I am. I am thankful for your kind gesture," she bowed her head from where she sat. Convincing her was not hard at all, Calhoun thought to himself.
After years of experience, the King knew what must be done, and how to seize her heart for himself. Madeline was unaware of the change in the letter, which he had done it for her sake. Keeping good intentions towards Madeline, so that her family would get the message to step away from her.
With the King's eyes on Madeline, one would think that the family would have come to its senses not to try to irk the King. He was not pleased with what Madeline's mother had written in the note. It made him think that if she were to visit her family, her mother might one day come to openly tell her younger daughter to run away and Madeline was standing at the tip of her toes. When they were in the forest, he had noticed the gleam in her eyes, looking around the forest to see what could turn to her advantage in the future.
If Madeline was smart, she would not try to run away. But the girl slightly fell on the scale of naivety by thinking she needed freedom just because she didn't get the choice. Therefore, even if it was just for one day, what he was doing was giving her a choice.
"There should be a letter by evening or maybe tomorrow," came Madeline's voice that was like wind chimes during the time of Christmas that was celebrated. He could sense eagerness in her voice as if waiting for what more the letter would bring.
"I don't doubt that," commented Calhoun, picking up his glass and taking a sip leisurely while looking at her. He then placed it back down, "Especially when the family is talented and eager when it comes to writing things."
The words were lost by the time when it reached Madeline, and she gave him a questionable look as she missed his words.
Calhoun gave her a wide smile, "I was asking how you are doing over there."
Madeline stared back at him, "I am doing fine," far away from him, yet reachable to his eyes. She wondered if there was any point in having herself seated far back in here.
She was glad that the maids had left after serving them.
It was because it seemed that she had only made it difficult for them, which she wasn't happy about. When Calhoun went back to eat, she sneaked a glance at him. Did he have a change of heart last night? Or maybe it was because of what she had vented out to him in the forest. One minute the man was trying to seduce her to her wit's end, and the next minute, he had decided to let her go, just like that.
The rest of the day, Calhoun had not bothered Madeline.
She used her time in walking inside the corridors of the castle before moving to the open garden. It had turned out to be a peaceful day, but not everything was well as the young maid Agnes ,who was assigned to her didn't meet her eyes and was quick to leave her presence.
Madeline didn't blame her, but she did feel bad. Any and every servant would think more than ten times before talking to her. Though the King had told not to speak anything about Madeline, rumours went around the castle, passing through one ear after another by word of how Lady Madeline had complained to the King and had got the two maids in the castle beheaded.
By the time of the evening, the letter from her sister Beth had finally reached the castle. A response that Madeline was eager to read. And it came to be delivered by Theodore.
"Milady," he bowed his head. Madeline was sitting out in the garden of the King's quarters now, and she saw how his hand was outstretched, holding the letter for her, "You have received a letter from your family," said the man.
Madeline quickly got on her feet. Taking the letter from him and bowing in greeting. She noticed the envelope had been opened.
Theodore noticed how the human stared at the opened seal, and said, "Any letters that come to the castle are inspected before being handed over to the respective person."
She gave him a nod. She should have known about it as the last time she had tried to send a letter, the letter had gone straight to the King, and she had only written it as a test to see if it would go reach the person she had addressed to.
"Was it the King who read it?" she asked to confirm if it was Calhoun or Theodore. Theodore seemed like a tattle-tale person who went to tell everything to the King so she would have to be careful.
"Your letters are read only by the King. He wouldn't like it if someone else tried to read them," there was a hint of a smile in the man's voice, "Have a good evening, milady," Theodore greeted before leaving her in the garden alone.
Madeline watched the man leave, the sky had turned dark, and it was closing in on time for supper. Sitting down, Madeline pulled out the letter and read what was written inside.
"Dear sweet sister Maddie,
Thank you for your kind thoughts about me. I have conveyed your thoughts to mama and papa, and they are pleased to hear that you are doing well in the castle. Coming to the matter of alliance, I would not want to disturb Mr. Danvers as he is seeing another woman, Ms. Jenney. I have been receiving some decent proposals who had tried to woo me, since the time of the ball. Please do not worry about me.
Love Beth.'
The letter was concise but then so was hers and Madeline had hoped she would hear more from Beth on what was going on in their house. If there was anything new, so that she could stay in touch but it seemed that Beth had addressed only the questions that were asked in the letter.
Taking in a deep breath, she sighed. "I miss everyone," she whispered, her eyes staring at the letter.
"Even me?" came the voice from behind her and Madeline snapped around to see Calhoun who had appeared out of nowhere. When did he even come here? It was only five minutes ago that she had spoken to Theodore.
"I saw you in the morning," answered Madeline, her eyes sceptically looking at him.
"Would you say you would miss me if you didn't see me for a week?" he asked her, his lips twitching. She looked around, seeing no one except for the two of them here. Her heart shuddered when he walked towards her, "How has your day been? I will take it that it has been less eventful because of my lack of presence."
"It was peaceful," she said, starting to fold the letter of her sister.
"How boring," he chimed, taking a seat where she had been sitting earlier. And he said, "Come sit."
Madeline didn't see any harm in it and took a seat next to him, keeping a gap which was enough for another person to sit. Calhoun couldn't stop the smile on his face, "What a cute little thing you are," saying this, Calhoun moved closer towards her, "Have we not established a few things?"
She changed the subject by saying, "You wouldn't need to help my sister with Mr. Danvers."
"Because he is seeing someone?" asked Calhoun, crossing his legs and placing both his hands behind him so that he could look at the sky, "That can be fixed. It is not hard to make someone stop seeing the person."
"You don't need to do that. Beth doesn't seem interested in him," she frowned, at the thought of the King threatening Mr. Danvers, "Is it all you know? Taking things by force?"
Calhoun, who was staring at the sky, turned his head to look at her, his expression calm now, "Why, is it bad?"
_________
Unexpected crowd- Part 2
Madeline wondered if Calhoun knew precisely what he did, "They are not right."
"What is right and what is wrong, it differs from one person to another," answered Calhoun, "I think you are right for me, but you think I am not. Give me a reason why you think it's not viable?" he asked her.
"Because you are forceful," she replied, but Calhoun was not upset by her words nor did he smile. Instead, he said,
"What else?"
"You kill people," this did the trick of bringing a smile on his face.
"Are you telling me you like to be called a whore?" That's what the maids said. Madeline furrowed her brows.
"Where did you get that idea from? You were the one who painted me with a chemise like petticoat-"
"You should be glad, that I didn't ask you to strip naked," Calhoun's straightforward words turned Madeline red, and she looked away from him, "Don't turn your face away from me. You can blush right in front of me. I love it," he emphasized the word 'love'.
Madeline didn't want to imagine what would happen to her that she would have to be naked in front of him and be painted by him, "You are crude."
"Crude would be me telling exactly what I have in my mind, like how I want to fuck you senseless in my bed and make love to you," came his clear answer and Madeline stood up from where she had been sitting. "What happened?" asked Calhoun, "I was only giving you an example."
She raised her hand, her fingers pinching the bridge of her nose because she didn't know how to respond to the King's words, "Y-you…" she was finding it hard to comprehend her thoughts into words.
"I am restraining myself. If I really wanted to have my way with you, we wouldn't be here talking but doing something more productive," he chuckled, but Madeline didn't find it funny. The peace she had been having since the time she woke up until the time she met him here now had disappeared.
"Is that all you think about?" Madeline asked, her voice hard and she turned around to give him a stare.
"There are other things, but you would be embarrassed. Worse than how you look now," he grinned, enjoying having her burn with embarrassment.
Madeline didn't want to argue with the King because even though she was right, no one in sane mind ever argue with the King when they knew the consequences they would have to face. Trying to calm her mind, she said,
"If you need to have someone in your bed, you have dozens of women waiting to be bedded with you," she said to him, "What you said, is not-"
"Not love?" Calhoun asked her. Uncrossing his legs, he pushed himself up to stand in front of her, "I think about you when I wake up and when I close my eyes. When you aren't in front of me, I keep wondering what you are up to. I care for you. If you were another person I would have sucked you dry and bedded you the very first day. Like you said there are many women, but I don't see them the way I see you. My words might appear to be forceful and crude, and it is only because I don't want to hide what I feel towards you."
To Madeline, his words were too strong, and she was not used to dealing with this kind of person. She saw how Calhoun drank her presence while standing in front of her.
"No hurry, right now," he smiled, assuring her, but she didn't know how long this 'now' would stand, "Three days from now, there's a soiree in a fair lady's mansion. Accompany me," said Calhoun.
It wasn't like she had anything else better to do sitting in the castle, and at the same time she couldn't refuse him. She didn't know if it was because the man was intimidating or because something was stopping her from saying no.
When the day of the soiree appeared, Madeline was dressed like any other day she was presented in the castle. Fine pieces of jewellery had been placed on the bed but she wore none of it. Her blonde hair had been combed back to be braided loosely and placed on the side of her shoulder. Her corset was tight again, and this time she was sure that the head maid, Nicola was trying to suffocate and kill her through by using the corset.
She took in a deep breath as she walked down the corridors, making her way to the front of the hall of the castle where Calhoun was waiting for her. His eyes fell on her bare neck, but he didn't comment. He took her hand in his, he kissed the back of her hand.
"You look lovely," he complimented her as any other gentleman would.
Madeline noted how Calhoun had dressed, but a little more lax than usual. She didn't know who Lady Jennings was, but it made her question if it was Calhoun's friend which was why he was at ease. But then he was always at ease, thought Madeline to herself.
His features as always looked poised. A strong jaw and slightly raised eyebrows, full lips...Madeline's thought started to wander in a different direction when she looked at his lips. The same lips that had, again and again, come close to her lips, to whisper words that had made her gulp, making the hair at the back of her neck raise.
Madeline looked away flustered, staring down at the hem of her dress, to make the already proper dress right by smoothening it. Calhoun's lips parted, running his tongue over his fang as he knew exactly where she had been looking at a few seconds ago.
Making their way into the carriage, Madeline sat next to Calhoun, "Is Lady Jennings a friend of yours?" she asked him. The last thing she needed in an unknown place was to be a blubbering mess who didn't know anyone which was given as she didn't belong to this part of the society.
"She is the Lord's first daughter. Lady Jennings' husband is the one who owns ships and barrels that we need. Friend would be a far too broad term to use. Let's stick to acquaintances intake and keeping relationships," replied Calhoun.
His inky black hair had been combed behind like many other times, letting one see his sculpted face. The King was a good looking man. Having bold and aggressive characteristics that went along with his sculpted face. Not many villagers had got the glimpse of their King, and if they did, there was a probability that the girls and women of the villages would pin on to see him again. When Madeline realised she had been staring at him and admiring more than necessary, she tore her gaze away from him.
"Can I ask you something?" Madeline asked to have him turn and look at her.
"Please," he encouraged her, "What is it?" he was intrigued that she had a question to ask. Seeing how she had asked for his permission, he could tell it was something she was trying to be thoughtful about.
Madeline wet her dry lips, "People in the village, like me...We never heard much about you. Nothing about your family." It had always been vague that everything had turned out to be a bizarre rumour about him. But if her memory served her right, the King had a family.
Calhoun's expression didn't change much, "You are curious about my family?" he asked.
She nodded her head, "Yes," she said. Every time she sat down at the dining table, she felt the emptiness and maybe it was because she was not used to so much space around herself. Somewhere she doubted Calhoun felt lonely.
Calhoun had a sullen look on his face, his eyes looking distant as he said, "My parents passed away when I was a young boy. The castle was under attack a few years ago. It was one of the tragic nights that took place in Devon. One of the Kingdoms next to us had a feud about the treaty that didn't go well. It was unexpected but it happened," he paused, silence sinking around them and then he continued, "I was on the other side of the castle. By the time I found out, they had been beheaded." saying this, he turned his body back to face the front.
Madeline felt sorry hearing this, "I am sorry," came her words.
It seemed that she had misjudged him and she bit the inside of her cheek for mistaking him.
She had never heard any details except about the death that had taken place in the castle but no one had ever confirmed it. Even though the villagers were curious, they knew not to be too nosey about the royal family. Calhoun must have taken the throne right away after his father's death and she didn't know what to say.
"It's been some years now, since that incident happened," Calhoun offered her a smile and somewhere in the corner of her heart, she felt bad for him which she never thought she would ever feel, "We lose something or someone at times and it's only a process."
When they finally arrived at the large mansion, the coachman opened the door for them and Calhoun stepped down. He turned around to offer his hand for her to get down and when he noticed the sad look on her face, he said,
"Don't look so sad. What I said was not true," hearing this Madeline looked confused and she missed her footing to end up being caught in his arms, "Caught you," he chuckled.
_______
Unexpected crowd- Part 3
Madeline tried to get away from him, but instead of freeing herself, she stepped on her dress that only ended up in her almost falling down if it wasn't for Calhoun who caught her again, "We can do this all day long. It seems fun to catch you in my arms," he smirked before she finally moved away from him.
She had been feeling sorry for him while he was spinning a tale of lie about his parent's death with a solemn look on his face, "Why would you joke about your parent's death?" Madeline asked, her brown eyes wide.
"I thought it would be fun to see how you would react," Calhoun put his hand in his pocket to pull out two berries from there and offered to her, "Berries?"
"No, thank you," she retorted, a look of disbelief marring her face for believing blindly what he said.
Joking about her parent's death would have been the last thing she would have ever done, "Smile sweetheart. We don't want people thinking that I was trying to do something to you in the carriage now, would you?" He put the red berry into his mouth, biting into it as he grinned to see how she quickly schooled her expression, "Sweet girl," and they headed inside.
The mansion was nothing less to look like a smaller version of a castle. There were guards who stood outside, bowing their head in greeting. One of them was quick to lead them inside the mansion from the entrance, to where the rest of the guests were present.
"King Calhoun is here!" Announced the man as they were about to enter an open space like a room that had lawn grown on the ground. The people inside stood up to bow and greet the King of Devon.
Madeline had taken one step behind, letting Calhoun to be the centre of attention but that didn't stop the stares she received from the strangers in the room. Her feet felt cold and so did her hands with the sudden attention which was finally diverted when a woman came forward, bending down her head to greet the King.
"I am very honoured to have your presence today, King Calhoun," the woman was a brunette with a petite body and eyes that were light red.
"It is my pleasure to be here, Lady Ellen," Calhoun greeted back the young vampiress with a charming smile, "Looks like many guests here today. Is your father home?" asked the King and the woman nodded her head quickly.
"Yes, my King. He will be joining shortly," answered Lady Ellen before turning around to call the servant to offer the King, a glass of blood or wine, "Allow me to lead you to your seat," she said, not looking at the human who had come along with the King.
While Madeline was walking one step beside the King, her eyes met a familiar pair of eyes. It was Lady Catherine who she was acquainted with, giving her a smile. Madeline would have returned the smile in time if it weren't for the person who stood next to the lady. His black eyes stared at her, as James eyebrows furrowed.
It was James.
Oh dear God, thought Madeline to herself.
A nervous smile appeared on her lips and she bowed at both of them. Her hands turned clammy and she held onto the front of her dress. Her heart felt anxious at the presence of two people in the same room- Calhoun and James.
Madeline's footsteps were shaky when she made her way near to the seating. The host of the soiree Lady Jennings turned to look at Madeline who had been following the King like a lost puppy. Not to forget, a human.
"This is Madeline Harris," Calhoun introduced her to the young vampiress and Madeline returned back from her thoughts to see the woman bowed her head.
"Thank you for having me here," Madeline said and the vampires greeted back. Just when the woman left, she quickly moved to stand in front of Calhoun, blocking his view from James.
Calhoun's eyes narrowed at her, "What are you doing by standing there?" he asked.
Away from the King, on the other side of the room, James Heathcliff stood next to Lady Catherine Young who had invited him to accompany her here to the soiree. She had taken a fancy towards him since the moment she had laid her eyes on the tailorman. James found it hard to refuse on her face when she was being persistent. When the lady had asked him, James would have never thought that he would be meeting Madeline in here today. He wanted to go where Madeline was and talk to her but she wasn't alone. Next to her was the demon King who had taken a seat.
Lady Catherine noticed James looking in a certain direction and misinterpreted who he was actually watching, "That's King Calhoun Hawthrone. I suppose that you haven't seen him before," the lady informed him. But James had done more than see the King when he had last met him in the court.
"Isn't that Madeline Harris?" the lady asked with curiosity as she had not recognized the human right away, "Were you aware that she knew the King?" she asked him in a whisper.
"No, I wasn't aware of it," answered James, his eyes that were glaring at the King moved back to look at Madeline who had her back facing them.
James was unhappy with the turn of events where Madeline had refused the letter that it wasn't from her. He had thought probably she was not sure of her feelings for him. After returning back home, he had decided to cool his head off, not even going to speak to her when she had visited the village. But seeing her here now, all he wanted to do was walk up to where she was, and talk to her.
Last time James hadn't got the opportunity to speak to Madeline, but now that they were here, he decided to find a way to get to speak to her away from the King's eyes.
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Tailorman with another lady? - Part 1
Madeline was more than worried to stand in the same room where both James and Calhoun's were present. Calhoun gave her a look of suspicion, as she was yet to take a seat. She knew it wouldn't last long, hiding James from Calhoun's eyes because they had only reached the mansion and there was more than enough time for them to spend here in the mansion where they could possibly meet face to face.
She looked at Calhoun who raised his hand, waiting for her to take it so that she could come and sit next to him but how could she right now. She knew the last time they met was not the last because Calhoun had ordered James to make a garter which was for her. she was unprepared to have them in the same room.
"Madeline," said Calhoun, "Are you planning to stand in front of me the entire day?" he raised his eyebrows.
"I-I cannot move my leg," she replied, the quickest thing she could lie about, and he cocked his head to the side.
"What happened to your leg?" Calhoun asked her, and he was ready to reach out for her leg to check when Madeline quickly moved to sit next to him. She didn't know why she was trying to cover up something that was going to blow up today. But she couldn't calm her nerves, "Are you alright?"
She shook her head. She was far from being okay right now.
Calhoun was the King, so it was apparent that there would be many eyes looking at him. People were often curious about what the King did, what he said and how he looked. His eyes were yet to fall on James. His red eyes softened, looking at her, "You can tell me."
If Madeline's heart wasn't racing with worry right now, she would have noticed how Calhoun's voice had turned gentle and so did his demeanour towards her so that she could be in ease, "I haven't been around too many people for a long time. Never been in the company of vampires," she whispered so that no one around would take an offence that a human was calling the night creatures to be hideously scary.
"Is it too daunting for you?" asked Calhoun. He raised his hand to place it on hers, but Madeline turned even more conscious of people's eyes on hers.
"You are touching my hand," she continued to whisper, and he chuckled.
"I am. Be at ease," he said to her, "You don't have to look at other people or on what they think about. Just look at me. That will be more than enough," Calhoun's words struck deep in Madeline's mind, and for a moment, she forgot the people around her and only concentrated on the person she was sitting with.
"Okay."
She broke her gaze away from him to look at her lap and at the walls of the open room. It was the kind of room that looked similar to an enclosed garden where the room didn't have a roof and was left open for one to see the sky. Beneath their feet was the soft grass that had been cut to make it even.
She noticed how men and women came to greet and talk to Calhoun while only eyeing her and she wondered for how long the soiree would take place. A tea party with the King. Calhoun was still talking to a man when a familiar red-headed woman appeared through the doors of the room.
Madeline saw how the woman walked up to the King and bowed her head.
"Good day, my King," the red-haired woman bent on one of her knees to offer her greeting.
"Lady Jullianne, what a wonderful surprise," Calhoun commented, and he raised his hand for the lady to kiss the back of his hand.
Madeline noticed that the girl was a human, or at least by her eyes but her apperance resembled one to be of the vampires because of how pale and how sharp her features despite the demeanour she carried. The last time she had seen the woman walking in one part of the castle towards the chamber of the King, to give pleasure to him. Madeline wasn't someone to judge, but somewhere, she didn't like the woman.
She didn't understand how women could openly give away their body or blood, to please the King for their gain.
"Miss Jenning was kind enough to invite me here. I was only going to leave," she answered the King with a smile on her face.
Madeline turned her eyes to look at Calhoun who had a pleased expression, "Why not stay longer? I heard they had some show arranged for later this evening," said Calhoun, his red eyes looking at the woman. Most of the women and men kissed the King's feet for the power and position he held. Trying to please him, time and time again. Either by their words or by their actions.
"One of the servants who is looking after mother has fallen sick. She is in bed rest, and someone will need to be there to tend to her. Forgive me for spending such a short time with you," on Jullianne's words, Madeline couldn't help but raise her eyebrows at Calhoun.
Short time…, thought Madeline to herself.
"Convey my greetings to your parents," and the woman bowed again. Before leaving, the woman turned to look at Madeline and gave her a bow. Madeline was compelled to return the polite gesture, and as the lady walked away from them, Calhoun said, "I can tell why your legs are aching."
Hearing this, Madeline turned alert, and her eyes very slowly moved to look at him. Had he noticed James in the room? The room wasn't that big enough where James would be hidden away from the sight of the King for long. Of course, Calhoun would have noticed him. Especially considering her suspicious behaviour.
"Why?" she asked.
"Three days back you walked quite a lot. Your delicate feet must not be used to it," came the answer from Calhoun who had turned to look into her eyes, "The distance from the forest to the castle isn't a short one. Walking a lot must have caused some pain. Once we get back to the castle, let's make sure it is properly massaged."
Madeline shook her head, "No no, that won't be needed. It's just some regular pain. It doesn't hurt too much," she said, knowing exactly what the King was having on his mind when she noticed the wicked smile on his lips. Instead of letting the maids massage her feet, Calhoun would himself pull up her skirt like last time to tend to her. Madeline was not ready for her heart to jump out of her throat again because of him.
Calhoun was not healthy for anyone's heart. The man could turn tables in a way that would leave a person's mouth wide open where one would not be able to comprehend on what was going on.
"Please," came the teasing voice of his with a smile, "I was the one who made you walk, allow me to make amends," but Madeline didn't want him to make amends by touching her!
_________
Tailorman with another lady?- Part 2
James Heathcliff stood on the other side of the room, with his back facing the King as he spoke to the guests who were acquainted with Lady Catherine.
"You must have met James during the time of the ball which was hosted by the King," said Lady Catherine to one of the couples who had come to greet them and was curious about the good looking man who stood next to her, "James was kind enough to accompany me to the ball."
"How kind," said the woman who was eyeing the man next to the lady, "It is good that you have a partner, Lady Catherine. Peter was out of town for work, and I didn't have any dancing partner," laughed the lady at the end, who was plump and who appeared to be in her late forties.
"They must have been intimidated by you, my dear," stated the husband of the woman who placed his hand around his wife's waist.
"You mean they were scared of me," replied the woman to laugh again before she said, "So James, what do you do?"
James was looking somewhere else when the woman questioned him. His eyes immediately looked at the woman who was waiting for him to answer even though he had introduced himself to her during the time of the ball.
"I am a tailorman, Lady Dorothy," James smiled, his words polite and the woman for a moment looked taken aback by his profession.
"A tailorman?" asked Lady Dorothy's husband, Peter.
Lady Catherine seeing the look of surprise, said, "Yes, James is a very esteemed dressmaker. He makes clothes for the King and the ministers."
Catherine was a vampiress who was lean and had a heart shaped face that made her look delicate and pretty. She was the daughter of a Duke who lived in the town away from the village, East Carswell. Since the time she had met James Heathcliff, she had been taken by him. His kind manners and gestures had won her heart. She had taken every opportunity that she could, to bring him into her part of the higher society, wanting him to get involved and be familiar. But even though no matter how much she tried to capture his heart, somewhere it felt that his thoughts were somewhere else.
"It must be nice to assist the King," commented Lady Dorothy, "I hear the pay is always good when it comes to working with the King," the woman had the habit of laughing more than necessary and the people around only smiled and nodded to her words.
"You should one day go to his shop. James is very talented. I am sure he will get the best dresses stitched for you," Lady Catherine tried to advertise the man's work.
James bowed his head, "Lady Catherine is too kind to praise my humble work. I do what is possible and with what I have," he said.
"If Lady Catherine is speaking so highly about you, I think I will have to pay a visit to your shop. Isn't that right, Peter?" asked Lady Dorothy and her husband, who looked a few more years older than her, nodded his head.
"That is right. I would like to see it myself on what makes you so special, that has dear Catherine singing your praises," said the man. Lady Catherine hearing this blushed, but James gave a tight smile. He knew what was being hinted at, but he had come here only to offer company to Lady Catherine and nothing more than that.
He had wanted to refuse her since the time he had openly spoken to Madeline about his feelings for her. But Catherine had been more than persistent in trying to comply with her requests. Being the man he was, he didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings.
"Excuse me," he said, bowing his head and walked away from the room, as he needed some air away from the vampires and humans who belonged to the higher class.
Calhoun was speaking to the people who were flocked around him. Madeline, who was sitting next to him, noticed how James had left the room and she was somewhere tempted to follow the man. But at the same time, she knew this would only make things worse. Somewhere, she felt terrible. Terrible that when he had mentioned about the letter, she had failed to clear it.
He had stood in front of the King, and made a fool of himself which was partly her fault.
If she had refused that she had never written a letter, James would have left right away. Her hands clutched on the front of her knees. She tried to control her heart beat without catching anyone's attention, especially the King.
Madeline felt torn by thinking what to do and she found it to be rather difficult to sit where she was right now. Her toes curled, her stomach churning as she heard the people who surrounded Calhoun sing his praises while he smiled at them, the smile saying he knew they were kissing his feet.
She didn't speak and only smiled or nodded at people when the eyes moved to look at her. Some women and men gave her a narrowed look with question in their eyes on what she was doing sitting next to the King of Devon.
When some of them walked away after speaking to Calhoun, Lady Catherine came to stand in front of the King. Like many others, she bowed her head deep down before standing up.
"My King," said Lady Catherine, "Is there something I can get for you?" she asked him in a polite voice.
"That won't be necessary. How have you been doing?" asked Calhoun. He had leaned his back against the couch with his legs crossed one over the other.
It seemed like the King knew Lady Catherine, Madeline thought to herself. Her brown eyes moved behind the lady and then at the entrance of the door to see that James was not yet here. Madeline only hoped that Lady Catherine would quickly finish speaking to Calhoun so that Calhoun would not get to speak to James. The last thing she wanted was Calhoun reminding James about the garter in front of everyone. Madeline was worried, and she tried to keep herself cool without bringing the nervousness on her face.
"I have been doing well, milord," bowed the lady and Catherine's eyes fell on the girl who sat next to the King, "How are you doing Ms Harris?"
Madeline had met Lady Catherine twice when her sister Beth and she had visited her aunt Mary's house which was in the same town where Lady Catherine resided. She bowed her head, "I am doing well, milady. I hope your knitting has been going well."
"Oh, it has!" answered Lady Catherine.
The vampiress wasn't fond of her, maybe fond of her sister Beth, but never her. At least that is what Madeline thought, and she knew it wasn't her overthinking that had conjured up this idea in her mind. There was an odd hostility that was presented towards her by the lady.
"If I knew the King was coming, I would have brought you some gifts. Handmade presents like sweaters or mufflers," the vampiress added, and Calhoun had a smile, that beat everyone's in the room, and it was wide and stretched up high.
"I have people for that, Lady Catherine. You don't have to work your pretty fingers," commented Calhoun and the lady blushed.
Madeline noted how Calhoun had turned everyone pink or red. Either by compliments or through his subtly embarrassing remarks. She knew it was not right, but she couldn't help but find solace that she wasn't the only one who was subjected to the King's remarks.
"I didn't know you knew, Madeline," stated Calhoun, his eyes filled with curiosity as he had thought that Madeline knew none in the room.
Lady Catherine bowed her head over his words, "I met her and her sister when we had a tea party over one of the ladies' houses. Ms. Harris was staying at her aunt's house. I believe?" she turned to look at Madeline to confirm.
"Yes. My father's sister. My aunt," replied Madeline.
"How nice!" exclaimed the King and Madeline didn't know what was nice about it. She had been smiling since the time she had arrived here, her cheeks had started to ache and so did her jaw, "Have you come alone?" asked Calhoun and this question was enough to set Madeline tensed again as her eyes widened.
"No, Milord. I have come here with a company," saying this, Lady Catherine turned around to see if the man had returned. When James finally did walk through and into the room, a bright smile appeared on the vampiress' face, "Here he is," and the man walked towards Lady Catherine to stop to stand next to her. Lady Catherine introduced him, "This is James Heathcliff."
James's eyes met Calhoun's, and he was compelled to bow his head to offer his greeting to the King, "Greetings, my King," came James' voice who finally raised his head to meet the King's eyes smiling at him.
A few seconds passed by in silence, and Madeline could feel her hands turning sweaty, and she subtly wiped it against her skirt. Lady Catherine had a puzzled look at the silence. Calhoun asked,
"Who is this?"
Lady Catherine had already introduced James to Calhoun. The King was acting as if he were meeting James for the very first time and didn't know who he was. What did he mean, who James was? Asked Madeline to herself. "This is a dear acquaintance of mine," blushed Lady Catherine.
Calhoun smiled, nodding his head, "I see, so he's the man who has captured your heart. I can tell now why you have been evading the other men who have tried to court you," he stated.
Madeline felt a slight prick in her chest after hearing this. Her eyes moved to look at Lady Catherine, who was evidently in love with James. When the ball for the Hallow was hosted, James had not received the invitation, but he had been invited by Lady Catherine for the ball, to dance and spend time with her.
Both James and Madeline together had never spent time together, at least not alone, that was why Madeline didn't know what equation James held with Lady Catherine.
"I am trying to sway Mr. Heathcliff's heart and hoping to marry him," Lady Catherine didn't hide her intentions towards James. When Madeline shifted her eyes to look at James, he appeared to look awkward, but he didn't refuse anything that put a furrow between Madeline's eyebrows.
Calhoun, who had a broad smile on his lips, commented, "You should make sure to make him commit to you. It would be terrible if he found another interest," looking at James.
James obviously being the kind-hearted man, couldn't refuse Lady Catherine in front of everyone. At the same time, the King was painting him in a bad light where Madeline could easily misunderstand his relationship with the vampiress.
___________
Tailorman with another lady?- Part 3
During the time of lunch, the guests were asked to join in the dining room which wasn't as large as the one back in the castle, but it was decent enough to accommodate every guest who had been invited. It was a round table that had a spinning platform so that the food could be passed for everyone to take by turns. Madeline had never seen anything like this before, and she had a look of fascination on her face.
"Is it the first time you have seen this type of table, Lady Madeline?" asked a man who happened to be sitting next to her while on the other side, Calhoun sat next to her.
Before the time of lunch had arrived, she was almost introduced to every single person by Calhoun without giving much details and Madeline had spoken not more than a word or two.
"Yes," answered Madeline, her eyes looking at the marble slab that turned smoothly that was on the table.
The man gave her a nod, who continued to speak to her, "Marble slabs like these were introduced two years ago. It hasn't been introduced to everyone," the man was polite enough, to not mock her knowledge on it, but it wasn't the same when it came to others who were seated around the table.
"Poor people aren't aware of the new inventions. They live in a well," the comment came from across the table from a man who appeared to be wealthy by the way he looked down upon the people except the King.
The woman next to him joined, "It is a pity that they are unaware about it but then at the same time, they cannot afford using something like this," the woman was putting a napkin on her lap when she continued to say, "Considering that their houses are very small and so is space."
"That is because there is no need to bring something home which won't be used," James said that made the people to turn to look at him. Even Madeline turned her eyes to look at the man, "We have the habit of living with what we have. Slabs like these are not of any use when family members don't mind passing the vessels from one side to another."
Very few agreed to his words, but most of them were not pleased with the human who spoke out of line.
"Yes, it's fun to do that," added Lady Catherine when she noticed the number of eyes that looked at James in distaste. At the same time, the vampiress glanced at Madeline as it was because of her why the conversation had started.
"It looks like Lady Catherine had found the right man to be next to her side," stated Calhoun, for everyone to raise their eyebrows.
Lady Catherine blushed, waving her hand, "Oh no, it is still something that I am still working on," she said to everyone who had started to give her knowing looks. James looked like he had been caught off guard.
During the time of the meal when everyone had started to eat, Calhoun's eyes shifted to look at Madeline. He noticed how she was lost in her thoughts. Her face looking upset over the words and sight she witnessed. This only broadened the smile on Calhoun's lips.
He didn't like it when she smiled looking at James, at his words that were used to protect her. Calhoun didn't know that, the emotion of jealousy could run down so deep that he wanted to rip the man's head off but then if he was going to kill him, he would need the right reason. Not to forget, there were other ways than killing that would require less bloodshed, thought Calhoun to himself.
James was occupied with talking to Catherine, who was smiling at him sweetly. It was obvious that she was smitten by the man who politely spoke to her, but every once in a while, the man glanced to look at Madeline who was seated in the opposite direction.
Madeline couldn't help but ponder over the words of Lady Catherine and Calhoun. It looked like James had been accompanying Lady Catherine for some time now, especially the way they both spoke to each other.
Nobody at the table cared if Madeline had taken only a bite to have her spoon turn around the bowl, except for the person who sat on her right side.
"Is the food not to your taste?" Calhoun questioned who had leaned to her side that made Madeline snap her eyes up to look at him.
"It's delicious," Madeline answered, taking one bite and Calhoun's lips twisted,
"You look upset. Is something bothering you?" asked Calhoun. He knew why she was upset, but it was good that Madeline was pondering over the scene which was in front of her. Who knew one day Lady Catherine would be of great use.
Madeline pursed her lips and then replied, "I am fine."
"If you say so," he agreed and went back to eating his meal before one of the men spoke to the King about the recent news circulating in the higher society.
"I heard that they found the body of Miss Lipton, my King. Was it resolved?" asked the man. Some of the people's eyes fell on the guest.
Calhoun took a bite from his fork, chewing his food and swallowing before he responded, "Yes. After her father and I had a talk with his false allegation, the girl is finally resting in peace right now, just where she needs to be. It is a pity that she had to die so young."
"Indeed, milord."
"That's true," came the murmur from across the table.
Lady Jenning shifted the conversation to something much lighter, "My King, were you not in the Hallow ball which was hosted a few days ago? I don't think any of us saw you."
A chuckle escaped Calhoun's lips, "I thought it would be much more entertaining without having a need to scurry the villagers who came to attend the ball for the very first time," he said, to gain thoughtful nods.
"There were rumours about you picking a bride this year, which is why you invited so many people," came another conversation.
"Everyone is always so curious. It was the minister who advised to having people come to see the castle. Hoping it would bring the subjects closer to the crown," Madeline heard Calhoun reply to the question, his presence charming people around the table. She was going to take another bite by ignoring the sight in front of her when she felt Calhoun place his hand on her thigh under the table.
Her heart hitched.
She lowered her hand that she had raised almost near her mouth.
Did he think that there was space between them? Was it by mistake? No, when it was Calhoun, there was no room for mistake! They were in a room full of people. What was he thinking?! She placed the fork down and noticed how one of the older ladies on the table looked at her, offering her a smile, and Madeline smiled back. She picked the napkin, wiping her lips with it and just as she lowered it down on her lap, she pushed Calhoun's hand away from her thigh.
Madeline would have glared at him for trying something so shameful by placing his hand on her leg under the table. But with people around where some of them were looking at her, she tried to have a passive expression on her face and went to pick up the fork.
One of the men said, "The Hallow indeed was successful. Devon has been prospering better than before."
"Aye," said another person, lifting the glass towards the King.
Bringing the fork towards her mouth, she started to eat and was about to swallow when she felt Calhoun's hand back on her thigh, which was positioned higher than before. When she turned to look at Calhoun, he was busy concentrating on his food while his hand inched higher.
As her gaze moved across the table, her eyes met James and a second later, Calhoun's hand squeezed her thigh firmly. Her face turned red and she looked away from James to look down at her plate.
She wanted to stab the hand!
________________
The warning- Part 1
She felt as if the air was knocked out of her body when Calhoun squeezed her thigh, but that wasn't all that happened. Her stomach turned differently, and it made her curl her toes, drawing her feet closer together behind the chair while her mind was focused on Calhoun's hand.
Turning her head to look at him, Madeline whispered, "What are you doing?"
Calhoun turned to look at her with a calm expression, "Eating? It would be best if you ate too, than letting your eyes roam around the table," he took a bite from the meat, his eyes staring deep into her brown ones.
She had only made eye contact with James and Calhoun was jealous with the simple action of hers that didn't even mean anything, "Let go," she gave him a sweet smile.
"What?" Calhoun asked with a louder voice, and Madeline could feel heat reach her cheeks. Some people at the table turned to look at them. Madeline took a bite from her fork so that there was no food on it and then looked at his hand, "Are you thinking to stab my hand?" he asked. Saying this, his hand moved up on her thigh, and his fingers in between her legs that made her gulp. Calhoun was being utterly shameless in the public while they were sitting with everyone in the round table.
Madeline didn't answer his question as she had moved her hand away from the table and went straight to stab his hand with the ends of the fork. Just before the sharp ends of the fork could pierce through the back of his hand, the cutlery turned to a handful of petals in her hand.
She blinked, looking down to see petals of red rose that had appeared in her hand out of nowhere. Where did the fork go?! He suddenly held her hand that crashed into his, "People are going to notice!" she sent a glare at him, "Can't you be normal."
"You want normal?" asked Calhoun, his voice low and Madeline didn't know if she pushed the wrong button, "Are you scared, if James will find out what we are doing under the table?" and Madeline tried to pull away her hand from his hold. Calhoun then let go of her hand to pick up an empty glass and hit it with the fork.
The glass clinked and the sound made everyone turn their attention to Calhoun, "I have an announcement to make for everyone. This lovely lady you see here, Madeline Harris. She hasn't accompanied me here because I am bored but because I will be marrying her in less than a month. I have already spoken to her parents, and they have decided to give us their blessings," Madeline's mouth fell listening to his words, "Right now the news had not been made public, and you are the first ones to hear it. Madeline thought it was only right to let everyone know about it and I agree with her words. I wouldn't want any man looking at my future wife in a wrong way," Calhoun said, his eyes sweeping around the table, to pause when it met James' eyes.
Madeline's eyes quickly moved between Calhoun and James before it came to settle on Calhoun. The people around the table looked gobsmacked like Madeline. They hadn't expected the King to drop news about him getting married.
Calhoun then continued, "That would mean no disrespect about where she comes from. I expect every single person to show respect towards her unless you don't love your head," said the vampire with a broad smile to show his sharp fangs. His eyes then moved at the man who had commented about Madeline's status, "Madeline will be your future Queen," he declared.
Everyone suddenly stood up, chairs screeching as they bowed down to the lady, and Madeline sat there like a statue.
Her eyes met James; they didn't give away any expression as his face looked blank.
When lunch was over, more people wanted to talk to Madeline and make her their acquaintance. The same people who didn't care to give her a look and were looking down at her now wanted to know more about her. She was overwhelmed with the attention she received right now, and she tried to keep up a smile on her face, conversing with them, when in truth she didn't want to be around these people who were trying to win her favour.
Calhoun was talking to a man on the side, and she noticed they stepped out of the room. A minute later, Madeline excused herself.
"Lady Madeline."
Madeline turned at the voice to see it was Lady Catherine. James was not with her, and the woman walked towards her. Madeline bowed her head, but Lady Catherine quickly bowed her head deeper. She observed how from being addressed as Ms. Harris, the vampiress had moved to 'Lady Madeline'.
"Are you looking for the powder room?" asked Lady Catherine, "I was going there myself," and Madeline walked next to the young vampiress.
"Thank you for taking me there. I was going to look for a maid or someone who could point me in the direction," confessed Madeline.
"I am glad to be of your help," Lady Catherine smiled and Madeline found it strange, how the demeanour of the lady changed since the time at the table.
As they changed two corridors, Lady Catherine said, "I would have never guessed that the King was going to take you as his wife. I mean, I never would have guessed that you knew each other. Just between us girls, how did you meet him? How did it all start?" questioned the girl eagerly.
"We met at the ball," answered Madeline and Lady Catherine clapped both her hands.
"How romantic! I can tell that you are a fortunate girl," chimed Lady Catherine and Madeline gave her a tight smile, "I must confess something to you. I thought you were into James because there have been times when he has brought up about you in our conversation. But this is such a relief now, to know that you are with the King," she softly giggled.
Lady Catherine was the first one to enter the powder room and also the first to leave, leaving Madeline alone in the room. She looked at her reflection in the oval mirror that hung on the wall. She now understood Lady Catherine's hostile behaviour towards her. It was because both of them liked James.
Before Madeline had the opportunity to get up from the chair she was sitting on, in front of the mirror, the door to the room opened, and she turned around to see James who had stepped inside.
"You shouldn't be here. Please leave," said Madeline because the room was used by women and not by men. If someone were to enter the room now, it would be a big scandal. James closed the door shut and locked it for Madeline to look at him alarmed.
James was asking for a death wish, and Madeline was going to be the next, "Open the door!"
"I will, once I finish talking to you," he said to her.
"We can do that outside. Please," she pleaded because she could feel the stress getting to her.
"He won't let us have a conversation."
"He will kill you and me if he finds us here like this," she said, staring at him.
"Tell me, why did you refuse to accept that you wrote the letter to me. Are you scared of the King?" asked James.
Madeline felt nervous, and she kept looking at the door and then James. Calhoun was crazy, but James was crazier to think they could have a conversation in here!
She closed her eyes, parting her lips to say, "I didn't write that letter."
"What?" asked James surprised.
"That day, I didn't get the chance to clear about it. Please unlock the door and leave, James. Lady Catherine is a good woman. She loves you, and she will keep you happy." Madeline didn't know what to say because Calhoun had declared in front of everyone that she was going to be his wife. And here, James was with Lady Catherine.
James furrowed his brows, "You don't mean it."
"I do," she nodded her head. Madeline wanted her freedom, but that didn't mean she would risk James' life for it.
"If you think there's something between Lady Catherine and me, there's nothing," assured James, "I-"
The door opened, and Calhoun entered the room, even though James had earlier locked the door.
__________
Liquid on the lips- Part 1
Madeline felt her blood drain from her face. Her throat went dry by looking at the person who stood at the door. She had seen James lock the door and had heard it click too. She had thought it would be safe with no one witnessing James who had stepped inside the powder room, but she should have known better that Calhoun would know.
Calhoun always knew, and there was no hiding anything from him.
For a person who turned the fork into a bunch of rose petals, she doubted if there was anything that he couldn't do.
"I was looking for the restroom," said Calhoun with a cold smile on his lips, "I didn't know we had a common room." He took one step forward and Madeline instead of taking one step back like she always did, took two steps ahead and quickly made her way to where Calhoun was.
She was scared for James on what Calhoun would do. Madeline knew what Calhoun was capable of. He was an expert when it came to beheading people. He could do it with closed eyes and still get it right. She didn't want Calhoun killing James, even though what James did was utterly stupid. He should have waited for her to step out of the powder room. A locked room with a man and woman did not give any clean ideas in one's mind, but would question what they were doing that needed to be hidden from the public's eyes.
"Nothing happened," Madeline whispered to Calhoun, her brown eyes anxiously looking up at Calhoun who was staring at James unblinkingly.
Madeline knew that all Calhoun would have to do is twist James neck to get him killed but James didn't deserve it as he was only being drive by his emotions right now. James and Madeline had no idea that they would be seeing each other this soon. They would have sorted out their mind if they knew it beforehand. But Calhoun didn't know about it either, and he had played things to his benefit like he always did.
James stood there with his hands clenched tightly into fists while staring at the King.
Calhoun then shifted his gaze to look into Madeline's eyes that looked scared. He raised his hand to place it on her face, "I know that, Maddie," one side of his lips moved up to a half-smile.
She felt his hand that was oddly warm. Was it always warm? She wanted to take Calhoun out and away from James.
"Milord," came James' words and Madeline's eyes snapped to look at James, hoping he would not speak something that he shouldn't. Especially not when they were caught together in a locked room. James had a confused expression on his face of how Calhoun had stepped into the room when he had locked the door, "I came to the wrong room. Allow me to be excused," he bowed.
Calhoun continued to look at James with the crooked smile, "I am sure you did but," he paused to look at Madeline who didn't back away from his touch, who now willingly stood in front of him. Letting him have the skin contact between each other, "I think we need to establish something here because it didn't go through your thick skull."
Madeline felt her soul starting to leave her body with the tension in the room. Calhoun then moved his fingers over Madeline's cheek, caressing it, "Don't try to steal what is not yours. If you so much as look at her, I will have you shackled with chains in the dungeon so that I can see you tortured," her eyes widened hearing this, "This is a warning, only because sweet Madeline and I are trying to build a relationship," he turned to Madeline and said, "Why don't you join the others in the room."
Madeline had a worried look. She didn't want to leave James here with Calhoun. Her heart started to pound in her chest, and she gave him a pleading look, "Go on," said the King to her and Madeline looked at both the men before dragging her feet out.
When Madeline left the room, looking at James, Calhoun smiled, "Marry Catherine and leave instead of meddling with something that didn't even belong to you in the past."
James grounded his teeth, "You cannot force Madeline to do your bidding. She has a kind heart-"
"I know how Madeline is. I don't need you to tell me. Not someone who didn't have the balls to ask her before but now is interested as she is going to be someone's wife," Calhoun said to him, a chuckle escaping his lips, "I thought you would have understood last time, but you haven't, which is alright. Let me tell it out loud and clear, forget Madeline and move on, if you are looking for a peaceful life."
James had come here intending to speak to Madeline. He had made sure to wait for the King to leave Madeline's side so that he could clear some things with her. He didn't know the King would open the lock which he had locked.
"And what if I don't?" asked James. His eyes were intently looking at the red-eyed King.
The smile on Calhoun's lips faltered before it disappeared from his face. He walked to where James was, pushing the man right against the wall with a loud thud. Calhoun glared at James whilst his hand was around the human's neck who struggled to get away from the hold, but Calhoun was stronger than any walking person on the land.
"I thought you were naive, but I didn't know you were this stupid to stand up against me, by thinking you can challenge me by your brave words," Calhoun's hand went to squeeze the man's throat before he let the man breathe with his hand still around James' neck, "I am letting you off this one last time just because Madeline doesn't want you dead. Like you said she has a kind heart, but that doesn't mean it's going to stop me from torturing you. You will wish you were dead than being alive," Calhoun lowly threatened, his red eyes flared to narrow down at the useless mongrel, "Try something like this again, and I will make sure I turn your life to a living hell."
Calhoun finally let go of James' neck and took a step away from him as the human coughed for air. James had brought his hands up to his neck, running it to soothe the skin which had been tightly held,
"Do it, and Madeline will never accept you!"
"Hm, still talking like a useless bird," hummed Calhoun, his voice low, "Time will tell that, won't it. Not to forget, the way you and Lady Catherine seem to be tight. I wonder what Madeline must be thinking," he tched with an unimpressed look.
James returned with a glare in his eyes, "Nothing is going on in between us."
"Are you sure about it? No man goes along with another woman when he could use the same time to woo the girl he likes. You broke her heart. But that's okay," Calhoun responded, "I am here to help Madeline, to heal and love. You are not needed, step away before you regret it."
_________
Liquid on the lips- Part 2
Madeline was worried, and her feet tapped underneath her skirt. She had not taken a seat, instead stood at the side of the room, looking outside the window where she could see a river running next to the mansion which she hadn't noticed before.
She had tried to put up a smile on her face, but with Calhoun and James who were not back yet, she was scared and feared that something bloody went down between the two men or maybe with just one man. After all, James was a human while Calhoun was the vampire. She had felt the touch of Calhoun's fingertips on her skin, stroking it gently, while his eyes looked cold that was not pleased with the situation James had put her in the locked room.
How did he know that James was in the powder room? Did he follow him? Or was he waiting for James to make a mistake? She prayed to God that Calhoun would not harm James. The truth was that James and Madeline had not got the time to speak to each other properly, to clear what they had on their minds but if they did, that would only end up in conspiring to run away from the castle.
She held tight to the handkerchief that she held in her hand. James had told her that there was nothing in between Lady Catherine and him, but he had spent more time with her, and everyone could tell that the vampiress was smitten by him.
"Lady Madeline," came a voice and Madeline turned around to see Lady Jennings who came with two glasses of wine in her hands, "I brought you a glass of wine." The woman was the vampiress who was hosting today's lunch as well as tea party for some of the high-class people. The lady had been a good host, walking around to talk to every single guest and taking her turn to make sure everyone was comfortable and Madeline had admired it earlier.
"Thank you," thanked Madeline, taking the glass in her hand. the wine inside was not gold or white or red. It was inky hue in colour, and she couldn't help but stare at it.
"It is made of blueberries. One of the favourites of the night creatures," Lady Jenning said noticing the human who gave an apprehensive look at the glass which she held.
Madeline remembered how Calhoun out of the blue had pulled out red berries from his pocket when they had stepped out of the carriage.
"I have never seen a wine of this colour before," confessed Madeline. She had taken a few sips of wine with her sister Beth by sneaking in a bottle which Mr. Herbert had given to Beth as a gift.
Lady Ellen smiled at the human's words, "That is because it is made by vampires and for vampires mostly. The berries are harvested in our yard. They have some good enriching properties that is good for the night creatures. You can tell that it's something like candies," she explained, and Madeline nodded her head.
Her eyes darted towards the door before getting back to look at the lady and smile. Calhoun and James were not here yet. After a minute, she saw James walk into the room. His eyes met hers, and she felt the world stopped for a moment before he broke his gaze away from her and his eyes searched for Lady Catherine and walking towards her. Madeline's heart broke a little by his action, but she didn't react externally.
"They make a good couple, don't they?" Madeline turned to Lady Jenning, who was looking at Lady Catherine and James, "Lady Catherine has always spoken about a man and how smitten she has been with him. It is good to see that they share a good relationship. It is not common to have a vampiress in love with a human. Congratulations on the upcoming wedding," Lady Ellen congratulated Madeline on something she was not ready yet.
At the dining table, all Madeline wanted was Calhoun to move his hand away from her thigh and keeping it to himself, but her refusal had led him going to announce their marriage that would be taking place in a month's time. One month was too close, and she felt her head-turning light even though she had not taken the wine.
She watched how Lady Catherine gave James a confused look before her eyebrows furrowed, and then gave him a nod for what he said. Not too long, Calhoun stepped into the room, and he walked to where Madeline was, who was with Lady Ellen.
"Thank you for looking after my girl during my absence," said Calhoun to have the lady bow her head.
"Lady Madeline is pleasant to talk to. I will take my leave from here," the lady excused herself, and Madeline bowed her head.
Madeline was glad to see James was still alive and that his head was intact. She looked down at Calhoun's hands that didn't look bloody but clean. She didn't know when he would commit the murder only to erase its evidence later.
"What? Not happy that he's still alive?" joked Calhoun. Madeline's eyebrows furrowed as she didn't have a hint of what must have gone down in the powder room. It was because when she turned to look at where James was, he and Lady Catherine spoke to Lady Ellen and took their leave from the room.
To make sure Calhoun didn't misunderstand, she said, "Nothing happened in the powder room."
"Okay," Calhoun gave her a calm nod.
Was that all? Did he believe her?
Curious, she asked, "What did you speak to James about?" her lips trembled at the possibility but at the same time, glad that James was okay.
"Something between two men," answered Calhoun, who glanced at the wine she was holding, "If I were you, I wouldn't be drinking it."
"Why?" asked Madeline, her eyes darting to look at the blue liquid and then looking back into the dark red eyes.
"Blueberry wines are not for little girls. You wouldn't be able to handle it," on Calhoun's words, Madeline being stubborn raised the glass to drink everything inside it until the very last few drops.
Madeline placed the glass aside on the platform and said, "Don't look down at me because I am a human."
"I never did," a mischievous smile adorned his lips right now, "You make it very easy for me to read you, but your stubbornness makes up for it. It would be wise to head back to the castle," he slipped his hand into hers, "Allow me to take you to the castle, milady," said the King by treating her just as she would want.
Before they could leave, the guests started to bow their head to the King, wishing for him to have a safe journey.
In Madeline's head, who was not used to the intoxication by alcohol, believed that one needed to drink more than three to four glasses. She had taken full gulps into her mouth, but she had felt nothing. She rolled her eyes internally at the words of people on how they liked to behave oddly when they were drunk.
When Lady Ellen had spoken about the wine being made explicitly for the night creatures, the lady had not elaborated to the fact that the wine was much more potent than what a human would have ever consumed.
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