PHYSIENTS WILL ALWAYS OFFERS BEST STORIES AND LIVE STREAMING ALL TIME
Making myself comfortable
Music recommendation: Michele Morrone - Feel It
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Calhoun looked at her fiery brown eyes that glared at him that had him smiling. Leaning forward towards her by bending down to the side of her face where she continued to struggle with gritted teeth, she felt his warm breath on her ear, "Who knew I was going to have you in my bed this soon. You need to know not to poke a lion. Just because the lion is quiet doesn't mean it's not going to pounce on you."
With her under him and this close, Calhoun could smell the rose-like scent that wafted from her, and he couldn't help but move closer.
When he pulled back, there was a broad smile on his lips that had made Madeline worried. She knew it was a wrong approach, but it was worth knocking every door and window to find a way out of this. For a moment, a streak of fear appeared in her nerves when he had pulled her to the bed and with him hovering on top of her in this compromising position,
"Are you going to get off of me?" she asked him. At the same time, the grip of his hands tightened around her hands.
"I think you are forgetting something here," he said with a thoughtful look on his face before his eyes shifted to look back at her, "Where is the magical word?"
She knew what he wanted to hear, but she was stubborn, "I don't think I did anything wrong here."
"Are you sure about it?" he tested, his hand about to touch the side of her cheek and she shut her eyes close. She was nervous as if she was able to feel his hand that only hovered near her but didn't touch her. When Madeline's stomach growled because of hunger, Calhoun ran his tongue over one of his sharp fang and got off of her.
Pulling the table back to its position, he took a seat at the table.
Madeline sat up quickly and scrambled away from the bed, making her dress right before going towards the table and taking her seat. Her cheeks had turned red.
"Seems like you liked what we did in the bed," he commented with a small smirk on his face, he picked up the glass that was on the table to take a sip from it.
Trying to keep herself calm as more blood rushed up to her cheeks in embarrassment, she said, "I would request you not to phrase things that might mean something else when nothing happened."
He placed the glass on the table, "Why have you turned red then? You look as if I have whispered something unruly that I am going to do to you," grinned Calhoun.
"Have you no shame?" she asked him, feeling the next wave of embarrassment.
"Once you discard it, there's no word called shame, Maddie," he then brought his hand to wave at the food in front of them, "Eat. If you skip your meal with me, you will end up starving."
"I will have to look at you every day," muttered Madeline under her breath.
"If your feet hurts from walking from your room to mine we can have you shift here," this overbearing man...it seemed that she would have to play this game on his terms else she would end up as a worn-out pawn.
"No, thank you."
"That's what I thought. Feel comfortable to change your room," when he picked up his fork and knife, Madeline did the same.
Eating crab would need breaking its outer shell before she could eat the meat inside it which would make things messy on her plate. And eating lamb would mean clean eating. In reasonable condition, Madeline would have picked to eat the lamb as she wasn't at home. But right now she felt like she was cornered and she was in the mood to rebel.
She picked up the fork and knife, she moved the knife around in her hand, bringing the crab in the middle of her plate, all the while feeling Calhoun's eyes on her. Holding her knife tight, she started to beat the crab that was on the table that made loud cluttering sound. One hit after another that had the crab move all over the plate as the room filled with her action.
The servant who was outside heard the sound and opened the door to bow his head before he was dismissed immediately with a small wave of the King's hand.
Calhoun's eyes narrowed, "What do you think you are doing?"
"Making myself comfortable," she answered, and Calhoun's lips twitch. Who knew cornering her would bring this side of her, which he was enjoying. He found her far more entertaining than any women he had ever met until now.
"You have a very peculiar way of making yourself comfortable. I have some ways myself if you are interested," he proposed, and she quietly pushed the crab aside before cutting the softer meat that was on her plate.
The rest of the meal Madeline stayed quiet, obviously not interested in starting a conversation with this man but that didn't stop Calhoun from not looking at her. And he could tell how self-conscious she was turning out to be because of the way his eyes looked at her. Thankfully this time, unlike this noon, he was eating the meal that was served.
"When will I next see my family?" asked Madeline, trying to be polite so that he wouldn't refuse her words right away.
"Once I know you have earned my trust."
"You're supposed to first trust and then like the person," she tried to enlighten him but she should have known this was no ordinary person.
He raised one eyebrow of his, "Who likes to follow the normal route, Madeline," he said raising his fork to his full lips before putting it into his mouth, that grinned at her.
_______
Interests
Finishing the meal, Madeline dabbed the napkin on her lips gently before putting on the table. Now that dinner was complete, Madeline couldn't wait to rush back to the room she was given to sleep. Far away with enough walls between them where they wouldn't share the same space. The servant entered the room to clear the table and take the trolley back.
"I shall return to my room now if there's nothing else to do-"
"Stay," Calhoun poured water on her plan of going back to her room quickly, "It would be unfortunate if we didn't share some time," weren't they doing that just now? Asked Madeline to herself.
"Okay," she agreed.
"Don't look so sullen, Madeline. Life in the castle isn't as bad as you think it to be," Madeline had to bite her tongue thinking about the death that took place in the courtroom but that didn't mean Calhoun didn't pick her body language, "Did the death intimidate you?" he asked her, his eyes looking at her challengingly.
"Isn't death always intimidating?" she questioned him.
"If you have seen enough death and taken many lives, death is barely something to be considered. Once your hand is dipped deep and down in blood, there's nothing to be intimidated about," Calhoun answered her, his eyes lazily watching her and his lips parted, "When you're dealing with court and your subjects, things like these are the most common."
Didn't she come under his subjects too? Asked Madeline to herself.
"Don't be frightened. You are safe," seeing the sharp canine that appeared from one side didn't feel convincing at her, "You will get used to it."
"What if I say I don't want to get used to it?" asked Madeline, "You need to understand that this is not how I grew up…"
Calhoun tilted his head to the side and asked her, "You haven't seen anyone be beheaded in the scaffold?" Madeline shook her head, "How did you miss it? If I am not wrong, every village and town has a hearing on what crimes have been committed. Depending on these actions are taken."
"I had no interest in looking at people hang or to see them beheaded. With what I have heard, the punishments are always barbaric," Madeline replied to his question, "There was a woman who had nothing to do with the brawl, but she was dragged into it, and she was set on fire."
Before someone got killed, Madeline and Beth had always been ushered out of there by their parents though Beth used to sneak out to see how the proceedings went. She had heard people scream and cry in pain when it was their blood who stood on the scaffold, ready to be killed.
"People are caught doing some things they are not supposed to do, and there are some who get caught even without doing anything."
"You agree that innocents are killed," it was more of a question as she looked into his eyes that were staring back at her before a smile broke on his lips.
"One might think that person is innocent while the next person might not, we all see things in our point of view and the order of execution is run after trails of questions and votes on what is to be done. If it is labour, imprisonment or to be sent to death row," he answered her questions, "But then there are some, that can be manipulated according to our own will."
Madeline couldn't help but wonder to herself on how many people this man would have sent on death row or how many deaths lied in his hands. The King who had offered her a room, clothes to wear and shared dinner, the same man had killed a person this noon.
"Thinking about Benedict? The man who was planning to invite you to his quarters," Calhoun reminded who Benedict was, "Benedict was an efficient man when it came to working in the ministry of relations, but he wasn't as smart as I thought him to be."
"You killed him without a trial," stated Madeline.
Calhoun chuckled, "People like that don't need to be trialled, especially not when it concerns the King and his interests. You weren't expecting me to slide it now, were you?" the smile on his face had fallen, and his red eyes looked at her, "I won't tolerate any man talking to you in such tone or intention, or even looking at you. With today's action, word will spread for everyone to steer clear away from you."
He was giving her protection, but the irony was that there was no one to protect her from the Calhoun himself.
"As of what I heard, there has been no man trying to pursue you, but if he is, you should forget about the man you were planning to get engaged," there was an underline threat in his words, "I guarantee to keep you safe with me but not another man."
When she finally got to leave his room, bowing her head, she released a sigh of breath after reaching the room and closing the door behind her. She heard the footsteps go from the front of the door, which was of the maid who had led her back to the room.
Madeline changed her clothes and sat next to the window. Her head was leaning against the window as she wondered how the events in one day had turned everything upside down.
Away from the castle, in the vicinity of the village and at the rise of the sun, a person walked on the side of the road to reach the shop that made dresses.
An envelope was handed to the assistant that was addressed to the owner of the shop Mr. James Heathcliff.
___________
The ire
When the Harris' family got back to their home, Beth, who was more than angry, was the first one to step out of the carriage. Without waiting for anyone, she headed straight into the house and went to her room. Her door closing with a loud bang that had both Mr. and Mrs. Harris look at each other worried.
Their daughter had not spoken a word in the carriage, and neither did they as they were worried about their younger daughter, Madeline who had been ordered by the King to stay in the castle from now onwards.
"What are we going to do?" asked Mrs. Harris in a shaky voice, the carriage rode away from the front of their humble house.
Mr. Harris had no answer right now as the person they were dealing with wasn't anyone but the King of their lands, "I will try to talk to Frances and see if she can try to persuade him." But, there was doubt in his voice as he was unsure and uncertain that the King would let his dear daughter return back home.
Mrs. Harris nodded her head, her eyebrows drawn together with wrinkles on her forehead, "Yes, that is one way to do it. You don't think he will hurt her, will he?" she asked in the end. Madeline was different compared to their elder daughter Beth, who would have agreed to do anything the King would ask upon, but the same couldn't be told when it came to Madeline.
They stepped inside their house, locking the doors from inside before walking forward into the small hall of their home, "Let us hope she is safe."
Beth had changed her clothes, but she was yet to remove the pins she had placed in her hair.
She came out to get a glass of water for herself. Going to the table and pouring herself a glass of water before she drank from it while overhearing what her parents were talking about.
"Madeline is a smart girl," said her father, "I am sure no ill will fall upon her."
"She was so unhappy when the King announced that she would have to stay there," said her mother and Beth's hand tightened around the glass, clutching it she heard her mother continue to speak, "Maybe we should find someone else to speak to the King, if Frances is unable to get him to listen to our request. Poor Madeline, she is there all alone now."
Beth didn't want to hear more of it, and she went back to her room. The door, this time almost thundering the house with the way it banged close. She was more than upset that Madeline had taken her place, she had stolen the opportunity right under her nose by telling she was not interested in the life of the castle. She should have known better.
She started to pull the pins around her hair, going to stand in front of the mirror.
She looked at her reflection where the girl in the mirror stared back at her. Eyes that were green and hair that dark in colour. There was no man in this village or nearby town who had never paid attention to her. And when the King had spoken to her the most today, she had believed the King had taken in by her appearance. She took the comb and started to comb her hair angrily before throwing the comb across the room in a rage.
"How could you…" asked Beth, her hands quivering in her anger for what Madeline did.
She had asked Madeline where she was that night during the time of her absence in the ballroom, but instead of telling the truth, she had told nothing had happened. She was her older sister; therefore, she knew something had happened between her and someone, and it so happened that someone was none other than the King.
"I will never forgive you, Madeline. The humiliation you have put me through," everything until the point of the meal at the table, everyone had been led to believe that it was her, but no...it was her sister who had stolen her place in the King's mind.
When the time of morning arrived, Beth woke up to go to the kitchen and help her mother, who was quietly working. She took the vessel of water and placed it on the fire, "How are you doing, mama?" asked Beth to her mother, going to her mother and placing both her hands on her shoulders for comfort.
Her mother shook her head and sighed, "I am worried about, Madeline. I don't even know why the King kept her against her will when we mentioned that she was engaged to Mr. Heathcliff."
Beth, who had her lips pursed together, said, "Why did you pick Mr. Heathcliff's name? He and Maddie barely spoke to each other. They only have exchanged greetings without having an actual conversation with each other. Bringing Mr. Heathcliff in the scene would put him in danger."
"There's nothing wrong in it!" her mother responded to her daughter, "They both like each other and I don't mind them getting married. They were going to meet this Saturday but…" she shook her head.
"Madeline told you that they were meeting?" Beth tried to confirm to receive a nod from her mother.
"Her heart must be broken," murmured her mother before going back to do the kitchen work.
Beth turned around and looked at the window of their kitchen. Her teeth gritted in anger which had still not evaporated. This little information only turned the ire in her more. Until now, Beth and Madeline shared everything with one other. With them being only a year apart in age, they did everything together, and if not done, they were sure to let one another know about what happened.
Madeline was hiding things from her when she was giving out every single information without holding back. She was here in this small house, working in the morning while Madeline would be showered with the luxury of not having to move anything. The King would surely treat her with clothes, jewels, and maids that she had always dreamt about.
Beth went back to her room. Pulling out a parchment, she placed it on the table and pulled out the quill and ink bottle to write a letter.
'Dear James,
I am sending you this letter because I am unable to come to meet you right now. I have been confined to the castle against my wishes. The King wants to marry me, but the only person I want to marry is you. You are the one who holds my heart and mind, I would not like anyone to take it away. Please do not ask my family about this, as they are unable to help me either, as it would mean going against the King's orders. I don't know what to do, therefore, I am sending this letter to you in the hope that you understand in what circumstances I have been placed in.
Yours,
Madeline Harris'
Folding the parchment she neatly placed it inside the envelope and stood up to look at the envelope in her hand. It was time to deliver it, thought Beth to herself.
__________
Messenger
Beth continued to look at the letter that she had written a minute ago which was now concealed in an envelope. Given that Mr. Heathcliff had never received a letter from Madeline before as they had never written to each other before, Beth found it to be safe to write the letter on behalf of her sister.
If what her mother said was true, this would work just wonderfully. Putting the envelope in her dress, she stepped out of the room.
"Mama, I will be stepping out of the house to go to the central market," informed Beth to her mother who was still in the kitchen. Her mother who noticed her dressed, asked,
"Why are you going to the central market?"
"Madeline happened to leave the gloves here that we took from the shop and forgot to return it. Seems like she was in quite some hurry when she went there," said Beth waving the red gloves in her hands, "I will be back soon," and with that, she left the house to walk to the central market where Mr. Heathcliff's shop was situated at the front.
Her shoes walked towards the shop, and reaching there, she made sure to give the letter to the assistant of Mr. Heathcliff so that he could hand it over to the man along with the gloves, but before she could leave, Mr. Heathcliff arrived at the doorstep.
"Miss Beth," greeted Mr. Heathcliff, looking behind her to see if Madeline had come along with her, but it seemed like it was just the older daughter of the Harris who had come to the shop.
"Mr. Heathcliff," Beth bowed her head, "Madeline forgot to return the gloves, so I came here to give it to you," she saw the assistant hand him the envelope which she had given, "She wished to come here, but she's unable to do it," she added when he read who the letter was from.
The man had a smile on his face, not knowing what the contents were about, thinking it was a love letter sent by the woman he had been trying to court but hadn't done it for so long. Beth who saw the eagerness in his eyes and face decided to burst the bubble herself and said,
"Madeline said to make sure that you received this letter. She was worried about you," said Beth, creating doubt in Mr. Heathcliff's mind.
"I am perfectly fine," the man chuckled but seeing the look on Beth's face, he asked, "Is everything alright?"
Beth pursed her lips, her eyes darting left and right, "You should read the letter she wrote for you…" Mr. Heathcliff's eyebrows drew together in slight worry, and he looked at her before opening the letter she had brought, which was from her younger sister, Madeline.
The man's eyes quickly went to read the letter that was addressed to him, and as if once was not enough, he read the letter one more time. The smile on his lips was gone, and his eyebrows continued to frown.
"I don't understand, Miss Beth," said Mr. Heathcliff, putting the letter down, "I saw her two days ago," Beth nodded to his words, her face sad and her shoulders drooped down, "They can't keep her there against her will!"
"Unfortunately, that is how it is, Mr. Heathcliff. The King refuses to let her leave the castle now, and she is imprisoned there. Unhappy for what has happened because she is in love with you and she said she wanted to have a future with you," she shook her head, her words merely a whisper only for him to hear, "But even though she is sad about it, she will get through it one day. Or maybe never," added Beth, her eyes glancing at the man who had a look of disbelief on his face.
"I will speak to the King. He can't keep her against her will," declared Mr. Heathcliff.
"Don't do it. My parents begged and pleaded and believe me when I say this, Madeline has no interest to live in the castle. But the King won't allow it. He has threatened to kill if any of us try something-"
"That doesn't mean I am going to watch the woman I love and who loves me back to be taken away from me. It doesn't mean I am going to sit here doing nothing, Miss Beth," Mr. Heathcliff clutched the envelope in his hand.
James Heathcliff was one of the man in the village who was a bachelor with a decent status and money. Not to forget he was a handsome man who some of the women were trying to aim for but James had fallen in love with a young woman named Madeline Harris. She was a beautiful woman, her words always polite and her demeanour simple.
He had been wanting and waiting to court her for months, but it was only recently, did he take the courage to ask her, wanting to make sure his feelings were not one-sided.
If Madeline had written and left him this letter for him to read, it only showed how anxious she was right now. It was clear that they both liked each other and the King was forcibly keeping her in the castle when in truth she wished to return back home.
Beth, on the other hand, was glad to see that for what she had come here had turned out just like she had expected. Giving Mr. Heathcliff enough push and knowledge that Madeline was upset and sad.
"Please don't do anything brash," Beth tried to convince him as if she had not come here to rile his feelings for her sister, Madeline.
"Do not worry, Miss Beth. I will make sure no harm falls on your family. There should be a way to change the King's mind," he said thoughtfully.
"I can only hope for my sister to be happy were her happiness lies," replied Beth with a small smile, "I should get going before my mother worries. Thank you," she bowed her head and Mr. Heathcliff bowed his head.
Beth who turned around walked down the streets with a blank expression before a small smile returned on her lips.
________
Disciplining her
"Lady Madeline! Lady Madeline!" a maid knocked on the door which was closed from inside, "Please open the door so that we can get you ready," the maid tried to get the door open but the lady inside was not having it.
Madeline stared at the door whilst she sat on the bed, unwilling to move and open the door which she had locked since the time of the morning she had woken up. She was supposed to join King Calhoun for breakfast and instead of letting the maids in to get her ready, Madeline sat there with her nightclothes, delaying the dreaded time to spend with him.
The door continued to knock, "Lady Madeline, we request you to please open it. The King expects you in the next ten minutes. He's going to very angry on us…"
She stared hard at the door before finally getting down from the bed and walking towards the door to open. Madeline was not an insensitive woman to not know what repercussion people would face because of her. She felt like her feet and hands were bound where she was unable to do anything right now.
Madeline said, "I have taken my bath," she didn't want the maids touching her like last night where it had been nothing but uncomfortable, "What's that?" she asked looking at the two maids who carried boxes in their hands.
"Your clothes and jewels to wear now, milady," answered the one in the front who went by the name Nicola. The maid looked her in the eye without batting an eyelash, "The King said he ordered the dresses from the far East and hopes you will like it," seeing the girl's tantrum since yesterday, the head maid had to bite her tongue from asking the girl to stop acting like a child. She was behaving as if hell had fallen down in here when in truth she should be feeling fortunate.
And Madeline could see the way the maid looked at her, as if she wanted to tell her something but instead, Nicola chose to bow her head. A smile coming up on her face that confused Madeline,
"Let us get you ready," said the maid and the other two maids started to unpack the box they had brought along with them. Pulling out the materials one after another and the other one opening the small box that carried neckpieces. Madeline was still getting ready when the door flew open without a knock that had everyone turn around to see Calhoun arrive at the door.
"What's taking so long to get her ready?"
The maids froze in their places and the corset was only being tied with the laces that slipped from their hands at the sight of the King who had come here. Madeline gulped seeing him, his body carrying a shadow on one side as his shoes clicked the floor.
Calhoun gave a look at the head maid who quickly gave him a bow, "We were getting her ready, milord."
"Did you think I was going to have my breakfast once the sun would set down?" he asked with an underlying tone of sarcasm in it. The maids didn't answer and stood quietly. Not daring to look up or move an inch.
Madeline then spoke, "I woke up late."
Calhoun's dark liquid red eyes shifted from the maids to look at the woman who he had been looking forward to seeing since she had left his room last night. Her blonde hair was left open to cascade down her shoulders like rays of the sun. Her eyes looked brown and not dilated which meant she had been awake for some time now.
"Must have been good sleep," he tilted his head to the side, his eyes staring down at her, "Leave us." Madeline's eyes widened at the King's demands. She looked at the maids alarmed as they started to leave the room. "Wait," he stopped them to say, "Close the doors behind you."
Madeline could feel her legs slightly shaking beneath the petticoat that she wore. She was barely clothed with just the petticoat, shift, stockings and the corset that was left half-finished. With the maids in front of her, she had felt covered but now that they were gone, she felt as if she were naked in front of him.
"I am capable of dressing myself," spoke Madeline, her words coming out to be nervous when Calhoun took a step forward.
"Nobody said you aren't," his eyes drank in her appearance, the way her bare feet were placed next to each other and were clenching the ground. The skin on her neck raising goosebumps all around even though the room wasn't cold. He took his steps forward and Madeline's lower back hit the bedpost.
Contrary to her appearance, Calhoun was dressed from head to toe and his hair combed back to not hinder his devil-like gaze and smile that she had come to know in a short span of time. But right now, he wasn't smiling at her. His eyes continued to look at her closely that made her uncomfortable and he enjoyed her response. Like a feral animal playing with its prey by its paws that would draw out its claws at any time.
"Don't lie to me, Madeline. I will not tolerate any lies or secrets," he said to her, his body moving closer to her and she had to hold her breath to see him reach out for the dress that was on the bed, leaning back he said, "Let's get some discipline." He then stated, "I am sure you will learn to wake up early and not waste my time next time."
He was joking, wasn't he? Thought Madeline to herself, her throat turning dry.
"You cannot do that," she said, and even though she wanted to move she couldn't. Not with her scarce clothing on her body. Right now his eyes were looking at her brown eyes and she didn't want it wandering anywhere she didn't want him to look at.
"I cannot think of any good reason why I can't. Step away from the bedpost, unless you want me to dress you with the bedpost. You brought this upon yourself," Madeline could feel her head slightly spinning because of the sudden predicament she had put herself in.
"I am not ready for this," Madeline had brought her hand in front of her chest.
With the lack of smile on his lips, Madeline felt dread mix in her blood, "Turn around," he wasn't budging and he wasn't going to let her go.
Madeline turned around, closing her eyes in concentration. It was a small white lie, "You are only trying to find reasons to get close to me."
Calhoun had stepped behind her. Without prior notice, he pulled the laces of the corset in enough force for her to fall back and crash against his chest. He whispered, "What can I do when you're giving me reasons to get close to you."
_______
Dressing or undressing
Madeline tried to move away, and if possible, she wanted to run far away from him. Still, with his hands on her waist and his face next to her, it made it hard for her to step away from him, "Now, how about we get you dressed unless you have plans to undress," when he finally let go of her waist, Madeline could feel the soul that had slipped out of her body return.
He then started to pull the laces behind her corset, and each pull testing her hold on the bedpost.
"How do you know how to dress a woman?" asked Madeline, praying that his eyes were not looking at the back of her body. The upper part was covered in the corset, but the lower half was covered in the petticoat, covering her bottom and legs which was made of thin material.
"I don't. I have removed plenty dresses, so I am guessing it is the reverse of it," he left the detail that it wasn't often in order that was worn, after all, who had the time to remove every single piece of cloth the women wore, "If we get it wrong, we can start from scratch to see what works."
Madeline turned her head to the side, her eyes staring at the painting on the wall, "I thought your time was scarce."
"My time is scarce for only things that are pointless and are of no use to me. But you, my dear, have all my time," Madeline thought this was no boon but curse that had fallen upon her. She was filled with shame that a man was dressing her all alone in a room, "Your corset is done," he said, picking up the skirt and having it spread around her front.
"Why are you doing this?" she asked him, "I am a simple girl who wants a simple life."
"Looks like you have a very forgetful memory, Madeline. I want you."
"You cannot have me!" she whispered, her hands clutching at her sides.
Calhoun smiled at her stubbornness, "You haven't opened your heart to me."
Madeline had turned around to look at him now, "What makes you think a girl who has been forced against her wishes will open her heart. Especially when the heart belongs to som-"
"Shh," Calhoun had stepped forward to place his finger on her lips, "So brave. What did I say of being careful with what you speak? If you were alone in the ballroom without dancing with a partner, then I think your heart is still here," he looked down at her trembling lips that were parted, and he couldn't help himself but move his finger to feel the softness, "Don't tantalize me with your words else I will take you to bed. Is that what you want?" he challenged her, and Madeline couldn't get a word out of her lips.
"Raise your arms while I am still patient," he offered a smile as if he hadn't intimidated her by his words, "Good girl," he said when she did, and Madeline glared into his red eyes as she held back her tongue.
As he had said, he did dress her, and she had tied her hair herself so that he wouldn't find more opportunities to touch her.
Calhoun started to walk towards the door, and he then turned over his shoulder to look at Madeline,
"I have to meet some people, but they can wait. Let us take a tour of the castle," he raised his hand and seeing Madeline not move from where she stood, Calhoun slowly walked towards her, picking up her hand, "What a shy girl you are," and he tugged her out of the room.
The servant man who had joined the maids to look at the King and the girl quickly followed them to speak to Calhoun, "Milord."
Madeline noticed how the servant just spoke a word and didn't dare to speak another word until Calhoun spared a look at the lowly servant, "Your aunt Lady Rosamund is here with her daughter Sophie and son Mark."
"And what have you done about them? Thrown them to the sharks or into the den of wolves?" asked Calhoun, finally letting go of Madeline's hand to button the cuff links of his sleeve.
The servant looked at Calhoun nervously, "No, milord."
"Then why do you look like you did. What is it? Speak," demanded Calhoun.
"They, ah, are in the dining room, and will be joining you for breakfast."
"Of course, it would be rude to have them seated in the carriage without inviting them in," laughed Calhoun and Madeline didn't know what the joke was about but looking at the face of the servant, she could tell it wasn't a good one as he looked troubled, "Let them know that I am on my way," and the servant quickly left their side to go ahead of them.
Calhoun didn't say anything to her and Madeline followed him, looking at him from the corner of her eyes to see him calm and composed. His eyes looked ahead of him that was unwavering, and his polished shoes were clicking against the ground for one to know who was walking. And even though his eyes were calm, his lips told an entirely different story. There was a wicked smile on his lips, his fangs appearing in view.
Having breakfast with him was already a lot, and now Madeline would be eating in not only in his presence but also with his relatives, and with the way he was smiling to himself, she wasn't looking forward to any of it.
With the dress that Calhoun had made her to wear, Madeline didn't look like she came from a poor family where her family was struggling. Right now, she looked like the daughter of a notable man with the clothes and the jewels that covered her neck and hands. They continued to walk until they reached the doors of the dining room, that was pushed open for the King to enter and Madeline followed him, to notice three people who were already seated at the table.
Madeline took a quick glance at Calhoun to notice the smile on his lips that had broadened even further.
__________
At the table
When Madeline entered the room, the guests in the room who were the relatives of the King didn't bother to spare a look at her. She was non-existent, and Madeline didn't mind it. Instead, she was glad that they were not looking at her and that their attention was fixed on King Calhoun.
The woman and her two children stood up to bow their head, waiting until the King sat down in his seat, and he waved his hand for them to sit.
"Good morning, my King," the woman was the first one to greet him. A smile on her lips and Madeline noticed her thin eyebrows on her face.
"Good morning, Rosamund, I wasn't expecting you today," Calhoun commented, picking up the napkin that was placed at the side to put it on his lap.
"We were passing by the castle and thought to give you a visit. It has been a while since we last saw you," the woman answered, touching her blonde hair that was twisted and tied around to the side.
"Three days. I must be very loved to have my aunt and cousins come to meet me," smiled Calhoun, his lips pulling up as he looked at his aunt.
"Of course, you are, my nephew," his aunt Rosamund responded.
"Thank you," Madeline murmured when a maid came to put the napkin on her lap which she hadn't taken, busy looking at the people at the table.
She glanced at the woman and then Calhoun to notice how both of them were smiling at each other. She could only hope that no one would see her.
"Brother Calhoun, we were actually on our way to hunt. Would you like to join us?" asked the girl who had short straight black hair with eyes that were red, similar to the other people who sat at the table except for Madeline who was the only human.
"Maybe some other time. My schedule is full, and I was going to take Madeline out to show the castle. I don't think you have met her," Madeline bit her inner cheek, taking a deep breath when Calhoun turned to look at her, showering all the attention to her along with the other three.
"I don't think I have heard or met her before. I am Calhoun's aunt, Rosamund Wilmot," the woman had turned her gaze to look at Madeline, her smile toned down as her eyes observed the girl who looked out of place even though she wore clothes and jewels that were of high taste.
Madeline's already straight back turned stiff, and she bowed her head, "It is good to meet you, Lady Rosamund," and once she looked up, she could tell the woman was judging her with her eyes.
"You have a guest. We didn't know," the girl named Sophie commented, her own eyes gauging the girl like her mother.
"That is because you decided to barge in without any prior notice," said Calhoun without holding his tongue on the matter. He raised his hand for the servants to start serving the food which was brought into the room and placed on the table.
"You don't mean that," Sophie laughed.
"I do," Calhoun's eyes met Madeline's, and she stared back before her eyes shifted to look at the food in front of her, "Anyways, I heard your servant was caught stealing things from your mansion. What did you do with him?" his eyes moving to his plate without sparing a look towards his relatives as he questioned.
"Sent him to the scaffold. Letting go would mean other servants thinking they can get away by doing things like this," came the nonchalant words from Lady Rosamund, "These servants come from such deep poverty, they need to be taught what is right and wrong."
Sophie, who was looking at Madeline, turned to look at her mother, "Not to forget what happened a week ago. One of the maids thought it was alright to be wearing my gown. We had to strip her to make sure she got the point."
"That is right," Lady Rosamund chuckled, "Anyways, what does your father do, Madeline?" she asked the human who was seated in the same table as them. The Lady didn't share a meal with the lowly humans as they were not worth her time and below them, she looked at the girl curiously.
Madeline didn't like the Wilmot's, but then she didn't like to be in Calhoun's presence either. She had expected Calhoun to intervene and answer, but instead, he seemed least bothered with the question that was directed at her.
Feeling the eyes of Lady Rosamund and her children on hers, Madeline parted her lips to answer, "He is a woodcutter."
Lady Rosamund and her daughter Sophie stared at the human for a good two seconds before they broke into a laugh, "You have a good sense of humour, girl," Lady responded,
"I am serious," stated Madeline, seeing the way the woman's smile died down on her lips and she turned to look at Calhoun to ask,
"Is it true?"
Calhoun was cutting the meat on his plate, bringing the fork towards his mouth, "If she's being serious it must not be a lie unless it has a different meaning," and he put the food into his mouth.
Lady Rosamund dropped the knife in her hand on the table, the metal clattering against the table, "When did the lowly labourers have the fortune to come and share a meal in this castle. Not to forget with the King."
"Since today," Calhoun chewed his food, his appearance composed, "Isn't she beautiful?"
Rosamund didn't agree to this. Her eyes had caught the girl in the very first moment, knowing the clothes that she wore didn't go along with the way she appeared, and she said, "I think it is good that we are here to provide you company in the dining room. This is a place for only deserving people. You can leave the room, Madeline," the woman gave her a bright smile, raising her hand for the girl to leave the room, "Go on."
"I thought she was from a high family," whispered Sophie to her brother.
"Clothes changes a person. This is why they say looks are deceiving," remarked Lady Rosamund's son.
"Are you playing dress-up with her, brother Calhoun?" asked the young vampires who appeared to look two years younger than Madeline.
"Dress up is all good only outside the main rooms. It seemed like the girl tried to enchant you in three days?" asked Lady Rosamund with a tch in the end, "Let me take the responsibility as your aunt to discard hussy like these."
Madeline didn't like the woman, but at the same time, she was glad to leave the table. She would find more peace away from this room and with that thought, she started to get up when Calhoun asked,
"Where do you think you're going?" Calhoun who had been busy eating moved his dark red eyes to look at Madeline. The smile on his lips had fallen down as he stared at her,
She gritted her teeth, feeling the awkwardness around her, "She said to-"
"I didn't ask you to leave. Sit," he ordered.
____________
Not interested
"Did I ask you to leave? Sit."
Calhoun's words were firm that had Madeline sit back in her chair. The dining room was quiet, except for the little sounds that came from the cutlery being used. Madeline didn't know what to do but obey.
Having already being disciplined over her actions for yesterday and this morning, she didn't want to instigate and test his patience. Everyone knew not to cross a King because what he said was absolute and Calhoun had his own ways of trying to make her understand in what position she was in. At the same time, she didn't like the way she was being treated by his relatives.
It was true that her family was poor, but that didn't give the right to the people who were sitting at the table to mock her.
"My King, it would reflect badly if you're having meals with someone so low," Lady Rosamund conveyed her words, "It would be-"
"What?" Calhoun interjected her words. He was busy eating, chewing his food to swallow it down before he looked up at his aunt, a look of disapproval in his eyes, "I don't have a problem with her being here. What's got you so twisted? Don't tell me you have forgotten how to behave with my guest," his tongue moved across his teeth, staring at his aunt.
Lady Rosamund looked taken aback by his words, and she covered her face with a small smile, "Not at all. I just thought it would be rude to have a girl of no proper upbringing."
"You don't have to worry about that," assured Calhoun, a smile creeping upon his face.
Before an awkward silence could settle in the room, the young vampiress Sophie took the opportunity to speak, "Apologies for that, brother Calhoun. Mama must have remembered the time when the peasant tried to poison you. They all come from the poor family, and they want to thrive, wanting to get rid of the hierarchy."
Calhoun smiled, "Madeline is not stupid to not know about life here and the rules," and Madeline wasn't sure if it was a response to the girl or a warning to her.
"For how long is Lady Madeline going to stay here?" asked Lady Rosamund fixing her words, a smile still in place on her lips but her eyes continued to judge the human at the table.
"For a day," Madeline replied, returning a smile, "My stay was a short one."
"Do not fret," answered Calhoun with a smirk on his lips. Madeline wasn't direct in her approach, but she was subtle when it came to testing and pushing her luck, "Let's make sure your stay here is a long one."
"I wouldn't like to impose," Madeline wanted to leave right away, to go back home where her parents were.
It was then she felt a hand on her thigh, hitching her heart and her eyes locked itself with Calhoun's, "I insist," his words were calm, a smile on his lips and Madeline's hand which was on the table moved discreetly to push his hand away from her lap, but his hand squeezed on her thigh that only widened her eyes, "Yes?"
Madeline nodded her head to finally have his hand leave her thigh. This shameless man! His reputation was soiled, and he was staining hers too!
Sophie looked the way Calhoun was looking at the human, and she said to Madeline with a smile, "We should get to know each other then. I am sure brother Calhoun wouldn't mind me giving you company," she looked at Calhoun for approval who said,
"Do whatever you want."
Theodore entered the room, bending down to whisper something in Calhoun's ears, "Tell them I will be there," he said to have Theodore nod and leave the dining room.
"Urgent matters?" asked Lady Rosamund.
"Someone was found dead in the town hanging upside down. The court needs my presence. Enjoy the rest of the meal," and he stood up before turning to Madeline to say, "Nicola will help you tour around the castle. If you need me, I will be in court where we met yesterday."
Lady Rosamund looked at the way Calhoun her nephew, was looking at the girl. It wasn't like women and girls didn't stay in the castle on the King's words, but a lowly human who had no class or proper background was never entertained. Calhoun himself despised the lowly peasants that made her confused on why this girl was here unless he was looking for other benefits apart from bedding her.
Her daughter Sophie spoke, "How about I stay back here and tour the castle with Madeline? I am sure she would be able to enjoy my company better than the maid," suggested the young girl.
"Right. Sophie can stay back here. It's not like you will be touching an arrow or go near the animal to hunt it," smiled Calhoun.
"Brother Calhoun likes to tease me," responded Sophie before Calhoun left the room.
Lady Rosamund and her son Mark were the next ones to leave, and this time, the woman had no problem in having her daughter accompanying the poor girl. Sophie had been brought up with the thought of her being a Queen one day to this kingdom. To think that a weak human would try to replace her daughter's future position, she would not allow it.
"I thought you were against the common people mingling with us," commented her son Mark.
Even though people viewed her daughter as the sweet and dumb child, Sophie knew to play her cards well, "This will be just to get back in his good grace."
Markus chuckled, "Who knew Calhoun would be entertaining a lowly woman. She looks average except for her body," and they left the castle.
Sophie looked at Madeline through the corner of her eyes as they stepped outside the castle, walking towards the garden as Madeline had mentioned about having some fresh air,
"I apologize on my mother's behalf for what she said back in the dining room. Our families were brought up with a very distinguished line between higher and poor families. Is this your first time in the castle?" asked Sophie.
"No, I have been here when the Hallow was hosted ," answered Madeline, her eyes looking at the nearest gates and exit paths, "Thank you for accompanying me out here," her words came out polite. While Sophie was trying to find out Madeline's weakness, Madeline was looking for exits in the castle so that she could make a plan to run away from here. Sitting inside the castle would be pointless, which was why she had proposed to go out.
Madeline might have come from a low-income family, but that didn't mean she was naive and didn't know where to be cautious and where to force a smile on her lips. An apple didn't fall too far away from the tree.
"How strange, I don't think I noticed you. If you don't mind, what colour was your dress?" asked Sophie, her words coming out to be nonchalant.
If her memory served her right, Calhoun had danced with two women until she was there in the ballroom, "Red. I wore a red dress," she answered.
"I must have missed you then. So many of us wore a red dress that day," Sophie laughed softly before saying, "Let me take you to the fountain."
They continued to walk with Madeline's eyes that carefully looked around. She would need it if she was going to run.
__________
Fountain
Madeline walked next to Lady Sophie. They walked in the garden with the sun shining bright above them. The ladies were accompanied by two servant girls who held an umbrella each for them.
"It seems like brother Calhoun has taken a liking towards you," commented the young vampiress, her head held high as she walked playing with the long beaded necklace in her hand, twisting them between her fingers.
"I wouldn't say that," Madeline denied, hoping they could get into another subject instead of speaking about Calhoun, "The weather is warm even though Winter has arrived."
"Indeed but then the snow is yet to arrive. You know brother Calhoun hates the poor," chuckled Sophie, bringing the King back in the conversation, "He won't spare a look at the one who is weak and poor. Not even let him touch. I mean no offence but it is surprising that he's talking to you," she smiled looking at Madeline and Madeline returned the smile back.
Though this girl was referring to Calhoun as her 'brother', it made Madeline wonder how far Sophie considered to be his sister and if it was just for show. Not to forget the way she changed her attitude by apologizing after throwing an insult at her.
"I think you are wrong there, Lady Sophie," stated Madeline to have the young girl turn around to take a look at Madeline.
"Am I?" asked the girl with a surprised look on her face.
Madeline smiled at the girl, "If the King was truly allergic to poor people, he wouldn't be having maids, servants waiting on him with one single word of his."
Lady Sophie then raised her eyebrows, "You don't expect that the higher people in the society wait on him now, do you?"
"I don't think I have to expect it because it's already happening, and wasn't it your words on how he didn't like keeping poor people near him? Either he has the rich in waiting or your words are wrong," Madeline stated, sparing only a glance at the vampiress to see how she stared at her with her red eyes.
"Do all the poor people have a smart mouth?" asked Lady Sophie with a soft sigh as if she was tired after taking a walk for ten minutes.
"Some of us have better and kinder mouths than the rich, milady that some of the higher people lack."
Madeline didn't have to look at the girl to know that she was glaring at her quietly. It was easy to understand that Sophie was not used to hearing someone talk back who was beneath her in status. Right now Madeline had the liberty to do that. With Calhoun's impartiality towards her where he had made a point of having her sit with them at the table, Madeline took the opportunity to serve the girl the same dish that was given to her.
"Oh, look!" exclaimed Sophie looking at the fountain where the water was splashing out, "You should look at this at the time of night. It looks absolutely beautiful with the cool breeze and the quiet atmosphere."
Madeline noticed the water that fell down from the sculptured woman's pot that was placed on her shoulder. The sculptured woman's statue looked like she wore a very thin sheen of cloth to cover her body in a way that one could clearly see the outline and curve of her body. It wasn't just one woman's statue but there were four more who were sculptured in a similar fashion in different poses.
"Brother Calhoun has good taste, doesn't he? He's the one who remodelled a lot of things that now makes the castle one of the best ones compared to the others," praised Lady Sophie, "Come let me show the other things in the castle."
In the courtroom, Calhoun was listening to one of the magistrate's speak about the crops that have been getting saved and giving out the value about it.
"Milord, the farmers have been complaining about a feud that is taking place in between the two villages. One of the villages has stopped the water flow which has caused quite some ruckus where there was a fight," said the magistrate.
"And what were you doing when the fight took place?" asked Calhoun, his words lax as he stared at the magistrate who stood in front of him.
"I tried to stop them, milord, and that is how I ended up with a black eye," answered the magistrate.
Calhoun hummed, looking at his nails and then at the magistrate, "Is that a complaint I hear?" the magistrate quickly shook his head, "There shouldn't have been a need for you to get a black eye if you had been looking over the condition between the two villages. Isn't that why you were assigned as one of the magistrates? Unless you think you were appointed there to sit quietly and look pretty. You should know about the affairs of the villages that are taking place and minimize the feud that was arising between them by supplying the water which was blocked."
The magistrate said, "Milord, I did try to solve the feud but there is a village man who runs the place and doesn't listen to any word spoken."
"Why didn't you bring this up before?" Calhoun paused, looking at the magistrate to receive no reply and he rolled his eyes, "Capture and bring the man here. If he refuses, kill him and have his body hanged for everyone to witness so that people know what happens when the word from the castle is not followed. But," he said, calmly looking at the magistrate, "Don't give me reasons by directly killing him for your own pleasure before you get to speak and bring him to me. One of the men from the court will accompany you."
The man bowed his head to fall back at the sideline.
Calhoun raised his hand, turning his head, for Theodore who was standing behind him to come forward, "Send someone to find the man before this one does."
"Yes, milord," Theodore bowed his head, "You said you would be sending an official."
"The magistrate is corrupt and is alive until he brings in the gains. It is easy to tell that more than the feuds between the villages, the feud is between the magistrate and the man he was talking about," Calhoun remarked to see the next man come and stand in front of him, "Where's Madeline?" he enquired with Theodore.
"She's with Sophie out in the garden. Would you want me to bring her in?"
"That won't be necessary. A little fresh air might help the girl change her view that being stubborn," Madeline might have thought that she could get away but the girl needed to know there was no escape from him. It was only the second day, so he decided to give her some time with Sophie.
"Pardon me, Calhoun, but is it safe to have Sophie guide her?"
Calhoun chuckled at the concern, "Sophie might think highly of herself but she's just another fish in the pond. And the girl knows not to screw up when it comes to things that belong to me."
____________
Jittering nerves
An extra update for readers who have been patient.
.
Madeline looked at the exits in the garden, her eyes taking in the surrounding of the castle where they had covered only a quarter of it. The castle was built on a vast ground that stretched far enough where even her eyes could not reach. She remembered the time when she had used the carriage to travel from the castle to the outer gates that must have taken at least a decent five to ten minutes.
She wondered if it was possible to run away from this golden cage the King had placed her in. Even if she made her way towards the gates, she had no transport to go back home as after the gates came the forest. Madeline had to weigh her options carefully. And the King would find her, wouldn't he? All he would have to do was send his men to her home to fetch her back, yet, she wanted to get away from him.
"You look very enchanted by the trees, Lady Madeline," commented Sophie, who was walking slowly next to her, "Are you the only daughter to your parents?" asked the vampiress.
"I have an elder sister. Elizabeth," replied Madeline.
"Must be nice to have a sister, isn't it? I always wanted a sister when I was a young girl, but I think I am content with just a brother. It would be hard to fight for affection when there are two flowers in the same stem," Sophie's words reminded Madeline of her current relationship with Beth on how it had turned sour in a few minutes after Calhoun had picked her and not Beth to stay in the castle.
She wondered if Beth's anger had cooled down by now.
"Who is she married to?" asked Sophie as Madeline had mentioned Beth being elder to her.
"She is yet to be engaged and married-"
"Oh, how unfortunate," Sophie could only wonder that this sister was not pretty enough to be picked by Calhoun to have her as a guest in the castle, "She must be feeling terrible that the King didn't pick her," and the girl smiled at the end on seeing how Madeline's expression turned quiet.
"Mr. Danvers is courting her right now, and they have spoken to each other," answered Madeline, trying to hold her ground with this girl who only appeared to look sweet but in truth, she liked to rub salt over people's wounds. And it wasn't a lie that Mr. Danvers was the person whom Beth was genuinely interested in before Calhoun's invitation arrived at their home that changed her Beth's mind.
"Mr. Danvers?" Lady Sophie happened to raise her brows in question, "Isn't he the man who works for one of the Lord's?"
"Yes, he's the one," Madeline confirmed, offering the girl a smile, "He is very taken by my sister."
"Hmm," came the uninterested response of the vampiress as she couldn't poke anymore.
"What about yourself, Lady Sophie? Do you have children?" Madeline's question caught Sophie off guard.
Lady Sophie's eyes narrowed in question, "What?"
"Did I say something wrong?" asked Madeline feigning innocence, "Aren't night creatures always older than what they appear to be?" and she wasn't wrong in her question, but even Madeline knew that the girl was younger than her.
Sophie wanted to retaliate at Madeline for indicating she was old and had children when she still not engaged, "I don't have children," she corrected the human who gave her an apologetic look.
She looked naive, and Sophie didn't know if the girl had deliberately tried to provoke her, "I am yet to be married not because there haven't been any suitors. I have had plenty of men who have stood outside my home to talk and have a glimpse of me." She threw the air of confidence and how high she was when it came to status and looks, "I am not going to marry anyone who is not suitable."
"Of course," Madeline smiled, "You will find a good man of your calibre. Maybe if you asked the King, he would find you the best groom in the entire land."
It seemed that this girl was smarter than what she had weighed in the dining room, thought Sophie to herself.
"You are right," said Lady Sophie, "Brother Calhoun dotes on me which is why he forgives my mistakes compared to my mother," smiled the girl.
They spent some more minutes outside in the garden before heading back inside the castle. Madeline noticed how the maids and other servants bowed in the presence of Sophie who walked with her head held high as if she owned this place.
When they reached the court, Sophie was the first one to enter and make her way towards Calhoun who had just dismissed a man after talking to him. Madeline's footsteps were slower compared to Sophie who was eager to talk to the King while she fell behind. She could feel several people's eyes in the court on her. But when her eyes moved around the room, the people in here had their head bowed and they left the room as if not wanting to be the next one to be beheaded in the courtroom by the King.
Her eyes then met Calhoun's eyes that had been looking at her since she had entered the room.
"Brother Calhoun, are the wolves tied in the den?" asked Sophie who tried to get Calhoun's attention on her, but Calhoun's eyes didn't move away from Madeline. She had been dolled with his own taste of clothes and jewels that he had handpicked for her.
"How was your tour in the castle?" Calhoun asked Madeline, ignoring the question which was asked by the vampiress who felt slightly embarrassed as her words were brushed away.
"It was good," Madeline murmured, trying to keep her words polite. Both of them stared at each other, one who kept a passive expression and the other who smiled.
Every time he smiled, her nerves felt as if they were going to break down because of how stressful she felt around him.
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