✍️✍️✍️✍️ The Crown's Obsession Chapter 201 - 210 ✍️✍️✍️✍️

PHYSIENTS WILL ALWAYS OFFER BEST STORIES AND LIVE STREAMING ALL TIME

What you wish for- Part 4

Madeline pursed her lips, not knowing what else to say to comfort the woman whose daughter had been called as the suspect. Lady Rosamund offered Madeline a kind smile. 

"You must have been very shaken yourself," said Lady Rosamund with an apologetic look on her face, "Once anyone enters the castle, they are never safe. Everyone's life hangs by the strength of a thread. There have been many times when Sophie had ended up in trouble, but we have been lucky to save her."

Madeline had figured it out today. She hadn't expected before the hunting that someone would try to hunt her. Unexpected things kept happening, and she knew it was only the beginning.

"Is she resting now?" asked Madeline as it was rude to not ask about Lady Sophie's health. If Sophie had the same or half the abilities like Calhoun when it came to healing, the marks would disappear by this time tomorrow. But considering Calhoun's different lineage, Madeline doubted that Sophie would heal as quickly as Calhoun did. 

"Yes, I just put her to bed before coming here. Lucy is with her right now," replied Lady Rosamund to turn behind when a maid walked towards them. The vampiress waved her hand at the maid for her to leave. Turning back to look at Madeline again, the woman offered her a smile before placing her hand on Madeline's arm as if to comfort her, "Did you see what I meant, dear. The King did not spare his mother, and he won't spare his cousin sister, who had nothing to do with it. I am sure you understand now why I am offering you help. I know girls like you. Simple, with an ambition to get married to a rich family maybe, but this is not for you. You deserve something better, dear."

Lady Rosamund had a look of concern on her face as if she cared for Madeline's life. The woman continued to say, "We don't know who shot the arrow. You were lucky that the King was there, but you cannot say that he is going to be there the next time when something like this happens. I wish nothing but a good lif-"

Madeline placed her hand on Lady Rosamund's hand that had the woman stop speaking. 

The older vampiress saw Madeline smile back, she was glad to see that the human agreed to her words. At least that is what it seemed like until Madeline parted her lips to speak,

"Thank you for your kind concern, Lady Rosamund. I am happy that you are looking out for me," said Madeline. Lady Rosamund nodded her head in agreement. But then Madeline pushed the older vampiress' hand away from her arm, that had the smile on the lady's face falter, "I know what the castle life is. That being part of the royal family is not going to be easy, but I have decided to go with it."

What? Lady Rosamund asked in her mind. Her eyes narrowed while she tried not to bring any vile expression on her face, "Do you know what you are saying, Lady Madeline?" she questioned. 

Madeline nodded her head. 

"I do, milady. I do," Madeline repeated the words, "I know I am new to this world in here, but I have decided to stay here. Even if a family member feels threatened, they don't leave their position. Your family has been brave. Lady Sophie has been brave, and I wouldn't want any harm to befall on her," she offered the older lady a kind smile, "Allow me to take a fall instead of her," this time she was the one who placed her hand on Lady Rosamund's arm, "Excuse me, I need to change my clothes." 

Bowing her head, she left the woman who looked taken aback while Madeline walked inside the room. She closed and locked the room. Her heart thumped in her chest once she heard the lady left the front of her room. 

Letting a sigh escape from her lips, she walked further inside the room. She took a bath before changing her clothes to a dry one.

On the other side of the castle which was not near the King's quarters, where the guest's rooms were located in one of the rooms, Sophie laid on the bed with eyes that was swollen because of the tears. The young vampiress had broken down after Calhoun and Madeline left the forest. 

"H-how could h-he do th-that," Sophie asked Lucy who sat next to her, holding her hand for comfort. 

"Brother Calhoun didn't mean it. He just got angry on the spur of the moment. You shouldn't take it to heart, Sophie," Lucy patted Sophie's hand, who now looked distressed. She would have gone to her own room, but it didn't feel right to leave her cousin sister like this alone. Where was aunt Rosamund? Lucy asked herself. 

They were hunting the stags with their arrows when Calhoun had come there and caught Sophie's neck, pushing her against the tree. 

Sophie shook her head, "N-no. H-he never gets angry at me no matter what I d-do," the girl cried and sniffed, "It's all because of that human!"

"Lady Madeline didn't do anything, Sophie. You shouldn't blame her," said Lucy, but Sophie refused to listen to her. 

Sophie who had been lying on the bed sat up with her back leaned against the headboard,

"You saw me. I didn't shoot the arrow in that direction. If I wasn't there today and if it was only you, he would have done the same to you," she tried to spark a fire in Lucy's mind, "She is a stranger. Why is he protecting her without thinking about us? The next time you know, he will have me beheaded," and again broke into tears. 

Lucy awkwardly smiled, "Don't say that, Sophie. He would never do that. I will make sure that nothing ever happens to you-"

"Am I not good enough?" Sophie suddenly asked to catch Lucy off guard. 

"Who told that to you? You are beautiful the way you are," Lucy tried to console her cousin sister. It was another thing that in Lucy's eyes everyone were good, everyone was beautiful and she didn't doubt the people she loved and cared for, "Don't think otherwise. Why would you think something like that?" 

Sophie's eyes fell on the sheets of covers that had been put over her lower body which now came to fall on her lap, "If I was, brother Calhoun would have paid more attention to me. He would have never caught my neck like he was about to kill me. He looked at me with hatred in his eyes."

Lucy moved closer, opening her arms for Sophie to cry on her shoulder. To the close family members, most of them knew who was trying to gain the King's attention and favour, to be the queen. And Sophie wanted to take that position.

"I am sure he cares for you, but just that the care he feels towards you and Lady Madeline is different. You are his sister," said Lucy carefully patting Sophie's back, "Don't cry now. Brother Calhoun doesn't hate you."

Sophie, who sounded like she was crying, stopped, her eyes red in anger as she stared at the white wall of the room. The King had never treated her so harshly. No matter what she had done, he had tolerated her. This time she had done nothing, but it had warranted in her getting a death threat. It was all because of that human. If she didn't exist, Sophie would never have to see this day.

Not only had she been threatened, but she had been shamed. All because of that bitch, thought Sophie to herself. 

Lucy consoled Sophie, putting her in bed and then left the room to go to her own room. Stepping inside, she noticed her husband, Samuel, who was drinking blood from a maid's hand who stood in front of him. 

She felt a sliver of pain on the sight but didn't comment on the scene that was in front of her. It wasn't unusual for vampires to feed on humans who mostly came in the forms of maids and servants who were freely available.

"How is Sophie doing right now?" asked Samuel once he was done drinking blood and licking his lips and the maid left the room. 

"She's resting now. She should be alright with some rest," replied Lucy. She walked to where Samuel had been sitting. When she got close, Samuel stood up and said, 

"I will be going to court now. Make sure you rest too," and he left, leaving her alone in the room like many other times since the time they had been married.

__________

Preparation for wedding- Part 1

When her husband, Samuel, left the room, Lucy stared at the closed door. Now, as she was alone, her bright eyes turned dull because of the loneliness that crept in her heart. With no one in the room, the faint smile that was on her face vanished. 

She wondered how many years it had been passed since Samuel and she had sat down properly and spoken to each other. Things had been different and not complicated a few years ago. She questioned if it was because she was young and so in love, that she hadn't realised the reality that was coming her way. Lucy removed her shoes that she was wearing to change it to something more comfortable. 

Not wanting to stay alone in the room, she decided to walk through the corridors of the castle, which once used to be her home. Lucy was born here. She had spent years before she moved out after her marriage to Duke Samuel, whose father was a minister back then, helping her father. 

Her mind travelled to the past when brother Calhoun and Theodore had entered the castle. 

"Lady Lucy!" she heard in a distant voice in her memory as she walked alone in the corridor were not many came to venture, "Lady Lucy! Please wear your shoes!"

Lucy turned around in her memory, to look at the maid who was assigned to her by her parents, "The floor is clean. It is alright. I am inside the castle," she replied to the maid. 

"It is not about the floor being clean, milady. The Queen, will not be happy if she were to see you without shoes," the maid fretted, her hands carrying the shoes while tailing behind the princess, who padded her feet forward. 

"Mother is not here," said Lucy, catching the front of her dress so that she wouldn't step on it, "I heard she had a meeting to attend to along with father. I wonder what it was. They could have taken me too." As she had turned to a young lady, her parents didn't involve her with everything as she was a person who was one day going to be betrothed to another family. They found it to be unnecessary and preferred for her to concentrate on turning herself even prettier. 

The maid continued to follow the princess, crossing corridors when they met the King's illegitimate son and his acquaintance. The maid was the first one to bow, and Lucy bowed next to have the two men bow in return.

"Good afternoon, brother Calhoun," Lucy greeted the person who had come to live in the castle. 

"Morning," came the uninterested voice from the young man with dark red eyes. Darker than the others who lived in the castle. 

Lucy smiled, not minding his short reply, "Are you not going to attend the meeting in the court today?" she asked him. 

Calhoun turned his gaze to look at her, "It is an unimportant meeting," he replied to her. Lucy couldn't believe that she had a handsome looking brother. Half-brother, but it didn't matter to her as they were still connected by blood, Lucy thought to herself. When his eyes fell on the maid behind her, he asked, "Why aren't you wearing shoes?"

Lucy smiled again, "I wanted to feel the heat. Today it's warmer than the last few days. Did you know that?" she asked him. 

"You can keep your legs in the fire if you're looking for heat," he suggested that had everyone's eyes widen around them. The man behind Calhoun cleared his throat. "Wear your shoes," Calhoun said before walking away from there. 

She saw Calhoun leave, but the man who always tagged along with Calhoun, who was walking behind him stayed back to look at her feet. His name was Theodore. He looked up to meet her eyes, through his glasses and said,

"You have beautiful feet, princess. You should wear your shoes if you want to keep them the way they are," after saying this, he bowed his head with a smile and followed Calhoun. 

Lucy's cheeks turned pink, and she looked at his back. She then waved her hands to her maids who stood behind her, 

"I think I have taken enough of strides with my bare leg. I should wear my shoes now." The man was kinder than the rest of the people whom she had met in the castle. His words made her believe and listen to him. 

Getting back to the present, Lucy smiled at the distant memory of it. So much time had passed, and some of the memories still brought a smile while some brought pain. Things had only begun at that time. But her feelings had been brushed away, leaving her heartbroken. 

"Lady Lucy," the maid who was walking by, greeted her. Her mother got what she wanted, pushing her to marry the Duke's son so that it would strengthen the ally's of the kingdom. The vampiress continued to walk in the castle. It seemed like after the event that took place in the forest, everyone had retired to their rooms to rest. 

Samuel had told her that he was going to the court, which meant even others would be there. And by others she meant Theodore. She was angry at him, and she despised the man. She didn't know why Calhoun had sent Theodore with her and Sophie when he was aware of their dynamics. Sometimes it was easier to hate than continue to suffer in pain in the name of love, Lucy thought to herself. 

She was walking in another corridor when she noticed the last person she wanted to see coming from the other direction. Not looking at him, she continued to walk while feeling Theodore's gaze on her. When they were about to pass each other, Theodore bowed his head. 

"Good afternoon, milady."

"Hm," she responded. She had walked freely because she thought he was occupied in the court. Why did he have to walk in this corridor out of all of them in the castle. 

Theodore asked, "How are you doing, milady? The Duke seems to dote on you," that was because it was what Samuel wanted and make people to believe and Lucy went along with it. Being the former King's daughter, she might have been naive, but she was still a prideful vampiress. 

"I am doing very good," she answered. The last time, it was only her who had spoken to him before getting into her carriage, "Yes, that is to be expected. He is my husband. Who else will dote on me?" she asked, raising her brow to see Theodore offer her a smile. 

When he smiled, Lucy didn't like it. She felt irritated and annoyed. She remembered the old times before her marriage was announced in the castle, "What are you doing by roaming here, instead of being in the court?" she demanded from him. 

"Court?" asked Theodore. 

"Yes," she nodded her head, "Isn't there a meeting in there for you to join?"

Theodore smiled again, "As far as I am aware, there's no meeting going on in the court right now," he then bowed his head to walk past her. Lucy furrowed her brows. Why did Samuel tell he was going to attend the meeting when there wasn't one? She stood there in the corridor alone. Where did Samuel go if it wasn't for court? 

Not wanting to venture any more than she already had, Lucy went back to her room to spend the rest of the day by herself, alone in there. 

Far away from the castle, where the village of East Carswell was situated the Harris' family were having their shop rebuilt again. By their knowledge, they believed it was the King of Devon who had torn it down. Right now the man named Markus Wilmot was helping them to rebuild it. 

Mrs. Harris, who was in the house, spoke to her husband, "Why would the King do something like that? It is hard to believe that he would do it. He is marrying our daughter."

The older man sighed. He walked with his coat in his hand, to hang it on the stand, "I don't understand myself. I haven't seen both the men since the shop was broken down." He had the same doubt as his wife. The King had been generous enough to provide them with a shop, a gift for marrying his daughter Madeline but only to take it away before marriage. 

"We should probably ask Madeline when we meet her. She might know what happened," Mrs. Harris suggested to her husband. 

Mr. Harris waved his hand, "No, don't. We don't know what upset the King. The young Wilmot boy said it might be something that happened in the past. Did Madeline say something about it to you?" he asked his wife. 

Mrs. Harris wondered if the King was still upset about what she had written in the note to Madeline. When he had arrived with her daughter here in the house, she had thought that he had forgiven her, but she should have known that he was not happy with it. Maybe it was best not to bring it up, the woman thought to herself. 

Then they heard the sound of the gate. Mrs. Harris walked towards the front door and saw her daughter Beth with the person who had helped them in rebuilding the shop and had taken a liking towards Beth. Beth bowed her head, and the man did the same. His eyes fell on Mrs. Harrish, offering a bow to her and Mrs. Harris bowed. 

"Mr. Wilmot wanted to make sure I returned home safe. Isn't he kind, mama?" asked Beth when she reached the door. Beth turned around to see Mr. Wilmot get on his carriage and leave. 

"Indeed," answered her mother. It wasn't everyday people came out of the way to help someone. Especially when her family had nothing to offer in return, and it made Mrs. Harris frown. Their elder daughter Elizabeth was a beautiful girl, and many men came to ask for her hand in marriage, but Mr. Wilmot appeared to be too good to be true.

Beth leaned forward and kissed her mother's cheek before getting inside. 

Mrs. Harris had heard from Beth, on how the man had proposed for a possible marriage between her. Ill rumours about Beth had started to circulate since the King had announced his marriage to Madeline. Like Madeline, Mrs. Harris had come to accept her younger daughter's marriage as it looked inevitable to avoid the situation. But being the mother of two daughters, she had to make sure that both the girls were well settled. 

When Mrs. Harris was about to close the door as there was no more person to come in, she heard the sound of the gate again.

Peeking out, she saw it was a man with glasses who made his way inside who carried a stack of envelopes in his hands. He bowed his head deep down, and Mrs. Harris did the same. 

"Mrs. Harris. The King, has sent me here to deliver the invitations. Where shall I keep it?" asked the man. 

"I will take it," Mrs. Harris offered to take hold of the many invitations that were stacked together, "So many?" she asked. In the village, people usually used word of mouth to announce and pass on the invitation. 

"The King said it is for your use. You can send it out to your relatives, friends and people you would like to invite to the wedding," on hearing the man's word, Mrs. Harris' eyebrows shot up. Was the King okay in inviting their relatives? With the way things had gone down, she was sure that they would be the only ones attending the wedding, "The King has also asked you to make your presence in the castle as soon as you can."

Mrs. Harris nodded her head, "We'll be arriving there in two days. Something just came up."

The man stared at Lady Madeline's mother, waiting for her to elaborate, but she didn't. He offered the lady another smile before bowing his head, "Have a good day, milady."

"You too, Sir," replied Mrs. Harris, who continued to stand at the front door for a while before turning back to head inside the house. 

_______

Preparation for wedding- Part 2

"Milady," the maid arrived at the door of Madeline's room the next morning, "The King has summoned you in the seating room." 

"I will be there in a moment," answered Madeline. The maid bowed her head and left. 

Madeline had met Calhoun and the others in the morning during the time of breakfast in the dining room. She had thought the day had started peacefully until Calhoun mentioned about her wedding dress. She had been so wrapped around with other things, she had forgotten that Calhoun had spoken about her inner dress that was part of her wedding dress that was going to be seen today if it would fit her right. 

She left her room, walking through the corridors and making her way to the seating room where Calhoun was present along with Lucy, Lady Rosamund and Sophie. Before entering the room, Madeline stopped for a moment, wiping her sweaty hands against the skirt of her dress. The door of the room was pushed open by the servant who stood outside the room, making way for her to step inside. 

"How many layers are there in the wedding gown?" Madeline heard Lady Sophie ask, who had turned to look at her mother. 

"I am guessing the humans have lesser layers compared to the vampire's wedding gown," replied Lady Rosamund. Her eyebrows lifted while she looked down at the dress that was hung in front of them without letting it touch the ground. The older vampires sat with her legs crossed on the couch. 

"I think it looks great," commented Lucy, who had taken the liberty to look at the inner dress of the wedding gown, "It doesn't look heavy."

Madeline's eyes fell on James, who stood next to the dress along with the female assistant. Her eyes didn't linger long because the moment she had stepped into the room, Calhoun's eyes had shifted to look at her. Her eyes met his red eyes.

"Mr. Heathcliff is a well-known tailorman in his village and around the towns," Calhoun complimented James without throwing an insult. He didn't feel the need to taunt or insult at the moment as everything had fallen according to his plan, "It is why young Catherine has taken such keen interest in him."

Lady Rosamund's already raised brows moved further up, "So you are the man who has been the talk in the soiree," she said, the vampiress scrutinized him up and down. Rosamund had heard about Catherine Barne's wedding that was taking place with a human, but she would have never guessed that it was the same man who the human girl in the room liked. But then Madeline agreed to wed her nephew.

Like any other person, when it came to money and power, a person's opinion could be changed, Rosamund thought to herself. 

Madeline walked around the room, and her eyes finally came to meet James' eyes. She bowed her head when he bowed his own head in greeting. She thought it was awkward, and it was indeed uncomfortable. Though both of them came from the same village and knew each other, they didn't exchange a word with each other. 

Lady Lucy being the romantic person, exclaimed, "How romantic!" she was unaware about Madeline's previous interest with the tailorman, "I am happy for both of you," she said to James and the man mustered a smile and a bow. 

Madeline looked at James when Lucy wished and congratulated James about his upcoming wedding. Feeling her gaze, James looked at Madeline. If it was a few days ago, Madeline would have felt worse at the thought of it, but with her acceptance, it made things much better than she had thought it would, but the slight awkwardness was still there. She knew in time, things like this would turn to past memories, and matters like these would turn to little to nothing. 

She gathered a smile on her face, offering it to James who didn't react to her but he did bow his head over Lady Lucy's words, "Thank you, milady," he then said, "My assistant will help you with the dress, you can try it on. Tell us if you're comfortable in it or if there needs to be any change to make," James said to Madeline, his words calm and keeping it professional. 

Madeline being the future queen, she didn't have to move from where she stood. The assistant brought the inner dress that was stitched specially for her. There was a hard wooden compartment fold that was placed at the side so that one could change clothes. 

She walked behind the wooden compartment of the room that hid her from other people in the room. It wasn't strange to change clothes this way because, during the time in a tailor's shop, one had to change clothes to make sure the fittings were right. She started to change the clothes that she wore to get into the inner dress that was made for her. 

As expected, the inner dress was made out of expensive threads and fabric. There were details on it which she wouldn't have noticed if she was standing with others in the room. 

"How do you feel, milady?" asked the assistant with a smile. The assistant looked at the fitting, having Madeline turn around. 

While the female assitant was looking at the fitting, Madeline heard Lady Rosamund question, "How long will it take for the wedding gown to be made?" 

"We have already started the work since the King and the lady came to place the order in the shop. My assistants and I have been working on it. It should be done in a week or two," answered James. 

"Hmph. That's some fast work," Lady Rosamund replied to James words, "I remember one of the lady's daughters who had to get married, and the gown never came on time. Of course, the tailor lost his hands for his inability, and the bride had to wear her mother's wedding gown. Hopefully, you won't delay finishing the gown because of your possible interest," the underlying tone of Lady Rosamund told it all. 

James looked startled, but he composed himself, "It will be done before my marriage with Lady Catherine takes place, milady. I will have the dress delivered in time," he gave his word. 

"Hm," Lady Rosamund responded without another word. 

James, who had come here to the castle, didn't know how to face Madeline because of his past feelings. He wanted to see Madeline, wishing to speak to her, but with the King in the room and around her, it made it impossible for him to even look at her. It was because the King was watching both of them like a hawk, ready to prey with his one wrong step. 

He was shocked when the King and Madeline had entered his shop to place the order for a wedding gown for Madeline. But the worse thing that had taken place was his meeting with Mr. Barnes. His threat had not been empty. James had only accompanied Lady Catherine so that she didn't feel lonely, without knowing that the vampiress was only pretending to be lonely to get his attention and company. 

He had taken a day to rethink about what Mr. Barnes said.

Then came the second day where he was still trying to think about what to do. It was hard for him to go through with something that he never thought he would. He loved Madeline and not Lady Catherine. 

On the second day, before the night had approached, Mr. Barnes had reappeared with a man to his house. 

"What have you thought about it, Mr. Heathcliff?" asked Mr. Barnes. 

James had not expected that Mr. Barnes would impose his daughter's marriage on him. Truth to be told, he thought that Mr. Barnes would get Lady Catherine married to a rich man. James knew he came from a poor and humble background; therefore, he didn't dream of big things in his life. 

"My answer still stand the same, Mr. Barnes," answered James to the vampire who was sitting in the living room of his house. Mr. Barnes stood up.

"I don't think you understood what I said the last time when we met," the vampire turned to look at the man whom he had brought along, "Dalton, please help senior Mr. Heathcliff," upon his word, the man moved to stand behind James' father. 

At first, James didn't understand what the man named Dalton was going to do, but when he placed his hand on his father's shoulder who was sitting on a chair, James exclaimed, "Wait!" 

Mr. Barnes had a dull look on his face, "One movement and I can make sure that your father won't be in the condition to walk. Is that what you want? You underestimated me, thinking I wouldn't do anything to you."

"What you are doing is wrong," James tried to convince the man, but he didn't seem to be interested. 

"You think you could go around and leave my daughter? Maybe I should ask Dalton to help you out. Dalton," and the man appeared in front of James, holding his throat in his hand while pushing his body upwards against the wall. 

Senior Mr. Heathcliff had a look of panic on his face when he saw his son was not able to breathe. He said, "Please, Sir! He will do as you have asked!" said the old man, coming to his son's side. 

Mr. Barnes looked pleased by the words, "I will take it that the marriage is mutual between both of us. The date and other things will be informed to you," and they left the house.

James coughed,  "Father, why would you-" he tried to speak but the old man raised his hand.

"Do not behave like a fool. You are getting a marriage proposal that is good. The girl was decent to look at. It would be best if you got married, James, than delay the time," his father shook his head and left to go to his room. 

James mind and eyes returned back to the present where he stood in the room with the royal family now.  He wanted to fight it back, but was it worth fighting if the girl whom he initially wanted to get married was getting married to another man? The doubt that was there in Madeline's eyes before had disappeared, and she appeared to be more in sync with the life of the castle. 

Though he was being forced to marry Catherine, James was still in love with Madeline as she was the first person he had fallen in love with. 

_________

Preparation for wedding- Part 3

After trying the inner dress for the wedding gown, Madeline had changed her clothes back to what she was wearing earlier, and she stepped out from the wooden compartment. She heard the assistant talk to James about the measurement and changes needed regarding the fittings. 

Calhoun witnessed everything as he sat on the plush couch, watching both James and Madeline, his eyes cool and collected,

"How did it go?" he asked Madeline.

Madeline nodded her head, "It went well." The inner dress that was stitched was soft and smooth, something that stuck snug on her body. Madeline had always known that James was an excellent dressmaker. He was a talented yet humble man. However, she wouldn't deny that it was strange to be wearing a wedding gown that was in the making, by him. 

Calhoun moved his hand from the side as if nonverbally asking her to sit next to him. 

She noticed how his eyes tested her now. Madeline might have been naive before as she didn't know much about Calhoun the first time they had met each other or after that. But now she knew the way he looked at her. Just a few days ago he had caught her and James in the powder room which could have turned scandalous if someone else had seen them.

Madeline walked forward, taking a seat next to him on the couch before placing both her hands on her lap. 

"If you don't like it we can get it remade. I am sure Mr. Heathcliff wouldn't mind it. Will you, Mr. Heathcliff?" asked Calhoun, his eyes shifting from Madeline to look at James. 

"No, it's fine. I like it," she assured Calhoun. It had been a while Calhoun had pulled any tricks from under his sleeve and she wished he wouldn't. 

Calhoun's hand moved up towards his face rubbed the bottom of his chin as if in thought, "I guess we will be looking forward to the wedding gown," he gave James as well as the female assistant a smile. 

Lucy, who was considerate, asked, "What about your wedding, Mr. Heathcliff? If you need some help, do not hesitate to ask. We wouldn't want anything to come in between your wedding time. Isn't that right, brother Calhoun?" 

The smile on Calhoun's face only broadened, "You are absolutely right, Lucy. We wouldn't want anything like that to happen. If you need more people in helping you with the gown and someone to look after your own wedding preparations, I will send my men to you," offered the King. 

It would be easier to keep an eye on the tailorman, Calhoun thought to himself. Until the time James was not wholly out of the map, it was better to keep a watch. 

James tried hard not to show the emotions that he felt on his face when the King offered his help. Madeline might have fallen to his trap, but that didn't mean James didn't feel or was unaware of the salt that was rubbed on the wound by the King. 

"Thank you for your generous offer," James bowed his head and then said, "I trust my assistants will do the job without any extra' help. Thank you, milady," he bowed at Lady Lucy who was standing behind the couch. She offered a kind smile to him. 

Lady Rosamund who saw that the tailorman and the assistant were of no use anymore in the room was ready to dismiss them when Calhoun said, 

"Mr. Heathcliff, I think you forgot to make something that I asked you to do the first time when we met in court."

Madeline's eyes snapped to look at Calhoun. She had hoped he had joked the first time and the time when they visited James' shop, Calhoun had not brought it up. She thought he had forgotten about it, but she was wrong. With many others in the room right now, she only hoped Calhoun would not openly say the actual word of the dress piece.

On the other hand, Sophie, who had been quiet since yesterday, her mood brightened up as she remembered what it was. It was because she was there when Calhoun had asked this tailorman to stitch the garter by using her as a reference. But as the memory started to sink with the present, Sophie's hand clutched on the edge of her mother's chair, where she stood behind. The garter was not for her but for the human girl. 

Madeline's hands pressed itself on her lap, and she hoped Calhoun would not use the word in front of everyone. Last time it had been subtle. 

James stared back at the King who had reminded him of the garter that he had ordered with a specific set of specifications, "I have got it made, milord," he answered, and Calhoun looked impressed. 

"Where is it?" Calhoun asked, his eyes curiously looking at the boxes that James had brought into the room. 

Madeline's gaze shifted from Calhoun to James, "It is in the lower box," and she gulped. Lady Rosamund and Lady Lucy turned curious as to what Calhoun might have asked from the tailorman before. 

Calhoun only smiled before he said, "I guess that is all for today. We will be looking forward to the wedding gown, Mr. Heathcliff." James pursed his lips and then bowed his head along with his assistant. He did the same with others, his eyes moving to look at the ladies and his eyes lingered longer than a second on Madeline before he left the room. 

"Well," drawled Lady Rosamund to stand up from her chair, "I will be going back to my room. Sophie dear, why don't you come with me," said the vampiress for her daughter to accompany her to go out of the room. 

Lady Lucy didn't see the point to stay in the room either; therefore, she excused herself to leave Calhoun and Madeline alone in the room.

With everyone gone, Madeline felt she could relax. She didn't care much about the box that continued to lay down on the ground. Calhoun had not tried to tease or torture her in front of others like in the past, and she felt relieved. 

_________

Spark of fire 

James and his assistant continued to walk out of the castle, making their way towards the carriage that had been arranged for them. Someone called them from the top of the stairs,

"Mr. Heathcliff!" 

He turned around to see it was one of the ladies who had been in the room earlier with the King, Madeline and others. He wondered if he left something behind or if there was something more that needed to be stitched.

The girl was petite, and she walked down the stairs, a smile upon her lips which he could tell that it was not something that came out of kindness, "We forgot to give you this," she gave an envelope to him. 

James wondered what it was. He looked down at the writing and design on the envelope that had the King's and Miss Harris' name on it. It was their wedding invitation, "I thought you should get one just in case if you haven't received one yet," said the lady with a smile on her face. 

He bowed his head and saw the lady leave. He would have been delighted in the past if he received the invitation from the King. Getting the marriage invitation of the person whom he loved who was getting married to someone else, he didn't know what to make of it anymore. Not to forget, he was also making Madeline's wedding dress. 

James couldn't help but think about the words that Lady Rosamund said to him. He wished the King would not marry Madeline. James wished Mr. Barnes wasn't threatening his father or him so that he would get married to Lady Catherine. He had accompanied Lady Catherine on the night of Hallow solely so that he could see Madeline and James was glad he had done it that day. But right now he wished he hadn't gone with Lady Catherine at all. If things were different, maybe it would have been him and Madeline getting married. But it looked like the time for it had passed, and there was nothing he could do about it right now. 

"The King and his family think very highly of you, isn't it, Mr. Heathcliff?" asked his female assistant Lina. The girl took a peek at the writing on the envelope that was in his hand. 

James doubted that was it. After getting inside the carriage, both of them left the castle. 

The young vampiress who had handed over the wedding invitation to the tailorman returned inside the castle and went to her mother who waited for her.

"Why did you ask me to give it to him?" Lady Sophie asked her mother, "It is not like he wouldn't be invited later on."

Lady Rosamund smiled at her daughter, who still had a lot to learn, "If he received it later, the spark of fire would have extinguished by then. Right now we only added more spark to see if it will work."

Sophie frowned, turning to look in the direction where the carriage left, "It didn't look like anything was going on. Didn't you hear him, mother? He is getting married to Lady Catherine."

"Which is why we need to act fast," replied Lady Rosamund. Both she and her daughter started to walk. Sadly her daughter had not been swift enough to capture the King's attention. Which is why her son and she were working on pushing things in their favour. 

Obviously, the previous King didn't have another son with whom Rosamund could get her daughter married to. The closest possibility was associating with the next person to keep the ties close and strong, which was Madeline's sister with whom Markus was currently trying to woo. 

"What are we going to do, mother?" asked Sophie, sadness filled in her voice. All these years, she grew up thinking she would be the queen, only now be told that she wasn't going to be the one. She felt lost, her purpose stolen, "Calhoun is going to get married to her."

Lady Rosamund sighed, stopping her footsteps to turn to her daughter, "If that is the worst case that is going to happen, your brother still has a chance. We just need to associate him with marriage and then think about the next step."

Sophie frowned, "Markus? What about me, then?" 

Her mother placed a hand on her arm, "You will be the King's cousin, Sophie. Right now, your chances of being a queen is less. If the tailorman and Madeline consummate with each other, that may break the faith and trust Calhoun has towards the human. Leave it to your brother and me. We will see what we can do, okay?"

"No," Sophie whispered, her eyebrows furrowing deeper, "No! You cannot do that to me!" When her voice went higher, Rosamund's grip on her daughter's arm tightened. 

"Keep your voice down," Rosamund's eyes flared before narrowing down at her, "Your chances of luck are lesser than what Markus has right now. Just listen to us. If everything goes well, who knows how things will turn out to be in your favour?"

Sophie couldn't believe that her mother was giving up on her being queen. That was the only possibility her mother could think right now. Rage continued to fill in her veins and in her thoughts against the person who was responsible for this. 

"I am supposed to be the queen," stated Sophie, "I will do something about it," and she started to walk in the direction from where they had come walking. 

"Sophie," Lady Rosamund called her daughter, who didn't turn but continued to walk. 

Lady Rosamund didn't stop her daughter. She turned to one of her trusted servants who was working here in the castle who stood not far from where she was. On one indication from Rosamund, the maid bowed and started to follow Sophie. The last thing the older vampiress wanted was her daughter spoiling something that she had planned. It wasn't that she didn't understand how Sophie felt. 

Rosamund always wanted the throne, when she had a son, she had believed it would be her family to rule. And she was still waiting for that day. It didn't matter to her how and in what form she would come to possess the power. It didn't matter if the power came to her through her husband, daughter or her son. 

Turning away, Rosamund left the corridor without noticing there was someone who had been standing not too far away from the passage she and her daughter were standing earlier.

_____________

Help you wear- Part 1

Music Recommendation: Fracture by Stephan Moccio

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Madeline and Calhoun sat in the room. He looked at her while she stared at the ground, feeling his gaze on her. When she finally decided to meet his eye, she saw him offer her a smile. 

"Are you going to pick up the box?" he asked her. She opened her mouth only to close it. Nodding her head, she stood up and went to fetch the small box that was on the ground. Madeline couldn't believe that Calhoun had asked James to make a garter for her and James had done it. 

With the box in her hand, Madeline was ready to go to her room when she heard Calhoun question her, "Where are you going?" 

Madeline turned around to see Calhoun stand up from the couch, "To my room. I will try it there," she answered to him. Calhoun walked towards her, taking the box from her hand and said,

"How will I know if it fits you or not. I need to see how it looks," Calhoun's red eyes moved up to look into her brown eyes, his words direct and straightforward. Her cheeks tinted pink, and she wanted to break away the gaze from him, but she couldn't. 

Believing it was good to be frank, and straight forward like him, Madeline tried to put her thoughts in a sentence, "Milord-"

"Calhoun," he corrected her, his eyes calmly looking at her, "I noticed that you switch back and forth between my name and addressing me 'milord'. I prefer you call me by my name. I am sure you are already aware of it." A faint smile formed on her lips. 

Madeline doubted if she would ever come to meet someone like Calhoun in her life. Someone who knew what he wanted and chased it unashamedly, "Calhoun," his name came as a whisper.

Hearing this, Calhoun took a step closer, "Are you trying to seduce me, Maddie?" he asked, raising one of his brows to see her shake her head, "Why are you whispering my name?" he whispered to tease her. 

When Calhoun spoke to her like that, Madeline felt like he was back to his teasing self. It made it difficult for her to keep a straight head in front of him, and he noticed it. Gulping quickly, Madeline started to speak before Calhoun would begin to spin her head, 

"Calhoun, we need some boundaries," she said to him. Calhoun tilted his head to the side. 

"What for?" 

"I-You, you cannot see me until marriage," she said, meeting his eyes anxiously, "You cannot tease me."

Calhoun continued to have an oblivious look on him, "I don't know what you are speaking about. I don't think I have seen you. Rather I must say you were seeing me yesterday."

"What?" she blinked at him. 

Calhoun's smile slowly and steadily broadened over his lips, "No need to be shy with me, sweet. I know where your eyes were lingering yesterday before you left my room," he said, raising his hand to only hover over her face but not touch it and it came back to his side. He was holding back himself from kissing her. Calhoun wanted Madeline to yearn for his touch. The spark had already been ignited, and he was waiting for it to be set ablaze. He opened the lid of the box in which the garter laid.

Madeline's eyes fell on the piece of clothing that Calhoun held in his large hand, his long fingers running through the material. It was just like the way he had ordered it to be made. Made of astel pale pink made of satin with white frills around it with a design that looked delicate. 

"I am impressed," commented Calhoun, "I cannot wait to see you in the wedding gown. Let's hope it comes to the castle quickly. Go and sit on the couch," he coaxed her. The smile on his lips died down as he continued to look at the garter. 

Madeline ran her tongue over her bottom lip. Her mouth suddenly felt dry along with her lips. They were in the seating room, a place where people kept walking back and forth in front of the door, which was now open. 

"Here?" she asked him. Calhoun raised his gaze to look at her, and he nodded his head with a hum. Madeline wasn't sure about this place. The gallery was located in the corner where not many came to pass by, and she had agreed to be his muse. Knowing Calhoun, her eyes darted to look at the door. 

Before she knew it, the door closed by itself without anyone going to push or pull it. Her eyes widened, and she turned back to look at Calhoun with a surprised look on her face. 

"It should be alright now," said Calhoun, waiting for her to take a seat on the plush couch. 

Madeline made her way back to the couch and sat down. Both her feet closely touched each other. She realised her words of trying to be straight forward had in the end, ended up with her sitting on the couch now.

As if feeling her gaze on him, Calhoun said, "We are playing with boundaries, Maddie. 

You looked like a scared little kitten, placing walls of boundaries. Of course, it didn't work well."

"No man ever kisses or touches a woman before marriage," she said to him, her words were soft. Calhoun took note of how Madeline's thoughts were turning much more calmer without being in haste like before. 

He knelt on the ground on one knee in front of her, "That would be very incorrect now, my dear. There are many who indulge themselves in adultery which is not spoken out loud in public, but it happens in secrecy," Calhoun looked up at Madeline who stared back with her whole attention on him, "People do things and hide it. I do things and accept it," he gave her a charming smile. 

He did have a point there, thought Madeline to herself. 

"I also know you are not used to it. Therefore, I have been...slow?" he asked, testing the word, "Would you rather have a man who pounces on you on the day of your wedding night like an animal? Without paying heed if you are ready or not on that day?" he questioned her, "If you go and ask some of the married women, be it lower or higher class, you will find stories in there."

Madeline pursed her lips. She knew what Calhoun was speaking about. 

"Were we speaking about the same boundaries?" Calhoun asked her. By his words, Madeline wondered if that is what he was doing—trying to ease her without pouncing on her. Was the big bad wolf patient without eating her up? It did seem so, "Don't be shy, Madeline. You will be my wife and I, your husband. You don't have to hold back or feel embarrassed about anything." 

"I am not used to it," she replied to him. His presence was affecting her and she didn't know how to put it in words.

"We'll take it slow. One step at a time," he assured her, "Leave it to me," he grinned, and Madeline wondered why he wasn't this nice in the beginning. Which one was the real Calhoun Hawthrone? Was it all of them, the different colours of the King, "May I?" asked Calhoun, his hand moved to the bottom hem of her dress. 

Calhoun was right that they were going to marry each other in a span of a few days. It would have been a different matter if it was a man who was only using her to jilt her on the day of the wedding. She stared back into Calhoun's eyes that were liquid red to look at her. 

Madeline finally nodded her head. She placed her hands on either side of where she sat now. She observed Calhoun fold the hem of her dress from the bottom, rolling it neatly until he reached her thigh. It took all her strength not to bolt away from the room. Madeline felt her head-turning dizzy, and she quickly blinked her eyes to keep herself in the room. 

"We'll need to change all of them. I prefer the new one," she heard Calhoun murmur. With the permission already given, Calhoun pulled the already worn garter that was completely white from her thigh to slide it down her leg. 

All the while, Madeline felt her heart beating loudly in her chest.

Calhoun didn't look at her or leave another remark about her face that had turned red. Instead, at first, he took hold of the new garter to check the elasticity and then helped it up her ankle to her knee before pushing it up her thigh that fit her thigh snugly. 

With Calhoun still in front of her, Madeline wondered if the King would ever do something like this, sit in this position in front of anyone else. Would a man go down to sit on his knee, on the ground? 

Madeline didn't know in the past few days how many other subtle things she had not noticed because of Calhoun's pushy and domineering behaviour. Now she not only noticed it but also felt it, and she was left speechless. 

She looked down at her exposed thigh. It was a pretty looking garter that made one think of wanting to touch it. She had never worn such pretty things. She and her sister used to wear items of clothing that her family could afford. 

"Is it too tight?" she heard Calhoun ask her. 

Madeline shook her head, "No. It's comfortable."

_________

Help you wear- Part 2

After helping her wear the garter on one leg, Calhoun went to her next leg and changed it to the newer one. The dress was then unfolded back to its place the way it was, to cover her legs. Noticing how he didn't make an effort to move from where he sat, Madeline moved her hands back to her lap, holding them together.

"You can sit on the couch," suggested Madeline. Even though Calhoun was going to be her husband, it was still strange to have him sitting on the ground. He was not an ordinary man but the King of Devon. 

"This place is much better," replied Calhoun while staring back at her. He doubted he would be able to keep his hands to himself if he were to sit next to her on the couch now. Madeline looked far more radiant than the rays of the sun that had fallen on the grounds of the castle today. Her pale skin had a tint of pinkness on them, her heart calm and quiet, beating a rhythm like a little bird. 

The girl had little confidence when it came to her looks, making her appear more humble and humane. But then she was a human, thought Calhoun to himself. He could tell that because of her sister, Madeline had preferred to stay in the shadow, but things were changing. Madeline was far more beautiful and someone he treasured. As much as he wanted to act on his instincts, he told himself to wait a little longer because she was worth it. 

It took all his strength not to bite into her smooth milky pale thigh that was wrapped with the fancy-looking garter. 

"There will be another tailorman who will be visiting the castle today," he informed her. 

Madeline had a look of surprise on her face, "Another one?" They were already getting the wedding dress made from James' shop. 

"Wouldn't your family need new clothes to wear at our wedding?" asked Calhoun. He pulled the ends of her skirt to keep it straight, "I wouldn't want them to feel pressured on whom you are marrying. That's alright, right?" 

Madeline bowed her head, "Thank you for thinking about them." With her passive rebellious attitude since the time she had entered the castle, she had forgotten to consider that her family would need to dress and look proper in front of the subjects. She was thankful that Calhoun had thought about it and had gone as far as to arrange a tailor for them. 

"You don't need to. I wouldn't like you to have frowns and worry lines on your forehead. I am doing it for my own selfish reasons," Calhoun said before cracking a smile. 

Even if it were for his own selfish reasons, he had still considered it, and she saw a ray of light pass through the clouds that she had been seeing all this time. 

"What about your clothes?" Madeline inquired. 

"The measurements have already been taken, and it is in the making," he replied to her, "My relatives will be here in the castle. Possibly staying here until the wedding, keep an eye around you and your ears open."

"Why do you say that?"

Calhoun's eyes narrowed, almost flinching in thought, he said, "As much as occasions are fun, there's always a possibility of something bad to happen. And you are going to be the Queen, I would like to think that nothing bad will happen," and he stood up from the place from where he was. 

Madeline didn't forget what happened yesterday in the forest at this hour. The arrow had been caught, but there was no guarantee if she would be lucky the next time. She felt Calhoun place his hand on her cheek.

"Stay with me. I will take care of everything else." She felt a shiver run down her spine when his hand turned back for his fingers to run across her skin. Someone knocked on the closed door. Madeline saw the garters Calhoun had pulled down from her leg turned to catch fire before evaporating in thin air without a smoke. She looked around with widened eyes.

The knock on the door took place only twice and stopped. Calhoun left Madeline's side and walked towards the door, opening the door to see it was Theodore. The man bowed his head and informed, 

"Milord, Lady Madeline's family, have arrived."

Hearing this, Madeline stood up from the couch. Happiness started to bubble up in her chest. She had been anticipating them for some days now, and Madeline couldn't wait to meet them. 

She walked and came to stand next to Calhoun. He turned to look at her, "I believe you want to meet them. Let's go greet them," he said. He headed out of the room with her while having Theodore who followed them behind. 

When Madeline saw her parents with her sister Elizabeth, she walked faster than before, and she hugged her mother first who hugged her back. She had been worried why they had not visited the castle yet, but now that they were here, she was happy. A smile spread across her face.

"Mr. Harris," Calhoun greeted Madeline's father whose back slightly straightened at the greeting. The King directly offered his hand to the man to shake hands. Mr. Harris was surprised, and apprehensively he took the King's hand to have a firm shake. 

Mr. Harris was surprised by the King's behaviour, but he didn't say anything. The King had gone as far as to take back the shop he had given them, and now he was shaking his hand in front of his daughter. 

"Glad to see that all of you are here. Madeline was worried and waiting for you," said the King. Mr. Harris turned to his daughter, offering her a smile and she returned it back, "Take the belongings to the guest rooms," Calhoun ordered the servants who had come to pick up the little luggage that the family had brought with them. 

"We were caught up with the shop-" Beth started, but her mother placed her hand on Beth's back as if to stop talking. 

Calhoun's eyes moved to look at Beth in question, "The shop?" he asked.

Mrs. Harris smiled, "We had a few things to sort out, and it took time. We made sure to send out the invitations that were given to us." The King continued to stare at the family for a few seconds before saying,

"Madeline, why don't you help your family settle in the guest rooms," Calhoun suggested, and Madeline nodded her head. The family bowed and walked away from there. 

Calhoun continued to look at them before he said, "Check what is going on in the shop," to Theodore. Something felt odd, not that things were smooth between him and Madeline's family as the first time they had officially met he had scared them. 

Theodore bowed his head and left the castle right away. It took less than an hour when Theodore returned to report to Calhoun with his lips set in a thin line, "What is it?" asked Calhoun. 

"It looks like they are rebuilding the shop which was given by you. The men you sent are nowhere to be found," reported Theodore, "There's also something I overheard." 

Calhoun's eyes narrowed, "I am listening..."

_________

Meeting the families- Part 1

The servants helped in carrying her parents' trunks, placing it in the room and then left the room. Elizabeth was provided with a room of her own, and she went to the room with eagerness in her eyes. Madeline looked at her parents, who were looking at the room that was as big as their house. Her mother stared at the vases and the decor of the room before her eyes fell on Madeline. 

This time, Madeline's mother walked forward to give a better hug, holding her daughter close in her arms for long seconds, "Are you doing alright, Maddie?" asked her mother with worry and concern in her voice. 

Earlier when they were out in the corridor, the hug had been short and almost fleeting. Right now, Madeline placed her chin on her mother's shoulder, a smile on her lips, "I am doing okay, mama. What took you so long?" she asked, pulling away.

Mrs. Harris wanted to speak about it, but she didn't know how to put it. When the shop had been destroyed, the older woman thought that it was better not to bring up the matter. The King had not shown any kind of rude emotion when they met a few minutes ago, but it was because he was a vampire. 

Her mother pursed her lips, "Something happened to the shop. We were busy getting it fixed."

Madeline frowned, "What happened?" she asked, her eyes darting to look at her father who held a passive expression on his face. She waited for her mother to speak. 

"We don't know what happened, but a few days ago when your father was working in the afternoon, some men came and started to demolish the shop saying it was the order from the royal court," said her mother, a look of nervousness passed before she said, "Don't ask the King anything!"

Madeline had a look of confusion on her face, "He wouldn't do that," she shook her head, defending the King. Calhoun could be rude and everything else to torture her, but he would never do that.

Her mother held her hands, "Your father saw the seal on the parchment. It seems it was from the King. It is better if we don't mention anything about it."

"But it would make it clear, whether he sent out people to take back the shop that he offered," Madeline said as it didn't make sense why Calhoun would want to destroy the shop when he would gain nothing from it.

"He must be angry for what I did the last time," whispered her mother. Madeline didn't remember what her mother was speaking about, "The note."

Mr. Harris, who didn't know what had happened that day nor the riddled words of the King, sighed, "What has happened, is in the past. You don't have to worry about it. There's a young gentleman who is helping us in rebuilding the shop."

Madeline didn't know what to say as she was more than surprised to hear this news. 

Now that the topic about the note had come up and Calhoun wasn't here in the room nor was any other vampire, Madeline took the opportunity to ask,

"What did you write in that note?" 

Her mother looked distressed, just thinking about it, "I wrote, if you ever wanted to run away, you are free to do it without worrying about what might happen to us."

"Mama," Madeline was far more grateful that her mother put her happiness before hers, but how could Madeline ever do something like that to her family, "There's no more need for it. And the King didn't read it. I didn't see nor did I read it, neither did he. He threw it away."

Mrs. Harris looked at her daughter, "He did," the older woman was sure because she knew the way he looked at her, the underlying meaning behind his words, they were subtle, but the warning was there, "It doesn't matter anymore. You are getting married, and we are here to be with you." 

Saying this, the woman squeezed her daughter's hands. She looked at her daughter, searching for any fear or something her daughter would want to tell her, but Mrs. Harris found nothing there. Madeline appeared to be calm, healthy, and she was doing well here. 

Madeline then heard her mother ask, "You are happy, right?" She nodded her head, bringing a smile on her lips and her mother returned the smile. 

"I told you this is what Madeline wanted," came the voice of Beth and Madeline turned to see her sister walk into the room, through the door. 

Madeline stepped towards her elder sister, and Elizabeth put her arms around her when she came near, "I know you better than anyone. I am your sister after all," and Beth pulled away to look at her younger sister who was doing far better than Beth had ever done until now. She smiled, looking at her, "How are you feeling? Excited about your marriage to the King?" asked Beth. 

To Madeline, Beth was not just her sister but also a friend. Someone with whom she shared things and maybe it was only one time, she had hidden something from her sister.

"I am nervous," Madeline couldn't tell how happy she was to have her family here, in the castle. 

"That's okay. It happens to every person," replied Beth and then asked, "Where is your room? Come let's take a stroll in the castle. We have so much to talk about," her sister suggested. 

Madeline turned to her parents, who were in the room. Her mother smiled, "Both of you go ahead. Your father and I will be here." She felt her hand being tugged by Beth. Before they could leave the room, Madeline said, 

"You can ask the maids if you need anything."

Both the sisters stepped out and away from the guest quarters. Beth, who had dreamt of living in a castle-like this stared at the walls, the floors and the ceilings that was painted. Her green eyes were bright as they took in the view that the castle had to offer. Beth could hardly believe that she was not just looking at the castle, but she would be living here for a few days until Madeline's wedding. 

Just a few days, thought Beth to herself. She wanted more, though. 

As Beth's eyes continued to take in everything that was in front of her, Madeline noticed how her sister's eyes fell on the maze that was located next to the garden. Seeing her sister's fascination, Madeline started to explain, 

"That's the hedge maze. It has only one entrance and many paths-" but Beth cut in.

"I know what a maze is. Just because I don't live in the castle doesn't mean I don't know anything about it," Beth's words were severe. 

"I didn't mean to offend-"

Beth laughed, "I was joking. You get so serious." With the way Beth was looking at it, Madeline thought to explain it. Seeing Beth smile, Madeline returned the smile. 

"There are some interesting flowers on that side," Madeline offered, and Beth nodded her head.

When Madeline turned her gaze away to look at the front, the smile that was there on the older sister's lips fell.

________

Meeting the families- Part 2

Madeline walked next to her sister with a relaxed constant smile on her face as they spent their time outside, in the garden of the castle. She was happy to have her sister Beth accompany her here, to be in the castle. 

"How have things been going in here? With the King," added Beth, her voice came out to be nonchalant while her eyes glanced at Madeline before taking in the beauty of the castle. 

"It's been going fine," replied Madeline.

Beth nodded her head, "Good to hear that. Who knows what might have happened if you refused the King more than what you have done right now."

Madeline who had heard from her parents on what happened, she asked, "Are you speaking about the shop? The King didn't send any order out to pull it down." Beth chuckled hearing Madeline defend the King, "I would have known if something like that happened."

She believed it was best to ask Calhoun herself about it, to clear it up and if he did it, why would he do it, "Has the King bedded you?" asked Beth, being nosey. Hearing this, Madeline's face turned red. 

"W-what, no. The King hasn't," Madeline shook her head. 

Beth looked at her sister, who had turned red with embarrassment. It didn't seem like the King had not touched Madeline. She didn't believe Madeline. Maybe Madeline didn't know about it, but Beth, who had always been looking forward to living a luxurious life, had heard about the King. The tales of the King's debauchery had no end. With the way women were willing to offer themselves to him, it had made her curious and eager to see him during the Hallow. 

Madeline, on the other hand, was embarrassed that her sister had asked her about the King and her directly. There were things she shared with Beth, but there were some things that needed some boundaries, Madeline thought to herself. 

"It's okay if you have done it. I wouldn't judge you," Beth assured her sister, wanting to get more information. Though there was a smile on Beth's face, she envied her sister's position. Madeline had everything she had ever wished for. Richness, status, a handsome man by her side who was none other than the King. It made her hand clutch on her sides. 

Madeline laughed. Waving her hand, she said, "No, nothing has happened. The King has been respectful and had agreed to wait until the day of marriage."

"The King must be a true gentleman," remarked Beth.

It wasn't precisely correct, thought Madeline to herself. She didn't want to mention Calhoun's seduction and tease that was nothing less than hot iron. Just an hour ago, he had pulled up her skirt to help her wear the garters. She felt her toes curl and her mind that started to muddle when she thought about his touch and words. 

"He is," Madeline smiled, continuing to walk in the garden where they were surrounded by flowers, "How about yourself? Did anyone catch your fancy?" she asked Beth. 

A wide smile appeared on Beth's face, "There is someone I met recently."

"What is his name? What does he do?" questioned Madeline. 

"He works for the King," came the prideful answer from Beth. She wouldn't marry some lowly man from the village. Not when her sister was marrying the King, "You will be meeting him soon. He is a very good man. He has been helping our father with the shop."

"Oh," Madeline responded, "He must be a kind man to go out of his way to help us."

Beth nodded her head, "He said he was finding an opportunity to talk to me, and he was more than willing to help our family. Tall, good looking man. Polite. Rich," she listed the characteristics, "You know my tastes in men."

In response, Madeline offered her sister a smile. She knew what Beth liked in men. First came the money, then came the looks. It was what she looked for. She didn't want to question Beth's choice or judge her. She was glad that her older sister had found someone she liked. Beth did mention the person had helped their father, so he must be a good man. 

"Come let's go to your room," Beth tugged Madeline's arm in eagerness. Though Beth said that a man had caught her eye, it didn't mean she had stopped dreaming about living in the castle. But before Madeline could respond, both the sisters heard barks, "What is that? Dogs?" asked Beth, unaware of what it was. 

Madeline turned slightly worried, "Let's head back inside now," she urged Beth. 

But Beth stood her ground, her head turning in the direction where she heard the barks coming from, "Don't tell me you are scared of dogs," laughed Beth. 

"They are not dogs," Madeline corrected quickly, hoping that the wolves wouldn't come sniffing to the place where they stood, "They are the King's pets. Wolves."

"That should be fine then. If they are King's pets, they will not harm us," Beth acted brave and not scared when the wolves appeared at the corner of the garden, "Look, they are just nothing but furry animals."

This time it was Madeline who placed her hand on Beth's arm, "Beth, please." But Beth didn't want to do what her younger sister was asking her to do. It wasn't Madeline but her who was older here. Though it was not completely visible, Beth could see the way Madeline moved and spoke on how she had moved forward while leaving Beth behind when it came to their status. 

"Stop being so afraid about everything," Beth said rolling her eyes at Madeline.

Madeline looked at the four wolves who stood in front of them. Her eyes darted between Beth and the wolves, contemplating if she should head back inside the castle as Beth was stubbornly refusing to get back with her. The King's wolves were tamed only by his hands and not by others.

Madeline would have left Beth here, but she was her sister. 

While Madeline stood with Beth in the garden, inside the first floor of the castle, Calhoun stood with Theodore watching them. He was in a bad mood. His handsome face appeared to be serious, and he had no smile on his lips. His eyes had narrowed down by the information which he had heard from Theodore.

"My King, the wolves have not been fed. We should ask the young ladies to get back inside," informed Theodore after they had finished talking about other matters. 

Calhoun's eyes didn't move away from the scene that was in front of them. Standing in one of the many balconies of the castle, his eyes focused on Madeline who was with her sister out in the garden. 

Though they stood far away from the girls, where the girls would not be able to see them, Calhoun picked up bits and pieces of the conversation they had between them.

"It has been quite a long time since the wolves have been fed with the actual living flesh," he said. Theodore moved his eyes slowly towards the King and then at the humans who were in the garden. 

For a second, Theodore thought Calhoun was speaking about Lady Madeline turning to be the wolves food, but he realised it wasn't her, but her sister. "Lady Madeline values her family, milord. It would be upset her if something happened to one of them." 

Calhoun's hands gripped on the black railings, "Yes, Madeline loves her family. But a little fear should set people straight. Isn't that, what we do here," he hummed and continued to look at the girls who were facing the wolves. 

He had not only grown up in the castle, but he had spent his initial years in the villages and towns which were filled with dirt and mud. Times were hard in the past, but it didn't matter to Calhoun because he knew what he wanted and who he would kill with his own hands.

Maybe Madeline didn't notice it, but Calhoun did. Until he was with her, which would be forever, he wouldn't let any harm befall on her. Be it physical harm or verbal words, like how her sister Elizabeth had spoken to her. 

"Beth," Madeline called her sister who still had no idea what the wolves were capable of. Beth had not seen the jaws of the wolves. She pulled her sister's arm, but Beth got irritated on how Madeline was being a coward. 

"When are you going to grow up and stop being so meek?" snapped Beth for Madeline to frown. 

"These wolves are feral. One bite is going to be fatal. If you want to pet the wolves, I can ask the King or someone to arrange it so that-"

Beth scoffed, pulling her hand away from Madeline. "You don't have to rub it on my face that you are going to be the Queen," stated Beth who didn't like the way Madeline spoke to her right now. Being the elder sister, it was Beth who commanded and Madeline who followed her. 

Madeline felt hurt thinking that Beth thought she was trying to show off her position. The little remarks had got the attention of the wolves, and they moved towards them. Beth turned around and had a smug look on her face. 

"Why do we need to bother others when the wolves are being so nice?" Beth asked to only hear growls coming from the wolves. 

Frowning, Beth was ready to pat when she heard Madeline warn her, "Don't go near them!" But Beth only rolled her eyes over how Madeline was behaving as if she was helpless and needed to be saved. Her hand moved closer to the black wolf that looked gorgeous.

The wolf continued to stare at Beth's hand that reached out for its head, in time to open its mouth and take a bite at her hand. 

___________

Meeting the families- Part 3

The King's favourite wolf had dug its teeth deep into Beth's hand, and it took a second for the pain and sight to sink into the older Harris' daughter.

"AHHHHHH!!!!" Beth screamed at the top of her lungs in pain.

"Beth!" exclaimed Madeline, going towards where her sister and Maddox was. She wanted to help, but she didn't know what to do. She knew this might happen because the last few times when she had met the black wolf, it had always come at her with growls and showing its sharp teeth that made it look ferocious. 

Beth cried in pain, "Get away from me you, mutt!" she cursed the wolf, but Maddox didn't take her anger well and showed its own anger by not letting her hand go, "It hurts!" 

Of course, it would! Thought Madeline in panic. Maybe she should go and get Calhoun because he was the only one who could tame this wolf here. While Madeline was panicking with her sister's hand stuck in the black wolf's mouth, someone else far away in the balcony chuckled. 

Chuckles broke through Calhoun's lips as he saw what Maddox had done. Leave it to his wolf to treat people right. With Elizabeth being stubborn, it was apparent that this was going to happen. He was only waiting when the girl would push one of his wolves to receive a bite. 

Theodore didn't comment but stood behind Calhoun to look at the scene that played out, and at the King who was laughing now. He was enjoying it very much. 

"Won't the wolves hurt the lady?" asked Theodore with curiosity. 

"Who? Madeline?" asked Calhoun who had a wide-open smile on his face, "Maddox and the rest know what is mine and what is not. He would never hurt her. The rest I don't care, and neither do they." 

"She might die out of blood loss," informed Theodore and Calhoun finally stopped laughing, but the smile on his face was still present. 

His hands continued to grip the rails, "Would be a pity if she died before the wedding." Saying this, Calhoun jumped down from the balcony to get on the ground like a feline. He then made his way to where Madeline was. 

"Let go of my hand!" Beth cried without moving from where she stood. It felt like her hand and fingers were being torn away from her arm. 

Madeline felt stressed by seeing Beth in pain. She moved closer to Beth and Maddox, her hand apprehensively moving towards the wolf's head. 

Having already snapped closely with its teeth before at her, Madeline didn't know if she would be bitten too. The other wolves had left as if the drama was over, leaving Maddox to take care of the rest. Her hand shook out of nervousness, but when she finally made it to touch the top of the black wolf's head, the growl stopped, and Maddox's gaze shifted to look at Madeline now. 

The wolf let go of Beth's hand, licking its tongue across its teeth and mouth that had Beth's blood. 

"AHHH!!" Beth continued to cry in pain. When she looked at her hand, she saw blood profusely continued to fall on the ground because of the deep wounds that were caused by the useless wolf! She glared at it. "This stupid mutt-" Beth had to stop right away as Maddox started to growl again at her. 

Madeline's eyebrows drew in together, and she tried to get Maddox's attention back. She tried to mimic the way Calhoun petted the wolf. Rubbing and scratching the back of its ears as she tried to calm it, to stop it from biting her sister, who was still crying in pain. The wolf kept its attention on her, its eyes slowly closing as she continued to give it ear rubs. 

She had been worried earlier, but it looked calm under her touch—lowly growling at the back of its throat as if in approval. 

"Lady Elizabeth, are you alright?" Madeline and her sister turned around at the King's voice to see him walk towards them, "That looks too deep."

Beth complained, "It is this stupid wolf here! It came at me!" Madeline frowned at the little lie her sister said to the King. 

"You poor little thing," said Calhoun with pity in his eyes as he moved closer to take a look at Beth's hand that was bleeding. The girl had pulled out a handkerchief, trying to stop the blood but the small handkerchief was not enough, "That must really hurt. Bad Maddox," he said, turning to look at his wolf who tilted its head. 

Madeline let go of Maddox's head, feeling the wolf sniff her hand with its snout. Calhoun noticed this little exchange of trust. 

"Are you alright?" he asked Madeline, who nodded at him. 

Beth's eyebrows shot up. She was the one who was bit, yet the King was checking with her sister! "I am losing too much blood," she complained to bring back the attention of both of them to her.

"We should go tend to it," proposed Madeline. 

"How could that mutt do something like that to me? I wasn't doing anything to it," Beth spoke in pain. 

Calhoun heard the girl call his wolf mutt and he said, "You should be careful about where you place your hand, milady. If you place it in unfamiliar territories, it might end up with far worse than a bite. Wolves don't get kindly to insults," he said with a kind smile on his lips.

Madeline looked at Calhoun, and something told her that he knew what had transpired here. He always knew. 

Beth gave out a troubled look and then nodded. She didn't have the time or energy to speak about the stupid wolf when her hand was bleeding, and she was in pain, "Maddie, please come with me," said the sister and Madeline readily nodded her head. Both the girls bowed their head at the King and left to get back inside the castle. 

When the girls left the garden, Calhoun looked at his wolf who looked back at him unblinkingly. He outstretched his hand forward for the wolf to move and walk to where he was, "What a good boy you are," Calhoun praised the black wolf as he rubbed its ears, "You never fail to entertain me," he chuckled. 

Maddox had turned tame under Madeline's touch. Calhoun could tell it was because the wolf could sense the change of her emotions towards him. As Madeline was opening her heart to him, Maddox was slowly coming to accept her. 

"Come, boy! Let me treat you with something nice," Calhoun started to walk to be followed by the wolf.

Beth continued to cry in pain; tears streaked down her face because this was not a wound caused by a simple fall or scrape. By the looks of the animals, they looked tamed. Which sane person left wild wolves who could bite others out in the garden?!

They were still walking, making their way to the room when another young lady who was dressed in expensive clothes came to stop on their way,

"What happened to her hand, Lady Madeline?" asked the young lady with her red eyes, "There's so much blood falling on the floor, you should take her out to get it fixed. It is only going to attract the vampires in here." 

Beth didn't know who this vampiress was. The lady looked at Beth's hand with a frown and disgust in her eyes. This had her own eyes narrow at the girl who stood in front of them. 

"The wolves were left out in the open. One of them bit her hand, Lady Sophie," explained Madeline. 

Looking at Beth's clothes, Lady Sophie said, "What did you do to get the wolf's attention? If you are not from a royal family, of course, you will get bit. The wolf knows who belongs to the lower family." 

Beth fumed at these words. She was already in pain, and this vampiress dared to speak about her like this with her, "If the wolf has the ability to smell shallow people, I think we know who will get bitten first," smiled Beth even in pain. This irked Sophie. 

Both the girls quietly glared at each other. 

Madeline bowed her head, "We'll be going to tend her hand."

Beth didn't bow her head at the vampiress because she didn't feel like it, and neither did Sophie feel there was a need to bow to a lowly peasant. 

__________

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