✍️✍️✍️✍️ The Crown's Obsession Chapter 211 - 220 ✍️✍️✍️✍️

PHYSIENTS WILL ALWAYS OFFER BEST STORIES AND LIVE STREAMING ALL TIME

Sitting with you- Part 1

Music Recommendation: Gdansk by Lambert

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Madeline was the one who was tending Beth's hand where the blood didn't stop from bleeding. The wolf had taken a bite at Beth's hand as if it was a piece of meat that had dangled itself in front of it. 

"It hurts!" Beth cried in pain, unable to handle it being touched. 

"I warned you not to go near the wolf," Madeline didn't want to remind that she did warn Beth about the wolves, but Beth had tried to be brave like many other times thinking the wolves would let her pat their head without wanting to bite on her, "If we don't clean it well, it might cause an infection. And you know how the infection turns out to be."

"No!" Beth exclaimed in worry and fear, "How would I know that such beautiful wolves would want to bite me?! Why would they even let it out in the open??" she gave out an incredulous look to Madeline. 

"You cannot cage everything inside. Animals need to breathe too," replied Madeline, pressing the cotton on Beth's hand and then dipping it in the water. "I will wrap this with the cloth so that the bleeding stops. Okay?" saying this, Madeline applied the medicine before wrapping the cloth around the wound which she had asked the maid to get so that it could be used to wrap Beth's palm.

Beth looked at the water that had turned red because of the traces of her blood in it, "What am I going to do now? I won't be able to use my hand well," she said, her lips pressing against each other. 

"I will ask the King if he can assign you some maids. They will help you in getting ready and helping you with what you will need," Madeline answered and Beth gave her a nod. 

Though outwardly, Beth had a solemn look on her face, internally she was bursting with joy. At least there was one good thing that came out from being bit by the wolf. The thought of having her own personal maids brought tranquillity in her chest. The room she had been given was grand, but Beth was still curious about how Madeline's room looked like as it wasn't located here. 

Beth was eager to explore more of the castle. She could barely wait to live here, in this kind of place. She was happy until she remembered her encounter with the vampiress lady a few minutes ago. 

"Who was that rude girl out there?" inquired Beth, bringing her hand close to her when Madeline was done tying and securing the ends of the cloth so that it wouldn't come loose. 

Madeline, who knew who Beth was referring to, answered, "That is Lady Sophie. She is the King's relative. A close cousin."

Beth didn't like the girl one bit. She didn't care if it was a human or a vampire. The vampiress was looking down at her as if Beth was some mere peasant from the village who was not supposed to be here in the castle. How dare she look down at her! Asked Beth in her mind. She was some girl who was the King's cousin, not the sister of the King. Therefore, Beth didn't bother to dwell in it. At least that is what she told herself, but somewhere her thought went back to it. It had been a while since someone had spoken to her in such a disrespectful manner. 

She heard Madeline say, "Don't pay attention to her. Lady Sophie belongs to the high status…"

Of course. People who belonged to the high-status family were allowed to look down at people like her. The worst part was that the lady had only looked down at her and not at Madeline as she was going to marry the King. 

"Once I am married to Markus, I would like to show her not to belittle people like me," replied Beth and Madeline smiled, "Markus is a wonderful man. You will like him."

Madeline didn't know why but it felt like she had heard the name before, but she couldn't remember where. There was another Markus who lived in the next town, but Madeline doubted her sister was speaking about him. 

"You said he works for the King. Does he know you were coming to live in the castle?" asked Madeline. Because if the man worked for the King, it was possible that he would be visiting the King to attend the court meetings. 

Madeline saw her sister nod her head, "Yes, I told him. He said he would meet me here. Ah, I forgot to mention earlier, he is the King's cousin," Beth smiled saying this. This only made Madeline frown in thought before realisation sank in her mind, on who her sister was seeing. The King might have many far relatives, but the only two families she had met so far closely were--the Greville's and the other was the Wilmot's while the rest had been a blur.

"What is his full name?" asked Madeline. 

Beth had a broad smile on her face, and she said, "Markus Wilmot." No wonder she felt the name was familiar. 

Madeline wondered if she should let Beth know that the vampiress who she had been irritated with was none other than Markus Wilmot's younger sister. It would definitely be humorous when they would find out about it. Wanting to save Beth from any more harsh words than what had already been spoken in the corridor, Madeline decided to let her sister know.

"Beth, Markus Wilmot. I have met him before," Madeline said for Beth to raise her eyebrows.

"You have? I guess it is possible, after all, you are the King's mis-I mean the person who is going to get married," Madeline knew what Beth was going to say earlier before she stopped and corrected herself. 

It would be a lie if it hadn't crossed her mind several times before that the King wanted to bed her and turn her to one of his mistresses. It was because the previous King's had vampiress as their queen. None of them had ever picked a human to be the bride because of the short lifespan a human had. With the way Calhoun had treated her in the beginning, it had made Madeline come to believe that it was all he wanted from her, and this was until a few days ago. 

Now...she had come to see Calhoun's rare gentleness towards her, for her. 

"Yes, about that-" Madeline started when somebody knocked on the door to interrupt her words. 

Getting up from the bed she was sitting on, Madeline made her way to open the door to see a maid who stood in front of the room, "Milady," the maid gave a deep bow, "The King has summoned you to the chapel."

Madeline furrowed her brows as she never knew there was a chapel in the castle. Turning to look at Beth, she said, 

"I will be back soon."

Beth nodded her head back, "That's alright. Take your time, Maddie. I might take a nap," she offered her younger sister a smile.

When Madeline left the room, the smile on Beth's face fell. She looked down at her hand and cursed the wolves. She didn't know how she would be able to move her hand without causing much pain to it. The maid who had come to call Madeline had left with her, leaving Beth all alone in the room. Not that she minded it because she loved the sight of her room. It was vast and beautiful. 

Getting up from the bed, she started to move around the room. Her good hand tracing the objects in there when she heard another knock on the room, 

"Milady," it was another maid, "Is there anything you need help with?" 

Beth stared at the maid and then said, "I would like to drink something nice. Something to cool the heat. You can bring something to eat along with it." The maid bowed her head and went to complete the order that was given by the lady. 

"I could get used to this," commented Beth to herself. Staring at the door where there was no one there. This is what she deserved, to live a life of richness with servants who would be at her disposal. 

While Beth was in her room, enjoying her time to relax herself and her hand, away from the guest rooms in the tea parlour of the castle, tea of red colour was poured into the little teacups before they were served to the ladies. 

Lady Rosamund was having her tea when she saw her daughter, Sophie who placed the cup on the saucer with a clattering sound, "Have you forgotten how to place the teacup or has your hands turned weak Sophie?" asked Lady Rosamund by raising her brows in question. 

At her mother's sharp words, Sophie placed the teacup correctly before bringing her hands on her lap. 

Lucy said, "Did you hear a scream earlier? Sounded like a female screaming in pain."

"Must be one of the prisoners in the dungeon," replied Lady Rosamund who continued to hold her teacup without putting it down, "People do foolish things."

"It wasn't from the dungeon," said Sophie, receiving looks from her cousin sister and her mother, "There is some new human in the castle. It looks like it's Madeline's friend. She's rude and foul-mouthed."

"Friend?" asked Lucy. 

Lady Rosamund, whose eyes were on Sophie, asked, "Why do you say that?" 

"Because I spoke to her for a minute. I don't know what the need is to bring an outsider into the castle," Sophie rolled her eyes in annoyance. 

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Sitting with you- Part 2

Sophie grew up with people who bowed at her, and she looked down at the lower category who didn't have the class or status like hers. And now to be spoken back about her character by a filthy human, it didn't sit well with her. She knew that humans from the villages were disgusting, but this was the first time she had met someone out of her family who had used such a tone with her. 

"Are you sure she is Lady Madeline's friend?" asked Lucy as she had heard from Madeline on how she was anticipating her family's visit to the castle for the wedding. 

Sophie nodded her head, "Yes, I am sure. They look nothing like sisters. Black hair, green eyes." They looked far apart to be called sisters, thought Sophie to herself which was why she concluded it was the human girl's friend, "She was the one who screamed. One of the wolves must have bitten her. Which idiot leaves blood trails all over the corridor?" she shook her head at the idiocy. 

"You cannot expect anything less from the humans," commented Lady Rosamund, "They have the habit of not thinking about the consequences. Leaving the scent of an open wound will only result in her death because of one of the vampires feeding on her."

Sophie didn't mind it. She didn't like the little encounter that she had a few minutes ago before coming here to join her mother and cousin to have tea. 

"A wolf's bite is considered to be fatal, be it, vampire or human," Lucy said, hoping whoever it was, was okay now. Too much blood loss could only lead to death. She then said, "Isn't it going to be exciting to have the families meet each other."

"Yes, it is something to look forward to," replied Lady Rosamund, "I wonder how the wedding is going to proceed. Mingling the royal family with the people in the village," she gave out a tired sigh. 

Lady Rosamund wanted Madeline out of the frame, but if she did anything right now, Calhoun would know it was because of her and her family's involvement. She had to be careful right now. The first option of having Madeline leave the castle grounds had failed because the human didn't want to leave. It seemed like she had come to understand and had a taste of power. 

"It would have been good if your mother and father were alive," said Lady Rosamund to Lucy, "They would have helped in arranging the marriage in a better way, isn't it. Their demise has been a really sad incident."

Lucy didn't react or reply to it. "Your father was such a good man. He must have known that something bad was going to happen to him, and he made sure that you were well settled before that."

"Hm, six months before the incident," Lucy's words were soft. 

Lady Rosamund sighed again, "Only if they were here. I still don't get how someone from the court killed them. Are you sure you saw who it was who killed them?" asked the older vampiress. 

Lucy had seen her parents body in the undercrofts of the castle. Blood spilt everywhere and their bodies that laid on the ground, "Yes, it was the minister." Though she didn't see the killing, she had seen the minister's hands that were covered in blood. 

As much as she had despised her mother for pushing her to get married to Samuel, her mother and her father were still her parents. Parents whom she loved. The death of the King and the Queen was not small but a huge loss. It was good that Calhoun was there to take the crown right away, thus saving Devon. 

The minister had been dragged away. Tortured and his tongue pulled out to be cut with a hot searing iron knife. While she was still mourning over her parent's loss, she had attended the execution of the minister who had killed them. 

"Pardon me, Lucy, for bringing up such a sad event," Lady Rosamund placed her hand on Lucy's hand. 

The princess said, "It has been years now. And the culprit was punished," a small smile came on Lucy's lips. 

Lady Rosamund nodded her head in agreement, "You are right. Have you got your gowns ready for Calhoun's wedding? I heard the maid say that the King has arranged for his personal tailorman to visit the castle."

"I have some new gowns. I will be wearing them," Lucy replied, and everyone continued to have their tea that was mixed with blood. 

The older vampiress stared at Lucy. The girl didn't know anything, and no matter how many times, Rosamund had tried to get an answer from Lucy, the reply was always the same. Rosamund knew this was not the ministers doing, and there was something more. She hoped there was something more so that she could pull out the dirt and show it to the people of Devon. 

Lady Rosamund had been working on it, trying to figure out behind the scenes as there were some things that didn't add up. She knew Calhoun had a hand in it, but she didn't know in what way. There was no way, the King's illegitimate son who came out of nowhere one day could be the King.

"When are Uncle and Markus visiting the castle?" inquired Lucy. 

"Father has been busy with his work. Markus should be here soon, isn't it?" Sophie asked, leaning forward, she picked up the cookie that was placed on the tray. 

"I received his letter where he said he would be here by tomorrow," replied Lady Rosamund with a smile on her lips. 

Away from the tearooms and the guest rooms, away from the court and the King's quarters, Madeline followed the maid who led her to the castle's chapel that she didn't know existed here until it was mentioned earlier to her. She saw the dull walls on either side of her, torches lit with fire burning at regular intervals of distance. The maid then stopped walking, 

"The King awaits for you inside, milady," said the maid, bowing her head. 

Madeline continued to walk for a few more distance before she stepped into the chapel that had long built windows on the left where light from outside seemed to pass through them. The glass that covered the window had a tint of blue in them, turning the floor blue where the light fell. On the right, several candles were lit at the bottom and the top, this left a combination of an orange glow along with the blue light inside the chapel. 

She had been so enraptured by the colours in the room that it took her a second more before her ears picked up the music that was playing in the chapel. 

The so-called chapel here didn't look like the ones that belonged to the church where she had visited in the past to pray in the village. But it still resembled like one with the ceilings that were built up and high, darkness covering it as the light didn't reach it. Both the walls on either side of her tapered towards each other to enclose the room.

There were barely sixteen to twenty seats at the front, light falling enough for one to see the paints that covered the nearby walls. The floor beneath her shoes was smooth and clean. The sound of her shoes could not be heard over the sound of the music that was played at the corner of the room where the pipe organ piano was built. 

Madeline saw Calhoun sit in front of the large instrument with his back facing her as he played with the keys there. There was no one else here except them. 

And even though the music was loud, Calhoun who was playing the instrument, stopped it abruptly when Madeline's shoes stopped clicking on the marble floor. Madeline wanted to hear him playing more because of the beautiful notes that filled this side of the room. The music contained itself in here, making the notes appear as if they echoed for a second more that vibrated in the room. 

Madeline then spoke, "You wanted to see me?" Calhoun finally turned himself to look at her, his legs moving around the bench so that his entire body was facing her now. 

"Do you know how to play the piano?" he questioned her. Madeline shook her head. Calhoun moved to the side of the bench he sat on, "Take a seat," and he turned again towards the instrument. 

Madeline walked towards the bench. Sitting down, she saw him running his fingers over the white and black keys but not pressing it, "How is your sister doing?" he asked her. 

"She is okay," with the bite and loss of blood, Madeline thought Beth was going to faint, but she was doing fine, "She is resting in the room."

Calhoun pressed the keys now, the music was light and softer on the ears now, unlike the louder one that he had played a moment ago, "Have your parents settled in?" 

"Yes. They are in their rooms. Thank you for having them," answered Madeline. Her eyes fell on his large hands and long fingers that moved elegantly across the keys. She wished to learn how to play the instrument in the past, but there had been no opportunity to learn. She listened to the notes, her eyes trailing from Calhoun's fingers to move up to his face. 

Madeline's brown eyes didn't stay too long to linger on his face as she felt her heart skip a beat, and she looked back at his hands.

Calhoun then said, "I wanted to speak to you about your father's shop."

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Sitting with you- Part 3

When Calhoun summoned her here, Madeline didn't expect him to mention her father's shop. Her eyes moved back to look at Calhoun's face, waiting for him to speak, who was running his fingers on the keys of the piano. Did he know about it? According to her parents, the shop was pulled down on the King's orders. 

"I heard what happened to your father's shop," said Calhoun while Madeline did nothing but listen without question, "Someone sabotaged the shop in my name," his fingers didn't stop moving. 

So it was not him, but someone else, thought Madeline to herself. She was right to think that it wasn't Calhoun because it didn't make sense. Calhoun was petty, but she doubted he would be petty enough to take away the shop which he had given to her family. 

"Did your parents mention anything about it?" asked Calhoun to her. 

Madeline nodded her head, "While they were getting settled in the room, my mother mentioned it. She said some men came and started to demolish it. They had a parchment with your seal on it."

"It could be a fake seal," said Calhoun. When his fingers stopped at a particular set of keys, pushing them, it created a blur sound of echo at where they were, "I had no part to play in it."

Madeline saw Calhoun turn to look at her, "I told my parents that it wasn't you." Calhoun was touched by Madeline's words, that she had defended him in his absence, "My family, we always wanted to have our own shop, our place but we couldn't afford it in the past. The continuous heat can be harsh, and we wanted father to have a better place with a roof to keep the logs of more woods. He didn't always let us help him. Saying it wasn't what a girl of our age should be doing."

"But you helped him," he stated and a faint smile formed on Madeline's lips before sadness appeared on her face. 

She didn't know what her family went through during the time when the shop was being torn down in front of them. Madeline wasn't there with them but here in the castle. She wasn't able to provide the emotional support her family needed during that time. But she was glad that Markus Wilmot had readily extended his hands to help her family. Was it because he liked Beth? Madeline couldn't think of a better reason other than it. In the past, there had been many men who came to offer her family things, even to Madeline herself just to get into the good graces of her older sister Elizabeth. 

Her sister Beth was so beautiful, and her charms never went unnoticed by men and women who often loved to have a chat with her. People often asked about her in the village as she was one of the most popular maidens in the vicinity of the village. It is why Madeline concluded that it was the reason. 

Madeline then said, "Beth told me that they have been getting help from Markus."

Calhoun's eyes narrowed, and he asked her, "Markus Wilmot?" He saw her nod her head.

"She said that he showed interest in her. That he liked her," saying this, Madeline turned her gaze to the enormous instrument that looked like it was built and moulded with the wall, "Beth has that charm. He was kind enough to help fix it up."

"How kind of him indeed," commented Calhoun in thought, "He must have appeared like an angel in front of your family," Madeline missed the sarcasm in Calhoun's words. 

When Theodore had brought the news to him a while ago, about Harris' shop being rebuilt, it had caught his attention that it was someone's doing. The men he had given to her father to work with had disappeared in thin air without any prior notice. Now that Madeline mentioned about Markus, it didn't take Calhoun more than two seconds to figure out who had tried to cause harm to the Harris' family.

But why was Markus creating problems and trying to associate himself with Madeline's sister, Beth. 

Coincidences like these were something Calhoun didn't believe in. Though he did believe that what Beth heard was bullshit, and she had passed the same to Madeline. 

Sure the girl was beautiful to look at, but the same could not be told when it came to her inner self. If one was clever enough to take note, they would see that the older daughter of the Harris valued materialistic things. And though it was not necessarily a bad quality, it was still not pretty to look at when a woman showed it in her eyes. 

"I didn't know Markus had taken an interest in your sister. I should ask my aunt about it. I am sure our wedding will bring more light to a possible relationship," Calhoun said in a nonchalant voice and Madeline nodded her head but not enthusiastically, "What's the matter?" he asked her. 

Madeline traced her fingers over the keys that were in front of her, without pressing on them, "When did you hear about this news?" 

"Sometime before your sister got bit by Maddox. I had my doubts and had Theodore check what happened to the shop. Some of the villagers witnessed the shop being torn down," he replied to her question, "It would have been easier to deal with if your parents confronted it with me."

Madeline didn't comment on it because she knew her parents were scared in the presence of the King. They didn't take the person to be kind who had taken their daughter away from them and been placed in the castle.

"That is alright. I will speak to them about it. I wouldn't want your parents to think that the man you are marrying is out to get them," said Calhoun to move his hand to place on hers. This pressed the keys that were underneath her hand. Madeline looked up at him, her eyes meeting his red ones in the golden glow of the chapel, "I will have more men positioned there, to keep an eye so that no harm befalls on them."

Madeline gave him a nod, "Thank you for taking care of it," she thanked him. She had her own doubts, but she didn't want to jump into conclusion, "Who do you think used your name?" 

"A person who wishes death," answered Calhoun with a straight face that Madeline could only agree to it.

Calhoun already knew, but he wanted to figure out why and what benefits his cousin would get by doing so. If Markus thought that he would get Madeline out of the picture by making her and her family hating him, that would not happen. He wouldn't allow it. 

After so many days, Madeline had willingly opened her heart to him, accepting him and ready to step forward. If someone tried to change her mind, Calhoun was not going to take it lightly by brushing it away. He would burn them until there was nothing left of them. 

Anyone who would come between him and Madeline, he would kill them regardless of them being a stranger or a family member.

"It won't happen again," Calhoun gave his word to her. Madeline knew associating with the King or the royal family, things like these were bound to happen, but she wished she could protect her family better. 

When Calhoun promised those words, Madeline believed it. If there was someone who she believed would help her in keeping her family safe, it was him. After all, he was the King and not any faceless person in the land of Devon or in any other land. 

Calhoun let go of her hand and placed it on the side of her face, looking at her, "Are you happy that your family is here?" he asked her. His eyes traced every inch of her face. 

"Yes," answered Madeline, feeling his cold hand on her skin that made her shiver. With them away from people and alone in a closed room, Madeline couldn't keep up with his gaze, and her eyes darted to look everywhere but him, "Thank you for having them here."

Calhoun held her face, feeling the softness of her skin as well as her demeanour. He had never met anyone like her, yet for some strange reason, he felt like he knew her. Like he had met her in a memory that was faint. Madeline didn't flinch at Calhoun's touch as she was getting used to it. With him always trying to get closer, invading her space consistently, Madeline was getting used to it, but at the same time, she was not used to the strange feelings that brewed in her chest. 

Those feelings stirred within her every time he touched her, looked at her with those unblinking eyes of his. The feelings that had started as fear, had turned to nervousness before moving to the anxiousness of something she couldn't put it in words but only feel the wave wash through her body. 

She felt his thumb caress her skin, the hand sliding down to her neck before gliding down her shoulder. When he dropped his hand, Madeline felt like someone stole something from her. A sliver of emotion passed through her eyes that had Calhoun pleased. He put his one leg on the other side of the bench, facing her this time. 

Madeline stared at him, her eyes curiously looking at him in wonderment of what he was doing. It was strange to see a King sitting with his legs on either side of the bench, but Calhoun was odd since the very beginning of the time she had met him in the ballroom.

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Sitting with you- Part 4

She was glad to hear it from Calhoun's mouth that he had nothing to do with her father's shop, that it was someone else's doing. Happy that any possible misunderstanding between them had been dealt.

Madeline continued to stare at Calhoun, his face holding a shadow because of the lack of light coming through the windows where they sat in the chapel. She wondered what he was thinking right now. 

When he moved closer to her, her heart skipped a beat at the action, her brown eyes slightly wide, "I didn't know the castle had a chapel."

"Are you surprised?" he asked her, getting even closer and Madeline who had tried to change the subject failed to think of a reply because of Calhoun's closeness. She noticed how his lips parted, his tongue peeking out to run it over the front of his teeth, "Hm?" 

Madeline's eyes snapped up to look back into his red eyes, "I-I thought vampires-That they don't believe in church. In God." 

"Most of them don't. Hardly a few. When I became King, I ordered for the chapel to be built. Similar to what the humans hold but in a different fashion. As per my liking," he replied to her question, "I liked the look of the discomfort on the face of the people that took place after it was built." Calhoun took joy and thrill in making a person uncomfortable and deriving pleasure from a person's fear. 

With Calhoun who was facing her, Madeline who had only turned her neck to look at him while still having her body faced towards the pipe organ of the piano, moved around to completely face him. 

"Do you know what you did right now?" Calhoun asked her. Madeline gave a quizzical expression, wondering what she did, "It's called adjusting," the smile on his lips broadened. Madeline would have never thought that something like this could make Calhoun smile, but then the man was always smiling. Most of the time, it was a smile that looked like he was readying himself in glee to kill someone. But right now, it didn't look like that. 

"I didn't get to see your mother's portraits," she reminded him. 

"I will show it to you later. The portrait won't run away from the castle," he responded to her, "I know, I told I will wait, but I hope you remember it is only for the specific things," saying this, Calhoun leaned forward, putting his arm around her waist, he pulled her towards him. With smooth surface of the bench, Madeline gilded easily towards him. 

Calhoun had decided to push and pull her to him, but it was hard to resist a treat which was right in front of him. There was no one around to find and even if they did, it wouldn't matter. 

Madeline heard a loud sound that came from the other side of the room. Her eyes looked at the door she had walked through, which was now closed. Did Calhoun close the door? The power and his ability, Madeline didn't know what to think about it. 

"Did you close the door?" she asked him, her eyes moving back to look at him.

Calhoun's hand had not let go of Madeline's waist, "Locked it too. I wouldn't like anyone interrupting my time with you," he said to her. 

Slightly alarmed, she looked like she was about to slip out of his arm, but Calhoun held her in place, to stop her from moving away from him. It took less than two seconds for blood to rush up from Madeline's pale neck that travelled up to her face. One hand of hers was near his shoulder while the other was placed on his chest. Calhoun only moved his hand around her waist like a snake would curl itself around its prey.

When he leaned forward, Madeline thought he was going to kiss her, but the kiss never came as he only moved closer to the side of her head, his lips next to her ear, "Feels like it's been years since I last drank from you." She felt his breath hit her ear. 

She had seen him drink blood in the morning during the time of breakfast, but it seemed like Calhoun was still hungry. 

"Have you ever gone without having blood?" she asked him, feeling him pull away his face, just enough so that she could look back into his eyes. 

"A couple of times," he answered before adding, "But it never went well though. The thirst vampires feel over the thought of blood is different. Imagine a human who hasn't eaten for a week." A vampire could drink blood from animals and humans. Animals were only replacements for human blood. And humans didn't willingly give away their blood to vampires, nor did the vampires take it too kindly, which often resulted in people going missing. 

It was hard to imagine that the King of Devon could have missed his meals. But aware of his past, Madeline thought it was possible. He had told her that he wasn't born with privilege of castles before. Calhoun once used to belong to a place, similar to which she belonged to. The lower class was not appreciated even by some of the people who were part of that place. 

It was one thing to look at him as the King and another as the man who worked his way up to where he was today. Madeline wondered why it was more daunting to think about the latter compared to the first one. 

With his other free hand, Calhoun placed it on her neck. He could feel her pulse, her beating heart that occasionally hitched up before going back to being normal. 

Was he going to drink blood from her neck? Madeline asked herself. His eyes fell on her slender neck, "Did you know some of us, believe that drinking blood from the neck emphasizes the intimacy between the taker and the giver." 

His fingers brushed against her skin, making her shiver in this cold room. 

Madeline couldn't deny the fact that Calhoun was not only the King of Devon, but he was also master of seduction. He touched her like a delicate being, but Madeline somewhere knew what those hands could do. It was the look in his eyes that told her everything. 

"Have you drank blood from necks in the past?" Madeline asked Calhoun, wondering if he considered it to be an intimate action or if he had many women in the past with whom he had been intimate with. 

Calhoun's lips twitched by hearing her question, "Yes, I have," he replied to her. He wanted her more anxious, pushing her close to the edge so that he would be the one to catch hold of her, "Only because I don't think that necks are the first intimate part in the body when it comes to consuming blood. The word intimate comes when it is something that is not known to others, and just the two of them," his finger moved around her collar. 

The dress that Madeline wore today, it was a high collar one. One, that was most often worn by the women who belonged to high status. There was a black lace tied around the collar, buttons that went down from the front. The sleeves were long that reached until her wrists.

Madeline wondered if it was alright to question and ask more about it. But even she knew, too much curiosity was never good. 

Calhoun noticed the lingering curiosity in Madeline's eyes that she now tried to hold back, "I would like to bite where I think it to be intimate," he said, giving her just enough taste so that she would bite in. Her eyes slightly dilated at his words, the smile on his lips broadened before it slowly fell. He wanted to have Madeline in every possible form and just because they weren't married, he didn't see why he should stop himself from tasting, not in the ways she thought it was not supposed to be crossed. 

He leaned forward towards her neck, his teeth catching hold of the thin black lace that was tied around her neck—slowly pulling it free before dropping the lace down. 

Calhoun's fingers tiptoed to the front of her neck, to place it on the top of the button and a shuddered breath escaped from Madeline's lips.

__________

Blaring keys and sighs- Part 1

Madeline felt Calhoun's finger touch the top button of her dress. She didn't dare to look away from him as Calhoun continued to hold her gaze. Her breath was getting shallower by every second that passed in between them. Just the action of him pulling out the lace from her collar had made her sit still without any movement. 

She didn't understand why she didn't resist him—not pushing him away but her eyes anxiously looking at Calhoun. Not that it would work if she tried. Calhoun always got his way around her, and resistance towards him was futile. Her senses were sharp, that tried to take in every single move he made on her. She could feel the pressure of his two fingers that fell on her skin as he made his way towards the button. As if playing and testing her to see if she would stop him but Madeline didn't. 

With the kiss and his touch, Calhoun had enticed and intrigued her, making her want things that she had never wanted. But just because she felt them, it didn't mean she would openly speak or ask about it. Things like that were not only shameful but also embarrassing to think! Calhoun observed how Madeline tried to withhold the urge to push him away. 

"This is a stunning dress that you have worn," Calhoun complimented Madeline, his finger still playing with the button before pulling it open without being too obvious. With Madeline's concentration on Calhoun's words and faintly on his fingers, she tried to process what he just said as her mind was getting muddled and dizzy at the same time. 

"Agnes, got them yesterday," Madeline's words came out as a whisper. There was no need to say it out loud as Calhoun was just a few inches away from her. 

"It looks pretty on you. Just like I had imagined it to be," he gave out a boyish smile that only looked harmless by appearance. 

His skilful fingers moved to the next button. It was Calhoun who had asked the tailor to design Madeline's clothes, wanting it to stand out compared to the rest of the people in and around Devon. He had got the dresses stitched not only with high-quality fabric which were attractive to look at but also easy to discard when needed. With one arm still around Madeline's waist, he leaned forward to take a deep breath of her scent, and she smelled heavenly. He didn't know if he would ever get to go to heaven, but this was what he believed heaven was like. 

In the meantime, Madeline felt the air touch her skin. She was more than nervous now. Wanting to back away as she believed she would faint anytime soon, she turned her face away to say, 

"I-I think we should stop here," she said hurriedly, her eyes moved back to look at him. 

"Why?" asked Calhoun, his expression returning back to a calmer one as he stared at her. 

What did he mean why?! Asked Madeline to herself, "I am not ready." 

"For what?" he asked her, and he unbuttoned the next one that was on her dress, "To give your blood to me? Or to handle the overwhelming emotions that you feel right now? Is it too much?" he asked her, his voice deep with words that were gentle as he spoke to her. 

Madeline opened her lips, but she was nervous. These emotions that she felt right now, it scared her, "I might pass out," she said, and Calhoun tilted his head to the side. 

"Don't faint," he said to her, "I will need to bite you to wake you up," a small grin spread on his lips.

"Don't do that," Madeline quickly said in worry. 

Calhoun didn't smell fear from her. Madeline was feeling aroused by his words and actions; he knew that. Calhoun knew where and what to speak, to have her emotions turn into a hurricane. His red eyes took in her facial expressions.

"Do not be scared, my sweet girl," Calhoun coaxed her. Letting go of his hand from the third button, he brought it up to her face, brushing the back of his fingers on her cheek, "What you feel is the most natural and purest form of emotion that most of us go through. I told you before. I won't do something that you won't like but do things that both of us will like. Allow me to make you feel things," and it would be just him who would touch her. 

Madeline was the most precious thing he had ever laid his eyes on. The leash around his inner self had slipped out of his fingers and the thirst to have her blood, and the desire to have her was higher than ever before. Until he met her, Calhoun didn't know if it was possible to have such strong emotions towards someone, that one day he would come to possess those feelings for someone. 

"I would love to have blood from your neck but," he said, pausing for a second as his hand left the side of her face to go back to play with those buttons that were free at the top, "I would like to have you the way I want to. You will be my wife, and I see no reason to stop from taking what belongs to me. We can get married here," he proposed, to Madeline's surprise. 

Here? 

"But there's no God in here," she said, looking at him, her words innocent.

"Good to know that you are willing to marry me right now," said Calhoun, and he stood up, making her stand along with him. This had Madeline to look at him startled. Was he planning to marry her right now? 

She looked left and right, "Calhoun?" she asked as he stepped to the side of the piano. Calhoun smiled at her. What did that smile mean? Were they getting married here? 

"Relax, sweet," said Calhoun, closing the gap between them, "So much anxiousness. Your heart will jump out like a fish."

"Can you blame me for that?" she questioned him, and Calhoun chuckled. 

"No. Allow me to fix that." Saying this Calhoun pushed the bench that creaked, moving away from them. He picked her up to make her to sit on keys of the instrument, leading for the pipe organ to create a blaring sound, "What are you scared about?" this time his smile fell down from his lips. 

Madeline wondered on Calhoun's question. She knew Calhoun would not do anything bad to her, and he had given his word that he wouldn't do anything she wasn't going to like. That this feeling she felt would go away. 

"I don't know…" she whispered, breaking eye contact from his gaze to look at the shirt he wore. Two buttons of his shirt at the top had been left unbuttoned, letting his firm muscles on his chest peek through his shirt. 

She had accepted to marry Calhoun, but there was certain darkness about him that made her wary yet curious about him. 

"You don't know," he hummed to her response. Pushing her legs apart to make space, he stepped forward. Calhoun brought his hand forward to hold Madeline's chin, "Then let us not worry about it until you figure out what it is."

Calhoun ran his thumb over her lips. Lips that were soft and supple, just enough to make him want to bite on it but he wasn't going to give her what she wanted. His ear picked the skip in her heartbeat as he continued to run his thumb on her lower bottom that parted itself, a sigh escaping her lips. 

What Madeline said and felt were two different things. It seemed like she was still trying to resist what she was feeling. Calhoun wanted to free her thoughts, wanting her to reveal them in front of him. To no one else but him. It thrilled him to see her body reacting to a simple touch like this. With the room that was long and empty, he had locked the room because he didn't want anyone bothering his time with Madeline. 

Calhoun didn't care if the castle or the land of Devon was on fire. 

Seeing Madeline who stopped adjusting herself on the piano because of her hands that kept pressing on the keys to create a different music, Calhoun finally let go of her chin. Leaning forward, he kissed her neck. Calhoun unbuttoned the next set of buttons that were at the top. 

Madeline gripped on the keys when his lips made contact with her neck. The kisses were placed carefully one after another. Her legs that were dangling on either side of Calhoun moved back by the feeling that was produced with every kiss of his. 

"I want to treasure you," she heard Calhoun say to her. One of his hands made its way to the back of her hair, tugging it that had her head thrown back and her back arched. 

Madeline flinched when he nipped her neck, enough to erupt pain without drawing out blood. In less than a few minutes, her breath turned shakey as if she had finished running. Her chest heaved for air, her breath shuddering as Calhoun's lips moved down to the hollow base of her neck. 

Unable to sit still, Madeline's movements only caused the keys to bring out more sounds.

Calhoun didn't mind it. He wanted to have her in a better place where he could have her the way he wanted. With the buttons that were left open at the front, Calhoun's lips traced down from her neck to her chest that was partly accessible as he had not pushed the dress away, whilst he heard the sigh continue to escape from Madeline's sweet lips.

_________

Blaring keys and sighs- Part 2

When Calhoun's lips made contact with the skin that was on her chest, shivers started to wreck her body. She couldn't stay still and nor did her limbs. Out of reflex, Madeline's legs wanted to squeeze close to each other, but with Calhoun standing in between them it made it difficult. The little pool of heat that started to form and settle at the pit of her stomach, she wanted to get rid of it! It was making her mind go insane, her body out of control in need to feel back at ease, but she couldn't do it.

More shuddering sighs escaped from her lips as his lips went lower. When she wanted to pull away, Calhoun's hand made its way on her back, keeping her still, "You're going to hurt your back if you push against the edge behind," Calhoun said to her as the back had a sharp edge. He didn't want her to get hurt, but at the same time, he didn't want her pulling away from his hold. 

Calhoun knew it was something normal people would not approve of, the way he worked and the way he now loved the girl. But he couldn't help it. He wanted Madeline for himself, for her to need him, and he was more than delighted that she was slowly reaching out to him. 

"It tickles," whispered Madeline, and Calhoun smiled at her words. 

"Bear with it," said Calhoun. Pulling her back towards him and letting go of the hair, he brought her forward, "So far alright?" he asked, seeing her cheeks that had turned red. Madeline didn't respond as she was more than shy. With his lips that had touched her chest, she didn't have to look down to know that Calhoun had skillfully unbuttoned the front of her dress. 

Madeline and Calhoun stared into the eyes of each other. She was out of breath, and Calhoun had barely touched her.

Carefully, he used both his hands to push the dress from the top around her neck and then shoulders, making space for him. In that time, he didn't break his gaze from her. She looked nervous. But the way she looked right now, pink cheeks, her lips parted and her eyes in a daze, Calhoun continued to push the fabric down further away from her body allowing him to see those bare shoulders and the top part of her bosom.

The way Calhoun looked at her openly with desire without being shy about it, everything was new to her. If she went by the first impression, Madeline was sure that he would pounce on her. But the big bad wolf was being gentle with her. It was something to think about. 

Somewhere, Madeline had been worried when Calhoun had mentioned that it wasn't the neck but another part that he found to be intimate. For a fleeting moment in her mind, she didn't know why she thought it would be somewhere near the top of her legs. Her cheeks turned redder at the thought of it. 

As if sensing her emotions, Calhoun asked, "What are you thinking?" he didn't want her to be uncomfortable in his presence, nor by thinking about him. 

When Madeline didn't respond as she believed it would only change his mind of wanting to suck blood from her, Calhoun leaned forward to kiss one of her collar bones. He pressed his full lips there, moving down one step after another. And when he kissed the top of her breast, on the swell there, Madeline's sigh turned out much more vocal,

"Ah!" 

Hearing her own voice in the quiet room except for her laboured breath and the few keynotes, she felt like she was going to die in embarrassment. But Calhoun didn't give Madeline too much time to ponder as he kissed the swell of her breast again before opening his mouth to sink his fangs in there. 

Having never been bitten there before nor touched the way Calhoun had placed his mouth now, sucking the skin to draw blood out, Madeline's toes continued to curl. Calhoun was right. This was way more intimate than a person biting the neck. When he sucked the skin, her back arched and his hand quickly moved behind to keep her close. The other hand of Calhoun moved from the side of her thigh to push her bottom closer towards him. 

Somewhere at the back of her mind, Madeline was worried that the dress would slip and the tips of her breasts would be seen but the thought was clouded with the sensation she felt by Calhoun's ministrations. 

With her body almost sitting on the edge of the piano, she trembled when he pulled his mouth to only to get another bite on the tender skin. 

Madeline's blood was sweeter than what he had tasted from her before. The more he drank blood from her, the more intoxicatingly sweet it got for him to hold back from having her. If they were married, he would have taken Madeline back to the room to get rid of her clothes before taking her in his arms. But the girl was dreaming about something more purer while he was waiting to turn the sheets crumpled and hear her cry out his name. 

He could feel her legs try to close in, to release or suffice the ball of need that had formed in her but he with him standing in between her legs, it restricted any possible friction to soothe the burning heat, and her body was quaking in his arms. He sucked harder on her skin, but this time reducing the intake of blood from her. Calhoun wanted her conscious, wanting to see those beautiful brown eyes of hers.

When Calhoun retraced his fangs back, he licked the top of her bosom. Madeline shivered at the texture of his tongue that ran up more than where he had bitten her. 

Even with the number of candles that were lit on the sides and some parts of the front, the chapel of the castle was cold. And with Calhoun's hands and tongue on Madeline, it only made her shiver. 

With her face contoured in emotions, Calhoun pulled back to run his fingertips on her bare skin. Her chest softly moved up and down, her eyes partly closed with her lips partially open to breathe in and out. 

As her eyes started to focus again, Madeline looked at Calhoun who was already looking at her. She watched him run his tongue over his lips and teeth, getting the possible blood that might have spilt while he drank her blood. Though Calhoun looked satisfied, Madeline felt her nerves were in a mess. Her body felt like it had elevated to another place, left hanging in the middle by Calhoun without completing whatever was to be given to her. 

But Calhoun had a serene look on his face as if he didn't do anything. It only made Madeline question, if unknowingly, she wanted more...

Calhoun noticed how she continued to struggle to stay still, her eyes trying to focus and her body aroused. His sweet little flower was blooming for him, turning sweeter and sweeter by the day but he wasn't going to pluck it just like that. He was satisfied seeing her like this, her eyes needy yet her lips not speaking a word about it. He hadn't moved away from her, and it only made things that much harder for her. 

"Do you want me to help you?" Calhoun offered her after noticing the look on her face. 

Madeline gulped the emotions that she felt between her legs and her beating heart, "No," came her whispered answer. 

Calhoun place his hands on both sides of her, to create another blaring sound from the instrument and the sound coming from the pipes that was attached to the wall, "Why not?" he asked before saying, "If that is what you want." He offered her a sweet smile. 

Madeline saw him raise both his hands up, to pull the dress up that he had pushed down earlier. Just enough for him to look at the mounds, to stop it before her tips were seen. He started to button from the bottom up to the top. His eyes moved on the ground, before spotting the black lace, he picked it up. 

She had taken the opportunity to close her legs, her feet drawing back as her thighs closed and pressed against each other. But that didn't reduce the feeling. Instead, it only felt like she had made it worse, and her emotions were set ablaze.

She looked at the lace in Calhoun's hand, dusting it before putting it around her neck, to slowly tie it the way it had been there before he had pulled it out. 

Madeline looked at Calhoun, whose eyes were set on tying the lace and positioning it. 

When he stepped back, Madeline finally placed her feet back on the ground. Walking towards the door, Madeline was about to open it, when Calhoun placed his hand on the door. She heard him say, 

"It would be much easier for you if you ask, but that's alright," for a moment she didn't understand what he was speaking about, "You know where to find me," he said and helped her to open the door which he had locked.

Her footsteps slowed down in thought. As his words sank in her mind, her cheeks turned red again. 

Calhoun was inviting her to his room...

She saw Calhoun walk forward before turning around as if he was waiting for her. The wicked smile had graced back on his lips. 

_________

Clash of sisters- Part 1

On Calhoun's offer, Madeline blushed further. It took a lot of time for her to school her features. Her face felt like it had been lit on fire, but that wasn't all that was on fire. The heat that she felt in between her legs didn't go away. She wanted to do something about it, but it didn't mean she was going to take his offer. Madeline knew everything came with conditions and tricks when it was Calhoun whom she was dealing with. 

As Calhoun continued to smile, his eyes were curious to see what she would reply, Madeline said, "I will do something about it."

"How is that?" came the instant question from him. 

Madeline didn't know how and what she would do, but surely there would be a way where she wouldn't need to ask his help. At least not in this matter, "I will ask my sister," replied Madeline to hear Calhoun chuckle, "What?" she asked him.

Calhoun turned around to face her, "I wonder what a girl can advise when she has not been with a man and not touched. I have better advice." Madeline could feel Calhoun trying to coax her by igniting the fire through his words and gaze on her. 

"I don't think it will be helpful if I asked you," answered Madeline. As they were no more inside the chapel but standing outside, she noticed his eyes that were clear. She wondered why the shade of his eyes kept changing. Sometimes they were dark, sometimes light. 

Calhoun moved to stand in front of her. She had to crane her neck to look up at him. His hand was quick to catch hold of the lace that he had tied before, "I believed I showed my skills well. If you aren't familiar yet, we can go back in there again to refresh your memory. Of how you sighed and moaned as my lips traced your skin."

Madeline's eyes widened at his words and quickly turned around, making sure no one heard what Calhoun just said to her, "You cannot go talking like that out loud. And just because one is untouched doesn't mean they don't know."

Calhoun raised one of his brows, "I am intrigued by this conversation. Tell me what you know, and I will see if its right or wrong."

"I would not utter such things," Madeline whispered, her lips pursing as she looked back at him. No person would tell things like that in the open.

"Not replying is only going to make me think that you do not know anything about it," and Calhoun took one step forward to have Madeline take one back before he cornered her against the wall, "Tell me."

Before Calhoun could make her speak about things that an unmarried girl was not supposed to utter, she decided to agree with him, "You are right, milord. I do not know anything about it."

Calhoun's eyes narrowed, and he placed his hand next to her on the wall. He wanted to hear her answer to his question, wanting to listen to those dirty thoughts spill out through her innocent and delicate lips, "It is why I said I could help you." He knew Madeline had no experience, but a virgin's mind ran wild and right now, Madeline's mind was running with the thoughts he had incited in her, "Let me show you how I might help," saying this, Calhoun moved closer to her, his leg going to settle in between her legs and he raised his knee to press the spot between the pool of heat that had formed in her since his last touch. 

Madeline let out an involuntary shuddering sigh escaping through her lips, "D-don't do t-that," she blurted, her body turning weak at the pleasure that heightened in her body. 

The expression that Madeline held right now on her face fascinated Calhoun. A mixture of need and want, arousal wafting in the air as she felt, something like that which she had never before. All these new sensations were catching Madeline off guard one after another. Calhoun had not slowed down with his attacks.

"Were you telling me that you know how to please yourself?" Calhoun asked Madeline while gauging the expression on her face. 

He made sure to press his knee just enough for her heart to skip the beat. She was shy and scared, but curious at the same time. It was hard to let her go without teasing after seeing her aroused to the point of frustration. At the same time, Calhoun wanted to help her with it. To be the only person to handle and hold her heart, mind and body. 

Madeline felt tingling sensations in the past, but she didn't know what to do about it. Not that there was any need to do anything as her feelings and emotions had never hit to such high emotions before. Emotions like these had never surfaced until she met Calhoun. She didn't feel like that with anyone. With Calhoun, the colours of her emotions were not white and black. They were a burst of different colours she was coming to experience. 

"Haa....! P-please," Madeline said when she felt the knee massage between her legs. Instead of making things better, it only aroused her more, and her eyes started to roll back, "I can do that myself, you don't have to do that!" she said hurriedly. Her face turned red with embarrassment and her eyes anxiously looking at him. She saw Calhoun's tongue peek from the corner of his mouth, running through the sides as if he was thinking about something.

When Calhoun pulled his leg away from her, Madeline felt her body ache with need but she said nothing. He took his hand away. Madeline who stood against the wall, leaned forward to correct the front of her skirt where an evident crumple had been left because of Calhoun. 

They then heard footsteps coming from the other side of the corridor.

When she saw two maids who were walking in the corridor, bowing their head to the King and her. Madeline was glad that Calhoun had pulled away from her without letting the maids see what they were doing. Did he hear them coming, which was why he stepped back now, giving her time to breath? Asked Madeline to herself. 

She wanted to stab Calhoun! 

This was not help!

This was like pouring oil to the existing fire and making her condition worse than before. He had only stirred the pot further, leaving Madeline's cheeks pink. Her eyes looked at the walls and the ground where they stood. 

"The ladies might be looking for you, come, let me see you until there," Calhoun offered her, his expression completely calm and collected while she looked like a ruffled bird. In response, Madeline nodded her head. 

Thankfully by the time Madeline reached the front of the tearoom, she looked less flushed. She had composed herself by thinking about other things that could rid the thoughts from her mind, "Lady Madeline, it is so good to see you join us," greeted Lady Lucy.

Madeline was about to look at Calhoun, but the man had disappeared like a phantom. She turned around, searching for him as he was there with her a moment ago. 

"Everything alright?" asked Lady Lucy. The vampiress was curious about what Madeline was searching for, as she looked left and right.

"The King…" Madeline whispered before shaking her head with a smile. 

Lady Lucy smiled and placed her hand on Madeline's hand to bring her inside, "Missing brother Calhoun, are you?" the half-sister of the King teased her in front of the other two ladies who were sitting there and having tea. Lady Rosamund and Sophie gave her a smile without getting up from their seats. Madeline bowed before she took her to sit next to Lady Lucy, "How many days are there for the wedding? Twenty days more?" Lucy asked. 

"Nineteen days," replied Madeline and Lucy nodded her head. 

"Days are passing by so quickly, isn't it?" Lucy responded, leaning forward she was about to make tea when Madeline placed her hand on the young vampiress wrist. 

"Please let me do it," said Madeline. The last time they had tea, it was Lucy who had prepared tea for both of them. 

Lucy shook her head, "How can I let the future queen serve tea to others."

Madeline doubted she had ever met someone as sweet as Lucy Greville before. Even the girls in the village weren't as humble as her. It was hard to imagine that this person was not only a vampiress but also a former princess before she was married to the Duke, who was a scum. 

"It would be my pleasure to serve you tea. We are going to be sisters, I would like it if you addressed me as a sister rather than a queen," Madeline's words touched Lucy, and she beamed. 

"I am so glad that brother Calhoun chose you to be his wife," praised Lucy who was a kind-hearted person and wanted nothing, but the best for her family, "It is truly wonderful to have you in the castle, Lady Madeline. Isn't that true, Aunt Rosamund?" 

Lady Rosamund, who had been witnessing Lucy's fondness towards the human girl, place her teacup down on the table to smile, "Yes, you are right. We are indeed lucky to have a future queen like her." Though Lucy didn't know about her aunt's schemes, that didn't mean the older vampiress hadn't exposed or shown her interest in the throne in front of Madeline. Both Madeline, as well as Rosamund, kept up a facade of niceness on their face.

Madeline couldn't believe that Lady Rosamund's son, Markus Wilmot, had shown a liking towards her sister Beth. She hadn't gotten the opportunity to know Markus, unlike, his mother and sister. Even during the time of the carriage ride where she was asked to step down, Markus had not spoken a word. Was he different compared to his mother and sister? It was because Madeline had come to understand that Lady Rosamund had her eye on the throne. Maybe Markus liked a simple life with a simple girl? Madeline thought to herself. 

"It is good to have a Queen who is kind and humble," stated Lady Rosamund while Madeline had started to make tea, "But I am hoping that you and my nephew have discussed regarding the future. I am sure it would be hard to have you continue to live as a human. Considering how fragile a human's life is, compared to a vampire," as the woman said this, the saucer slightly clattered in Madeline's hand. 

"It is only right that you turn into one of us. There have been cases out of the court where humans turned to have a far worse condition similar to that of the mistresses. Locked in a dark room because of their withering appearance," said Rosamund in a lacklustre tone. 

_________

Clash of sisters- Part 2

Hearing the words Lady Rosamund uttered right now, Madeline didn't know what to reply to it. It was because the thought had never crossed her mind as she had never thought about turning herself into a vampire. Most of the people in her village and her family were not too comfortable to be in the presence of night creatures. Madeline had come to believe, that was the reason why her parents had not packed their trunks to come and stay with her early. 

The King of Devon was a vampire, and the castle though filled with humans and vampires, there were some vampires who could feed on humans, sucking their blood. 

Madeline wasn't sure she wanted to turn herself into a vampire because she never wished to turn into one.

Seeing the silence fill in the room, Lady Lucy was the one who spoke, "There are still days to think about it. Lady Madeline would be ready after that. It isn't like she's getting old right away," the half-sister of the King smiled. 

Lady Rosamund was pleased to see Madeline's expression of shock on her face, "You are right, Lucy. No need to worry about it now. It is just something to think about," the older vampiress smiled, bringing the teacup to her lips to take a sip. 

"If brother Calhoun has decided to marry you, I don't think he will turn you to a mistress," Lucy assured Madeline, but that wasn't what Madeline was worried about. Somewhere deep down, she wanted to continue living the way she was, without having to change herself. She didn't want to turn to a vampire, no matter what benefits it had because with advantages came cons. 

"It was just a possible situation, Lucy dear," Lady Rosamund stated, "Things like that have happened in the past. Now that Madeline is going to be a family, we should look out for each other. It would be best to prepare her mind."

Sophie, who was sitting quietly, finally spoke, "Maybe we should ask brother Calhoun, I am sure he would love to have the queen turn to a vampire and who can save herself. At least that would stop the blames to fall on others." The young vampiress was still angry and hurt over what happened in the forest when Madeline was attacked. It wasn't her fault, but the King had threatened her. 

Madeline was not naive to not to pick at the taunting words, and she bowed her head at Sophie. 

"I am sorry for what happened, Lady Sophie. I hope your neck is feeling better," said Madeline, offering her sympathy. 

Sophie was about to remark back in spite when Lady Rosamund interrupted her to say, "It wasn't your fault, Madeline. You shouldn't apologize to Sophie." The words from her mother struck deep in Sophie, who had a look of shock on her face. Was her mother siding with the human? "There are so many people who would like to have the crown. You being the easiest target, your life will continue to be in danger. It is only the beginning."

Madeline heard the apparent warning that Lady Rosamund gave to her. She offered the lady a smile that had Lady Rosamund narrow her eyes, "I will trust that everyone close to the King will protect the crown and has only the best interest with the crown. Once I will be the Queen, I will make sure of it. It is not like the King's relatives are having an eye on the throne now, is it?" 

The three ladies' attention completely fell on Madeline. Sophie's eyes widened, and Lady Rosamund's eyes narrowed down at the human's words, "What do you mean, Lady Madeline?" questioned Lady Rosamund, not liking Madeline's tone. 

"I don't think anyone has to worry about anything, when the relatives are not eyeing on the crown. It is because I heard the closest enemies are always found near to the crown, but it is good that it isn't the case here," answered Madeline, and she smiled in the end.

"Lady Madeline is right," Lucy agreed, "We have such good people in the family, it is only the outsiders. Brother Calhoun would never let anything bad happen to you or to any one of us. Not unless someone does something bad."

Lady Rosamund, unable to hold her tongue, said, "I wonder about that sometimes. Your father was such a good King. Look what happened to him and your mother," the woman clicked her tongue, "There was so much security, yet the minister got the access to murder them. Who would give such insights to him?" 

Madeline's eyes quickly darted to look at Lady Lucy whose smile fell from her face. Calhoun had told her that he was the one who had killed the previous King and the Queen, but Lady Lucy didn't know about it. She was left in the dark on who the actual killer was.

"The minister had acquired it himself. He was helping the Warrings," answered Lucy, "Minister Merden had called father out in the undercrofts. It seems that he only had the intention to kill father, but mother had come out, looking for father and she…" the vampiress' voice trailed to a whisper. It was evident that Lady Lucy felt pain at the loss of her parents. 

Madeline wondered what would happen if Lucy came to know the truth. That the King whom she adored killed her parents. That the half-brother whom she called as her own was the one to steal the people she loved and cause pain in her life.

"I wonder why the Warrings even got the minister to do something like that, when it was them who offered the treaty of peace for the next two years," Lady Rosamund continued, "It is strange that they killed the King when it would not benefit them."

This left Lady Lucy in some thought as she sat there in silence. 

The topic had moved from one corner to another, leaving Madeline to ponder on how far Lady Rosamund would try to go, to share the throne through her daughter. 

At the same time, Madeline had to be careful with her tongue. With her sister Beth, who was now dreaming of being with Lady Rosamund's son, Markus Wilmot, she wondered how things would go down from here. Did the lady know about her son's interest? Asked Madeline to herself.

She remembered the first time they met, where the older vampiress had shown a strong disinterest and disregard towards Madeline as she came from the village. 

Would she accept Beth to be her daughter-in-law? Only time would tell how the events would roll out in the next few hours. 

After spending some more time in the tearoom, the ladies finally left, and Madeline went to check on her family. Wanting to make sure they were alright, she asked the maids who were assigned to her, to help her family if they needed anything. 

Finally, during the time of supper, everyone arrived to take a seat at the table in the dining room. The first ones to come were the Harris' family and then it was the Wilmot's. 

"Sophie told me that we had guests," said Lady Rosamund looking at the humans who were sitting on the other side of the table from her. Calhoun who sat at the head of the table, replied, 

"I asked the Harris' family to come and stay in the castle so that they can actively take part in the wedding preparations. Meet Madeline's family, Mr. and Mrs. Harris, and their elder daughter Elizabeth."

"How nice to see you all here," Lady Rosamund put up a welcoming smile on her face, "I was hoping to meet the family. I am Rosamund Wilmot, and this is my daughter Sophie."

"This here is my half-sister. Lucy Greville," Calhoun introduced her to everyone. 

Mr. and Mrs. Harris smiled at the vampire family. They felt like they had heard the last name before. It sounded too familiar and Mrs. Harris, couldn't help but ask, 

"Are you by chance related to Markus Wilmot?"

Lady Rosamund had a look of surprise on her face, "Yes. He is my son. Do you know him?" the older vampiress asked with an oblivious look on her face as if she didn't know her son had spoken to this lowly family. 

Beth had a look of shock on her face, and Sophie's expression wasn't too far away from it, staring at each other in realization. 

The older daughter of Harris was in pain, and she had been feeling sick since the time the mutt had bitten her hand. The pain was unbearable, that had moved from her wrist to her arm. At first, she had decided not to step out of the room as it was more comfortable than the bed back in their house that had turned hard by overusing it. 

Since it was the first day in the castle, she didn't want to miss supper. Now that she was here in the castle, she wanted to make full use of this opportunity, to show how beautiful and smart she was. That she was the better choice. In pain, she had made her way to the dining room only to come face to face in front of the vampiress who had belittled her.

To make it worse, during the introduction, she found out that the proud vampiress was not only the King's cousin, that she was Markus Wilmot's blood sister. 

If she wanted Markus to continue pursuing her, Beth couldn't get on the wrong side of his family. Sophie continued to glare while Beth tried to school down her expression of shock and finally offered the vampiress a sweet smile like she was the kindest and sweetest person in this room.

__________

Clash of sisters- Part 3

Mr. and Mrs. Harris were startled to think that the world was so small. They had heard that Markus worked for the King, but the vampire had never mentioned that he was the King's cousin. How strange, thought Mr. Harris to himself. One had sent his men to tear down the shop while the other was helping to rebuild the shop again, so much of a difference in nature within a family. 

He smiled along with his wife, not wanting to cause any trouble for their daughter Beth. 

"Yes, we have met already," answered Mr. Harris without bringing up the time and situation of how they met. With the King here, Mr. Harris believed it was better to avoid the topic. The King had set his eyes on his younger daughter Madeline, and he was about to marry her soon. Mr. Harris wanted both of his daughters to be happy, and not wanting the other family's rage to befall on his daughters. 

"How wonderful. I wonder why I didn't hear about it," remarked Lady Rosamund, "It is good to know and make connections with the people who the King knows. It has been a while since most of the family members have sat together at the table. Doesn't it feel nice, milord," Rosamund asked Calhoun. 

Calhoun who was looking and listening to the two families converse, smiled at his aunt's question,

"Very much so. The last time when these many related family members sat down here at the table was, when the King and the Queen died," he offered his aunt a smile who awkwardly returned it, "It is good to have people at the dining table," he paused for a second before saying, "Still, I believe it is also good to have one or two, people whom you can trust, right?" he chimed in question. 

"Yes, but it gets lonely. Doesn't it," replied Lady Rosamund, "Even a small house is much better than the bigger one and living alone in it."

"Hm," Calhoun responded to say, "We all shall take it that uncle and you will move to a small house once Markus and Sophie get married else that would be like going back to the words you spoke now."

"My nephew likes to joke at the table," said Lady Rosamund to Mr. and Mrs. Harris who sat in front of her.

Calhoun didn't ignore it and said, "That is what my aunt likes to think," and he raised his glass of wine to take a drink from it. 

Whilst they were having their supper which was extravagant in Harris' eyes as they were not used to having so many varieties and delicacies to eat, Beth couldn't help but take a piece of everything that she could taste with her right hand. 

"What happened to your hand, Elizabeth?" asked Lady Rosamund after noticing how the human girl was making use of just one hand instead of two. Unable to hold and cut the meat with only one hand, Beth was struggling when it came to the cutting the food. 

Beth smiled, "It was nothing, just a small wound," she replied to Lady Rosamund. 

She could hardly believe that she was meeting Markus' family.

Beth was intrigued when Markus mentioned that he worked for the King. A man who worked in the court was not someone who belonged to a lowly family but someone who belonged to a high status. But to think that Markus was the cousin of the King, Beth's mood now elevated itself compared to the time at noon. 

With Sophie, who had already informed about the human being bit by the wolf, Lady Rosamund responded, "A small wound and such a big kerchief to be wrapped?" 

"That's what happens when you step out of line," murmured Sophie under her breath, who was seated diagonally from Beth. 

Beth gave out a small laugh, she didn't want to admit in front of everyone that she had got bit by a wolf, "There was too much of blood-"

"I am surprised, Miss Elizabeth," came the voice of the King from the head of the table. Beth turned and leaned forward with a questionable look on her face. 

"Milord?" asked Beth. Her skin tingled when she looked at the King's handsome face this close. The truth was both of them were sitting on far ends, but to Beth, it wasn't every day she got to see the King and not everyone were lucky to be in his presence. 

Calhoun took his time to sip the wine he had raised, making the girl wait along with others who were listening in on the conversation that was taking place at the table.

He said, "What did you do to get bitten by the wolf? My wolves don't indulge themselves in something that doesn't interest them unless they find a person to be a threat."

Beth's face turned red with embarrassment, "I was just standing there, milord," she answered, her eyebrows furrowed before looking at her food. She then heard Calhoun ask, 

"Are you sure about that?" 

Calhoun had not toyed and teased Madeline today. But that didn't mean he would spare others who were at the table. Making people uncomfortable was his forte, and it delighted his eyes to see them squirm. 

Madeline wanted to warn Beth not to lie and make up reasons with Calhoun as it would be nothing less, to her sister digging the ground for herself. 

Beth gave out another surprised expression on her face. The King was there with her when her hand was bleeding, why was he asking her again? She nodded her head, "I wouldn't harm animals, milord. I love animals, especially the wolves you have in here, they are gorgeous. I didn't know what happened," she feigned innocence.

Calhoun continued to stare at Beth as he chewed the food slowly and a knowing smile appeared on his face. 

"The wolves must have sniffed the bad odour and character," said Sophie who looked at Beth with raised eyebrows, "Wolves are allergic to the lowly cu-" Sophie stopped when her mother's nails dug into her hand under the table. 

"Everyone appears to be in a good mood today," Lady Rosamund laughed while her nails continued to dig into Sophie's hand so that her daughter would not cause any damage, "Did you get the wound cleaned? Sometimes it can cause infection. A wolf's bite can be fatal," she told Beth. 

Beth bowed her head, "Madeline helped me with it."

"That's good to hear," Lady Rosamund replied and finally let go of her daughter's hand to pick up the food near her, "It must be tough eating with just one hand."

"I am managing it. My sister had the maids help me in the room," answered Beth to have Lady Rosamund give her curt nod.

When Lady Rosamund went back to eat her food, Beth's eyes fell on Sophie, her eyes narrowing at the vampiress. The impudent girl had gone to badmouth her in front of everyone. Beth was only glad that Lady Rosamund was being nice to her. 

Madeline felt the tension at the table that came from her sister Beth and Sophie, who were sitting near each other. She was glad that she was sitting next to Calhoun and not on the other side to witness and be asked by her sister on why she failed to inform Beth about Sophie being Markus' sister. 

When her eyes looked at Calhoun, who was looking at his aunt and his sister, his gaze shifted to look at Madeline. She wondered if Calhoun was thinking about what she had told him earlier in the chapel. 

Calhoun who was eating his food while looking at her, raised his hand with the fork and meat in it, "Try it," he said loud enough for everyone to hear at the table. 

Madeline's eyes widened, and she felt the table go quiet. 

Not wanting to prolong people watching her, she leaned forward to take a bite of the meat and to chew it. Her cheeks turned pink without looking at anyone else before going back to eat. 

Calhoun was not done feeding her, he cut another piece of meat, adding pepper on it before bringing it back in front of Madeline's mouth. Madeline wanted to remind him that she had hands and had access to pepper but with many people in the dining room, being rude to the King would only land her in trouble while also dragging the time unnecessarily. 

It was only the King who was forward while the rest looked at the action with an incredulous and shocked look on their face.

Sophie's mood turned worse as she witnessed the scene in front of her. She had somehow tried to hide her displeasure about Madeline's marriage with Calhoun. From worse it turned to a foul one after she found out who her brother was pursuing and now this. She gripped on the knife that she held in her hand. 

The crown was slipping through her fingers which she thought she had held on was something hard for Sophie to digest. She saw how Calhoun raised his hand for the human and looked at her with care in his eyes. Even though they were close cousins, getting noticed by the King was hard.

Sophie seethed in jealousy and anger. But she wasn't the only one at the table whose thoughts were warped in envy. Beth until then, who had a smile on her lips after Lady Rosamund spoke to her thoughtfully, her smile fell, noticing how the King looked at Madeline. Unashamedly, the King was feeding her from his plate. 

Mr. and Mrs. Harris turned back to eat their food, and so did Lucy with a small smile, not wanting to interrupt the couple. 

Madeline who leaned forward to take a bite felt the fork being slightly pulled back playfully by Calhoun. From the fork, her eyes looked up to meet his eyes that stared at her. 

He didn't let her take the bite; instead, he took the meat to swipe it across her bottom lips before putting in between her lips and letting her eat. Madeline ran her tongue over her lips, and a wicked smile appeared on his lips with a glint of amusement in his eyes. 

Sophie, who was watching the scene gripped the cutlery even tighter in her hands.

Imagining the food was the human on her plate, she moved her hand with the fork straight at the crab while her eyes were still on Madeline.

The force she used was so much that it not only shook the plate which was in front of her, but it also toppled the crab from her plate to go flying and fall on the person's face sitting one seat diagonal in front of her. 

__________

Supper in the castle- Part 1

When the plate clattered, Madeline shifted her gaze from Calhoun to look at her right, to see Sophie's plate that had moved against the glass next to it. Sophie's eyes had widened for some reason. Not to forget there was another sound that came from the side where she was sitting that caught everyone's attention.

It took a second more, following everyone's line of gaze, when she noticed Beth's face that was splattered with the crab and its seasoning. The crab had gone to slide and fall down on Beth's chest. Madeline's eyes widened over the sight, wondering how the crab got there. Did Sophie throw the crab on her sister's face?

Beth looked agitated but she tried not to show her rage now. She glared at Sophie.

"Oh my! Are you alright, dear?" asked Lady Rosamund to Beth. Mrs. Harris, who was sitting next to Beth, took hold of the crab to drop it on another plate and cleaned the mess on her face. 

Beth wanted to shout at Sophie, instead she put up a quick smile on her face, "I am alright," her eyes then turned to look at Sophie, "Lady Sophie, why would you throw the crab at me?" Beth had been busy staring at the King and her sister who was being fed when the crab came flying to smack on her face. She knew Sophie and her had started on the wrong foot but wasn't this vampiress being petty?

"I apologise, Lady Elizabeth," Sophie's words contained little to no remorse towards what took place. She instead wanted to laugh in the face of the girl. But with everyone watching them, especially Calhoun and her mother, she put up an innocent face, "I didn't know the crab would fly. Please use this," said Sophie, offering her napkin across the table. 

Beth didn't take it. To be smacked with food in front of everyone, was humiliating! "Crabs don't fly, they are made to fly by throwing, milady," Beth responded back who noticed how Sophie looked at her unapologetically.

"Are you telling I did it on purpose?" Sophie asked with a scoff, "I have other better things to do than to be involved with the likes of you."

Lady Rosamund tried to get her daughter to be quiet but Sophie didn't heed to her warning. It was clear that there was some mutual dislike going on in between Sophie and Beth. 

"I don't know. Am I?" asked Beth in a whisper.

Calhoun who could see everything clearly from where he sat, had a wicked smile on his lips. He enjoyed things like this, "Aunt Rosamund, it looks like little Sophie needs to be educated well with what can fly and what cannot," taunted Calhoun with a teasing smile. 

Sophie's face turned red over Calhoun's words. But Calhoun was not done speaking. His eyes turned to Beth, "Lady Elizabeth, I am sure you can forgive our dear Sophie's action," he smiled looking at the elder daughter of Harris. His eyes held something very dangerous that said he wouldn't tolerate if his words were defied. 

Beth quickly bowed her head, "Of course, milord," she said with a smile. Out of rage, both Beth and Sophie had earlier forgotten there were other people at the table. She wanted to throw the crab that was on her plate to see how the vampiress would like it but wanting to show everyone how considerate she was, she bowed her head to Sophie. 

This had left Sophie embarrassed. She quietly glared at Elizabeth, over how the human made it to look as if it was Sophie's fault now. This little bitch! She couldn't believe Markus was trying to woo this girl!

"Milord," a servant appered at the door of the dining room, "Sir Markus is here," announced the servant. 

"Ask him to join us in the dining room," Calhoun waved his hand to the servant, "How odd that Markus is being shy to come and have dinner with us," he commented noticing Lady Rosamund furrow her brows after the servant's announcement. The truth was that Calhoun had ordered the servants to stop Markus or anyone else from directly getting an access to the inside of the castle. 

When Markus Wilmot arrived, he stepped inside the room and bowed to show his respect and love to the King which was nothing but a farce. 

"Long live the King," Markus said. 

"Undoubtedly, that I will," commented Calhoun at Markus' words, "Take a seat, Markus."

The vampire looked around the table, noticing there were people at the dining table that included his family and the Harris' family. 

Beth was more than happy to see Markus Wilmot who had made his presence in this room. When his eyes met her and her parents' he bowed his head, offering them a smile before walking to the empty seat that was next to his sister Sophie and sat down.

"I was expecting to see you with your mother and sister. What took you so long?" questioned Calhoun to his cousin brother who turned to look at Calhoun. 

Markus replied, "I had to go to the town because mother wanted to check if the tailorman had got her dress stitched," he gave a solemn look.

"And here I thought you went to work with Uncle to get the land levelled for the mansion as said by your mother," said Calhoun, putting his fork into his mouth while looking at Markus. 

The vampire smiled, "I went for it too,milord," Markus replied before looking at his mother who stared back at him.

Calhoun had only started with his amusement at the dining table. He remarked, "Interesting that clothes are the first thing that's at the top of your head and not the land that you have been working on," he turned to look at his aunt Rosamund, "What a doting son you have raised."

Lady Rosamund had said something while Markus had told another. The older vampiress was glad that her son was sensible enough in salvaging a situation. On the King's words, she offered a warm smile, "Markus knows how much I like getting the gowns stitched and don't like repeating them too many times. He knows his priorities."

"Mother's wishes come first and then the rest," agreed Markus like the good son he was. 

Calhoun nodded his head, "Having priorities are good. But it's also wise to keep the priorities within one's boundary so that it doesn't clash with others. No?" Calhoun smiled looking at everyone, without hovering too long on a person. It made the people there think and question what the King was actually speaking about. His words were vague, making them question if it was somewhere pointing to them. 

Madeline, who sat close to Calhoun, noticed the King smile as if he meant no harm to anyone. 

"The King is right," said Lady Rosamund, raising her glass up as if in toast and everyone at the table raised their glasses, "We are all privileged to have a King like you, milord."

Calhoun continued to smile, the smile broadened on his face, "Let's continue to eat and make sure to see that no one tests if crabs can fly or not. Yes?" he said, his eyes falling on Sophie whose cheeks turned red. 

By the time Markus had entered the dining room, Beth had cleaned herself and her dress from all the crab meat on her. Markus had a quizzical look on his face.

Though Calhoun had asked everyone to continue eating, his eyes were still on his cousins. He twirled the tip of his fork on the plate without making any noise. His eyes narrowed in thought. Madeline had mentioned how Markus was helping her parents in rebuilding the shop.

Since when did Markus turn to be such a benevolent man? 

"Mr. Harris," Calhoun addressed Madeline's father for the old man to quickly look at the King who had called him, "How is the shop flourishing?" he asked. 

Madeline's eyes and body turned alert when Calhoun questioned her father. It seemed like Calhoun was going to speak about the shop that was torn down. Even though he knew what happened, he was testing her father. She knew her parents had decided not to bring the matter in front of the King. According to them, it was the King who had ordered to tear and destroy the shop that was given as a gift earlier to them. 

Her father who was sitting on her right pursed his lips. The man didn't know why the King was asking about the shop, was he being sarcastic and trying to taunt and rub salt over their wounds, Mr. Harris asked himself. He was about to reply to it when the King said, 

"I heard something happened to the shop," said Calhoun, his red eyes looking at Mr. Harris. 

Both Mr. and Mrs. Harris turned tense. The King was surely strange to ask about something he was responsible for, thought the elderly couple in their mind. 

Mr. Harris apprehensively replied, "A few days ago, someone came and demolished the shop telling it was an order that was passed by the King." With the King who was asking directly, Mr. Harris believed it was better to tell what happened to the King.

Lady Rosamund, stopped moving her fork and knife and exclaimed, "The King would never order something like that!" She spoke as if she had no clue with the matter and wanted to know what happened. 

Calhoun raised his brow while he continued to look at Mr. Harris, "And you didn't care to inform me about it?" Everyone at the table who were eating or drinking had stopped to look at the King. 

Even though the night was cold, Mrs. Harris felt a sweat break through her forehead at the question that the King asked. 

"Did you think it was done by me?" questioned Calhoun, his voice turning cold that only made the others nervous at the table. 

"Milord, there was the seal of the royal court-" Beth started to only be interrupted by Calhoun,

"I am speaking with your father, Miss Elizabeth. I don't remember questioning you. Did I?" he tilted his head, his voice cold and Beth's face turned far redder than the time when the crab had smacked her face. 

"My apologies, milord," she whispered like a mouse and bowed her head. 

Calhoun stared at the girl, his eyes narrowed until a smile cracked on his lips, "I was only joking. What royal court?" he asked in interest. 

Beth looked stressed because of the King's words. She had left her room in the hope to make good impression on others, but since she had taken a seat at this dining table, it felt like she had stepped on bad luck that was stuck with her. 

________

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