✍️✍️✍️✍️ The Crown's Obsession Chapter 291 - 300 ✍️✍️✍️✍️

PHYSIENTS WILL ALWAYS OFFER BEST STORIES AND LIVE STREAMING ALL TIME

High House- Part 2

Music Recommendation: Philip by Martin Phipps

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Madeline couldn't herself believe that she had done something so bold and out of character in front of everyone. Her cheeks burned once everyone left the courtroom and her knees had turned weak to walk. Calhoun had supported her with his hand resting on her back so that she wouldn't stagger behind. 

She turned her head, making eye contact with Calhoun who looked down at her with a satisfied and extremely pleased look on his face. 

"You did well today, love," he whispered those words only for her to hear. As courageous she had turned in that spare moments when the High House woman had questioned and demanded proof, she could feel her heart thudding in her chest, her eardrums ringing. It took five more seconds to calm her heart as she stared into Calhoun's eyes. 

When she had pressed her lips on Calhoun's lips, he hadn't kissed her back the way he usually did. And Madeline was thankful as it helped her not to lose her mind. 

They walked towards the dining room. The guests at the front, in the middle were her family and Calhoun's relatives while she and Calhoun walked keeping a few distances away from others at the back. Madeline couldn't help but wonder what was going to happen at the dining table. Though the man named Dimitri said they would continue to discuss other matters later, she had a feeling that it was not going to be a peaceful supper. 

Reaching the dining room, everyone were led to take a seat by the servants, and Madeline took her usual seat, which was right next to the King. It was good to see that just because the guests they had were from High House, they were not made to sit close to the King. Instead, they sat on the farther side from where the King and Madeline sat. 

"How is your work with the Warrings going on, Weasley?" Calhoun initiated the conversation to a lighter subject which in truth wasn't, considering how the previous King of the Devon didn't hold a good relationship with the Warrings' and vice versa. 

Weasley was letting the maid spread the napkin for him when he heard the King's question, "We have been trying to control the werewolves, My King." 

"I heard from my men that there had been some recent sightings of werewolves in the outskirts of the villages and some in the forest," said Calhoun, "For the last one year, we haven't had any of them, but suddenly there has been an increase in their number. An increase, due to the probability of mutation change of one single werewolf."

Dimitri, who heard this, asked, "Werewolves in Devon? When was the last you heard about them?" 

"Less than a week ago," came the casual reply from Calhoun, "It would be quite troublesome if the Warring's don't take precautions of what they do now and in the future. Have there been any more rules that were broken by them? Considering how important the rules set by the High House is." 

"So far, none of it. We are keeping a close watch on them," responded Dimitri, his eyes moving to look at the people who were at the table before it fell on the girl who sat next to the King's right-hand side. 

"I spoke to King Warrings, and he showed us his castle. So far we haven't found any suspicious activity," it was Lilith who spoke and she continued, "I should perhaps stay here in Devon for some more time, to make sure to tackle the situation of werewolves. I doubt any vampires would want them multiplying," the smile she offered insinuated a secretive meaning. 

Calhoun didn't return the smile, instead, he picked up the glass of red wine that was placed next to him, "Here I thought the High House would tackle it beforehand. There wasn't supposed to be any slip-ups, Lilith. I think I will have Daphne on my lands as you are getting a little out of touch. You should, perhaps take a vacation." 

The people who were trying to eat from their plate or taking a drink from their glasses paused their movements awkwardly in midair for the words that were said to the member of the High House. 

Lilith was a smart woman, who had been working in the High House for quite some time, and she didn't throw a fit. She said, 

"You should know that the werewolves, though once created and changed by the Warring's years ago in their very own castle, there were some werewolves who escaped from that tower. Though most of them were caught, there are some who went into hiding and some who turned feral without any point of return." 

Unable to resist, Madeline asked, "What do you mean by no point of return?" 

It was apparent by the look on Lilith's face that she didn't like Madeline's question, but she still answered it, "Werewolves have a time period when it comes to change. When a human is bitten, they turn to werewolves, like an infection being spread. And when a werewolf bites a vampire, it is equal to poison that can lead to the vampire's death. Some werewolves switch between their human and werewolf form. At the same time, there are others who reach that saturation point by turning completely to a werewolf without any trace of them being a human in the past." 

"Why not find out an antidote?" questioned Madeline.

Lilith's lips twisted in displeasure, "Do you think we are some doctors to make it for the mistakes done by someone?" 

"I think what Lillith here means is," Dimitri cut in, giving a look at Lilith who subtly bowed her head and lowered her eyes on her plate, "There is no cure for werewolves. The High House have tried it, but we haven't found a cure for it yet. All the project that was started turned to be a failure."

Madeline gave the man a nod. 

On the other side, Markus and Lady Rosamund couldn't help but wonder why Calhoun brought up about werewolves with the High House members when there was a werewolf right in his dungeon. Lady Rosamund sipped wine from her glass, her eyes sweeping across the people who sat at the table before it fell on her son who sat on the opposite side. She raised her eyebrows, and he then turned to look at the senior person of the High House.

"Sir Dimitri, will you be staying here for the wedding of our King and the future Queen?" asked Markus.

"We didn't have any plans to stay for the wedding. As Lilith said, we came here only to have some words. We don't know if the wedding will take place on the assigned day because of the charges against the King," replied Dimitri. The air in the dining room turned cold and heavy. "But we hope it is not true and is nothing but false information." 

Calhoun raised his hand forward as if to cheer before taking a sip from his glass. 

As supper proceeded, Madeline could feel eyes on her, but every time she lifted her gaze, there was no one looking at her, but the gaze fell back again at her. It was unnerving to have a meal with people who were strangers, less when they were people who many believed were the one's who carried power.

After everyone finished a quiet and civil meal, Mr. and Mrs. Harris were escorted back to their rooms by Lucy. The King was busy with the High House people and Markus, Lady Rosamund and Madeline stayed behind while the rest left. Thedore stood outside the room.

"Getting back to work, what are the other allegations that have been directed at me?" questioned Calhoun while standing next to Madeline. 

"Don't you think the lady should leave too?" asked Weasley, his eyes falling on the human who looked fragile, "I don't think she would like to hear it." 

"Madeline stays," Calhoun's words were firm. Weasley nodded his head without going to argue further on it. 

Dimitri opened the file which he took from Daphne, to read it. The sky had turned dark, and candles that were lit continued to burn in the dining room. The food and other containers had been already cleared from the table. 

"King Calhoun," began Dimitri, "There has been word that you have been holding a werewolf in your castle dungeon for your benefit. Making use of the werewolf to kill. You have been accused of killing Miss Lipton four months ago, along with the recent murder that took place in the village of East Carswell of Lady Layla. Also, it was told that you have killed maids and thrown them in the forest."

Madeline felt her hands go cold and she stared at the Senior High House man who was speaking to Calhoun, "The accusations are not one but too many which is why we are here to inquire. For a King, you have committed too many murders." 

"That's like telling a vampire drinking blood from humans is wrong," murmured Madeline but Lilith who heard this, glared at Madeline for speaking out of line. The human might be someone who Calhoun chose, but that didn't mean she was above her status. 

"Are you agreeing that the King has committed the murders?" Lilith questioned the human. 

"Just because a bunch of people sent you the letters, that doesn't prove that I was the one who killed them," Calhoun replied, barely fazed by the accusations that were iterated to him, "Jealousy and hate makes people do a lot of things."

Dimitri said, "It would not have been considered if everything came at a time, but the information has been sent to us from the last three months, and the murder that took place is not of any ordinary person, but the duchess's daughter. That places you in a bigger problem. Maids are something that you can get off the hook from, Calhoun Hawthrone. You have been playing tricks for long but not this time. It also includes the past accusation to what happened to the previous King and Queen." 

"What about the previous King and Queen?" questioned Lady Rosamund with a deep frown on her face. The vampiress then looked at Calhoun. 

Calhoun laughed loudly at their words, taking everyone by surprise and one side of his lips continued to be pulled up. 

"I must say, it feels like everyone is trying to frame me for the murder I had no hand in. Miss Lipton's case was already solved and closed. I wasn't even anywhere near Miss Lipton when she died, and my alibi was given by Lady Julianne and Mr. Humphrey, who was with me that week. And coming to my parent's murder, you should ask Lady Lucy and the Wilmot's as they were the first one to reach the scene," said Calhoun, his red eyes staring back at Dimitri. 

Lady Rosamund raised her eyebrows, "You are not emphasizing that I was the one to kill my brother and sister-in-law, do you, my King?" 

Calhoun smiled at his aunt's words, "I am using it as an example of how easy it is to fabricate against one another." He then turned to look at Dimitri, "If it helps, I already found who the culprit is, the one who killed the duchess' daughter." 

This raised people's eyebrows in the room. 

"Who is it?" questioned Dimitri with a frown. 

 Weasley was the one who questioned next, "Why wasn't the matter resolved if you already know who is the murderer?" 

"It would be nothing less to what we have here right now. Strangely, people jump into conclusion that the helper is the culprit. I decided to wait to collect facts. Theodore," Calhoun called Theodore, who was standing outside the room. He entered the room with a bow, "Get the men here."

"Yes, milord," Theodore bowed his head and left the room. 

"I would like to know what sparked the closed murder case. Wasn't the minister held guilty?" Calhoun inquired. 

Dimitri pursed his lips, sharing looks with the other three High House members before his eyes fell on one of the Wilmot's, "Sir Markus Wilmot wanted to reopen the murder case which took place here in the castle." 

Calhoun turned his gaze on his cousin, "Did he now," he hummed with a faint smile, "And was he the one to send the anonymous letters to you?"

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High House- Part 3

Calhoun, who was looking at Markus, said, "If you want proof when it comes to the writing. I have some of the writing that you can match and make use of." 

"That's not required," said Lilith, picking one of the letters which Daphne had been holding to hand it over to Calhoun. "We already are aware that it is Markus Wilmot who wrote it to us as he had written his name in the letter. We are here because of the strong allegations, and it might be where your highness will need to pause your wedding until this matter is resolved. Unless you can prove that you had nothing to do with it." 

Calhoun's eyes didn't leave his cousin, and it only turned Markus aware of Calhoun's overbearing presence. "Pray tell me, what have I done, cousin, that you decided to put the false allegation on me?" The King tilted his head. 

The Wilmot's were trying to frame Calhoun for a very long time before he even turned to be a King. Rosamund was close to her mother, and when her brother's wife, the then Queen couldn't bore a son, the promise to the throne was given to her, that it was her son, Markus, who would be ascending the throne. But before the chance could be presented, like a carpet being pulled underneath one's feet, Rosamund's chance was taken away from her. 

After her daughter, Sophie, who was a naive child, turned unsuccessful in her attempt to sway the King, she had laid the next traps for Calhoun. But what she didn't know was that the High House would go so far as to expose her son's involvement in sending the letter. Not that it mattered. 

Markus answered Calhoun's question, "Forgive me, my King," he bowed his head, "When you assigned me on the task to check who demolished the Harris' shop, I was trying to find the culprit when everyone who witnessed it said it was done by you, by the King. And with the recent death of the girl...your ring was found near the body." 

Weasley said to Calhoun, "The ring is an heirloom that was gifted by your father." He pulled out something from his pocket and then placed it on the table. It was the ring that was sent by Markus along with the letter where he mentioned about the King's deeds, "Isn't this the same ring which was given to you before your father's death, my lord?" 

"Are you speaking about this one?" asked Calhoun, raising his hand to show another identical ring which was on his finger.

"That's a fake one!" Lady Rosamund was quick to say, and Calhoun pulled out the ring. 

"I am sure, dear Lilith can identify which is the real stone and which is fake?" he handed it to Lilith. "It is quite obvious that the ring is not mine. There was only one ring, and I don't know who would have the knowledge of creating an identical replica of it. Unless one has seen the ring many times. I don't like to wear it often but like to carry it in my pocket."

Lilith gingerly took both the rings and went to observe them by passing a small glare at Calhoun. The reason for her glare was because of Calhoun's choice of words. He hadn't given it to her because she was an expert when it came to jewels but because in the past, when the King wanted a favour, he had gifted her a necklace that had delighted Lilith. 

But her expression had turned sour when she realized that the necklace was picked up in a local market made out of cheap metal and stones. This had taken place during the second year of his reign in Devon. 

After observing it, she said, "The King is right. The one which was found in the village is made out of cheap stone." She handed the ring back to the King. 

Lady Rosamund accused, "You killed my brother, didn't you? To kill your own father.." 

"Now now, let's not take hasty steps," Calhoun tutted his aunt, "Markus, was the ring all that you have as proof?"

"There have been witnesses who saw you in the action. Someone saw you leaving the maid's house and also near the dead body of the duchesses' daughter," informed Markus without batting his eyes. "I can go fetch the witness. If you will allow me," he asked the High House's permission. 

"Weasely, you can go with Mr. Wilmot," Dimitri ordered.

Madeline stood there, watching the scene unravel along with the hate and deception towards one another in the same family. 

For thirty minutes, everyone stayed in the room waiting for the witnesses to be brought, until Lilith said, "In the meantime, let us take a look at the dungeon if you don't mind. We wouldn't like to waste our time." 

Calhoun stretched his hand forward, "After you, milady." 

Lady Rosamund was waiting for this since the time the High House people had arrived. Calhoun had boasted without a care about the werewolves, blaming the Warrings, when in truth, he was holding one in the dungeon. As everyone made their way to the dungeon, the doors of the cell rooms were opened, allowing the High House people to take a look at every one of them.

Madeline couldn't help but glance at Calhoun now and then as they walked in the passage of the dungeon. Was he going to show James who was locked up in there? Not to forget her grandmother was there too. Her grandparents had seemed paranoid about the High House. If they were to find her grandmother there, her parents would know about it through the Wilmot's, and that was not good. 

Calhoun held an inexpressive face, and she wondered what was going to happen. As they passed through every cell room after taking a look, they came to the one where James was locked. Madeline held her breath when the door was opened. 

The room was empty. 

Like the High House members who were waiting to see something inside, Madeline frowned when she caught sight of a neat and clean room. Where was James? Madeline turned to Calhoun who continued to have a relaxed expression on his face. 

"How many more rooms are in here?" asked Daphne as it looked like they had covered most parts of the dungeon and so far, they found only some vampires or humans who were imprisoned. 

"There are two more rooms, one which is an old one that has a skeleton residing in there. And the other is an empty room," responded Calhoun. The guard who had accompanied them, opened the locks to find no werewolf in there too. 

"Is the moon out?" inquired Dimitri and Madeline who stood near the window, looked up at the sky to see the moon present there. 

"We have kennels for the wolves if you are willing to take a look in there," Calhoun's confident suggestion had Dimitri press his lips. 

"No. We can head back inside the castle and wait for the witnesses to arrive," suggested Dimitri before starting to take his leave along with others from there. 

Lady Rosamund was taken aback because Markus had clearly stated that there was a werewolf along with James Heathcliff. Where did they go?! The High House had come for a surprise visit, and there was no way Calhoun had the time to hide the werewolf. Not to mention, clean the cell room as if no one was put in the cell room. 

Getting back inside the castle, Calhoun said, "Since when did the High House come to believe baseless rumours that have no actual evidence in it? And Aunt Rosamund, you should know that I would do nothing wrong. Isn't that what you have always told me?" he asked the vampiress who continued to be stunned because of the revelation in the dungeon had flopped her plan. 

Rosamund retorted back with, "If Markus has found you to be doing something guilty, I have raised him right. To stand to what is right," she tipped her chin up.

"I hope you can stick to your words until the end. It looks like the carriages are back," stated Calhoun. 

Madeline heard footsteps approach the room where everyone was. The doors opened and in came Markus and Theodore along with five men. She identified four men as they belonged to the same village she came from. 

Dimitri, who had taken a seat with the rest of them in the room, spoke, "This is how the proceeding is going to take place. Even though this trial is going to be a small one, if we find the convict, they will be taken to the High House for the next trial depending on the proofs and evidence from the witnesses." 

"Who would like to go first?" Dimitri asked, looking at Calhoun and Markus.

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The loving family- Part 1

Music Recommendation: An Interesting Proposal by John Powell

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Dimitri looked at Calhoun and Markus, waiting for one of them to start and Markus was the first to take a step forward, "Sir Dimitri, I would like to start first," and he came to stand forward, in the middle of the room. 

Madeline couldn't help but shift her eyes to look at Calhoun, her heart beating in her chest, not knowing what was going to happen. She wasn't unaware that Calhoun had killed a fair number of people, she had seen him kill people in front of her, but she never knew what happened to those bodies after that. She had no idea who Miss Lipton was and if Calhoun had killed the person, but she was sure he had nothing to do with the person, who was found dead in James' backyard. 

"Do you think the King has killed one or both of them, Lady Madeline?" questioned Dimitri, who was sitting on the left side and near to Calhoun on another couch while she sat on Calhoun's right. 

She looked slightly taken aback by the question, and her eyebrows furrowed, "Why do you think so?" asked Madeline.

"It is because of your heart. It has been beating quite a lot. In a faster pace than an average human's heart does," stated Dimitri, his red eyes fixed on her. Madeline didn't know how to respond to this. From the time the High House members had arrived, she had forgotten that these people were not ordinary people. 

Madeline didn't know what they truly were. By appearance, they looked like humans and vampires, but she knew better than to judge a person by just their appearance. The world that she knew, was no more simple as there were more creatures than she knew in the past. Demons, angels and werewolves. 

"Madeline is worried about me. It should come to be obvious by now that how much she cares for me," Calhoun was the one to respond, the one corner of his lips that had pulled up had not fallen. His hand reached for hers that was placed on the surface of the couch, holding it.

Lilith rolled her eyes, and she then turned to look at Markus to say, "If you will proceed with your witness." 

Markus bowed his head, and he called one of the men to come forward, whom Madeline didn't recognize. 

"I would like to begin by saying that the King and I share no hard feelings, but it is only what I saw and heard, that I thought I should inform and bring it to your notice," the tone that Markus used was the most polite one which Madeline believed could not get any better than that. His posture was humble, "To start with, my fiance is Elizabeth Harris, Lady Madeline Harris' sister, and I would not want any harm come to fall on any of my family members." 

Madeline found it hard to believe, considering how Markus had put his name in the letter when it came to reporting about Calhoun's deeds to the High House members. One would think that he was stupid and courageous enough to openly go against the King, who was the powerful person in the land of Devon. But Markus must have done it just to prove his point that he was doing his duty to the land and the people of Devon. 

Which cousin or relative went directly to the High House without consulting the matter with the King? 

"Tell us what happened and where your witness turns to evidence, Sir Markus," Dimitri questioned Markus. 

"Yes," Markus obliged, "The King wanted me to go and find who sabotaged the shop that belongs to the Harris' family. As small as the matter appears, it concerns our future Queen's family, and I took it as an important task. It was at the same time that I came to notice and hear things."

"And what is that?" Lilith was intrigued to hear what Markus had to say when it came to the King. There weren't many who stood against a King because of the power he held.

Calhoun didn't flinch nor bat his eyelash when Markus continued to speak,

"The King himself orchestrated the destruction of the shop, and he then acted like he knew nothing about it. Though I am not sure how far it is true, Lady Madeline and the King's relationship didn't start smooth, and the maid who spoke about it was killed by the King," Markus' eyes didn't even for once glance at Calhoun but stayed on the members of the High House. "This man here, is Mr. Fisher. The maid had mentioned the matter to his wife that went around in circles. The same day when the maid went missing, Mr. Heathcliff wanted to enquire about Lady Madeline with the maid." 

"Is this the same man who was framed for Miss Layla's murder?" asked Daphne, raising her eyebrows. 

"Yes, milady. But after further research, I found out that Mr. Heathcliff was at Lady Catherine Barne's house and later he bid his father goodbye, as Senior Mr. Heathcliff passed away on the same day," explained Markus. 

"And how does the King come to fit in the picture?" Dimitri interrogated. 

"Mr. Heathcliff was once Madeline's acquaintance. They were in love with each other," confessed Markus. The members of the High House turned their gaze at Madeline, and Dimtri asked, 

"Is that true, Lady Madeline?" 

Madeline felt a little uncomfortable, "I think like would be much suitable," she corrected, knowing where Markus was steering the conversation, "We liked each other for some time."

"And what happened after that?" asked Lilith, her eyes burning brightly at Madeline, "Did you decide to ditch the poor man when a better and wealthy man appeared in front of you?" 

"May I point that the member of the High House is questioning something that barely relates to the current issue," Calhoun reminded Lilith, "I don't think it should come to be a surprise that Madeline agreed to marry me. Didn't you ditch poor Mr. Leveson because you wanted to spend the hour with me?" he threw the question back at the woman whose eyes flared up. 

"Getting back to the discussion. Sir Markus, please get to the point instead of deviating from it," came the stern voice from Dimitri, "Mr. Fisher, what do you have to say?" He questioned the human. 

The human looked tired, possibly because of a busy day, and he looked at the people in the room with an apprehensive look. Mr. Fisher bowed his head, and gulped. It would have been easy if the information was for someone else, but the man didn't know that he would have to speak something that was set to trap the King. 

Calhoun spoke to the man, "Feel free to speak, Mr. Fisher. And make sure you speak only the truth. Any conspiracy against the King and lies to the members of the High House will be considered nothing less to treason." His words did nothing when it came to easing the man's tension, and Mr. Fisher looked scared. 

"I-I, my wife heard from the maid that young Miss Harris tried to kill herself by jumping from the high tower, and the King was the one who saved her. That the young lady was being tortured and being kept against her and her parents will," said Mr. Fisher, his eyes shifting back and forth between Madeline, the King and at the older looking man with peppered hair. "Mr. Heathcliff wanted to speak to the maid, I think, to know what happened and if the lady was alright. I am not sure if he did, but the maid was found missing the very next day I handed the maid's address to Mr. Heathcliff."

Markus cleared his throat, "I would like to mention that it is possible that the King was not happy with their relationship and how Mr. Heathcliff held the lady's heart. Maybe the King framed the innocent man?" 

For the things that were passed on and for what happened in the past, Lilith said, "Do you mean to say that King Calhoun was jealous enough that he decided to frame the man for the murder that was caused by the King himself? So that Mr. Heathcliff would not hinder his relationship with the lady?"

"Yes, you will know about it when you meet Mr. Heathcliff in the dungeon," Markus assured them. 

Dimitri leaned back against the couch, and Weasley rubbed his chin.

Lady Rosamund said to Markus, "There's no one in the dungeon." 

"What do you mean?" frowned Markus.

Even Lilith had a look of disappointment on her face, "Mr. Heathcliff is not in there and nor is that werewolf that you mentioned." For the embarrassment that was caused towards her, Lilith would have gladly enjoyed seeing Calhoun go through the trial. 

"Who is your next witness, Sir Markus?" Dimitri questioned without wasting another second. Markus had to compose himself after finding out that both the werewolf as well as the tailorman had disappeared from the dungeon.

The werewolf would have been more than enough to expose Calhoun and his deeds. It would have also cracked the possible budding relationship with Madeline but how in the hell's name did they both disappear?! 

"Did the werewolf eat the man and then break away from the dungeon?" Markus frowned deeply. The members of the High House had come earlier than expected, and in the evening when he checked, the werewolf was still there.

Madeline, who heard this, pressed her lips because she knew the truth. The werewolf didn't eat James because James was the werewolf. She wondered what Markus even saw. 

Calhoun couldn't stop the smirk that appeared on his lips, and he replied, "You must be hallucinating, cousin. There is no werewolf in the castle, and the High House made sure to look at every nook and corner of the dungeon. We all are well aware that leaving a werewolf out in the open is never a good thing. With the moon out, you would have heard the howl of the werewolf, but all you will hear now is my pets howl." 

His eyes looked straight into Markus' eyes, the smile turning faint with amusement filled in his eyes. 

"These are nothing but wild accusations. I would have expected you to have more solid proofs if you are trying to frame me," tutted Calhoun. 

Markus refrained himself from saying anything because if things didn't work out according to his plan, that would mean he would have to ask forgiveness for the misunderstanding to stay on Calhoun's side. But he had been absolutely sure that Calhoun would be caught this time, which was why he made a move to involve the High House. 

"I have three other villagers here. They will tell you that they saw the King in the village around that time when the girl was killed and they also saw the King speaking to the maid in the middle of the night," informed Markus.

Dimitri started his questioning and the three villagers started to tell what they saw. The rest of the people in the room continued to stay quiet and listen.

In between, Madeline couldn't help but wonder why the maid was killed. Did Calhoun kill her? 

Once the members of the High House were done listening to Markus and the words of the witness, Dimitri turned to look at Calhoun, "Do you have only one witness from your side, King Calhoun?" asked Dimitri. 

"I think one is more than enough," Calhoun offered a smile. 

When Calhoun looked at the man who was brought here by Theodore, the man opened his mouth, "Milord!" and he bowed. By appearance, he looked scrawny, and his hair looked messy, falling on the greasy side, "I have known Hilda for some time. And before she went missing, I saw her speaking to this man," the person pointed his finger at Markus. 

"What rubbish are you speaking about?" Markus took two steps forward only to be warned by Dimitri. 

"Take a seat, Sir Markus." 

Markus narrowed his eyes before going to take a seat next to his mother. 

"He was near Hilda's house behind the tree. I don't know what they were doing, but it is possible that he is the one who eloped with her!" exclaimed the village man, "Even on the day she went missing, he was lurking around her house." 

"Is this true, Sir Markus?" Weasley tried to confirm.

"He doesn't know what he is speaking," stated Markus, "Why would I even go, to meet a maid?"

"My son is being framed for no reason. This is what happens when you raise your voice," said Lady Rosamund, her lips set in a thin line as she looked at the village man like he was some kind of an insect.

Calhoun cleared his throat and pulled out a letter from his pocket, which was then handed to Dimitri, "I think this might help jog my cousin's memory."

"What is that?" demanded Lady Rosamund. 

"That? That is a letter that was retrieved from Markus' clothes which is written by the maid Hilda who has gone missing." While the High House members attention was concentrated on the letter, Calhoun stared at Markus whose eyes widened in realization, "As you can read, the letter was sent to Markus Wilmot in an attempt to let him know that she completed the job which was given to her by him. The letter clearly stears about ruining the future Queen's reputation," said Calhoun. 

"It must be a fragmented letter!" exclaimed Lady Rosamund. She stood up in anger and distaste in her mouth, "You are trying to frame him!" 

"Why would I do that?" Calhoun asked innocently, "I have no reason to frame him. I will earn nothing from it. Daphne, dear," he addressed the High House woman, "I am sure you will find the same handwriting in those files that you are carrying."

"Who knows the King must have set me up to it!" Markus defended himself quickly. 

"As I said, I would benefit nothing by doing it," Calhoun tched, "All the lies and the traps you thought you could frame me with, it's come back to bite you, Markus." 

In a blink of an eye, Markus pulled one of the men who was his witness, using him as a shield and moving towards the door. At the same time, one of the member from the High House used some ability that broke the closest vase near the door into dust. Madeline caught sight of Dimitri moving his hand for the door of the room to close shut. He was a demon as well as a vampire like Calhoun. 

"Let go of the man, Markus," Dimitri advised, and everyone had stood up from their seats. 

Lilith didn't stop herself, and she went to attack Markus only to end up hurting the man who Markus was holding. Pushing the man towards the woman, Markus broke through the door and escaped from there. 

"Catch hold of him!" came the command from the senior-most High House member. 

"Theodore," Calhoun ordered, and the man bowed his head, leaving the room. 

Madeline caught sight of the village man who was bleeding through his neck. All Lilith had done was use her fingers to slit the man's throat. The man convulsed on the floor while blood oozed out from his neck. 

When the other guards arrived, Calhoun ordered, "You can escort Lady Rosamund and her daughter into the dungeon." 

"What do you mean?!" Lady Rosamund was stunned with the development and she glared at the audacity of her nephew. 

There was a spark of glare in Calhoun's eyes as he said, "Markus ran away from here before we could sit and speak, which only shows how guilty he is. We will be putting the family under trial for the treason conducted under my authorization. It would be best if you cooperate so that there won't be any more charges on you or the family." 

_______

The loving family- Part 2

"This is ridiculous!" exclaimed Lady Rosamund, "I did nothing but sit here and listen. You cannot put me in the dungeon!" 

"This is only for precaution," Calhoun promised, "It is not like no one in the family has not stayed in the dungeon. Consider it to be a fulfilment of the Hawthrone's tradition." 

Rosamund Wilmot, who was the former princess of the Hawthrone, didn't argue but only continued to glare at her nephew. Without causing chaos, she didn't follow the guards but stepped out of the room, to walk in the direction towards the dungeon as she was no prisoner. 

Calhoun looked at Rosamund's back, and he heard Dimitri who stood next to him, say, 

"Though we'll be holding the family for possible treason, they will still undergo trial as they belong to the royal family." 

"Two days?" inquired Calhoun because that was the amount of time that was taken by the High House not just by the current four members but also others, before passing the judgement to see if the person was guilty or not.

Dimitri nodded his head, "Yes, my King. But that also means that you will have to answer some of the questions. Just because the previous King and Queen's case was closed, where the blame fell on the minister, it doesn't mean I have let you off the hook."

With what Madeline had witnessed today, she could tell that Dimitri was a person who was level headed and he appeared to be fair in his decision. But at the same time, when people like Calhoun were put in the same space, she wondered how Calhoun balanced it as Dimitri didn't appear to be a person who let things rest until justice was served. 

"Please feel free to ask questions about anything. I will be right here," Calhoun replied to Dimitri's words. 

Calhoun and Dimitri stared at each other. The Senior man had his suspicion on Calhoun and Madeline was aware that it was Calhoun who had killed the King and the Queen. 

For several minutes, they stood outside the room, and Madeline heard the commotion taking place not too far away from where she stood with the two men. It was Sophie's voice, and she was shouting. Madeline felt a chill run down her spine. She couldn't help but look in the direction of the open corridors. She wondered how far Markus would be able to run away from the people. 

"My Lord."

It was Theodore who had returned with his head bowed, "Mr. Wilmot is nowhere to be found in the grounds."

"Did you search everywhere? He shouldn't have gone too far," Dimitri furrowed his eyebrows. 

Theodore nodded his head, but the High House member was not satisfied until his very own people returned after some time with empty hands to let them know that Markus Wilmot had escaped. 

"The guards here are sloppy! They couldn't catch one vampire?" Lilith had an incredulous look on her face. 

"I will need to have a word with them," Calhoun stated to only receive a look from Dimitri. 

Calhoun had placed fewer guards since this morning, almost predicting the situation that would take place in the future. He wanted Markus to flee so that it would only make it easy to get rid of the Wilmot's. Markus' head would turn precious to hunt as he had gone against the word of not only the King but also of the High House. 

Like a patient person all these years, Calhoun had laid the mousetrap for the Wilmot's and so did the Wilmot's family. Having treaded carefully over the years, one of them was waiting for the other to fall into the trap. Maybe his cousins and his aunt would have been safe if they hadn't been in a hurry to get him to be noticed by the High House. Maybe Markus would still have a chance if he used his head calmly by speaking to the High House, but instead, he had chosen to escape like a criminal. 

But Calhoun didn't judge him. Markus would have never guessed that the letter would come to be in his possession.

Hearing the commotion taking place in the castle, some of them woke up. The first one was Lucy, then came Raphael and the Harris family. 

"What's going on, brother Calhoun?" inquired Lucy seeing the sullen look on Calhoun and Madeline's face. She didn't bother to look at Theodore who often had a wall like expression when it came to her. 

"Markus ran away from the castle," Calhoun answered her question. 

"What?" came the question simultaneously from Lucy and Beth. 

Dimitri said, "Markus has tried to form treason with his family. Anyone associated with this incident will be put under trial." His words instantly straightened Beth's back. 

"W-what happened?" Beth asked as the information was still sinking in her. 

"The trial will take place here in the presence of other court members. We will return at that time. In the meantime, an official search warrant will be sent out to capture Mr. Wilmot," Dimitri informed and turned around with the other three High House members to leave the castle. 

Once they left, the others were filled in with what took place, and the words exchanged. Lucy looked worried, and she said, 

"Would brother Markus do something like that? I never knew he was scheming something against you...And to speak ill about Lady Madeline," her voice was sad, "But will Aunt Rosamund and Sophie be convicted for it?"

Calhoun answered, "I won't let anything happen to them if they aren't involved in it. The High House will be the one to decide it. If only Markus hadn't run away from here and if we could have sat down and spoken. This whole thing could have been avoided." He turned to Madeline's parents and said, "My apologies, Mr. and Mrs. Harris, but we will need to pause on the wedding plans between Elizabeth and Markus."

Beth's mouth fell agape. She couldn't believe this was happening to her. It was only today that she and Markus were speaking about their future, and now that was being taken away from her. 

"W-where did he go?" asked Beth. 

"We don't know. We hope he can come back so that we can have a calm discussion but seeing what happened..." Calhoun turned to look at the village man who lay dead in the room, he said, "It doesn't look like Markus wants to talk." 

It was evident that everyone were in shock and didn't know what to say right now. "Madeline," she heard Calhoun call her, "Why don't you take mother and father back to their rooms?" She quickly nodded her head, leading her family back to their guest rooms. 

"Do you think I can go and visit Aunt Rosamund and Sophie tomorrow morning?" asked Lucy. 

"Yes," Calhoun nodded his head, and Lucy finally went back to her room. 

"Get this cleaned up," ordered Calhoun to the servant as he passed a look at the village man's body. Apart from the man who had spoken in favour to the King, the other village men were taken to spend the night in the dungeon.

Once everyone had gone back to their rooms Calhoun, Theodore and Raphael made their way out of the castle. Going around and behind the castle, which led to the forest. Calhoun stopped walking with the rest of them when they reached a certain place. 

"I would have never guessed him to be the impulsive kind," commented Raphael. 

"Good job in getting to him sooner than the people of the High House, Theo," said Calhoun, taking a step forward to get a closer look at his cousin who was unconsciously hanging from the tree by his leg while his hands were tied. 

_______

The loving family- Part 3

Calhoun took a look at Markus who was unconsciously hanging by the rope. Theodore had worked for Calhoun for more than two decades, the man knew what the King wanted and how he wanted things to go on without anyone's notice. It was why many of the murders that took place never surfaced in front of the High House or the blame came to point at them. 

There was a bump on Markus' forehead, but Calhoun knew it took more than just a hit on a vampire's head to turn them unconscious. 

"What do you plan to do with him?" asked Raphael, turning his eyes to Calhoun. 

"Keep him here for the night for my amusement," replied Calhoun casually, "Did you use the syringe on him?" he turned his head to the side, his question directed to Theodore. 

"Yes. I used two shot syringes on him. I didn't want him to wake up too soon if the members of the High House would stay back in the castle," answered Theodore and Calhoun gave him a small nod. 

Calhoun himself hadn't guessed that Markus would take a stupid step as he made by running away. Though the people of the High House appeared as if they were ordinary people, the abilities they held without demonstrating openly, one had to be wary about them. From the time of his reign, he had met the High House people, not just these four people who had visited the castle today. Even Markus had met them, and seen people getting punished and executed. 

"He must have known there was no way out. What was his defence?" inquired Raphael. 

"Some people saw me talking to the maid whom I killed," it was strange how Calhoun had not noticed it that day. And though Calhoun did kill two people that day, it wasn't him who had hidden the maid's body. He doubted there was someone who had followed him, "Whatever he was gathering it was a weak one. Even if he did, it would still be weak against me."

Hearing Markus groan as he was returning to his conscious state, Calhoun took two steps away from him, giving him space and time as it would take time for him to return to his conscious state. 

When Markus did open his eyes, it took him a few more seconds to focus his eyes as the things around him were not only blur, but it looked upside down. Finally realizing one of his legs was tied with a rope and his hands were bound together, he tried to move and looked nothing less to a worm which was trying to wiggle its way out. 

"You bastard!" Markus growled, seeing Calhoun and the other two people standing in front of him. 

"No need to be angsty here, cousin," Calhoun tsked, "I must say, I am enjoying the sight in front of me. I thought the dungeon would look pretty but look at you, hanging by the branch. How does it feel?" 

"Get me down from here, and I will tell you," glared Markus. It wasn't easy to look at the faces because of his current position, but that didn't lower his burning anger.

"Tough luck with that. You should be happy that I am extending the days of your life," stated Calhoun, "Tell me, why do you want to frame me for something I didn't do?" 

"You know damn well that you are guilty for those people's death! You even killed uncle and aunt!" Markus accused, and he continued to wriggle. But no matter how much he tried, he only ended up swinging back and forth. 

"I don't know what you are speaking about," came the nonchalant voice of Calhoun, "You should be careful when it comes to accusing the King that might cost your head. But it looks like you don't care about your head anymore, especially considering how you ran away earlier," Calhoun's voice then lowered down as he said, "Did you realize there was no way for you to prove that it was me, that your plan would backfire?" 

"I might have run before, but that doesn't mean you are off the hook, are you?" Markus threatened Calhoun, "Do you think that is all the High House came here for today?" 

Calhoun didn't bring in the look of surprise on his face, but his eyes did narrow in thought, "And why did they come?"

"I have asked them to reopen the case of the previous King and Queen's death. It is not just me but also my mother, along with some others who have raised the concern and you will soon be exposed," laughed Markus. 

"What brave words," said Calhoun, "I don't know why you are trying to imply something that I never had a hand in. Did you perhaps kill the previous King and Queen? Is that why you are now trying to frame me for your actions?"

Markus looked agitated as he tried to free his hands from the ropes, but the binds continued to hold both his hands together, "You think I don't know, that the previous King wanted to turn me as the King and not you?" 

Calhoun stared at Markus, "Is that so? Was he your father too? I wouldn't be surprised if you said yes. Father had quite a reputation and so did our grandfather when it came to fucking anything with legs and breasts." 

"How dare you insinuate something so evil and disgraceful!" Markus was not happy with the way Calhoun phrased the words that there was something between his mother and Calhoun's father, when they were blood siblings. 

Calhoun walked around Markus, coming to stand behind him and placing his hand on Markus' head before pulling the hair to hear Markus flinch.

"If you have been placing mousetraps for me, you should know that this is how I am. I am the person who came from the dark alleys of the village which is covered in dirt. I don't have the habit to coat poison with sugar as I rather prefer to give it to the person directly. And you know what? People swallow it." 

"You should stop moving so much, Mr. Wilmot," it was Raphael who advised Markus because he could hear the branch starting to creak.

"That's alright. Markus has the habit of falling. This little fall is nothing compared to the grave which he has dug for himself," Calhoun shaded Markus heavily which was not received well by his cousin. 

As expected, in less than a few seconds Markus who continued to move fell straight down on the ground and the branch that broke, fell on his leg making him groan as its sharp edge scraped his leg. 

Markus sat upon the ground, trying to keep hold of his dignity and pride. "You heard the King was going to give me the crown, didn't you? It is why you killed them," he accused Calhoun.

Calhoun took a step towards Markus, and then he sat on both his heels so that he could level himself with Markus who was sitting on the ground. Staring into the furious eyes, a smile cracked on Calhoun's lips, 

"You are right. I was upset that the King had suddenly decided to change the person who was going to be crowned. After all, he did promise and give his word in front of everyone that I was the rightful heir," Calhoun had a satisfied smile on his lips. "It does make me wonder what happened in that period of time, that father changed his mind. But let me tell you this. Before he died, he desperately wanted to make me the King of Devon. People are such easy beings. A little threat and word about their life, they will do anything to get it back." 

"Calhoun," Markus addressed him, "Your greed and pride for the throne will soon burn into ashes. The High House has already started to look into the matter, and it is only time when everything belongs to you will be taken away. You will know how it feels." 

Calhoun tilted his head, "How it feels?" He looked at Markus' leg that had been scrapped. Picking up the branch near to him, Calhoun broke it into another half before using the same thing to go straight to stab Markus' leg, that earned him a cry, "Do you feel this? I was someone who grew up with nothing in my hands or a constant roof over my head. What makes you think that I won't be careful or even care if everything is taken away? Sometimes it is more than just the throne and power. Sometimes it is about getting even with others so that they can reflect on their actions."

He twisted the thick uneven branch to earn a more painful groan from Markus, "You fucking bast-" Markus gritted his teeth. 

"That is not the way you speak to the King. It must have been hard to stay put," Calhoun egged Markus to see the fury in his eyes. 

"Your father realized what a scum you are, and he probably found out how you set grandmother up for her death through his own hands," said Markus.

Calhoun nodded his head, "It was funny, but it was beautiful. We could have lived like any other happy family if you didn't inform the High House. Did you think I would not find out? Foolish little cousin of mine." He used the same branch as support to stand up without pulling it out from Markus' leg. "What do I do with you now? It is hard not to grant your death wishes." 

"What about the High House?" asked Theodore as Dimitri had mentioned about sending a search warrant for Markus, "They will want him alive." 

"Keep him here until morning," ordered Calhoun, "You can bring him back tomorrow to the dungeon. Tell how he was lurking near the castle. The High House will be revisiting the castle too. Would you like to be the meal of a werewolf, Markus?" He asked his cousin as if he was asking what Markus would like to eat for breakfast. 

"Fuck you!" Markus gritted his teeth, "Where did that werewolf go? Where is it?" 

Calhoun stared at Markus, "In the dungeon. Where else do you expect me to keep the werewolf. Though I must say, you have been quite nosy," Markus' eyes widened, hearing the werewolf was still in the dungeon, and the High House members had failed to see it. Calhoun continued, "Sabotaging the Harris' shop. Setting up the maid to ruin mine and Madeline's reputation. I wouldn't have cared about it if it was just about me, but you went too far by involving Madeline in it." 

Markus was the one to laugh this time, "Do you think she will take it kindly. Especially Elizabeth." 

"About her. How many lies did you feed her?" questioned Calhoun. 

"I spoke only the truth, Calhoun. To make sure Elizabeth knows what's going on around her," Markus smiled, "She won't be happy if something happens to me." 

Calhoun sighed, "I care less to what she thinks or feels. If you have poisoned her mind, I don't care if I need to get rid of her from her current position. I am sure Madeline will understand why I did it." 

__________

Acceptance- Part 1

Music Recommendation: David's Writings by Christopher Willis

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Madeline paced back and forth in her room. Every five minutes, she stepped out to see if Calhoun returned to his room, but the darkness shown through the windows of his room let her know that no candle was lit inside the room. When she remembered her conversation with her family and she bit her bottom lip. 

"What happened there, Madeline?" asked her mother in a worried tone. 

"Mr. Wilmot put a false allegation at the King, telling Calhoun was the one responsible for the girl's death. The girl whose body was found in the backyard of Mr. Heathcliff. He lacked and failed in his evidence, while the King had his own proof that he had nothing to do with it. Before anyone knew it, Mr. Wilmot fled from there," explained Madeline to her parents. 

"Do they think that Mr. Wilmot was involved in the murder?" asked her father. 

"I think so-" 

"That's not possible! Markus is not someone who would kill a woman," Beth interrupted right away, not happy that her fiance was on the run and was being framed for the murder, "It is a big misunderstanding." 

Madeline continued to bite her bottom lip in the thought of what was going to happen. Beth looked upset, and her parents were in a confused state. She would have never thought that the Wilmot's would take such a drastic step by trying to expose Calhoun by confronting him. 

"Why are you staying up?" Madeline heard Calhoun's voice and she turned around to find him sitting on the bed. When did he enter the room? She asked in her mind. She saw him pat the space on the bed which was next to him. 

Calhoun sat with his legs crossed one over the other, his hands moving behind him to support his upper body as he slightly leaned back. He watched Madeline walk slowly towards the bed. Her features were filled with worry, "Sit." And Madeline sat next to him.

"Where is my grandmother and James?" Madeline questioned him. It was something she wanted to ask since they visited the empty dungeons. 

"They are in the dungeon," he replied to see her furrowed eyebrows. 

"Were they moved back again?" Madeline had been worried when Lilith had suggested that they take a look in the dungeon. Each and every room in the dungeon had been checked closely, "How?" 

Calhoun offered her a smile, a smile that didn't have any trace of mockery or any trace of sarcasm in it. 

"Come with me," he said, and both of them left the King's quarters to make their way towards the dungeon. Reaching the cell rooms, where her grandmother was kept in, she was greeted again with the sight of the empty room. 

She then turned back to look at Calhoun with a questioning look, her frown deepening as she didn't know what she was looking at.

"You won't find it if you are merely looking at the room. Take a closer look, go on," he pushed her back gently into the room. 

There was a faint smile on Calhoun's lips. Madeline stepped forward, her brown eyes looking at every nook and corner of the room and she heard him say, "There are too many rooms in here. Sometimes we fail by missing the important details." Madeline continued to look until she found something strange at the diagonal corners of the room. There were no shackles in here. Every room had shackles to hold in the prisoners. 

The more time Madeline spent looking, the more strange it felt, and she took a step forward while bringing her left hand forward when she felt something stop her hand from moving forward. 

"What is this?" whispered Madeline. 

"An illusion, darling," Calhoun responded, "Why don't you make use of that ability of yours," he encouraged her. 

It took her less than a second to break whatever was covering the other half of the room, and she finally saw her grandmother who was sitting in the corner glaring at her right now. Whatever was behaving like the illusion mirror, it wasn't a mirror as the pieces of it never fell. It was only an illusion in the room. A small amount of smoke had formed to start to disperse in the room slowly. 

Not staying there for long, Madeline and Calhoun went to the other room where James was locked in. Upon breaking another illusion, she caught sight of James, who was in his werewolf form, lying on the ground. 

"Raphael was the one who took care of it, both James and your grandmother," informed Calhoun, who stood behind her. Madeline remembered Raphael had left the dining room with the rest and maybe it was then did he took care of this. 

"Is it his demon ability?" she inquired, intrigue mixing with worry, and she turned around, "But you cannot hide James in here forever."

"Right. The High House will find out about it if we keep him here. I will be shifting James to a safer place where he won't be hunted by others," stated Calhoun, "Do you remember what Lilith said about werewolves? They either learn to sustain their human selves, or they completely turn to rabid werewolves." 

"What is going to happen to James?" Madeline turned back to look at James, who had not turned to his human self. With the High House involved and Markus who had dipped himself in the pool of the events that were transpiring, she wondered if Markus would be the one to take all the blame. 

Calhoun answered, "We don't know. Every person has their own level of coping mechanism. Most of the time, a bite from werewolf can turn one into a rabid creature, thus not remembering who they once were or what memories they had while they were human." 

She hoped nothing would happen to James. They stepped out of the room for the guards to take James away from the dungeon cell he was in and castle, while leaving her grandmother behind with Calhoun's relatives. 

On their way back, Madeline questioned, "The maid they spoke about. Was it you?" Calhoun didn't answer her, but he did spare her a look, and it answered her question. Madeline didn't ask him why, because she had already heard about it during the time the High House members were interrogating Markus and him. A slip of her abilities had caused a wave of opinions in people's mind. 

Both of them made their way back to the castle. Standing at the door where Madeline didn't try to slip back into her room, she instead stood in front of Calhoun. She wondered what was going on in his head. Even though Markus had been foolish in his attempts, it didn't mean the High House members weren't keeping an eye on Calhoun's actions, when it came to the present and past. 

When she raised her head, to look straight into his eyes, Calhoun took a step forward towards her. He leaned and pressed his lips on her forehead, which came as a surprise. 

"Are you doing alright?" Calhoun asked her. 

"I wasn't the one who was questioned for the murders," Madeline reminded him. She wondered how strong or cunning one had to be to hold the position of the throne. 

A grin broke through Calhoun's lips. He couldn't resist but want to touch Madeline. She had tried to protect him in front of everyone by kissing him in the courtroom, and it meant the world to him.

"I am fine if that is what you are asking," replied Calhoun, and he tucked some of her hair behind her ear. Not letting go, the back of his fingers caressed her cheek, and he watched how Madeline's eyes closed at his touch. 

"Calhoun?" his name sounded the sweetest from her lips. He saw her open her eyes to meet his gaze, "What if they try to frame you for the murder? James is not going to show up for alibi, and Lady Rosamund will not take no for an answer." For people who had been trying to get the throne back to their side, Madeline doubted it would be a peaceful fight. 

"Both you and I are aware that it wasn't Markus or me. Nor was it James but Catherine Barnes who killed Lady Layla. Let's write a letter to her," Calhoun offered her a smile.

It took less than three minutes for Calhoun to draft a letter in his room before it was put into an envelope and sent in the hands of Theodore. They had come to his room as Madeline's room didn't have the parchments or the ink to write. 

Madeline didn't understand why Lady Catherine would stoop so low as to frame James for the murder when they were going to get married. She could barely imagine the vampiress trying to kill someone less frame one. 

"I should get back to my room," informed Madeline but before she could turn around to start walking, Calhoun caught hold of her arm, and she stopped. 

"Stay," said Calhoun.

Her heart skipped a beat. The tone he used wasn't one of demand, but it had a tinge of request in there. Madeline stared into his eyes that looked almost black, "Just for tonight. Stay here." 

Calhoun had never given her a choice before, and this was the first time, where she could refuse and return to her room, but it was the choice offered to her that made Madeline give a thought of consideration to his words. But Calhoun had given her a choice after understanding the state of her mind when it came to him. 

He didn't want to let her go yet, and he wanted to keep her near him. She parted her lips, trying to find the words to answer before she said, 

"Okay." 

________

Acceptance- Part 2

Music Recommendation: Andrei by Martin Phipps, BBC National Orchestra

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The word that Madeline uttered was a simple one, but it held too many meanings. And she could tell that by the look that was on Calhoun's face he was surprised for a second as her answer to his request came easily. 

The room was quiet, and the lights from the candles in the room flickered softly. Madeline stared into Calhoun's eyes that were keenly looking at hers. If it was a few days ago, she would have outrightly refused it, but with what transpired today and Calhoun giving her a choice, the answer to his request to spend the night in his room came without a second thought. 

"Do you need to drink water?" Calhoun asked her in a polite tone, and Madeline nodded her head. 

Receiving the glass of water from him, Madeline took a couple of sips before handing the glass back to him. Though in the past, Calhoun had spent his time in her room, she had never done the same in his room, and this was the first. 

"Make yourself comfortable in the bed," said Calhoun and Madeline saw him leave her side to walk towards one of the many closets in his room. 

Her footsteps were awkward as she moved towards the bed. Having already changed her clothes earlier in her room to the nightdress, she took a seat on the edge of the bed. Her back was facing Calhoun. Even though the windows were closed and so was the door, not letting the cold wind enter the room, Madeline felt a shiver run down her body, raising goosebumps even though nothing happened between them. 

It wasn't like she was expecting and anticipating something to happen tonight, said Madeline to herself. Her hands gripped the front of her dress. The way Calhoun had asked her without any pressure, it had softened her already soft heart towards him. 

The freedom to have a choice was something that she had been craving from the moment she had met Calhoun, and that little part of her freedom had been taken away in the beginning. At the start, Calhoun was forceful in his actions and words. The matter right now was a small one, but it meant a lot to Madeline. 

"Do you want to change into something?" Madeline heard Calhoun ask her.

"No, I am fine," she quickly replied to his question, her cheeks slightly turning warm. Unable to resist not turning back to see what Calhoun was up to, Madeline slowly turned her head to see him standing in front of the closet with his upper body bare and only in his slacks. 

It wasn't the first time for her to be seeing his upper body naked. Madeline continued to stare from the corner of her eyes while trying not to be too apparent as she was stared at him. 

Having not seen many men exposed, except for some of the sculptures in the gardens of some of the elite families, Madeline could tell that Calhoun had a very good physique where his body was well built. He had broad shoulders that moved now as he tried to get a shirt to wear for the night. 

As her eyes moved down, she noticed how his body tapered down to the hem of his slacks. 

Her brown eyes continued to trail the black ink like markings that were on his back. It looked exquisite as it was something she had never come across, and it made Madeline wonder when he received it or if it was something he had acquired since he was a child. There were no scars on his back to show the openings to the wings that had appeared and disappeared time after time before their flight in the past. 

While Madeline continued to look at Calhoun from the corner of her eyes, Calhoun stood there, feeling her gaze on him. He took his own sweet time in wearing the shirt he had picked. It wasn't every day that she agreed to his word with her own consent and also looked at him. 

Calhoun knew what Madeline wanted. It wasn't that he didn't know about it earlier, but he had come to understand that she was someone whom he couldn't use force and had to handle with tenderness. 

But the need to tease her was something hard to drop so quickly, and instead of wearing the shirt he picked up, he dropped it on the ground. Calhoun turned to look at Madeline, catching her staring at him before she quickly turned her eyes to look at the fireplace. 

"Are you feeling cold?" he asked her. 

"No, I am warm enough," Madeline cleared her throat. When Calhoun had asked her to stay, it reminded her of someone who needed someone's company so that the darkness wouldn't swallow them up. "When did you get those?" she asked, "The markings on your back." 

Her eyes slowly shifted from the fireplace to look back at Calhoun to see him walking around the bed to come and stand next to where she was sitting. 

"Probably around the age of twelve," answered Calhoun. 

"Did it hurt?" she tried not to look at his naked torso and kept her eyes on his face. Calhoun's expression looked relaxed and calm. She had heard that markings on the skin was painful and hard to handle because they used some sort of needles. Calhoun here had inked the whole of his back. 

Calhoun took in her concerned expression, "The markings that I have are not the ones that I got them made. One night when I was sleeping, it just happened to appear on my back." When he got on the bed, Madeline looked at his skin that looked tan. Was it always this shade or was it because of the dim light?

"How did it appear?" Madeline asked. 

She herself got on top of the bed, leaving her shoes behind on the ground. Placing her bare feet inside the blanket which Calhoun had pulled out for her. Madeline settled the side of her body against the pillows that were placed on the headboard. 

"My mother said it was something to do with the demon blood that runs in my veins along with the vampire blood. Most of the demons have markings on their body," Calhoun replied to her. He placed one hand to support the side of his head while looking at her, "Raphael and Lillith have it too." 

"Lilith is a demon," Madeline said to herself, and she pursed her lips. The woman looked like in the past she wanted to share history with Calhoun, but he wasn't interested in it.

"She is," confirmed Calhoun, "So is Dimitri, but they don't know I am a demon too." This had Madeline raise her eyebrows at Calhoun.

Frowning, she asked, "How do they not know about it?" She would have never guessed that the High House consisted of demons in there. 

"People, in general, are not aware about the existence of demons. Most think or have come to believe that some of us vampires are born with special abilities, who stand apart from the rest," Calhoun explained to her, "Most of the demons usually have markings on their body. It is an identification of who or what you are. Some of the markings are visible to plain sight, like on hands, face, or on neck but some of us have it concealed. And people are not allowed to speak about it. Actually, some of the humans or vampires cannot see it."

"Was it painful? When the marking started to appear on your back?" she asked. 

One side of Calhoun's lip pulled up as he stared at Madeline, "It did. Like pain erupting within me before it started to spread all across the body. Some markings are small while some are big, something similar to the wings." 

Madeline was learning many things from Calhoun, things she would have never heard about if she didn't meet him. At least not this soon. 

Madeline had the urge to trace her fingertips across the markings, to take a closer look, but she only continued to look at Calhoun. He didn't try to touch her since both of them got in the bed, and this felt more normal and comfortable, to sit in the bed and speak with each other. 

"What about your back?" he asked her, "Did it hurt again?" and Madeline shook her head. 

"No. Not since the last time."

She couldn't help but wonder if she would be receiving her wings, to burn and then to regrow, she questioned what would happen. She was glad that Beth was kept in the dark when it came to her being a dark angel. At the same time, somewhere she felt guilty, not knowing what her grandparents did, not just to her but also to her sister. Madeline didn't know how much manipulation had been done by them to continue to exist with the rest. 

In the comfortable silence they shared with each other, Madeline took in Calhoun's presence not just him in front of her but in her life. If she hadn't met him, would she now be resting in the coffin? The thought was enough to trigger the claustrophobic feeling in her mind, and she felt Calhoun place his hand on hers. 

"Things need not be the way they have once been. You do not have to feel alone," Calhoun assured her. 

Madeline knew that. She knew that even if her family was going to go against her, she had Calhoun next to her. Her eyes watered, and she blinked her eyes so that the tears would disappear. "They need to know what happened," she whispered, speaking about her parents. As good as the trick of illusion was, it would have to break one day, and the reality would come out. 

"Are you worried that they will hate and despise you for your grandfather's death and for throwing your grandmother in the dungeon cell?" Calhoun's habit of not beating around the bush and getting straight to the point, making it easier to get an answer from her. 

"It is sometimes hard to think...that what the future holds and what might happen," Madeline didn't know if her parents would hate her. Though she wasn't the one to kill her grandfather, she was still the reason for his death, "Raphael said he would try to speak to Beth so that it is easier for him to find her lost memories." 

"I think what Raphael meant was to invite your sister for a cup of tea and slip in something in her cup so that she can be sedated," said Calhoun and Madeline's lips parted to an O. "He might need to do it to you too that is if you wish to look at your memories too. With Markus spending his time away, your sister might find time for other things unless she's plotting mine and your death." 

_______

Acceptance- Part 3

Madeline wondered how her sister Beth was doing right now. Considering how she was head over heels over Markus Wilmot, Madeline knew that Beth was in shock and didn't know what to say. But at the same time, if Markus had spent his time with Beth, was it possible that the man had poisoned Beth's mind against her? 

Madeline wasn't ignorant of how Beth felt, that she was the reason why Beth was not chosen, and it was only because Beth didn't know the truth. As much as Markus would have filled possible hate in Beth, there was some part in her mind that believed that Beth's actions were redeemable. She was also aware that Beth's decision often jumped from one boat to another, depending on the fruitfulness she saw in the person. 

Feeling Calhoun's thumb brush over her hand, Madeline's attention fell back on Calhoun who was looking at her, "I didn't know you cared so much about me. If it weren't for the High House, I would have never known," said Calhoun to her. 

Madeline's cheeks suddenly turned red in embarrassment and unable to keep her gaze on him, her eyes fell on his taut muscles of his chest. 

"I didn't want them to find you guilty because of me," her gaze moved back to look into his eyes. Madeline had never tried to kill herself and what the maid said was a lie. 

Calhoun was overbearing by nature, but there were some redeemable qualities. She remembered of the time when he had asked her to list adjectives for him. If he asked now, there were some new ones. Like a rainbow after a heavy rain, Calhoun had shown kindness towards her. He was undoubtedly teaseful, and he enjoyed watching people squirm and feel uncomfortable. But at the same time, he was here with her, without worrying she could harm him. 

Even her grandparents didn't tell her, whether they saw her killing people in the past, but part of her knew that she was responsible for it. She had killed people, and it sent a chill over her body. And even after knowing that, this person, who was in front of her, continued to see the good things about her. 

"I didn't want you getting into trouble because of me," said Madeline to him.

Calhoun pushed himself to sit straight on the bed, and Madeline's own body straightened seeing him get close to her,

"It will be lonely not to have each other around, isn't it?" 

Madeline gave him a nod, "It will be lonely." And she then saw a smile breakthrough Calhoun's lips that made him look much younger than he often appeared to be unlike the constant glare or smirk on his face.

"Are you sure about it?" Calhoun asked her, even though he already knew the answer to it. It was the reason why he asked her to stay back tonight, "Thirteen more days and you will be married to me." 

"What about Markus?" questioned Madeline. 

Calhoun brought his hand forward, running it on the side of her head to smoothen her hair,

"The guilty people die, and we all get to have our happily ever after." People often died, and most of the time, it was because Calhoun got them killed. His cousin's death would mean little to nothing to him, "The big bad wolf will be getting married to the red riding hood."

This brought a faint smile on Madeline's lips, "But what about the High House." 

"They can burn in flames," Calhoun replied to her before his hand trailed to the side of her neck. He took in the way her eyes looked at him right now. There was no fear or doubt, and even though there was a shyness which was shedding away, he could tell that she had finally accepted him. 

To think that this beautiful creature whom he eyed standing in the balcony of the ballroom was finally here with him, without a doubt of resistance in her mind,

"Would it be too much to ask you to repeat what you did in the courtroom?" 

Madeline's eyes widened at Calhoun words. 

When he leaned closer to her, she could feel the spike in her heartbeat, but Calhoun didn't close in the distance between their lips. His eyes were on her lips, and then it went back to look at her eyes that were staring deep into his eyes—time stopped as she looked at his handsome face before she moved her head forward to close the gap. 

Madeline pressed her lips on his, feeling the warmth that started to set her skin ablaze when he slipped his hand around her waist to bring her close to him. Shyly, she moved her lips against his bold lips, that were quick to dip his soul into her by indulging both of them in a warm kiss. 

The rosebud he had been holding, waiting for it had finally bloomed in his hands, opening up to him and to Calhoun it was nothing less than euphoric. This sweet flower had finally opened its petals, allowing him to love her, and it was pure bliss to know that Madeline was finally responding to his feelings. 

With Calhoun who was taller than her, Madeline's back had arched and her neck craned up, kissing him back as her cheeks continued to burn. She had closed her eyes, one hand going to place on his bare chest and the other hand which moved to his shoulder. When she parted her lips, opening to him, Calhoun seized the opportunity to taste her and in return letting her to taste him. Madeline could feel Calhoun exuding his masculinity, taking over the kiss, guiding her with his lips and hands on her body. Another arm of his went to settle on her waist before both his arms circled and brought her near to him. 

Madeline's eyes fluttered open to find Calhoun's eyes that were partly open looking at her, and she blushed further. 

Pulling back from the kiss, Madeline turned her head to the side. She hadn't expected him to watch her expressions during the kiss and her hands slowly slid down from his shoulder and his chest. 

"How was it?" Calhoun's shameless side came forward, and Madeline was sure she turned close to the colour of an apple by his question. 

"W-what kind of question is that?" she cleared her throat and gave a quick glance towards him. 

A grin was plastered on Calhoun's face, "I need to know if you are satisfied with the kiss," he said. He then laid down on the bed before patting the space next to him,

"I want to hold you tonight."

The kiss he shared with Madeline, he had never kissed anyone like that. It was a careful one, a kiss where he wanted to transfer his feelings to her without having to utter those in words. 

"But you are not wearing a shirt," Madeline reminded him. 

"I am sure you will keep me warm," he offered her a charming smile, waiting for her with his eyes holding a mischievous look. 

What kind of reasoning was that, asked Madeline to herself. At the same time, she was surprised that Calhoun had not gone farther than a kiss on her forehead and lips.

"Did you want more?" she heard him question her.

Madeline quickly laid down, her back facing him but with a distance between them as she wasn't courageous and bold enough to snuggle in his chest like some kitten. 

She wondered if Calhoun was listening to her heart beating in her chest. She had surprised not only others but also herself by kissing the King in front of everyone and then in private. And now she was lying on his bed willingly. The heat on her cheeks didn't reduce, and her skin felt warm. 

While Madeline was still calming her heart, Calhoun's hand went around her waist and pulled her smoothly towards him. "Your heart is beating too fast," Calhoun chuckled, and he placed a kiss on the nape of her neck.

"You are holding me," she whispered. She was snuggly pulled against Calhoun's bare chest. 

"Yes, I am aware of that," Calhoun whispered back, and he then buried his nose in the crook of her neck, "You smell like roses." 

It took some time for Madeline to calm her beating heart, and when it did, she realized she had her hands on Calhoun's hand that was holding her waist. The candles that were burning dimmed down to turn the room dark so that she could sleep. 

So much had happened over the week and there were only thirteen more days left for their wedding as the hour of the new day had started. This moment felt peaceful and cocooned, while trouble lurked outside. Madeline believed Calhoun was smart enough not to be caught, but somewhere in the corner of her mind, she couldn't stop but worry about him. Dimitri had openly said to Calhoun that he had his eyes on him. 

Madeline remembered Calhoun's words to Lady Rosamund. 

'It is not like no one in the family has not stayed in the dungeon. Consider it to be a fulfilment of the Hawthrone's tradition.'

"Calhoun?" 

"Hm," his breath fell on her neck. 

She asked, "Did your family lock you in one of the cells of the dungeon in the past?" 

"They did. It was a long time ago," replied Calhoun to her question. To Madeline, it seemed like he had not forgotten about it. She wondered how much bitterness he carried in his heart or if it had transformed to something else over the years.

She heard him say, "Sleep, my sweet rose." 

________

Cell room- Part 1

Music Recommendation: Philip by Martin Phipps

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Madeline didn't fall asleep immediately. Being held in Calhoun's arms for the very first time in the bed, it took time for her to adjust to the brewing feelings she felt in her chest right now. Oddly she felt safe and comfortable with him like this. Who knew that there would be a day where she would feel like this in his presence. 

She felt Calhoun's breath softly hitting on her skin every time he exhaled, tickling and stirring her body. The night was much quieter than a few hours ago that was filled with commotion because of Markus who had run away in the presence of Calhoun and the High House members. Though the candle lights had exhausted themselves in time, the fireplace continued to burn, making a crackling sound every once in a while. 

The heat in her cheeks had reduced, and her heart beat had gone back to its normal rate. Though Calhoun had told her to sleep, it was hard for her to fall asleep. Her body felt aware of his hand around her waist. Several minutes had passed, and with her back facing him, she wondered if Calhoun had fallen asleep. If he was sleeping, she didn't want to move and wake him up. 

They were sleeping in his bed like they were already married, and she could only wonder if this was how it would be in the future. Since the time she was in this room today, when Calhoun had asked her, she knew what he wanted to hear. And every time she agreed, she noticed how his dark red eyes brightened with emotions. 

"Is it uncomfortable? The position," Calhoun's sudden question startled her. 

"You didn't fall asleep," she whispered. 

When Calhoun hummed, Madeline felt goosebumps rise on her nape. "How can I sleep when you haven't fallen asleep?"

"I never knew you could be this sweet." 

The words were supposed to stay in her mind, but they slipped through her lips, letting Calhoun know exactly what she was thinking. Madeline questioned herself if it was the calmness of the midnight that was helping her to speak her mind or if she was only getting comfortable with him.

"I was always this sweet," his words reverberated on her skin.

"Hard to say," Madeline's words were short, and she heard Calhoun chuckle. 

"Haven't I always treated you with utmost respect and love," his hold on her waist tightened to bring her closer to him, "Maybe only when I felt the need to tease you. Don't deny that you haven't enjoyed it."

Madeline didn't respond to it, and it seemed like the big bad wolf would make its appearance known if she were to poke it. On the other hand, Calhoun couldn't help but smile at her silence. He enjoyed having her in his arms. She was the treasure of solace he had been searching for all these years. 

"I wonder if it is because you are an angel, that you smell so sweet to me," commented Calhoun as he took a whiff of her scent near her neck. The scent was something he had picked the first time when he had crossed paths with Madeline in the ballroom.

When Calhoun saw Madeline from the balcony, ready to walk towards the exit, he had made his way towards her just for the thrill of it. He enjoyed a good hunt, and when the prey was this delectable, it was hard for him to not test and chase it. But when he had walked past her, he had stolen her handkerchief while taking in the sweet fragrance near him. It reminded him of something very home-like, and he tried to pinpoint it, but every time he tried to trace back the smell, the memory was lost. It had made him run his hands through his hair several times before as he still hadn't found out about it. 

"Do you think angels have their own scent which is different?" Madeline questioned, her body didn't turn or move but continued to stay in the same position, "How do demons smell?" she asked curiously. 

"How do you think I smell?" Calhoun asked her in return and Madeline was about to sniff the air, but she cleared her throat in the end. 

"I don't know," she whispered. She closed her eyes as she couldn't believe that she was actually going to sniff the air around them. Sneakily doing it, she didn't find any difference. 

"Considering your grandparents and parents didn't hold such fragrance and appeared to be normal, I would say you are an exceptional case," she heard Calhoun reply to her, "Has your sister ever broken anything before?" 

Madeline gave it a thought before shaking her head, "No. I don't think she ever broke anything. Why do you think she was skipped from the generational gene?" By her understanding, Madeline believed that both Beth and she were supposed to share the same abilities. But according to her grandparents, she was the only rotten apple out of the whole lot in the family. 

"Maybe you are the chosen one," he responded, and Madeline couldn't stop the faint smile that reappeared on her face which Calhoun missed. "Compared to what your grandparents portrayed it to be, you might be the opposite. Sometimes...the most powerful things take time to evolve and learn to handle who they are. And it is possible that your grandparents never had enough knowledge about it." 

"But they were angels. Angels don't kill others." There were too many doubts when it came to theories of angels as Madeline had killed people and her grandparents were willing to kill her. So where did one draw the line of who was right and what an angel was allowed to do?

"Fallen angels are nothing less to demons because of their deeds. You shouldn't ponder too much on it." 

It was hard not to think about it. Calhoun was right. The fallen angels were angels who had committed some mistake, which was why they were thrown out from the heavens. Angels who were cursed to lead their lives like humans were death was inevitable, and they had to go through the burdens of life. 

Calhoun had the menace in him, just as a demon would. There were some qualities of him which she was ready to over look. Wasn't that what life was about, with adjustments. 

In the past, as eager as she was by imagining a life with James, she came to wonder how things would have proceeded with her being an angel and if James was not bit by a werewolf. 

She doubted she would have been at ease. Calhoun appeared to be a wiser choice before she even could make a choice of her own.

Calhoun continued to hold her in his arms, and Madeline felt a sense of security, knowing nothing bad would happen to her tonight while she slept next to him. She was a dark angel, and he was a demon vampire, and in some sense, both of them didn't know much about their lineage. 

"Tell me about your mother," she said to Calhoun in a whisper. Though she knew bits and pieces, Madeline wanted to know more about Calhoun and his family, about his life from his young age till the time he turned to a King. 

"She was a composed woman, my mother. We had a good relationship. A normal mother and son," Madeline heard Calhoun say, "I had the habit of bringing things home, or where we stayed which she didn't approve of." 

"What did you bring?" she asked him curiously. 

"Dead people," Calhoun answered and Madeline who wasn't facing him all this time, turned around to face him. She turned around just to see the expression on his face if he was joking or he was telling the truth. 

Her eyes anxiously looked up at Calhoun, "Why would you do that?" she was stunned. 

"They were people who often crossed me or insulted my mother in public for who she was."

Calhoun was glad that Madeline had turned as he could now take a look at her beautiful face. Her eyes had slightly widened, and her lips were parted. The urge to run his finger over her bottom lip was high, but instead, he settled his hand on the curve of her waist.

"When you are by the King's side, people envy you and once you leave, the envy turns to demeaning words and actions. Men in the village liked to take advantage of the situation, and sometimes it worked…"

Madeline bit the inside of her cheek. 

Though Madeline had met Calhoun's mother only in her coffin in the graveyard, and even though she didn't know the woman personally, Madeline felt her heart turn heavy. 

"Every week it was someone, and I brought the person back home, even though I knew it was something that disturbed my mother. But it did bring me a great deal of satisfaction," confessed Calhoun. "Vengenace when found in its purest form, nothing can beat that feeling."

Madeline pursed her lips for a moment before asking, "Do you remember when you killed for the first time?" 

Calhoun twisted his lips, a thoughtful expression coming to settle on his face.

"Must be around when I was eight," a grin appeared on his lips and Madeline didn't understand how he could smile while revisiting such harsh memories. He continued, "I think it was because after killing, I didn't know where to put the bodies. So I took them to my mother. At the beginning of the time, she helped me hide the dead bodies."

So this is where Calhoun's words came from, thought Madeline to herself. The notion of helping to hide the bodies to protect his loved ones. 

"People didn't find out about it?" Madeline frowned in thought. 

Calhoun stared straight into Madeline's eyes, "When someone found out, I had to make them disappear from the village too." 

"I don't know how to feel about it," Madeline answered truthfully to see him give her a smile. "I am sorry for what your mother had to go through."

"Hm," Calhoun hummed, "There was a day where she wondered what would have happened if she didn't leave her father's side. If she continued to stay there, probably she would still be alive, but I wouldn't have come to exist, and we wouldn't be here." 

Hearing what Calhoun said about the past, Madeline wondered if she was ready to hear the rest of it. It wouldn't be just her but also him, who would be revisiting the past, living the memories all over again. 

"Why did they put you in the dungeon?" questioned Madeline. 

Calhoun's hand slowly left Madeline's waist, and it went up to reach her face so that he could caress it.

"They wanted to get rid of the heir. It was my grandmother and her daughter, Rosamund who sent me in there. I am merely returning the favour of the past," he grinned, his eyes holding amusement in them. 

________

Cell room- Part 2

After sometime, Madeline's eyes turned heavy, and she fell asleep while facing Calhoun. The smile that was on his face while she was awake had slowly died down, and he looked at her sleeping face. Calhoun had remembered what his mother once told him,

'Sometimes, all secrets are not meant to be told. A harmless lie to protect someone is alright.'

Though there were some things he didn't tell Madeline, it didn't hurt keeping them himself on what happened in the past, while letting her know just enough, which was more than what he let any other person know about him. He had stopped caressing her cheek so that it wouldn't disturb her sleep, moving his hand back to her waist whilst he watched her. 

His thoughts went back to the time when he had entered the castle. It wasn't his father who had tried to find him, but Calhoun had made sure for his father to notice him, to let him know that he existed. 

His thoughts drifted to the time when he had decided to step into the castle. 

"Calhoun?" Theodore had called him from behind while he sat in front of his mother's body. The place around her body had turned red because of the blood and his own hands had covered in blood until his forearms.

"....you need to let her rest. In a better place."

Calhoun had not responded, instead he continued to sit there, staring at his mother. "I know a place to keep her." 

Theodore's passive expression didn't change on Calhoun's choice of words. "Let me help," he offered. Both of them had taken Calhoun's mother to the cemetery, which was hidden deep in the forest, where the Hawthrone's graves were located.  Calhoun continued to remember, that both he and Theodore were young at that time, and if he were to turn back time, he would still choose to keep his mother in his grandfather's grave.

Returning to the present, he looked at the girl who soundly slept next to him. All he wanted was to live a life with her while removing any pests who would try to ruin them. 

Leaning forward, Calhoun brushed his lips on Madeline's forehead for a fleeting second before pulling away from her. Sliding out of his bed, he pulled the blanket to cover her, tucking her in safely before wearing his shirt and leaving the room after locking it. 

At the far end of the corridor, Calhoun met Raphael, who was watching the sky.

"The High House came earlier than we expected, what are you going to do about them?" questioned Raphael. 

"There's nothing to do if they don't do something," Calhoun replied, and Raphael stopped looking at the night sky to look at the King. "So far all they have tried to find is scraps that are of no use. Every person who had possible information or doubt on us was thrown out of the High House and taking further measures of relocating them somewhere else before they were killed in an unfortunate accident."

"What about the Wilmot's, though?" asked Raphael, "Getting rid of an enemy is easier, but when it is one who is your relative, it is a difficult thing to do. Not to mention, you have too many people in the castle grounds." 

"Are you jealous of it?" Calhoun smirked, his lips twisting to a cunning smile, "Do you know how to hide the deer? You let the lion eat it up, and the deer ceases to exist. Theodore has gone to drop an important letter to someone. Most of the problems will resolve once the person comes forward. Not to forget, the High House members will be joining us for breakfast or for tea tomorrow. You should possibly ask them to play cards with you." 

A smile cracked on Raphael's lips, "I don't think they would fancy a game." 

Coming to serious matters, Calhoun then said, "Do you think you will be able to do it? The last time you tried to get into someone's head, it damaged their existing memories and threw them back to the time you touched the particular memory you were looking at."

Back then, Calhoun needed answers from a man about his mother's time in the castle. He had taken Raphael's help at that time. The answer was critical as those were things his mother hadn't spoken about, but when Raphael had tried to look into the man's memory, the man had lost a considerable amount of his years with no idea of what happened after Calhoun's mother's time in the castle. And maybe that would have been fine, but something happened that led the man to die two weeks after the event. 

"I will start with Lady Madeline's sister first. I doubt you mind messing her head?" Raphael proposed.

"Sure." 

"I will do it tomorrow. Maybe once the High House members are out of sight," informed Raphael. 

Unable to resist, Calhoun made his way to the dungeon and the cell room where Rosamund was locked in. She stood near the grilled bars of the window, staring outside without looking at him even though his footsteps had echoed through the passage. 

Rosamund finally turned to look at Calhoun, where she had finally schooled her features, "You have some nerve throwing me in here."

Calhoun clicked his tongue, "Is that the way your mother taught you to treat the King?" he reprimanded her. The nerve on the vampiress' forehead appeared, but she didn't speak back to him. 

Carefully, she said, "I did no wrong that you have decided to put me in the dungeon like some prisoner."

"Do not worry. As I said, this is only procedural, and once you have been proven not guilty, you shall get to live the life that you have. After all, what name do you have?" Calhoun's word struck something in Rosamund's mind, and she glared at him. He was using the same words which she had used on him in the past. 

It was the time of Winter when the illegitimate son of her brother Laurence had come to live in the castle. Rosamund and her mother had thrown him into the dungeon by framing him for a man's murder who belonged to the elite family. The High House wasn't prominent back then, and it was still under formation, making it easy for the royals to run the rules and punishments. 

"Where is the boy?" asked her mother. 

"He's locked in the dungeon," Rosamund answered her mother, "I asked the guards to beat him where it wouldn't be visible."

Her mother didn't look pleased enough with Rosamund's words, and she started to head inside the passage of the dungeon, stopping in front of the closed room. On her arrival, the guard opened the door, and they found the person who was tied in shackles. 

"I told you before that this castle is not for an animal like you. How could you kill Mr. Gale in such a cruel way?" asked Rosamund's mother, who was also the King's mother. She took two steps towards the person whose face had turned dull because of the mud and blood stuck on his skin. 

Rosamund, who had followed her mother, stared down with distaste in her eyes. "This is what happens when you bring people from the streets. Especially a child who is born to a whore." 

The young man's red eyes shifted to look at the woman, staring at her, "It is rude to be calling your own brother a whore. I don't think he would appreciate it." 

Both the women's eyes widened before narrowing down, "Say what you may, but you should have thought it through before stepping into the castle. It isn't too late. We can send you to the next Kingdom, and you can live the life that you deserve. Because the charges that are up and against you, they will be hard to drop. Even if it means you are the King's son." 

"You are my grandmother. You should defend me," though Calhoun was beaten up with the bare punishment, he still stood his ground by meeting the older woman's eyes. 

"And why would I do something like that?" the older vampiress smiled, "I don't know what has gotten into my son's head to think he could turn you to his heir. You lack the blood and class for it."

"It should be less than two days before you will be beheaded in front of everyone," Rosamund smiled, "Brother Laurence never goes against mother's words."

"That's right, Rose," agreed Rosamund's mother, "It was on my word that he threw your whore like mother out of this castle. Did you think you could come here one day and claim the throne for yourself?"

Calhoun tilted his head to the side before a small smile appeared on his face. And that smile was enough to irk the older vampiress. 

"A person like him has no name or identity. No one will care about it," stated Rosamund. 

The older vampiress then said, "Enjoy your remaining time in here before your last hours. Your mother was smart enough to leave the castle-" 

"But you weren't smart enough to let her go, were you?" asked Calhoun, he ran his tongue over the side of his cut lip, tasting the raw metallic taste of his blood that had dried, "You think I won't get out from here?" he chuckled. 

And as Calhoun had told them, he did get out of there in the thirty hours before his judgement of being beheaded could be passed by his grandmother's order. According to the royal family's knowledge, Calhoun had stepped in the castle only with Theodore, but what they didn't know back then was that Calhoun was spreading his web all around the castle, turning their people over to his side.

"You placed me in the cell," Rosamund grounded her teeth, glaring at Calhoun. He hadn't placed her in the closed rooms which were used for the people of higher class and had instead chosen to put her in a place where the ordinary villagers or other criminals were put in.

"Welcome to the other side of the world of mine," said Calhoun with a pleasant smile on his lips, satisfied to see the vampiress behind the rusted iron rods.

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