The Crown's Obsession (WN)

When Theodore had started to explore and walk in the quiet side of the castle, the last thing he had expected was to see the young vampiress wandering around the corridors. She walked as if there was a heavy log of wood tied around her legs, dragging her feet slowly out of unwillingness.

He saw a look of dismay pass through her facial expression, but her response was quite the opposite, "Yes! I am overwhelmed to have my governess teach me things that are....valuable as she tells," and she put up a smile on her lips.

"What a good time to learn things. You must make the best use of it, Lady Lucy. You never know when what might come to your use."

"Hm," Lucy responded, "Did you have a governess too?"

A small chuckle escaped Theodore's lips, and it had Lucy look at him with a quizzical look on her face. "Not everyone is lucky and bestowed with highly qualified people who are willing to teach, milady, especially a governor or a governess. Though I would like to say, there is a woman who taught me things that I think have been useful."

"Even to fight?" whispered Lucy, and when their eyes met, she quickly looked away from him, "You can forget I asked you that question."

"Why? There's nothing wrong with the question you ask, Lady Lucy," Theodore offered her a kind smile, "It is good to ask questions."

"Mother says otherwise," muttered Lucy, and it wasn't just her mother, but also her grandmother who didn't like her questioning things. In the past, it had often landed her in trouble, and this was why she had to bite her tongue to stop herself from questioning.

"It seems like you find it hard to fit in here, Lady Lucy. The rules, I mean," Theodore pushed his glasses upwards that had subtly slid down his nose, while his gaze was on the young vampiress, who looked nothing less to a sheep that was lost. He wondered if it was possible to use her to their advantage, but then she was naive, someone who didn't know or failed to understand that she lived amid the wolves at the castle. "The fight no. I didn't learn it from the woman; it was something I picked up on the streets. The streets teaches you everything and very quickly. A very quick gain of knowledge."

"Is that so," asked Lucy, and she bit the inside of her lips before letting it go, "Maybe you should teach me."

This time it was Theodore who looked surprised and taken aback by the princess' request.

"I don't think I am following you, milady," responded Theodore, the smile still intact on his lips.

"I mean the knowledge," Lucy beamed to the side, an innocent smile on her face.

Theodore nodded his head, "Maybe when I am free. Though I believe a lot of things, you will find it to be useless."

At the same time, they heard a distant voice of the governess calling for Lucy as her break time was over, and it was time to return to her study room.

"You should go back now before you are reported to be missing," advised Theodore, and Lucy nodded her head.

"It was nice meeting you here, Theodore," replied Lucy, and the man bowed his head.

"Likewise, milady."

When Lucy left the spot, walking away from the corridor and disappearing behind one of the walls, the smile on Theodore's lips fell. It seemed like the princess was liberal with her words as she didn't bother herself to call him 'Mr. Chauncey' and instead preferred to call him Theodore. Was it perhaps because he wasn't up to her status, which was why she took her liberty or was it just in her nature? Wondered Theodore in his mind.

The remaining day, Lucy spent her time with her governess while yawning as she was tired.

"It's been only four hours, milady, and this is only the beginning. We still need to get your music sheet ready," said the governess in a stern voice. "This is no time to be sleeping as we need to work on your skills."

"I don't understand," complained Lucy, "I have to study history and politics, yet I am not allowed to take part in the discussions going on in the royal court room. Why? Grandmother takes part in it."

"Queen Morganna, Lady Lucy," corrected Ms. Lewis while gathering all the books from the table and getting up so that they could be placed back in their assigned places. "It is Queen Morganna."

"She's still my grandmother, and she isn't here," Lucy brushed her governess' words, "So tell me, why am I not allowed, yet am compelled to read these old and dusty parchments?"

Ms. Lewis turned around to see Lucy staring at her, and she answered, "That is because Queen Morganna is the Queen, and she is still part of the royal court, ruling it along with your father. Your mother decided it was best that you concentrate on your skills and develop talents-"

"Talents that will appease my husband. I know," there was a tinge of bitterness in Lucy's mouth. "What if I am not ready?" Lucy stood up from her seat, walking towards one of the shelves, "What if I am not ready to take a husband?"

"That is completely out of the question, milady. With me here, you will be ready within a month. Your mother expects good results, and I intend to give her the best. Now let's start your music lessons for the piano ready-"

"I don't like the piano," Lucy complained, crossing her arms against her chest.

"No problem, we can go with the violin. It might be-"

"I don't like that either."

Ms. Lewis placed all the books in their intended place, and she could see that the princess was right now trying to push her buttons. But, Ms. Lewis had taught many brazen and irresponsible children, and she had turned them into fine young ladies. The princess was not going to be an exception from it.

"And which instrument do you like?" asked Ms. Lewis, keeping her patience.