The Crown's Obsession (WN)

"I am alright, Dimitri," responded the woman. "It seems like Morgana was here but for the briefest time and she disappeared before I could reach the place. Probably back to her castle."

"I caught up with the man with whom the Queen was earlier speaking to, and your suspicion was right. They are on the move to acquire Hanima's treasure. What are we going to do, milady?" asked the man with a small frown. Though he looked older than the woman, he looked at her with deep respect.

Hearing this, the frown on the woman's face only deepened, and she turned around and said, "Hanima's treasure is the top priority, Dimitri. Already one of the Duke died because of it. Though we have some of them in our possession, there are still others that are hidden. Do whatever you need to do to get the treasure and make sure it doesn't fall in any of the King, Queen or any other person's hands who knows about it."

"Yes, milady!" replied Dimitri, bowing his head.

"In the meantime, I will go and see how I can acquire the approval for the creation of the committee that will stand in power above the Kings and Queens. When people are not willing to hand over their approval, it doesn't show their power but also the fact that they are trying to hide their misdeeds," said the woman.

"Do you have anything on your mind? To whom you will be approaching, if the King and the Queen of Devon are unwilling?" inquired the man, and the woman shook her head.

"Not yet. But I will find a way."

Back in the castle, Lucy sat with her governess in the music room with a cello that sat upright on the floor, in front of her and in between her legs.

"Are you sure you want to learn this and not the piano?" questioned Ms. Lewis as she watched the young vampiress through her glasses. "It would be much easier for you to play on the piano than sitting this...oddly."

"I am very much comfortable, Ms. Lewis. I have always been fascinated with this instrument when the people in the theatre played it. What sad music it creates," murmured Lucy to herself before looking at her governess.

"Well if you insist. Let us start with your lesson, and it will be easy as you already are aware of the basics," instructed Ms. Lewis, and she took another cello so that she could teach the young vampiress.

While they were halfway in their lesson, Lucy picked up on the little commotion that took place nearby, and she couldn't help but stop playing the instrument. "What's that sound?"

"What sound?" questioned Ms. Lewis while raising her eyebrows.

Lucy dropped the bow to her side, and she stood up, placing the cello to lean against the chair before stepping out of the room.

"There are others to look after the castle, Lady Lucy," stated Ms. Lewis, "We should finish our lesson."

The young vampiress quickly said, "I will be back soon," and she disappeared from there and the governess sighed.

When Lucy stepped out to look at the castle grounds, she saw her brother Calhoun who was in the garden but he wasn't alone. Not too far from him stood her grandmother with a rage filled expression on her face, along with her mother and her father looked shocked along with the rest of the people around, who didn't dare to get near to where they were.

She saw four small furry animals near Calhoun and she looked puzzled, "Are those dogs?" she whispered before hurrying herself to go down there.

"You must be fucking joking!" Queen Morganna was unable to keep her temper to herself and she brought her hand in front of her mouth as if trying to not speak another foul word. She closed her eyes while her whole body shook in anger. "Seriously, you aren't expecting that we will have these hideous creatures in the castle!"

"Calhoun," spoke King Laurence, who wasn't least bit amused and he looked at the wolves that Calhoun had brought to the castle a few minutes ago. "Wolves are not allowed in the castle. We do not entertain them, not cats, not dogs, nothing. Take them back from where you brought them," ordered the King.

"They have no home of their own, and I am the only one they know," reasoned Calhoun, "They are my pets and I cannot abandon them."

"You are the only one they know?! For the sake of sanity, these are not people but creatures, wild ones and you want them to kill people," stated Morganna who stood a few distance away from Calhoun along with her daughter-in-law.

King Laurence raised his hand so that his mother would stop and he said, "Take these pups out of the castle right away, Calhoun."

"I cannot do that," came the instant words from Calhoun, and even the King looked displeased by the young man's behaviour.

"Are you trying to go against the King's words?" questioned Laurence.

Calhoun bowed his head deeply, and he said, "I do not mean any disrespect, my King. The wolves are like my family, and my companions. If you are against the idea, I will be more than willing to take them away along with me, while finding another place to live."

King Laurence's eyes narrowed because he couldn't allow it. Calhoun was supposed to be introduced to everyone as his heir as the Kings and Queens of the other lands hadn't received the word about it. If he were to allow Calhoun to leave the castle, it would only make people question and he gritted his teeth.

Hearing what Calhoun said, Morganna was more than happy and she said, "Well, considering how dear these wolves are to you, maybe it would be best to stay with them-"

"Alright," said King Laurence, "But they will be tied and kept in the kennel and you will be the one responsible for them."

Morganna's eyes widened. This is not what she meant!

"Long live the generous King," Calhoun deeply bowed, a faint smile on his lips that disappeared when he raised his head.