The Crown's Obsession (WN)

A small huff left Morganna's lips and said, "My King, the boy might be my grandson, but he grew up in the streets and was picked from there before bringing him to stay here. Who knows what habits he has cultivated when he was there. I would never show any partiality between any of my grandchildren. You know that."

"Newton, get the boys back to their rooms," ordered King Laurence, and Morganna's eyes widened.

"The boy stole my jewel! You cannot let him off that easily," protested Morganna, unhappy with her son's sudden decision. She had planned to keep Calhoun placed behind bars before throwing him out of the castle or getting him executed. "Nobody has ever dared to commit such a thing until he arrived here."

"I find it hard to believe that Calhoun would try to steal something from any of us, mother. A King can have anything he wants and he knows that. He could get a new set of jewels if he wanted. You must have probably mistaken his actions," stated Laurence.

Morganna gritted her teeth, not believing things would turn out this way.

"If he is not the one, then who is the culprit? There must be someone. It must be his accomplice, the guard," Morganna tried to get rid of at least one person as this was turning more difficult than she had previously expected.

"I will have Newton check the maids and servants. I am sure the culprit who placed the jewel in a convenient place like Calhoun's room will be caught in good time," promised Laurence. "The thief shall not go unpunished for trying to defame our family member. We all should live together in harmony."

When both Theodore and Calhoun returned to their room, the King had come to speak to Calhoun along with Morganna.

"There was a mistake, my son," said King Laurence. "Your grandmother lost her jewel that was given by your grandfather. She seemed to be upset and she made a rash decision. After we had a discussion, I can only tell that you had nothing to do with it."

Calhoun looked at his so-called father, "I think it is better for me to leave the castle and go back to my usual life."

Hearing this, Laurence frowned, "What happened was a mistake, but you need not worry about such things in the future. It will not happen again."

Calhoun shook his head, "Forgive me, my King, but I don't think I will be looked at the same way as the rest of the royal family members. I come from the alleys and streets, and I know I will always be questioned and doubted if something like this happens again. It is only right that I leave the place which doesn't belong to me."

Theodore couldn't help but internally smile at the way Calhoun was playing the King and the mother Queen. He could tell the King felt threatened, and if Calhoun wanted, he could walk out of here right this instant. But that was not why they were here in the castle.

"You don't have to leave the castle, Calhoun," stated the King. His lips were set in a thin line as if he was thinking deeply, "To make it up to you, I will appoint you as one of the ministers in the advisory group. From now on, you will be responsible for handling important deals and work with me closer than before And for your grandmother's mistake, she shall apologize to you."

Morganna's eyes snapped to look at her son. A small laugh escaped her lips, and she said, "That is a good one. I don't think Calhoun needs that. He knows it was a simple folly."

But Calhoun didn't budge, and his eyes were set down to look at the ground without looking at the woman who was not only prideful but arrogant.

Right now, to Laurence, Calhoun was more important than his mother, and he said, "We are all family here, nothing wrong in admitting our faults and apologies."

She was the Queen! Not some fool to be begging for forgiveness to the whore's child! Thought Morganna in her mind.

But Calhoun was not going to have it any other way. He brought his hand towards his lips, wincing at the cut which had bled, "When I came here to the castle, I thought I had a family," he turned his head to the side, "Believing I would finally be reunited with all of you, and live together with love...but I don't think I can now."

"That's rubbish!" King Laurence dismissed Calhoun's words instantly. The man wanted Calhoun, and if the situation was different, Laurence would have never sought out for Calhoun to be his legal son by accepting it publicly. "We all are happy to have you here with us. I must have reached out for you sooner, but better late than never. Mother," he then turned to look at Morganna. "You need to apologize to Calhoun."

"Laurence," Morganna scowled, "You forget I am the Queen. The Queen bows down to no one."

"Calhoun is family, and the future King of Devon. I believe you know how important he is to our land. Now, let's try to diffuse the situation rather than drag the matter," suggested Laurence, waiting with others for Morganna to apologize.

Morganna had not uttered a word yet, but she felt utterly humiliated by just the thought of her having to say it. Though she still had the reigns of the Queen, it was Laurence who was the King. She didn't want to upset her son, and at the same time, she didn't want to bow her head down to a boy who was nothing.

Clenching and unclenching her jaw, Morganna finally said, "My...apologies for being harsh and quick in judging what happened today." She hoped this would be enough, but with Calhoun, who didn't react, it only made her want to kill him that much more. "I should have been more understanding, and I hope you forgive me."

Calhoun met her eyes finally, and he offered her the sweetest smile, "How can I ever be angry at you, grandmother."

He could have told this before making her apologize! Morganna wanted to glare at him, but instead, she smiled back.