The Crown's Obsession (WN)

James wasn't the only one who had kept his anger within him, but there was another person who was utterly furious. If Calhoun wasn't here in the room, the vampiress would have torn Madeline's head herself without waiting for anyone to help her with it. And Sophie couldn't wait to do it.

Calhoun had openly declared more than once, his keen interest in this pathetic human girl who was the most disliked person in her list now, "Poor man, you should have given Lady Madeline and the man some time to speak, brother Calhoun. They seem like separated lovers."

"Leave."

Sophie blinked at the word, and she stared at Calhoun, "Of course, I will stop speaking about it-"

"I said leave us," Calhoun glare at Sophie's way. The smile on his lips had fallen and he wasn't in a good mood, not when the woman he wanted to claim for himself was thinking about the well being of another man, "Don't make me repeat myself, Sophie."

Sophie pressed her lips against each other, wanting to speak, but she had been ordered to get out of the room. She quietly glared at the human who was standing next to Calhoun, and she bowed her head. Every time something happened, Sophie had to remind herself that the only way to achieve one's goals was to be patient. In time, everything would come to belong to her and then she would take her revenge on the lowly beings who had dared to challenge her.

Madeline heard the footsteps of Sophie as she left the courtroom leaving only Calhoun and her alone. She tried to push herself away from him, but Calhoun was quicker and sharper than her. He pulled her to him, both his hands holding her arms on either side.

"You have some nerve to write a letter to him," he snarled, and Madeline didn't dare to look at him, "I made sure that your letters would not go out of this castle."

"I told you, it wasn't me," she denied the claims because truthfully she had nothing to do with it.

"Then who was it? Perhaps you speak to him telepathically that got him here yesterday?" asked Calhoun and Madeline flinched.

The King's words were sarcastic, and she would have laughed at the joke, but she didn't dare to do so, "Why won't you believe me that I didn't do it?" This time, her eyes snapped to look at him, and she glared back, "You cannot even trust me, yet you claim to love me. What kind of love is this?!" she rebutted back at him.

"The kind of love that makes you insane," was the answer that came from Calhoun's lips and for a moment Madeline felt one string of her heart snap, "You haven't been with the man, not even once as much as you have been with me and you prefer to pick him over me."

"That's because he wouldn't imprison or force me. What did I say about love being set free?" asked Madeline, and she finally stepped back from him, "Even when you hold the sand tighter, it slips through your fingers."

"You are not sand, Madeline," he rolled his eyes, "Its a bunch of rubbish words that people think they use so that they can get away in situations like these. He was an utter idiot. What even made you like him?" asked Calhoun and Madeline was not happy to hear Calhoun calling James an idiot.

"He is not an idiot."

"No? I was wondering who was digging his grave as he spoke. He or you?" Calhoun raised his eyebrows at her, and Madeline could not deny it. Because it was true that James had bravely spoken in front of the King as if he had his perks when in truth, all he was, was a tailorman, "You agree," chuckled Calhoun.

Madeline frowned, "I did not say anything for me to agree."

"Your silence said everything that I didn't have to wait for your words," Calhoun said, his eyes taking in the girl's expression which looked upset right now, "What else did you do yesterday with him which I am unaware of?" he asked, and Madeline's eyes widened.

"We just spoke!"

"What did you speak?" came the question from Calhoun, "He said the letter was mentioned to you, but you didn't bother to correct him? How convenient," he hummed, his dark red eyes continued to stare at her.

She wished she could rewind her days, just so that she would never have come to the ball. If she could, she would lie to her family about feeling unwell and stay back. That way, the King would have never seen her, but the sad truth was that it was not possible now, and she was stuck here. The man gave her chills.

"You deserve so much better, sweet girl. To be more than a tailor's wife," stated Calhoun, walking towards her, but he didn't stop to stand in front of her. Instead, he walked further to step behind her and then turn, "You deserved to be showered with the nicest things in this world. He couldn't even stand his ground, but then I would have enjoyed seeing him die if he accused me of something more."

"You were threatening him…" Madeline whispered.

"Did I?" came the thoughtful words of Calhoun, "I don't think I told anything that would cause him any harm. If it did, the guards would have dragged him out of the courtroom. You should be thankful for it."

"Do you know, what's going to happen now?" asked Calhoun who leaned towards the side of her head to speak, "James is going to think that you indeed like me which is why you said a no. If he is as smart as you think he is, he will know that the garter which I ordered him to make was not for Sophie but you. For your beautiful milky thighs." The words of whispers in her ear made her shiver.

"You are a cruel man."

Calhoun's lips twisted into a smile when he heard Madeline say those words, "I never said I wasn't."

The King's admission only made Madeline worry more and be cautious of him. Someone who was bold enough to accept the negative quality where he didn't care about what others thought. That was exactly the kind of person Madeline should be wary of.

She knew since the time she had found out that Calhoun had invited James to come to take his men's measurements, that was only a ploy so that he could instigate the man. She was mad at Calhoun for mentioning about the garter, and God only knew what James had interpreted or misinterpreted from it. Every word Calhoun had uttered regarding it had only made it appear scandalous enough that she felt embarrassed to even think about it.

At the same time, Madeline was thankful that he hadn't dragged James to show another scandalous time they had between him and her- to show the painting Calhoun made.

"He looks weak. Find someone else who is worthy of you. Someone who will shower you with needed attention."

Madeline, who couldn't keep her tongue to herself said, "Like you?"

This broadened the smile on Calhoun's lips, "Well, I wasn't going to say it but if you are admitting that I am the best person, how can I deny such opportunity?"

Madeline knew she had to learn a lot, and no matter how much she tried to be smart in front of the King, the man would always outsmart her. He was the King after all, and she told herself never to underestimate the man who carried the crown.

"You aren't wrong with your choice," he had pulled himself back from her and Madeline turned her head in the direction where she could see him, "Imagine if you turn out to be the tailorman's wife. You will see him only during his free hours as he will need to make both ends meet. I have heard how shops can be robbed or mobbed to be destroyed." There was a subtle warning in his voice, "It would be very difficult for you, lonely in the house, waiting for him."

"I will work with him then," said Madeline and Calhoun smiled, knowing well this was coming. As quiet as the girl appeared to be, she wasn't exactly the quiet one.