The Crown's Obsession (WN)

Every tap on the armrest by Calhoun's finger had made Beth's heart jump in her chest and dread continued to fill her mind by thinking what Calhoun had on his mind. She knew she would have to face matters which she had not addressed before. But Beth would have never thought that the person she would need to answer would be the King of Devon himself.

She was not proud of her past, and if she could, she would like to forget every wrong doing of hers. But the problem was that she couldn't. She didn't know what her grandparents had been up to in the past because it was only that night did her grandma whisper things that she didn't understand. Beth didn't know how the King found out, but she meant it when she said, she didn't mean any ill towards Madeline.

She knew staying mum was going to be of no use. Therefore she opened her mouth to speak, "I did terrible things in the past, I-"

"I didn't question you about what you did or how you feel right now. My question was if you are willing to sacrifice your sister to keep yourself alive," Calhoun looked at Beth with sharp eyes. "You are already aware of how there are people who want to kill Madeline. I am asking because who knows, one of them might one day approach you to trade for the antidote in exchange for Madeline's life."

Beth didn't know how to answer it. She had never wanted to hurt her sister and now she was trying to become a good person. And the thought about her turning to a werewolf scared her. When she didn't reply, another vase broke in the room, and Beth looked startled at Calhoun who glared at her. Was the King breaking the vases out of anger?

"Even if I said, I don't want the antidote like that, you wouldn't believe me," whispered Beth.

"You've got that right," responded Calhoun. He tilted his head, "You might be nice now, but what if you flip back? You have given me no reason to trust you, Elizabeth Harris. Forging the letter, trying to belittle Madeline, going as far as to attempt treason. You have quite some list in there."

"You might not believe me, but I will not put Madeline's life in harm. The only reason I didn't bring up the matter again because I was confused about what transpired that night. The next morning when I tried bringing it up, it was as if Madeline didn't remember what happened. I had seen the look on her face that night when it happened, and I felt guilty," Beth finally confessed.

"Guilt? About what? A person with guilt shows empathy, tries to make amends or did you lose your memory like how Madeline's memory was lost?" Calhoun's eyes narrowed at Beth.

"No…" whispered Beth, "I-I don't know what my grandmother tried, but whatever she did it was like Madeline forgot, but I didn't. I think she did some kind of hypnosis."

"And you never questioned it?" interrogated Calhoun and Beth shook her head.

"I was never my grandparents favourite. At least that is what I used to think about before Madeline revealed why they kept her close by. I-I felt less burdened that Madeline didn't remember the incident. Therefore I never uttered a word about it with anybody and behaved as I normally would with her. I swear I didn't hear a sound from the hut and thought I imagined it for the first time. Else I would have gone inside to help her!"

Beth had a desperate look on her face, not because she didn't want to be killed, but because she didn't want to carry the guilt with her anymore. Along with Madeline, she had tried to forget about it too, but since she had started to own up to her actions, the things she did before, had started to weigh more in her mind.

Though Calhoun looked like he was ready to snap her neck, he listened to every word that was uttered from Beth's mouth, looking at her expressions keenly and listening to her heartbeat. He had kept a close eye on her, and even though her actions right now were sincere, Calhoun continued to look at her maliciously.

"What can I do to fix it?" asked Beth, knowing no matter what she would come up with it would never be enough.

"I am not the one who damaged the things around. It was you," Calhoun stood up, pulling out the gun and Beth's eyes widened with horror. "Either ways you are going to die because of the werewolf bite, I will only help you speed up the process." He offered Beth a smile, and she noticed how his actions didn't sync with his facial expression.

The King had killed many people in the past, and for her past actions, Beth knew the King would not blink his eyes when it came to killing her. Tears streamed down from her eyes. She didn't know what to do.

"How about I remind Madeline about what you did, and let her decide if you are worth to live around her or I can help you save your face. This way, Madeline will continue to believe that you are a good sister who was changing for good," stated Calhoun.

Beth's face turned pale.

"No, please!" she pleaded, her voice coming out as a whisper. It was after many years did she and Madeline start to have a proper sisterly bond. Beth didn't want to jeopardize it.

"I will give you an easier choice. Let Madeline know about every single deed of yours or you dying. I will make it quick." Calhoun pulled the cork behind, and Beth's heart rate increased in terror.

Beth didn't know what she was supposed to do now. She could already feel the shame filling her mind by thinking about Madeline knowing about her past deeds, and more tears spilt down on her cheeks. Anyways she was going to die because of the werewolf's bite, thought Beth to herself.

Calhoun hadn't dropped his hand down, and hearing another sound of the cork, Beth closed her eyes, readying herself to die. For a couple of seconds, she sat there unmoving, waiting for the gunshot, but it never came.

Just as Beth opened her eyes, Calhoun pulled the trigger and the sound of the gunshot echoed.