The Crown's Obsession (WN)

Music Recommendation: Promise (Reprise) [Silent Hill 2] by Jack Naylor

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Before Calhoun and Lucy had returned to the castle, the rain had already stopped, and it left a cold wind in the atmosphere. The ground was wet in the garden, and both the King as well as Calhoun took a stroll in there, listening to the crickets chirp and the frogs softly croak behind the bushes.

"Do you see these flowers on my right? These were the ones that your mother loved and enjoyed looking at it. The azaleas, alstroemeria, bluebells, all of them were planted for your mother's viewing," stated King Laurence while looking at the flowers.

Calhoun's eyes shifted to the corner to see King Laurence, who was walking next to him. He wondered why the man was bringing up his mother, and he couldn't help but be wary about it.

"It is a pity how things went between us," King Laurence sighed, behaving as if he wasn't there the day when his mother had been kicked out of this very castle. Calhoun didn't comment on it and instead listened to what the useless King was saying. "Anyways those are in the past, and that is not the reason why I asked you to come and take a walk with me."

As if he knew nothing, Calhoun asked, "Was there something weighing on your mind, my King?" his voice was gentle and polite as if he meant no harm.

King Laurence didn't care about Constance. He had used her, and she had later been deemed unfit to stay next to him, though there were a few times when his mind wandered to think about the woman whom he had fallen head over heels for in the past and tried to keep her next to him.

"Do you believe we have all done our fair share of mistakes, Calhoun?" asked Laurence.

"I am not sure I understand what you mean. I don't think you would ever make any mistake, you are the King of course," Calhoun praised Laurence.

King Laurence stopped walking, and Calhoun stopped his footsteps too. Laurence turned to look at Calhoun more closely, noticing subtle similarities between the boy and Constance.

"I am so glad you have taken up to be like your mother. So forgiving and such a polite boy," said Laurence. "I can only tell that you would be a wonderful possession of mine, Calhoun."

Calhoun bowed his head, and when he raised his head, he said, "I wish I can be of great use to you, my great King, father," he paused for a moment and then said, "But sometimes I worry, wondering if I should go back to the place where I came from. Believing this place is not for me, after all, I am not a royal member."

"You have already been declared as my only son, Calhoun. You are no more a person from the streets and you have no connection with your mother. People won't identify you as the whore's son, but as King Laurence's heir, Calhoun Hawthrone," said King Laurence with a deep frown on his face. Laurence didn't want to do anything with Calhoun's mother, and he preferred that people didn't attach the whore's name to his son as it would only damage their family names in return.

If it was someone from the street, Calhoun would have ripped the man's throat by now, but now, he wanted to plan the King's death well while not getting caught. He wanted to build a bond with his dear father because it would bring him that much satisfaction when he would break his father.

In the next two seconds, Calhoun's face turned dull and downcasted.

"I don't think Queen Morganna wants me here in the castle, my King. She prefers I leave this castle," Calhoun instigated a spark in King Laurence's mind. "Even though I work hard and she isn't happy about it. She doesn't approach me for any advisory duties and prefers to keep a gap. It deeply saddens me to see the hate in her eyes."

King Laurence chuckled, "If she gets a chance, she would happily replace me to have Rosamund's son Markus on the throne so that she can continue to be the Queen."

"That must be hard," Calhoun said, looking at King Laurence with a sympathetic eye.

"Not really," scoffed King Laurence, "I am not the King for no reason. It is something that need not to be worried, and now with you here with me, son, no one can shake my position." The King placed his hand on Calhoun's back. "We will both rule together, with you next to me."

Calhoun offered his father a smile, "Anything to achieve your dreams. I have already drawn up the plans to conquer the neighbouring land that is on the left side. The plans and how to execute it are all in there and have been placed in your study room. I will be at your service."

Laurence, who had turned blind in wanting to hold on to the throne, didn't notice the intention behind Calhoun's smile, and he smiled along with his son, not knowing the grave that Calhoun was digging for the royal family members.

"What a wonderful son I have," Laurence looked at Calhoun with a proud look on his face. "Even my experienced advisors were unable to get me these strategies, yet here you are already working day and night for Devon and Hawthrone's prosperity."

"I am forever grateful that you took me in and have provided a life people can only dream about. I can only hope that one day I can be part of the Hawthrone's family. That Lady Samara and Queen Morganna will accept me with open arms," came Calhoun's polite words.

"You have my support, Calhoun. One day they will appreciate you just like I do," King Laurence patted Calhoun's back, and he then left the garden.

Now alone in the garden where the torches light didn't reach enough, Calhoun walked towards the flowers that the King had earlier mentioned his mother loved.

"It is time for one of you to die," whispered Calhoun, and when he touched the flowers near him, they started to wilt.