The Crown's Obsession (WN)

Calhoun's lips twisted in delight, "How did you ladies sleep?" asked the King, his interest more on Madeline than Sophie as they started to walk on the King's cue of footsteps.

Sophie was the first one to answer, "I had a good sleep myself too. Brother Calhoun, are we making use of your personal carriage or the one that is for the family? Because Lady Madeline would have to use another one if she's coming along with us too."

"Why? Did she say she's not coming?" asked Calhoun, his eyes falling on the human girl who was quietly walking next to him with one step behind. He slowed down to match his feet with hers that left Sophie to walk two steps ahead before she realised and corrected herself as it was considered to be rude to walk in front of the King.

Madeline wished she could walk slower than the pace she was walking right now, but if she did walk anymore slower, she would have to stop walking as this was the maximum she could do. That way she wouldn't have to stay on the same line of sight as Calhoun. But Calhoun was smart enough to have her where he wanted her, and instead of walking at his own pace, he matched his footsteps with her.

"I didn't say that," said Madeline when her eyes met his red ones that stared right into her eyes as if he was peering into her soul.

"Then that shouldn't be an issue that Madeline rides the same carriage. But now that you mention about it," he turned his head to look at his cousin sister, "Space is definitely an issue. You can ride with Theodore."

Sophie's mouth opened in shock. Was Calhoun sending her with his servant and not letting her ride in the same carriage with him while choosing this poor girl to ride with him?!

"Of course, brother Calhoun," Sophie obliged without a word of complaint as she told herself to be patient. She couldn't go mouthing her opinions as it was something Calhoun didn't take lightly and would immediately make her stay back in the castle instead of tagging along. Theodore on the other hand who was walking behind the three of them couldn't stop himself from closing his eyes at the plight that he would have to ride with the vampiress, knowing what was going to happen.

Getting down the stairs, that led outside the castle where the carriage had been parked in front of the castle, the coachman pulled open the door for them to step in. Sophie had slowed down her footsteps, and she couldn't stop but glare at the human. She wanted to take her out of the picture as soon as she could, but for that, she would need an elaborate plan. She didn't know if Calhoun was having a fleeting attraction with the human which was why he was humouring her right now.

"Lady Sophie," Theodore stood outside the second carriage, waiting for the vampiress and when she finally got in, the man too got inside before closing the door of the carriage.

Madeline and Calhoun who stood in front of the other carriage were yet to get in. The coachman had bowed his head, waiting for them but Madeline instead of getting in, turned around to face Calhoun,

"Will I get to see my parents? My sister?" she asked him, her voice anxious as it had been some days since she had last exchanged any words with her family.

Calhoun had a calm expression on his face, but his eyes were bright as he looked at her.

Since he had mentioned it, she had been craving to see them. Why else would he pick her village's scaffold? Her innocent eyes looked up at him, pleading.

"We can speak about it in the carriage. Get in," was the only reply that came from him and Madeline's heart sank slightly at the possibility of what was going to happen, "Go on," he said, raising his hand for her to use. Madeline didn't refuse because she wanted something from him and for that, she would have to be obedient.

Getting inside the carriage, Madeline took her seat, and she noticed how there was only one seat in here instead of the double seat that she had used when she came to the castle with her parents. Calhoun took the space next to her, and the door of the carriage was closed by the coachman.

Madeline didn't bring up the topic again. The carriage had started to move and they reached until the gates of the castle. Watching outside, she remembered the time she had runaway and the excitement and happiness she felt for leaving the castle that had ended too soon.

She then asked him, "Why did you pick my village to behead the man?" she had asked the same question last night before she had gone to her room, but Calhoun had not answered her. He had done nothing but smile as if he were scheming something in his head and she couldn't figure it out.

"Your village is part of Devon. I thought it would be great to have the execution there for everyone to see what happens when someone goes against the King," he responded to her question, his head relaxing on his hand which he had brought up to place at the side of the window.

She didn't believe that was all the reason, but that there was more to what he just said, "Is it for me, for my parents or for James to fear you?"

"Why do you think it to be so?" came the calm reply from the King like his hand were clean. "But then it isn't a bad idea for everyone to know. The tailorman appeared to be very brave and courageous despite you shaking your head so that he stayed quiet. Before he digs his grave, let me give him a warning. It will save your heart from breaking and his life from being dead."

Madeline was only finding out how petty Calhoun was. James had done nothing but Calhoun was going to the length of leaving a message to any and everyone who would ever think of trying to help her in the future.

"I gave my word to your father to have his shop and men to help. Once we are done with our merriment, we can visit. So that you know I have upheld the deal."

Now that he mentioned about it, Madeline was curious to see the shop which Calhoun had promised to her father before her family had left her behind in the castle. Her eyes made contact with Calhoun and her lips pursed.

"What? Did you think I wouldn't uphold my deal?" asked Calhoun, a whisper of chuckle leaving his wicked lips.

"Does that mean I get to see my family?" she asked to see him give it a thought.

"Sure. You will see your family," he replied, but there was another motive behind his words.

Giving her a little freedom to ease in before he would take her back with him. He noticed how a spark appeared in her eyes and her shoulders relaxed at the thought that she was meeting them, "You didn't sleep last night too," he noted, looking under her eyes.

"I couldn't." Not when she knew an innocent man was going to be put under the axe and the execution was taking place in the village where she had grown up.

"You can come to my room if you find it hard to fall asleep," he stated, and Madeline turned her face away to look outside the window where the trees were passing one after another.

"I don't want people to get the wrong idea," she said under her breath. She had already been called a whore, and she didn't know what else others thought about her. Maybe it didn't matter to Calhoun, but it mattered to Madeline on what people thought about her.

"They will get the idea with you having black circles around your eyes thinking I am keeping you up all night. After all, we do share the same quarters," reminded Calhoun and Madeline sighed. There was no winning against him.

"I will sleep better once I meet my family and know they are doing well," she stated, and Calhoun only smirked at her words.