The Crown's Obsession (WN)

"Hm," hummed her aunt, "That was quite a long time ago. I do remember coming to the castle and meeting Calhoun, but I doubt I stayed around for long. Your grandmother preferred I went back to work quickly and away from the castle."

Over the years, Lucy had slowly learned about her family and the differences the members of the Hawthrone family had against each other. After spending some more time with her aunt, Lucy decided to speak to Theodore to know what happened last night.

Finding Theodore in the royal court room with some ministers, Lucy stepped inside, "Advisor Theodore, may I get a few minutes of yours?"

Theodore turned to her, his expression unchanged, "Of course." It wasn't every day Lucy came looking for him to speak something, and he was more than willing to comply with her wish, wondering if her memory regarding last night had returned. "Excuse me, gentlemen," he said to the ministers before following Lucy's footsteps.

When they entered a deserted corridor where the guests who were still in the castle wouldn't eavesdrop on their conversation, Lucy looked straight into Theodore's eyes. "What happened yesterday?"

Theodore stared right back at Lucy, "King Calhoun was married to Queen Madeline."

"You know that's not what I am asking," said Lucy.

"I think you will need to be more specific with your words, milady," Theodore feigned ignorance, hoping Lucy would remember their little warmful chat. "What are we speaking about?"

Lucy pursed her lips, "The cellar, we…" Theodore's eyes brightened at her words, "My aunt said we were in there." He knew it was too soon to be claiming Lucy's heart, and he would wait. There were too many things going on in the castle without other people's notice, and he wanted it to simmer down. "Is that true?" she asked him.

Theodore had sent the maid to Lucy's room with blood, tea and food, knowing she would need it once she was awake. He noticed a slight frown on her face because of the headache she had from the previous night's alcohol consumption.

"Lady Monique saw me carrying you back to your room. You didn't seem like you were in a state to walk by yourself," replied Theodore.

How awkward, thought Lucy to herself, "I see. Thank you for seeing me to my room," she was ready to leave when she heard Theodore say,

"A pity that the question's answer will not be met," and he turned around, ready to leave from there himself.

Unable to keep her curiosity, she asked, "What question?"

What did both of them speak last night that Theodore had aroused a question of intrigue in her mind?

"Unfortunately, it is for you to remember. Milady," he bowed his head and left her there without sparing another second.

She stood there in the corridor, looking at Theodore, who walked away from her. Her hands clenched to her sides, the loneliness slowly creeping into her heart. Somewhere in the corner of her heart, she wanted to call him, to stop him from leaving, but what would she say? She didn't know…

Her heart felt like it was in turmoil, and she wanted to run away and hide. She knew her action would be frowned upon. These emotions that she felt were like the violent waves in the stormy night of the sea. Lucy didn't know for how long she stood there before she caught sight of a shadow that passed in front of her. She shook her head wondering if she had started to hallucinate, and she left the corridor.

Some of the guests in the castle eventually left, and on one side of the castle, Calhoun had called Theodore to one of the rooms to speak about something important.

"They are increasing in number," stated Calhoun in a serious tone. "The Salvette Mortems have transitioned from the first state to the second state. It is only a matter of time before they turn to the third state."

"Do you think she's going to go rampant in the castle?" questioned Theodore, "A werewolf is lethal to the vampires."

Calhoun nodded his head, "I know. Keeping her away would unnecessarily worry Madeline," and he sighed. "Have the people changed. The guards. Change it to the list that was drawn up earlier and speak to the magistrate to send the men here."

Theodore frowned, hearing this, "Is there no way to stop it?" his eyes met Calhoun's eyes.

"Raphael said, there isn't. If the Salvette Mortems have decided to turn into the guests of the castle, it means we will soon have many dead people. A minimum of hundred," replied Calhoun. "Speak to the magistrate to send the prisoners here, let them know that they would be awarded hundred gold coins each for working here. Instead of having them executed in the local prisons, they can be better used here as sacrifices."

"Will it work?" It was a risky thing to believe in people who had committed crime, especially in a crucial time like this.

"By the word of money, people change. It should work as it is for a short duration."

Calhoun then said, "We need to ask Lucy to leave sooner, so that she won't end up as a casualty. But if you believe you can protect her with the distractions..." He knew Theodore was trying to win Lucy's heart and Calhoun wanted to give him the option.

For a very long time, both Calhoun and Theodore had always tried to keep Lucy away from being caught in the crossfire. Calhoun had already sent Madeline's parents away so that there would be fewer people to worry about while keeping the guests who were on his special kill-list, who couldn't be earlier killed because of the existence of the High House.

No one knew when Elizabeth Harris would turn into a werewolf. It was only a matter of time before the castle would be painted red in blood.

"I will talk to her," said Theodore.