The Crown's Obsession (WN)

Music Recommendation: Clarence by S.T.R.S.G.N

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When Lucy met Theodore's eyes, the vampiress felt an evident magnetic pull towards the handsome vampire. There were other men in the room, who were much more handsome than how Theodore looked, but her eyes couldn't leave him alone. Even after she joined her family and her mother's side, they tried to introduce her to other eligible men, her eyes would slowly try to look for him, and when his eyes met hers, she would look away quickly with a blush on her face.

The only downside of this blush was that the men who came to talk to Lucy thought she was blushing over their words, not realizing it was for someone else.

Lucy had sneaked several glances at Theodore, and after repeatedly being caught, she decided to not look at him for the remainder of the evening. She could feel her heart beating loudly in her chest, and she tried to keep it calm.

"Lady Lucy, I heard that you are learning to play cello, have you learned all the strings or are you still in the process of learning it?" questioned Mr. Parrett, who was an elderly gentleman and he had brought his son along with him, who was slightly older than Lucy.

Lucy tried to concentrate on the conversation that was taking place, and she politely smiled, "I have been trying to learn to play like the musicians in the ball and the theater, Mr. Parrett."

Mr. Parrett's son let out a small laugh and asked, "Are you planning to join the theater or play in balls? I think spending time on such unimportant things is not worth it."

"What do you suggest then?" questioned Lucy, her eyes falling on the younger Mr. Parrett, who was already looking down at her even though she wasn't related to him.

Since Lucy had left Mr. Vinter's side from the dance floor, her mother had introduced her to other suitors whom she considered to be worth having an alliance with. While some were decent, some were nothing but idiots in Lucy's eyes.

"Do you suggest that I sit in the room with a ball of yarn in my hand so that I can stitch sweaters, or do you prefer I know how to make the bed at night?" Lucy's words were sharp, and it had Lady Samara's eyes widen. Her mother caught hold of her arm in a tight grip with an awkward smile on her face.

"I don't think Lucy meant it in that way," Lady Samara tried to rectify the situation. "We already have enough maids and other servants to take care of it. Music is an important part of our lives, and it is pleasing, especially Lucy's. My daughter was not born to do minimalistic tasks."

Senior Mr. Parrett nodded his head in agreement, "The princess should do what she feels like. It is good that she's taking interest in it."

The younger man stared at Lucy, who stared right back into him.

"Forgive me for my impudence," said the young man, "Maybe one day you can invite me to listen to your wonderful music and enjoy it. Or I could invite you to our mansion."

Lucy had no interest to invite him to the castle, at least not a person like him. But her mother, Lady Samara, was the one to answer it, "Maybe we could arrange something in the near future."

"That would be wonderful," replied Senior Mr. Parrett.

For most of the people in the room, Lucy was not a person but a thing that everyone wanted to have next to them as their wife. She was no ordinary girl, but the King's very own daughter and the person who would marry her would have wealth and connection to fulfil their dreams.

When the Parrett's left their side, Lady Samara murmured, "I hope he will be someone we will not be associating ourselves with."

"Is it necessary to speak to every man right now, mother? I came here to enjoy the ball, to listen to the music and have a good time," whispered Lucy while smiling at the other people who walked past them after bowing their heads.

"My naive and innocent daughter," Lady Samara turned to look at Lucy, "You are mistaken if you think balls and other parties are held for solely merriment purposes. This is the time where people try to widen their social network so that someone can turn out to be of good use in the future. Don't you see the crowd? It is of people who belong to high status and influence."

Lucy quietly shook her head, not commenting on her mother's words, and she continued to look through the crowd of people in the room. Her grandmother and father were flocked around by people who were flattering them to gain their favour. Even Calhoun was being spoken to, and her eyes then fell on Theodore, who wasn't with them but at the dance floor with a woman in his hand.

The woman was red-headed, and she was beautiful. The woman wasn't demure, and she spoke to Theodore about something, making him smile, and when he said something, the woman laughed.

Lucy could feel the emptiness in her heart, and her lips were set in a thin line, wondering if this was how it felt when a person turned jealous.

"Good evening, milady," came a man to stand in front of her and Lucy's attention broke away from the dance floor to look at the man with a polite smile on his lips. He was a fairly handsome man.

Then came another man, who was older to look at, "My humble greetings to Queen Lady Samara and our princess Lucy."

"Mr. Gerville." Her grandmother had left the other guests and had come to see what her daughter-in-law and her granddaughter were up to. "I didn't think I would be seeing you here. I heard you were away and had been on a voyage."

The man bowed his head and then said, "I was my Queen, but I decided it was time to come back. I don't think you have met my son before."