The Crown's Obsession

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Calhoun's words were firm that had Madeline sit back in her chair. The dining room was quiet, except for the little sounds that came from the cutlery being used. Madeline didn't know what to do but obey.

Having already being disciplined over her actions for yesterday and this morning, she didn't want to instigate and test his patience. Everyone knew not to cross a King because what he said was absolute and Calhoun had his own ways of trying to make her understand in what position she was in. At the same time, she didn't like the way she was being treated by his relatives.

It was true that her family was poor, but that didn't give the right to the people who were sitting at the table to mock her.

"My King, it would reflect badly if you're having meals with someone so low," Lady Rosamund conveyed her words, "It would be-"

"What?" Calhoun interjected her words. He was busy eating, chewing his food to swallow it down before he looked up at his aunt, a look of disapproval in his eyes, "I don't have a problem with her being here. What's got you so twisted? Don't tell me you have forgotten how to behave with my guest," his tongue moved across his teeth, staring at his aunt.

Lady Rosamund looked taken aback by his words, and she covered her face with a small smile, "Not at all. I just thought it would be rude to have a girl of no proper upbringing."

"You don't have to worry about that," assured Calhoun, a smile creeping upon his face.

Before an awkward silence could settle in the room, the young vampiress Sophie took the opportunity to speak, "Apologies for that, brother Calhoun. Mama must have remembered the time when the peasant tried to poison you. They all come from the poor family, and they want to thrive, wanting to get rid of the hierarchy."

Calhoun smiled, "Madeline is not stupid to not know about life here and the rules," and Madeline wasn't sure if it was a response to the girl or a warning to her.

"For how long is Lady Madeline going to stay here?" asked Lady Rosamund fixing her words, a smile still in place on her lips but her eyes continued to judge the human at the table.

"For a day," Madeline replied, returning a smile, "My stay was a short one."

"Do not fret," answered Calhoun with a smirk on his lips. Madeline wasn't direct in her approach, but she was subtle when it came to testing and pushing her luck, "Let's make sure your stay here is a long one."

"I wouldn't like to impose," Madeline wanted to leave right away, to go back home where her parents were.

It was then she felt a hand on her thigh, hitching her heart and her eyes locked itself with Calhoun's, "I insist," his words were calm, a smile on his lips and Madeline's hand which was on the table moved discreetly to push his hand away from her lap, but his hand squeezed on her thigh that only widened her eyes, "Yes?"

Sophie looked the way Calhoun was looking at the human, and she said to Madeline with a smile, "We should get to know each other then. I am sure brother Calhoun wouldn't mind me giving you company," she looked at Calhoun for approval who said,

"Do whatever you want."

Theodore entered the room, bending down to whisper something in Calhoun's ears, "Tell them I will be there," he said to have Theodore nod and leave the dining room.

"Urgent matters?" asked Lady Rosamund.

"Someone was found dead in the town hanging upside down. The court needs my presence. Enjoy the rest of the meal," and he stood up before turning to Madeline to say, "Nicola will help you tour around the castle. If you need me, I will be in court where we met yesterday."

Lady Rosamund looked at the way Calhoun her nephew, was looking at the girl. It wasn't like women and girls didn't stay in the castle on the King's words, but a lowly human who had no class or proper background was never entertained. Calhoun himself despised the lowly peasants that made her confused on why this girl was here unless he was looking for other benefits apart from bedding her.

Her daughter Sophie spoke, "How about I stay back here and tour the castle with Madeline? I am sure she would be able to enjoy my company better than the maid," suggested the young girl.

"Right. Sophie can stay back here. It's not like you will be touching an arrow or go near the animal to hunt it," smiled Calhoun.

"Brother Calhoun likes to tease me," responded Sophie before Calhoun left the room.

Lady Rosamund and her son Mark were the next ones to leave, and this time, the woman had no problem in having her daughter accompanying the poor girl. Sophie had been brought up with the thought of her being a Queen one day to this kingdom. To think that a weak human would try to replace her daughter's future position, she would not allow it.

"I thought you were against the common people mingling with us," commented her son Mark.

Even though people viewed her daughter as the sweet and dumb child, Sophie knew to play her cards well, "This will be just to get back in his good grace."

Mark chuckled, "Who knew Calhoun would be entertaining a lowly woman. She looks average except for her body," and they left the castle.

Sophie looked at Madeline through the corner of her eyes as they stepped outside the castle, walking towards the garden as Madeline had mentioned about having some fresh air,

"I apologize on my mother's behalf for what she said back in the dining room. Our families were brought up with a very distinguished line between higher and poor families. Is this your first time in the castle?" asked Sophie.

"No, I was here for Hallow," answered Madeline, her eyes looking at the nearest gates and exit paths, "Thank you for accompanying me out here," her words came out polite. While Sophie was trying to find out Madeline's weakness, Madeline was looking for exits in the castle so that she could make a plan to run away from here. Sitting inside the castle would be pointless, which was why she had proposed to go out.

Madeline might have come from a low-income family, but that didn't mean she was naive and didn't know where to be cautious and where to force a smile on her lips. An apple didn't fall too far away from the tree.

"How strange, I don't think I noticed you. If you don't mind, what colour was your dress?" asked Sophie, her words coming out to be nonchalant.

If her memory served her right, Calhoun had danced with two women until she was there in the ballroom, "Red. I wore a red dress," she answered.

"I must have missed you then. So many of us wore a red dress that day," Sophie laughed softly before saying, "Let me take you to the fountain."

They continued to walk with Madeline's eyes that carefully looked around. She would need it if she was going to run.

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