The Crown's Obsession

Music Recommendation: Sea Change by Stephan Moccio (note- play it on loop)

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Madeline sat with her arms crossed, staring outside the little window that was next to her. She was angry and upset, but at the same time, she was worried about what her mother would have written in the little paper that could not be told in front of the King. Something that was prepared beforehand and she wished she knew. One part of her was somewhat relieved at the fact that even Calhoun had not had the opportunity to look into the content of it.

The ride back to the castle was quiet as Calhoun didn't poke her further and Madeline sat with her head facing towards the window so that she didn't have to see him, but it was hard not to. Not when they were in the small space of the carriage, riding together and she saw the reflection of his face from her side of the window.

Madeline knew the man was handsome but never had she taken a moment to look and admire Calhoun's features. With him trying to vex her for his amusement, she had done nothing but glare at the man time and time again. In the soft shadow that fell on his face that held strong features, her brown eyes continued to look indirectly at him through the window, which was not clear but enough to see.

He sat there with a relaxed expression on his face, a look of arrogance lurking in there with confidence which not many could carry.

Like her, he had his face turned to look at the trees that kept passing one after another as the carriage rode, making its way back to the castle. Madeline wondered what Calhoun might be thinking right now. What did the King think? Asked Madeline to herself. And as if on time, his eyes that were looking outside noticed the reflection of her brown eyes that were looking at him.

When Calhoun's dark red eyes reflected on his side of the window which Madeline was looking at, she realised the King had caught her staring, and she quickly turned back to look at the many trees.

A smile rose on Calhoun's sinful lips, and he asked, "Peeking at me when I am not looking at you. Are you shy to look at me directly?"

On his words, Madeline didn't turn to look at Calhoun. She hadn't meant to stare at him for such a long time, and now that she had done, he had caught her. She turned her head towards him and said, "I am not. Why should I be shy?"

"I don't know. You tell me, Miss Stealing-glimpses-at-me. Look at me directly in the eye, Madeline," he stated to her, "All you have to do is ask."

"Even my freedom?" she asked him.

Calhoun's lips widened into a smile, "Are we back on that? I thought you forgot about it as you didn't bring it up."

"You were the one who said I need to ask…"

"And you know that when I say you can ask me anything, it comes with terms and conditions applied to what I say. There are a few things I cannot give you like your freedom. I would be very sad if you were to leave my side," came the thoughtful answer from Calhoun.

Madeline knew that. She was only testing her luck, wondering if the door that was closed was open so that she could leave as she didn't have the key for it.

"What are the other things that you cannot give?" she asked him, as her attempt for asking her to leave from the castle had been brushed away.

Calhoun liked the question. If it was still their first day, Madeline would have stopped speaking to him but here she was asking him a question without her realisation that she was indulging in a conversation with him.

"My life," answered Calhoun, "The kingdom, Devon."

"People in love often say that they are willing to give up their life," replied Madeline, her brown eyes trailing to look at both his eyes and the sharp nose on his face.

"Only foolish people would say that. You have been in the wrong company. It is good that you have me as your company now, to wisen you up," Calhoun's lips twisted further, and Madeline only stared at him, "Why would one give up life, why even ask when you plan to spend the rest of your life with the person?" he questioned Madeline.

"I don't think anybody means it literally, but if a condition like that comes up, it is obvious they would do everything to protect the person," she answered him. He tilted his chin up, his red eyes gazing down into her brown eyes.

"I can protect you without needing to sacrifice my own life. I would like to live and spend time with you, Maddie. Are you telling you are ready to sacrifice your life for James?" he asked her, a hint of amusement in those eyes of his.

With the question that was asked to her, she honestly hadn't thought about it. Would she give up her life for James?

"Your silence only means that you don't care enough for him, as much as you think you do. You are holding on to an idea out of pure stubbornness," said Calhoun to have Madeline frown at his words.

"You don't know that," she replied, "Everything takes time to bloom, and if I weren't here with you, I would have been there with-"

"Ah ah ah," Calhoun interrupted her, "Do you really want to complete that sentence?" and though he kept a playful atmosphere around her, Madeline had to hold back her tongue from saying anything more, "Always going ahead and running your mouth without knowing if it's going to cause any harm. One of these days, we should put that sweet mouth of yours to better use," Calhoun had raised his hand forward to place it below her chin, and Madeline moved away.

Madeline was in a position where Calhoun wanted things to go on his terms. Anything that didn't work in his favour was considered to be invalid. But Madeline took a deep breath and continued what she was going to say earlier,

"If his life can be spared, then I don't mind taking the risk."

Calhoun retrieved his hand back which was right in front of Madeline's face, "A courageous and brave girl, I am sure if it was possible I would have added you into my army of men, but I prefer you here with me like this. Getting back to what you said, maybe if we remove the tailorman, there will be no need for you to risk your life, isn't it?"

"Are you always going to threaten me like this?"

"Hm? I was merely stating the possibilities," said Calhoun before he knocked the front of the carriage which was behind the coachman. The coachman pulled the horses to have the carriage halt in the middle of the forest, "Let me give you a little test," he said as the coachman pulled open the carriage door.

Madeline didn't know what Calhoun had on his mind, and they both stepped down from the carriage.

What did he plan by stopping the carriage in the middle? Asked Madeline to herself. There was nothing but trees which were part of the forest. The coachman stood with his head bowed at them as Calhoun took hold of Madeline's hand to walk into the forest. His hold was not harsh on her but it made it difficult for her to walk as the hem of her skirt was long, and it had started to pick up little sticks that got stuck to her dress.

"What are we doing here?" asked Madeline to have Calhoun turn around to meet her eyes.

"You said you would do anything to save James. I think it is only right to see how much you are willing to do it," answered Calhoun, the tone of his voice was nonchalant, and it somewhere scared her.

"I said I would try to risk," cleared Madeline while being taken further into the forest, "I didn't say I was going to die right now!" The King was crazy who was out of his mind.

She heard Calhoun tsked, "Now that is not good that you are going back on your word. Does it mean you don't have those feelings for him then? Hm?" he questioned, the smile breaking through his lips which was frightening.