The Crown's Obsession

Madeline was worried, and her feet tapped underneath her skirt. She had not taken a seat, instead stood at the side of the room, looking outside the window where she could see a river running next to the mansion which she hadn't noticed before.

She had tried to put up a smile on her face, but with Calhoun and James who were not back yet, she was scared and feared that something bloody went down between the two men or maybe with just one man. After all, James was a human while Calhoun was the vampire. She had felt the touch of Calhoun's fingertips on her skin, stroking it gently, while his eyes looked cold that was not pleased with the situation James had put her in the locked room.

How did he know that James was in the powder room? Did he follow him? Or was he waiting for James to make a mistake? She prayed to God that Calhoun would not harm James. The truth was that James and Madeline had not got the time to speak to each other properly, to clear what they had on their minds but if they did, that would only end up in conspiring to run away from the castle.

She held tight to the handkerchief that she held in her hand. James had told her that there was nothing in between Lady Catherine and him, but he had spent more time with her, and everyone could tell that the vampiress was smitten by him.

"Lady Madeline," came a voice and Madeline turned around to see Ellen Jennings who came with two glasses of wine in her hands, "I brought you a glass of wine." Ellen was the vampiress who was hosting today's lunch as well as tea party for some of the high-class people. The lady had been a good host, walking around to talk to every single guest and taking her turn to make sure everyone was comfortable and Madeline had admired it earlier.

"Thank you," thanked Madeline, taking the glass in her hand. the wine inside was not gold or white or red. It was inky hue in colour, and she couldn't help but stare at it.

"It is made of blueberries. One of the favourites of the night creatures," Lady Ellen said noticing the human who gave an apprehensive look at the glass which she held.

Madeline remembered how Calhoun out of the blue had pulled out red berries from his pocket when they had stepped out of the carriage.

"I have never seen a wine of this colour before," confessed Madeline. She had taken a few sips of wine with her sister Beth by sneaking in a bottle which Mr. Herbert had given to Beth as a gift.

Lady Ellen smiled at the human's words, "That is because it is made by vampires and for vampires mostly. The berries are harvested in our yard. They have some good enriching properties that is good for the night creatures. You can tell that it's something like candies," she explained, and Madeline nodded her head.

Her eyes darted towards the door before getting back to look at the lady and smile. Calhoun and James were not here yet. After a minute, she saw James walk into the room. His eyes met hers, and she felt the world stopped for a moment before he broke his gaze away from her and his eyes searched for Lady Catherine and walking towards her. Madeline's heart broke a little by his action, but she didn't react externally.

"They make a good couple, don't they?" Madeline turned to Ellen, who was looking at Lady Catherine and James, "Lady Catherine has always spoken about a man and how smitten she has been with him. It is good to see that they share a good relationship. It is not common to have a vampiress in love with a human. Congratulations on the upcoming wedding," Lady Ellen congratulated Madeline on something she was not ready yet.

At the dining table, all Madeline wanted was Calhoun to move his hand away from her thigh and keeping it to himself, but her refusal had led him going to announce their marriage that would be taking place in a month's time. One month was too close, and she felt her head-turning light even though she had not taken the wine.

She watched how Lady Catherine gave James a confused look before her eyebrows furrowed, and then gave him a nod for what he said. Not too long, Calhoun stepped into the room, and he walked to where Madeline was, who was with Lady Ellen.

"Thank you for looking after my girl during my absence," said Calhoun to have the lady bow her head.

"Lady Madeline is pleasant to talk to. I will take my leave from here," the lady excused herself, and Madeline bowed her head.

Madeline was glad to see James was still alive and that his head was intact. She looked down at Calhoun's hands that didn't look bloody but clean. She didn't know when he would commit the murder only to erase its evidence later.

"What? Not happy that he's still alive?" joked Calhoun. Madeline's eyebrows furrowed as she didn't have a hint of what must have gone down in the powder room. It was because when she turned to look at where James was, he and Lady Catherine spoke to Lady Ellen and took their leave from the room.

To make sure Calhoun didn't misunderstand, she said, "Nothing happened in the powder room."

"Okay," Calhoun gave her a calm nod.

Was that all? Did he believe her?

Curious, she asked, "What did you speak to James about?" her lips trembled at the possibility but at the same time, glad that James was okay.

"Something between two men," answered Calhoun, who glanced at the wine she was holding, "If I were you, I wouldn't be drinking it."

"Why?" asked Madeline, her eyes darting to look at the blue liquid and then looking back into the dark red eyes.

"Blueberry wines are not for little girls. You wouldn't be able to handle it," on Calhoun's words, Madeline being stubborn raised the glass to drink everything inside it until the very last few drops.

Madeline placed the glass aside on the platform and said, "Don't look down at me because I am a human."

"I never did," a mischievous smile adorned his lips right now, "You make it very easy for me to read you, but your stubbornness makes up for it. It would be wise to head back to the castle," he slipped his hand into hers, "Allow me to take you to the castle, milady," said the King by treating her just as she would want.

Before they could leave, the guests started to bow their head to the King, wishing for him to have a safe journey.

In Madeline's head, who was not used to the intoxication by alcohol, believed that one needed to drink more than three to four glasses. She had taken full gulps into her mouth, but she had felt nothing. She rolled her eyes internally at the words of people on how they liked to behave oddly when they were drunk.

When Lady Ellen had spoken about the wine being made explicitly for the night creatures, the lady had not elaborated to the fact that the wine was much more potent than what a human would have ever consumed.