The Crown's Obsession

Calhoun's expression barely changed and he continued to look at the man, who had come to give more information about James.

Poor James, thought Calhoun to himself. Nor would he have tried to chase or court Madeline, nor would he have been in such a mess now.

The reason why he had come down to East Carswell wasn't just to impress Madeline and show her he was exactly the person she was looking for. He was curious to see who had framed James Heathcliff because coincidence was something he didn't believe in. Not when it came to matters like these.

"And why was Mr. Heathcliff interested in meeting the maid?" Calhoun pressed, "Mr…"

"Fisher," the man answered warily. Mr. Fisher knew he would be questioned by the King, but he didn't want a murderer moving around freely, "My apologies for my earlier actions," and he bowed his head.

"Let's hope that you don't repeat it," Calhoun murmured, his red eyes glaring down at the human, "I must say, people, appear to be far worse idle than they look." Charmire who didn't know what the King was speaking about, his head moved back and forth between the two men.

"Yes, my lord," Mr. Fisher bowed his head again and said, "They said they haven't found the girl. I think something similar like this must have happened to her too."

Calhoun found it to be laughable that people were so quick to jump into conclusion even though they knew each other for years, "And you think he killed her. Has anyone ever seen Heathcliff talking to the dutchess? Any mention about her of why he would try to kill her?" Saying this, he walked towards the body and bent down to take a closer look. Charmire was right. It had been less than a day since the girl was murdered.

"Did you know the man lost his father?" Calhoun questioned both of the men. Hearing no response coming from either of them, he conjured that James had buried his father by himself, without informing anyone, "He lost his father last morning. I don't think he would be interested in fancying a woman. Bring the caretakers of the cemeteries' who are in and around the village. Find out where James has been."

"Yes, milord!" Charmire quickly left, and Mr. Fisher went on his way after giving a bow.

Calhoun's eyes trailed on the dead body. He faintly remembered meeting this girl, the Duchess' daughter Layla. He doubted James had done it because if James was already in the process of transforming into a werewolf, tearing a neck wouldn't be as neat as it looked right now. It would have also left scratch marks on the body. If the question arose if he committed the murder before he was bitten by a werewolf, that was impossible. James was a human, not a vampire nor a werewolf before.

His eyes then fell on her neck. Calhoun moved closer and dusted the girl's neck that was covered in mud. Though nothing was confirmed, speculations had already formed against James Heathcliff. But there were two marks of fangs above the place before the neck was torn away from the rest of the body. It was a vampire.

After a while, the magistrate arrived with a man next to him, "My lord, this man said he saw James last night."

The caretaker of the cemetery bowed his head to the King. With hands folded, he replied, "I helped him with his father. He was very heartbroken when he came to the cemetery in the afternoon." Calhoun, who heard this, sent Charmire on another errand.

"What time did he bury his father?" questioned Calhoun.

"I had one of the graves ready and open for use, it must have been around three in the afternoon when we helped his father to rest in peace, milord. I don't think the man would have killed the person here," informed the caretaker.

Calhoun pushed himself up to stand, "Are you close with Mr. Heathcliff that you are supporting him?"

The caretaker quickly shook his head, waving his hands in front of him, "No, my King! It is not what I meant. I just feel he is innocent," the old man looked worried that he had offended the King in some way.

"Do you remember until what hour he was at the cemetery?" Calhoun wanted to ask something, which was why he had sent Charmire on an errand, "Where did he possibly go after that."

"Ah, he didn't leave his father's grave until the time of night. He was there for a long time until some wolves came and bit him," and there it was, thought Calhoun to himself. So it hadn't been long since James had been bit, and it was out of accident.

"Wolves are often feral, and their bites can be painful," Calhoun commented to have the caretaker nod his head in agreement.

"You are right, my King. I tried to help him and offered him aid. But he didn't stay long. He just left. He didn't say where," the caretaker replied.

"You can leave," Calhoun dismissed the man. After speaking to some more people to understand what transpired yesterday and what the other people had to say about the last time they had spoken to James, he heard from the assistants of the shop that the Barnes family had sent a carriage to the shop yesterday.

The Duchess was back after some time, taking her beloved daughter to put her to rest in the graveyard. As this was no ordinary person's death, a word had been sent to the higher House so that they knew what was happening. Calhoun didn't care about it, because the death had nothing to do with him.

Why leave in James' backyard when it could be disposed of anywhere else, questioned Calhoun in his mind.

During the time of burial, Mr. Barnes arrived in the carriage, "My lord," the older vampire greeted, "The man said you wanted to meet me. You could have called me to the castle, instead of coming here."

Calhoun smiled at Mr. Barnes' words, "I felt the need to stretch my hands and legs. It has been a while. I summoned you here because this is about your future son-in-law. I heard that Charmire sent his men to inquire if James was in your mansion."

Mr. Barnes quickly nodded his head, "Yes, we were surprised when we heard that they were searching for Heathcliff."

Calhoun's lips twisted, "Yes, indeed. Didn't you try to find him?" It was ironic how Mr. Barnes had not bothered to search the man who was going to marry his daughter in seven days.

"I sent out my men to search, but they have no idea where he is. I really thought he was a naive man. Who would have killed the Duchess' daughter," Mr. Barnes tsked and exhaled air out of his lips.

"That's right. I wonder why he would do that. Catherine must be heartbroken," Calhoun commented, knowing the affection the young vampiress had towards James.

"Yes, she's in the house and very upset," on Mr. Barnes words, Calhoun hummed in response, "Did they find out why he did it? I never knew he knew the girl. I mean he is a human," the older vampire tried to play it off as if he knew nothing that had transpired yesterday.

"We will need to find out about it. I have entrusted the work to Charmire," Calhoun gave a look at the magistrate who bowed his head. Mr. Barnes was least bothered if the magistrate was going to work on it or not. James Heathcliff had been framed, and it was only time for the human to be executed, and his daughter would finally let go of the human.

It was easy to cover up the deaths of people who didn't matter to the people who belonged to the higher status. But hushing deaths like this, it was difficult to do and the High House always kept an eye on such important matters. They were the people who made laws with rules that were unorthodox.

"I heard Miss Layla was acquainted with Catherine," Calhoun started to have Mr. Barnes turn to look at him.

"What do you mean to imply, my King?" Mr. Barnes' defensive tone was picked by Calhoun.

"Hm? I thought Catherine would be here to see her friend rest in the coffin. It's not like it is Mr. Heathcliff who died," Calhoun offered Mr. Barnes a faint smile, "By the way, Mr. Barnes...What are your thoughts on furry animals?"