The Crown's Obsession

Music Recommendation: Antiphon by Nicholas Britell

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On hearing Madeline's words, the room fell silent. No one had expected the human girl to speak the way she did. Lady Rosamund stared at the lowly creature, her red eyes bright and slightly wide.

"As the wife of the King, and as the Queen, I believe it would give me the privilege to conduct the marriage without the need to borrow money or let my family be indebted," said Madeline, her eyes looking straight at Lady Rosamund. Madeline was not pleased with Beth marrying Markus, but at the same time, she wouldn't let the Wilmot's look down at her family. They were humans, but they were respectable humans who didn't hurt and put down people.

Beth was still angry at what transpired in the garden, and she wanted to refuse Madeline's offer as she didn't want her younger sister to flaunt her position in front of everyone. But before Beth could speak up, Lucy said,

"That is wonderful. I think it is a great idea, that Lady Madeline wants to have her sister's wedding to be grand," Lucy smiled, looking at Aunt Rosamund, who slowly smiled as she stared at Madeline.

Lucy had felt the friction taking place between the people at the table, and she had tried to ignore it. She was surprised when Madeline offered her help and made sure to let her aunt know that her family would not be poor forever. With Calhoun not here, she wanted to make sure to diffuse the situation.

"Indeed, what a good sister you have, Elizabeth," remarked Lady Rosamund.

Madeline offered Lady Rosamund a polite smile before continuing her meal.

Lady Rosamund wanted to push her hand through Madeline's chest and pull out her heart right now. This dining room where everyone was sitting, it was the place she grew up in. She was the princess of this castle before she was married off. This was her home, and this mere human girl had the audacity to speak back to her. To use such tone, Rosamund never forgot people who insulted her. She always served it back to the person with three times more effect.

The girl was new, and she had no clue about the royal vampire family. Someone lower than her was trying to correct her, thought Lady Rosamund in her mind. Somewhere in between having the meal, Rosamund turned to Markus as if indicating something.

Madeline was with Lady Lucy after finishing their meals, talking about the time back in the village, where she was telling one of the stories when Markus appeared from the other side of the corridor,

"I hope I am not disturbing," said Markus.

"Of course, not. Feel free to join us, cousin," Lucy's words were polite, "Lady Madeline was telling me about the time when a man spilt the bag of rice during the time of snow."

"Must be interesting," Markus commented, looking at Lucy before his eyes fell on Madeline. Madeline offered the vampire a small smile.

Madeline and Lucy had walked away from others, spending some time as both of them could bear each other's presence without being disappointed. But who knew that Markus would come looking for them. The smile he offered her and the way his eyes looked at her features, it made her more uncomfortable than what she felt in the evening. She and Beth were not on speaking terms, but that didn't mean she wanted to spoil their relationship.

"Where is Beth?" Madeline asked Markus.

"I dropped her to her room. She appears to be upset about something," Markus stated in a thoughtful tone.

"Hm? Did you do something?" came Lucy's question.

"Nothing at all. I decided to give her some space," Markus smiled and then said, "We should all go hunting tomorrow. Both Lucy and I missed hunting."

Madeline tilted her head, "Wasn't it just some time ago that you took Beth on hunting?"

"I meant everyone. I didn't get the opportunity to hunt with the future Queen," Markus responded with a polite smile.

"Pardon me, but I lack interest in hunting animals just for fun," Madeline replied, returning the polite smile, "But you should all go. I am sure with everyone there, it will be a wonderful time to spend. Beth was telling me how much she enjoyed it."

"What do you like, my lady? It would be easier to know what pleases you so that it can be arranged in the future to gain your favour," Madeline heard Markus joke casually, but there was something underneath his tone which Lucy didn't take note of.

She didn't understand why he was suddenly being interested and hovering around her. Lucy looked intrigued by the question. Therefore, Madeline answered,

"I like people who are down to earth. People who don't cover themselves up with lies."

It was not the answer both the vampire as well as the vampiress were expecting, but it was a subtle indication for Markus from Madeline. The smile that was on Markus' face faltered.

"Then you are in good company, my lady. Our family has always been together and loved each other." On Markus' words, Lucy didn't comment, and Madeline wondered if Beth saw Markus for who he was. The man was cunningly nice to her sister, and Beth believed he wanted her for herself. But at the same time, Beth wanted to marry Markus because of the family he came from. "Especially when you are living in the castle, no harm can befall on you. The King makes sure to have people guard, and if someone breaks in, they are taken to the dungeon. For example, yesterday someone broke in here and was taken to the dungeon right away for questioning."

"There was an attack yesterday?" Lucy frowned.

"Yes," Markus nodded his head, "The King has kept it quiet so that no one worries about it."

This caught Madeline's attention, and she asked, "Do you know who broke in?"

Markus shifted his gaze from Lucy to Madeline, "Yes, I heard the person was from East Carswell. Though, I didn't go and visit the prisoner. It is a waste of time to go and look at them." He looked at the human's delicate features which he had overlooked before. Had she always been this pretty? "I heard it was someone the King knew, but I don't know the name."

Madeline felt her stomach churn hearing it was someone from her village. This only made her suspicious stronger that the voice belonged to James. But if it really was him, why would he be locked up in the dungeon? Somewhere it didn't make sense, but Madeline wanted to go and confirm it by herself.

"I don't know why people even try to break into the castle," commented Lucy shaking her head, "They are not only going to be caught, but they will be killed. Brother Calhoun doesn't like people snooping around."

"That is true, Lucy. Also," Markus looked around before lowering his voice, "It looks like it is someone special, the prisoner I mean. Else he would be given a quick death." Something in Markus' tone told her that the vampire knew who was in there and he was only being secretive about it.

Returning back to the room, Madeline wondered what to do.

She was curious. Theodore suddenly arriving next to her near the dungeon and Markus dropping hints, she questioned if Calhoun was hiding something from her that she was not supposed to know. When more time passed, Madeline decided to take a look in the dungeon. Instead of her sitting in the room and doing nothing but worry, she could clarify her doubts.

It wasn't that Madeline was doubting Calhoun. If he was here, she would have asked him by now but he wasn't back. She only wanted to take a look. Just one look to see who the prisoner was.

Walking to every corner of her room, Madeline blew the candles that had been lit. She made sure to darken the room before going to her bed and putting the pillow to the far side of the bed. If someone were to step into the room, they would see the pillows on the bed and think she was sleeping because of the low light from the fireplace.

She would be back soon, told Madeline to herself. It was just a few minutes. With that thought, Madeline stepped out of the room. Closing the door behind her and on her way, she looked at Calhoun's room to murmured to herself,

"Be back before he does."

Taking a deep breath, Madeline quietly made her way out of the King's quarters, taking the route through the garden.