The Crown's Obsession

Beth didn't know how to respond to Lucy's words. Her mouth had turned dry at the not so subtle warning from Lady Lucy. The vampiress then offered her a smile, "It was lovely walking with you," and she walked in the other direction, leaving Beth alone in the corridor.

Silence engulfed around Beth, she could feel the hollowness in her chest, like she was wronged. Why was it always Madeline? Asked Beth. It was like she was the one who had made the pie and Madeline was the one to eat it. She felt worse than awkward and embarrassed to be around people who knew what happened.

The King had not even taken the poison, nor had she offered it to him! Yet, here she was being blamed because she had followed Markus' plan.

Beth walked towards the open window, placing her hands on the edge of the window while letting an exhale because her chest felt heavy. She was used to being praised, loved and having people admire her. She had never been on the receiving end of people's blame.

She had been happy that the King had noticed her, but his interest was on her sister Madeline. And then after a few more days, she was delighted that Markus, the King's cousin, had taken an interest in her. He treated her just like she wanted to be treated, caring for her. But he was executed, and now she was left with nothing but eyes looking at her with mistrust.

Her eyes filled itself with tears of frustration, looking outside at the garden.

"What are you crying about?" came a voice behind her and Beth turned around to glare at the man, who had taken a comfortable position leaning against another window to her right.

Beth quickly blinked her eyes, to get rid of the tears but instead it had turned so full that it spilt on her cheeks. She quickly wiped it with the back of her hands. It was Raphael Sparrow, the man who had taken the poison that she had intended to give it to the King.

"What are you doing here?" asked Beth, taking a step away and ready to leave.

"I was looking for you," came the obvious answer from Raphael. Beth gritted her teeth at his response. She had taken herself to walk in the most unlikely place in the castle where people would not walk, and he had found her. She didn't know-how. The man knew there was poison in the drink and he was possibly the person who had informed to King about it.

"What did you want?" Beth took a careful step backwards.

Raphael didn't reply nor did he attempt to move. He stood there, watching the same girl whom he had stared for hours in her room while watching over her.

"Why were you crying?" he repeated his question and Beth pursed her lips.

"Why do you want to know? If you have nothing important to talk, I will be leaving," she bowed her head, ready to leave but Raphael straightened as if intending to follow her.

"That's quite rude for someone who went as far as to poison the King, which I happened to drink. Not to forget, you didn't even stop me from drinking it," said Raphael, and Beth felt the guilt weigh more on her shoulders. With her misdeed already known to people, there was little to nothing Beth could do when it came to shifting the blame on someone else. Her face turned red, and her tongue-tied with Raphael's confrontation.

Since the last few hours, Beth was tired of receiving looks from others and the guilt burdened her. She felt too ashamed.

"I am sorry for what I did," apologized Beth so that she could get rid of Raphael. She saw him smile.

"You are not sorry for what you did," replied Raphael and Beth frowned, "Are you sorry for losing the man who promised you the world? Or are you sorry because you were unsuccessful in poisoning the King? Or is it that you wanted me dead as you didn't stop me from drinking it?" he asked in a calm voice.

Beth felt overwhelmed, and if it wasn't for her mistake, she wouldn't be speaking to this peasant-like man who wore a robe with a rope tied around his waist and his hair long until his neck. Even though Beth was in the castle, she was having the worst hours of her life. Tears again brimmed up to her eyes,

"I told you I am sorry. It was a mistake-"

"That didn't work in your favour?" asked Raphael, "You are only sorry because you fear for your life. If your sister still believes in you, there must be some goodness left in you." Beth turned angry, was he telling she was a terrible person?! She had apologized for her deeds, what did he want?

"What do you want me to say?" asked Beth in frustration. She wasn't able to meet the King's eyes in fear, and her parent's spared only a few words with her. Just because Madeline was going to be a Queen, she had gone as far as to slap her! Instead, her sister could have told it through words.

She stared into his pitch-black eyes when she heard him say, "To be a better person."

Raphael offered Beth a smile, and without waiting for her reply, he walked away from her. Beth's hands that were turned to fists loosened and the tears that she had been holding back fell on her cheeks. Even this insolent man was making her feel bad about herself!

Not too long, the magistrate of the village East Carswell arrived at the castle to meet the King.

"What brings you here this early in the morning, Charmire?" asked the King with a questionable look.

"My King! Another murder has taken place in the village. It is Issac Barnes daughter with two other men who have been found dead in Mr. Heathcliff's house," informed Charmire with a worried look on his face.