The Crown's Obsession

Beth smiled before bowing her head.

Because of the King's invitation, she had hastily written a letter to Mr. Danvers that she wouldn't be seeing him anymore. And before she could fix it, the letter had reached the man. Neither was she able to form an alliance with the King nor with Mr. Danvers, who was the potential man to marry when the King was not in the picture. But now it was different. Beth was the elder daughter, and she believed she deserved the same attention as Madeline.

Calhoun observed Madeline's sister, her eyes looking at the ground where she appeared to be thinking something. He noticed how the two sisters had a stark difference when it came to looks as well as the demeanour which they didn't share. The elder sister was a brunette. Her features sharp and attractive. He could also tell that she was an outspoken girl compared to her younger sister, who had to be poked to get an answer. Compared to Beth, Madeline was gentle not only in her behaviour but also her features which could easily be overshadowed under her elder sister's presence. But too much of anything was something Calhoun was not interested in.

"You look slightly upset, Miss Harris," stated Calhoun and Beth's green eyes snapped back to meet the King's red ones.

Beth shook her head, "No. I am not." With Calhoun's continuous glaring eyes, the family had a hard time breathing in the King's presence, "Why do you think that? I am just going to-"

"It wasn't a question for you to answer," interrupted Calhoun that had Beth stop speaking because the King was not interested to hear what she had to say, "It seems like you have a hard time in following words." It was something even Madeline found it difficult but at least the girl didn't speak out of turn.

Mrs. Harris was the one to speak, wanting to ease the possible tension that was approaching, "Forgive me, milord. Our daughter Elizabeth is a very outspoken girl," said the older woman in the room, turning to look at her daughters and then at the King, "I hope Madeline is doing well in the castle."

"You can ask that to Madeline," said Calhoun before his eyes met the blonde girl's eyes, "You said you wanted to talk to your family. Go ahead. We have four minutes left," he smiled, looking at Madeline.

When Madeline had said she wanted to spend time with her family, she had meant it in a place where she could sit down, take her time and then speak. Not like she was under a time restriction.

"I am doing well in the castle, mama," answered Madeline to her mother's question. She brought up a smile on her face that only faltered.

"Have you been eating and sleeping well?" asked her mother, and Madeline nodded her head.

"How about you, mama?" asked the younger daughter, and the woman took a step forward to hug her daughter.

"I am doing much better as I have seen you now."

Calhoun parted his lips, bringing up his hand to yawn as he was already bored. He had expected something more interesting to happen, but humans were always so bland, and the only colourful thing in here was the flower which he had plucked for himself.

As Madeline pulled back, she felt her mother push a small paper into her hand on the other side where Calhoun could not see, "Do not worry about us," said her mother and Madeline slightly furrowed her brows wondering what her mother would have pushed into her hand, "Okay?" asked her mother and she nodded her head.

"Okay."

By feeling the paper in her hand she could tell it was a small one which made Madeline curious, yet she tried to act normal like it was nothing but a simple hug.

"Mr. and Mrs. Harris," spoke Calhoun to gain their attention. Just by a look at them, it was evident that they were worried as the King had addressed both of them, "I was thinking about pulling down this house and reconstructing it. To something much better."

"That would be very kind of you, milord, but we are happy with what we have here. We wouldn't want to leech on your generosity," answered Madeline's father.

Calhoun gave him a nod, "There's no hurry for it. If you ever decide to change your mind, you can let me know," said Calhoun to receive deep bows from the elderly couple and Beth.

"How is the picking of suitors going on for your elder daughter?" asked Calhoun.

"We are looking for a good man for Beth, Milord," answered Mr. Harris and Calhoun cocked his head to the side.

"Hm? What happened to Mr. Danvers?" Calhoun asked and the family looked slightly surprised that the King knew about the man who had come to meet their daughter Beth. When Calhoun had asked to enquire about Madeline, Theodore had found out every available information until the time when the family had arrived at the castle to have lunch with the King.

Madeline looked at Beth who looked like she didn't want to talk about it. Even her mother appeared disappointed, but the disappointment was possibily because of Beth's action.

Calhoun's lips slowly started to pull up, noticing something finally interesting here.

Mrs. Harris said, "Actually we had to drop Mr. Danvers proposal to Beth."

"How rude of the man to meet and reject her," said Calhoun with a tsk, "Would you like me to go speak to him? I would be of your help."

Beth was the first one to shake her head, and Calhoun smiled.

Mrs. Harris said, "Beth was the one who rejected him. She wrote a letter to Mr. Danvers, and I doubt it is salvageable. Thank you for your kind gesture," the woman bowed her head.

Calhoun uncrossed his leg and pushed himself up the chair he had been sitting in, "Your daughter is a beautiful girl. She will get a suitable suitor." He assured the parents, then looked at Madeline, "It is time to leave."

Madeline didn't have the heart to go. She was home now, and the castle was not her home. She looked at her family who offered her a smile, and Madeline smiled back. After saying her byes for the day, both Calhoun and her stepped out of the house. And just when they were out, Madeline felt Calhoun's hand slip into her hand in which the paper her mother had given was present.

She was alarmed by him holding the same hand, which she was sure that, he knew something had been passed on to her hand, but the smile on his lips didn't fall. She could feel her heart thumping and even though her family didn't notice it, Calhoun had heard the very first beat of her heart that had spiked up.

Mr. Harris was about to accompany them, when Calhoun said, "You can rest, Mr. Harris. Madeline and I will be leaving," and the family bowed their head at the King.

"I hope you have a peaceful trip back to the castle," Mr. Harris said, his heart heavy by not knowing when he would able to see his younger daughter again. Though the King did have a point when he said that the daughters in his house wouldn't be here forever with him and his wife, he had wished it was someone his daughter was okay to marry with.

The King was a powerful man who could make or break a person in his or any other person's kingdom. Such was his status and power.

At the same time, Madeline's hand which was held by Calhoun was turning sweaty, and when he finally let go of her hand, the piece of paper which her mother had slipped into her hands was not there anymore. She panicked, noticing his hand slip into his pocket. Her eyes wide, she looked at Calhoun, and before they could leave, Calhoun said,

"It is good that you have educated your family as a lot of them don't consider doing it. Their aunt was it? Who taught them," hummed Calhoun before saying, "It turns out to be very handy when it comes to writing letters and notes, isn't it?" Calhoun's eyes moved to look at Mrs. Harris as well as Beth, his smile broad and cunning on his lips.