The Crown's Obsession

Madeline was left speechless by Calhoun's words almost sounding like a confession to her. Somewhere her heart ached, and she wasn't sure if it was for him or her. She stared into his eyes.

For once, a smile came to appear on her lips in front of Calhoun, "I think you are more than capable," she shook her head, "You are someone who doesn't need to be saved because you are capable of doing it yourself."

Calhoun had not let go of her hair where he had pushed the rose, "It is not about me being able to save myself, you and me both know I am capable of doing that but there are other things. You know, things are not always about physical strength." Madeline slowly understood what he meant. What was one supposed to do when a man like Calhoun said she was the person who could keep his sanity. The King had a dark nature and she wondered if he wasn't like this before and maybe he was turned like this for a reason.

Softly, she asked, "Why do you do that?" Madeline didn't need to be told that Calhoun was someone who would walk the path like every other man, or maybe she had less knowledge when it came to people outside the village.

Calhoun tched, like there was nothing he could do with a sigh, "I can't help it. I was built that way. My hands are too deep to pull away right now."

"It is never too late."

Their conversation was vague and Madeline tried not to step into his territories which she was not allowed to step on. She felt Calhoun take one step closer to her, closing the distance that was there a second ago.

He didn't speak another word, and moved his hand away from her hair. The back of his fingers traced her skin from the top of her shoulder, down her arm that left when it reached her wrist.

Calhoun was yet to lean his face, and Madeline could feel the unevenness in her breath at the thought that he was going to kiss her, "You are right. It is never too late," she didn't know what he meant by that. Calhoun's words were often vague, which made her question on what he meant by it. When she thought he was going to kiss her because of his parted lips, Calhoun pulled away from her.

Calhoun took in her expression that was filled with anxiousness and anticipation, "Let's get you back inside."

"You didn't answer my earlier question."

"Which one was that?" asked Calhoun, stepping away from her.

"The magic…"

"It is part of being a vampire. A special one," he grinned, "Come on, little one." Calhoun had started to walk, and Madeline followed him quickly when she heard the howl of a wolf from far away.

Far away from where the castle was situated, in the Barnes residence, Mr. Barnes broke the news first to his wife, on why the King had summoned him to the castle to speak. Mr. Barnes was not keen on getting his only daughter married to a mere human whose occupation was cutting fabrics and making clothes.

"Do you think Catherine got the King to speak to you because she was unable to tell you?" asked Mrs. Barnes. They were in their bedroom during the time of night, "Catherine didn't even mention of her interest in getting married to him. I thought she was only attracted to the man."

"I told you to stop her from going around too much," whispered Mr. Barnes, "She could have used the same time in getting the King's attention instead of wasting her time on someone who is beneath us. Look at what has happened now!" he sighed in frustration.

"Let me bring Catherine here so that we can get it settled," said Mrs. Barnes, leaving her husband in the room who was standing in front of the fireplace.

When Mrs. Barnes returned with their daughter Catherine, the young vampiress had a perplexed expression on her face as she didn't know why she was called to her parent's room. Catherine was about to sleep when her mother came to call her; her eyes darting between her mother and father.

"Catherine," her father spoke to her in a stern voice that caused her to worry, "I have come to hear that you have been spending more time than needed with the man named James Heathcliff. That you have openly shown interest to him."

Catherine opened her mouth and then closed, not knowing what happened, "I love him, papa," confessed the vampiress.

"Have you forgotten, what is the status between him and us?" her father questioned her. By his voice, Catherine could feel that her father was not pleased with her choice.

"He is a good man, papa. He has his shop, and he has a great talent which can reach heights if given more opportunity."

"If he needs opportunity, I can help him. There is no need for marriage," came the curt statement, and Catherine quickly moved towards her father. She could feel her heart break at the thought that she would not be able to stay next to James.

"Papa, please. He has all those qualities that I have admired. I love him dearly, and I cannot imagine a life without him. He is a human, but I will turn him," Catherine pleaded to her father, "He is a good man, and he will keep me happy. You can meet him and find out more from him. Please," she turned around to look at her mother, who was quietly listening to them, "Mama, please. You have met James."

Her mother looked at her father, who had folded both his hands behind his back, still staring at the fire. Minutes passed by in silence, and Catherine waited to finally hear her father say, "Invite the man home. I would like to see him for myself," stated Mr. Barnes.

"Yes! Yes, I will!" replied Catherine with excitement, "Thank you, papa!" and the girl left the room with the thought of how she could barely wait for her father to meet James.