The Crown's Obsession

The servants helped in carrying her parents' trunks, placing it in the room and then left the room. Elizabeth was provided with a room of her own, and she went to the room with eagerness in her eyes. Madeline looked at her parents, who were looking at the room that was as big as their house. Her mother stared at the vases and the decor of the room before her eyes fell on Madeline.

This time, Madeline's mother walked forward to give a better hug, holding her daughter close in her arms for long seconds, "Are you doing alright, Maddie?" asked her mother with worry and concern in her voice.

Earlier when they were out in the corridor, the hug had been short and almost fleeting. Right now, Madeline placed her chin on her mother's shoulder, a smile on her lips, "I am doing okay, mama. What took you so long?" she asked, pulling away.

Mrs. Harris wanted to speak about it, but she didn't know how to put it. When the shop had been destroyed, the older woman thought that it was better not to bring up the matter. The King had not shown any kind of rude emotion when they met a few minutes ago, but it was because he was a vampire.

Her mother pursed her lips, "Something happened to the shop. We were busy getting it fixed."

Madeline frowned, "What happened?" she asked, her eyes darting to look at her father who held a passive expression on his face. She waited for her mother to speak.

"We don't know what happened, but a few days ago when your father was working in the afternoon, some men came and started to demolish the shop saying it was the order from the royal court," said her mother, a look of nervousness passed before she said, "Don't ask the King anything!"

Madeline had a look of confusion on her face, "He wouldn't do that," she shook her head, defending the King. Calhoun could be rude and everything else to torture her, but he would never do that.

Her mother held her hands, "Your father saw the seal on the parchment. It seems it was from the King. It is better if we don't mention anything about it."

"But it would make it clear, whether he sent out people to take back the shop that he offered," Madeline said as it didn't make sense why Calhoun would want to destroy the shop when he would gain nothing from it.

"He must be angry for what I did the last time," whispered her mother. Madeline didn't remember what her mother was speaking about, "The note."

Mr. Harris, who didn't know what had happened that day nor the riddled words of the King, sighed, "What has happened, is in the past. You don't have to worry about it. There's a young gentleman who is helping us in rebuilding the shop."

Madeline didn't know what to say as she was more than surprised to hear this news.

Now that the topic about the note had come up and Calhoun wasn't here in the room nor was any other vampire, Madeline took the opportunity to ask,

"What did you write in that note?"

Her mother looked distressed, just thinking about it, "I wrote, if you ever wanted to run away, you are free to do it without worrying about what might happen to us."

"Mama," Madeline was far more grateful that her mother put her happiness before hers, but how could Madeline ever do something like that to her family, "There's no more need for it. And the King didn't read it. I didn't see nor did I read it, neither did he. He threw it away."

Mrs. Harris looked at her daughter, "He did," the older woman was sure because she knew the way he looked at her, the underlying meaning behind his words, they were subtle, but the warning was there, "It doesn't matter anymore. You are getting married, and we are here to be with you."

Saying this, the woman squeezed her daughter's hands. She looked at her daughter, searching for any fear or something her daughter would want to tell her, but Mrs. Harris found nothing there. Madeline appeared to be calm, healthy, and she was doing well here.

Madeline then heard her mother ask, "You are happy, right?" She nodded her head, bringing a smile on her lips and her mother returned the smile.

"I told you this is what Madeline wanted," came the voice of Beth and Madeline turned to see her sister walk into the room, through the door.

Madeline stepped towards her elder sister, and Elizabeth put her arms around her when she came near, "I know you better than anyone. I am your sister after all," and Beth pulled away to look at her younger sister who was doing far better than Beth had ever done until now. She smiled, looking at her, "How are you feeling? Excited about your marriage to the King?" asked Beth.

To Madeline, Beth was not just her sister but also a friend. Someone with whom she shared things and maybe it was only one time, she had hidden something from her sister.

"I am nervous," Madeline couldn't tell how happy she was to have her family here, in the castle.

"That's okay. It happens to every person," replied Beth and then asked, "Where is your room? Come let's take a stroll in the castle. We have so much to talk about," her sister suggested.

Madeline turned to her parents, who were in the room. Her mother smiled, "Both of you go ahead. Your father and I will be here." She felt her hand being tugged by Beth. Before they could leave the room, Madeline said,

"You can ask the maids if you need anything."

Both the sisters stepped out and away from the guest quarters. Beth, who had dreamt of living in a castle-like this stared at the walls, the floors and the ceilings that was painted. Her green eyes were bright as they took in the view that the castle had to offer. Beth could hardly believe that she was not just looking at the castle, but she would be living here for a few days until Madeline's wedding.

Just a few days, thought Beth to herself. She wanted more, though.

As Beth's eyes continued to take in everything that was in front of her, Madeline noticed how her sister's eyes fell on the maze that was located next to the garden. Seeing her sister's fascination, Madeline started to explain,

"That's the hedge maze. It has only one entrance and many paths-" but Beth cut in.

"I know what a maze is. Just because I don't live in the castle doesn't mean I don't know anything about it," Beth's words were severe.

"I didn't mean to offend-"

Beth laughed, "I was joking. You get so serious." With the way Beth was looking at it, Madeline thought to explain it. Seeing Beth smile, Madeline returned the smile.

"There are some interesting flowers on that side," Madeline offered, and Beth nodded her head.

When Madeline turned her gaze away to look at the front, the smile that was there on the older sister's lips fell.