The Crown's Obsession

The Wilmot siblings whipped their head around to see where Calhoun was. Sophie was angry when she had seen Markus leaving a kiss on the back of the human's hand, making her follow him to question his true motives.

When Calhoun stepped forward from the shadows that had engulfed him, Markus cursed Sophie's big mouth in his mind. She had the habit of intruding on things that didn't involve her directly. His mother had put him to work while leaving Sophie in the dark. He wondered how much of the conversation Calhoun had heard as the King stepped forward to where they were.

"Markus, my favourite cousin," remarked Calhoun with a bright smile, his lips pulling up, "I didn't know you were wooing the girl."

Markus smiled at Calhoun's words. Elizabeth Harris would have told about him to Lady Madeline, which was possible that it had reached Calhoun's ear, "My King," he bowed his head. Sophie quickly followed her brother's suit, "Sophie just found out about my interest in Miss Harris."

"You should be more specific with your words, Markus," stated Calhoun, "There are two Miss Harris," Calhoun placed his hand on Markus' shoulder, "You wouldn't want me to get the wrong idea, about you wanting to woo the girl who belongs to me. Do you?" If anyone from afar saw the King now, one would think that he was merely speaking to his cousins, catching up with each other as he smiled.

"Miss Elizabeth Harris," Markus corrected, and Calhoun nodded his head.

"It is such a small world, isn't it?" said Calhoun, "I am marrying Madeline, you are wooing her sister. Now only if Mr. and Mrs. Harris had a son," saying this, he turned to look at Sophie, who gritted her teeth.

Sophie bowed her head, "Forgive me beforehand, brother Calhoun, but I would rather prefer to marry a vampire than a human."

Calhoun said, "That's understandable. Given how you grew up, it would be hard for you to live with humans. But I must say, Sophie. I enjoyed the little scene when you threw the crab." Sophie quickly turned embarrassed.

"It wasn't my intention to do it!" Sophie exclaimed, her eyes anxiously looking at Calhoun.

"Hm," Calhoun responded, still smiling as he looked at her.

The King was only teasing his cousin sister, who was easily flustered right now. His eyes slowly went to take a look at her hand. There were nail marks on her forearm which was visible as the sleeves of her dress stopped before it reached her elbows. It seemed that his aunt had pierced Sophie's arm when she had spoken to Elizabeth Harris.

Calhoun knew that Markus and Sophie were not stupid enough to scheme something out in the open. That it was only Sophie was having a problem with Markus' interest in Madeline's elder sister. He had already heard from Theodore about Markus' visits to the village of East Carswell and was spotted spending more time with Elizabeth.

He wondered what his beloved Aunt Rosamund was scheming. As much as Calhoun was not interested in Beth, she was still Madeline's sister. He didn't want anything indirectly coming to affect Madeline in the end.

"What is your mother's opinion about it?" Calhoun turned to ask Markus, "I am sure, with the way she took an interest in a lowly human girl, she has already accepted her as the Wilmot's daughter-in-law?" he raised his eyebrows.

Markus was not present in the dining room when his mother had inquired about Elizabeth. Therefore he didn't know how much his mother had spoken to Elizabeth and about what. The vampire answered, "Yes, milord. It is just Sophie, who is having a hard time accepting it."

Sophie smiled at her brother. Then she bowed her head at both of them to say, "Please excuse me. I want to go to sleep in my room." She would talk to Markus tomorrow. With the King here, she didn't want to question or speak about that human whom he planned to marry.

Calhoun nodded his head in approval, and the vampiress left.

With just the King and his cousin in the empty and dark corridor, Calhoun didn't let go of Markus' shoulder.

"Markus. How long have we known each other?" questioned Calhoun.

Markus didn't know why Calhoun suddenly asked this question, but he answered, "It has been more than a decade."

"A decade has many years and months, doesn't it?" Calhoun's words were not a question as he continued to speak, "Then it should be guaranteed that as cousins where we have spent decent hours, I know that you hate humans. Right?"

Markus stared at Calhoun. A small smile appeared on his face. He said, "I don't think I ever mentioned hating the humans."

"I sometimes feel like, I have people around me, who are suffering from memory loss. But that's alright," said Calhoun, "Come let's take a walk," he suggested without letting go of Markus' shoulder.

Markus cursed his sister for creating a scene out in the open when they were still in the castle. After seeing Beth off from the dining room, Sophie had followed him, persistently asking him questions that had led to them ending up in the place where they were standing earlier to be caught by Calhoun. His sister was a dimwit who didn't know where and what to talk.

Calhoun continued, "Let me help you remember it. You burned the entire house of a servant with his family because you believed he had disrespected you."

Markus' eyes slightly widened at the King's words. The matter had been closed and brushed away, without anyone knowing about it. Even his father didn't know about it. How did Calhoun know then? "I am sorry, milord-"

"You don't have to be shy, Mark," came the calm and collected voice of Calhoun, "All of us have done something. You don't have to feel ashamed," turning his eyes on his cousin, Calhoun smiled.

That was something he would like to agree, Markus thought to himself. But even though he and his family members knew Calhoun was involved in someone's death, the man had never been pointed at because of the lack of evidence against him.

Seeing Markus not being able to deny, yet not confirming it, Calhoun continued to say, "I know how much hate you have towards the humans. Most of the vampires feel that way."

"Don't you feel the same, my King?" asked Markus, "Maybe Lady Madeline's family is an exception."

Calhoun chuckled, "I wonder about it. But I would like to say no. You forget that I wasn't brought up in the castle, but outside where the days are dire," Calhoun slowly stopped walking to have Markus stop too. His grip tightened on Markus' shoulder, making his cousin flinch slightly, "I am hoping that you are not stupid and will pull out some stunt that I might not like. It was only some time ago where someone shot an arrow at Madeline. I will pray that you aren't involved in it for your own sake."

The threat was not subtle. Calhoun was making Markus know that his eyes were on him. One mistake, that is all he was waiting for.

Apart from the Kings who ruled the lands, there was a higher place that was controlled by some of the older people which was collectively called the High House. The people there made sure not to let the Kings and the others misuse their powers and status. Yet, at the same time, it was funny how there were spies and wars. They had laws spread across the lands, eyes watching people. And if Calhoun was not wrong, he was one of the person who had fallen under the eyes of the High House.

If Calhoun wanted to eliminate people who were related to the royal family, he would need a solid proof and involvement about them. Right now, his focus was more on Madeline while he lazily sat back to see others step on his spider web.

Markus nodded his head, "I will never do anything to hurt, Miss Elizabeth," he assured the King. Calhoun gripped his hand tighter again. Markus tried not to react, to show he was weak compared to the King.

"Glad to hear those words. Also, I have some important work for you. It seems like someone used the sealed parchments from the castle, using it to harm the Harris' family. Find out who was involved in it. Also, find the men who are now missing, who were previously assigned to work in Mr. Harris in his shop," Calhoun titled his head to the side, waiting for Markus to speak.

"Yes, milord. I will do that," Markus replied, and finally, Calhoun let go of his shoulder.

Calhoun patted Markus' back and said, "Make sure to bring the culprits to me. I would make sure the person's family suffers. Have a goodnight, then."

"Yes, milord," Markus bowed his head, "Please have a goodnight."

"What makes you think I will have a bad night?" asked Calhoun. Markus let out a small laugh.

"It is an expression, milord," Markus didn't know why he ended up here, alone with Calhoun. At least when there were other's, Markus was less targeted with Calhoun's words. Markus didn't know how Calhoun even ended up to be part of the castle in the past. Many rumours were involved with the King of Devon.

Calhoun looked at him with an intense gaze before saying, "Remember to lock the doors of your room," and he left.

Markus stood in the corridor who had a frown on his face, wondering what Calhoun meant.

In the King's quarters, Madeline stood in her room's balcony, staring at the sky. She wanted to spend more time with her family; maybe share the room with her sister Beth so that they could speak like the old times. But somewhere, Madeline felt that Beth wanted to spend her time alone in the room.

Madeline was not blind, to not to see how the castle and the things around made Beth extremely happy. It was understandable, considering how Beth had always wished for this kind of life. Standing alone now, Madeline exhaled the air through her lips.

A sudden gust of cold wind blew, she shivered. Madeline was about to get back inside. She caught something from the corner of her eyes move near the statue. When Madeline turned her eyes, there was nothing there. She stared at it for a few more seconds, and when she saw nothing, Madeline turned around to step back inside the room.

Feeling slightly anxious, she locked the door to the balcony. Madeline took a couple of steps away from the door while staring at the closed door now.

When her back hit something hard, Madeline turned around to see Calhoun who stood in front of her.

"Calhoun?"

How did he get inside? Madeline asked before she remembered he had the ability to lock and unlock the doors without actually having to touch it.

Noticing Madeline's eyes that looked uneasy, Calhoun's eyes darted to look behind her at the door.