The Crown's Obsession

Back in the room, Madeline sat next to Beth, holding her sister's hand as Beth cried for something she had no clue of. Her sister hadn't seen the creature of death, which was why it made Madeline wonder if Beth was scared to die right now.

"Raphael said until the third one doesn't appear, you are still safe. The creature cannot take you away with it, Beth," Madeline consoled her sister.

Beth sniffed. After Calhoun had left the room, she felt the heavyweight she had been carrying on her shoulders had finally started to break down along with her, leaving her in tears by thinking of her past actions. She was too ashamed to speak about it, and she didn't know if her sister would ever forgive her for the other things, which Calhoun had not brought up with her.

Madeline patted her sister's back, "Nothing will happen to you. You heard what Calhoun said. He will not let any harm befall on you."

Taking a deep trembling breath of air inside through her mouth, Beth asked, "Did you see that creature next to my bed?" Beth knew the King had lied about it being in the room.

"Once."

Madeline saw Beth close her eyes and more tears spilt on her face. "It must be because you are an angel that you can see it."

"I guess," answered Madeline. Even Calhoun could see it, but he was not an angel, but a demon. It was a mystery on how things worked in this world, which they were previously unaware about. "Do you want me to get you something to eat or drink? I can ask the maid for it."

Beth shook her head. She had lost the appetite to eat, and she doubted she would be able to sleep peacefully, knowing the clock of death had started to tick for her. "Where are you going?" she asked alarmed when Madeline stood up from the bed.

Madeline offered Beth a smile, "Right here in the room." She walked towards the broken vases. Bringing her hand forward, she brought the glass pieces up in the air, and her eyes stared at them. They started to mend one after another before the vase turned into its original shape. She fixed the other vase and then got back to stay next to Beth.

When morning arrived where the sun had finally come out of the clouds for a few minutes. After finishing breakfast, Lady Lucy arrived at Beth's door.

"Good morning to the Queen and Lady Elizabeth," greeted the vampiress, who was accompanied by her far relative, Ethan Morryet. The vampire offered his polite bow at them. "How are you doing now, Lady Elizabeth?" asked Lucy.

"I am doing fine, Lady Lucy," answered Beth for the courtesy's sake being polite, when in truth, she was having the worst time of her life, not knowing when she would die.

"That's good. I heard from brother Calhoun that Aunt Monique's men have entered the mountains now, and are searching for the antidote. Let's hope that they will get it soon here, and you will be better in no time," stated Lucy. As silence fell in the room, Lucy turned to her relative who looked like he snapped out of his thoughts and looked at Madeline.

"My Queen," the man bowed his head deep again, "I am Ethan Morryet. I didn't get to introduce myself properly."

"Madeline Hawthrone," greeted Madeline with a small bow.

"Tomorrow morning Ethan will be travelling with me to the mansion that I spoke to you about a few days ago. He has been kind enough to provide me with help there," informed Lucy and Madeline looked slightly surprised.

"Are you travelling tomorrow?" asked Madeline. "I thought that you would be staying here longer."

"My apologies, Lady Madeline. Both Ethan and I were discussing about the mansion, and I realized it needs some alterations so that I can start living there for the time being." Lucy had a smile on her face, and Madeline couldn't help but return it, while at the same time, she wondered how genuine the smile was on the vampiress' lips. "Ethan lives not too far away from there, and I can settle in there at the earliest without bothering brother Calhoun."

Madeline didn't know much about this far relative of Lady Lucy, but since she had got married, Lucy seemed like she was spending more time with Ethan in the castle, and she looked happy.

"Let me know if you need anything," said Madeline to Lucy. Before she was the Queen of Devon and Lucy a princess, they were both people who were friends and almost like sisters.

Lucy nodded her head, "I will, milady."

And while they spent time talking to each other in the room, keeping Beth company, Beth felt some sort of uneasiness in her leg. She tried to switch her leg's position, but not too much as she didn't want the wound to be poked at. She felt a sudden pain and the next moment, it was gone.

"Beth?" asked Madeline, being attentive to her sister's reactions.

"Something felt strange, but I am okay now. I don't feel the pain anymore." Beth moved her leg underneath the blanket and she wondered if the wound healed itself?

Madeline's eyes fell on Beth's legs that were beneath the blanket, and she felt something to be visually odd about it.

Taking a step closer to the bed, Madeline placed her hand on Beth's leg, and Beth smiled, "I think I am all healed," said her sister.

Ethan Morryet being the gentleman, he turned his head to the other side, walking towards the window, stood there with his back against them. Madeline pulled one side of the blanket before slowly removing the bandages. Beth's leg revealed the wound that had now disappeared.

"This is a miracle," whispered Lucy. "I have never heard about people healing without turning to a werewolf. Usually, when they heal, the person shows aggression, but everything here looks normal."

Beth had a hopeful look on her face, "Does this mean I won't turn to a werewolf?"

Madeline didn't know what to say. The werewolf's bite seemed to have not affected Beth the way everyone had thought it would. Maybe Beth had acquired some of her abilities from their grandparents? She thought in her mind.

Beth's lips trembled in a smile of relief, and she was about to get out of the bed, ready to walk when her eyebrows furrowed, and in doubt, she moved the entire blanket that had been draped on her. Her eyes widened, and her jaw fell slack.

"W-what is that?" asked Beth with a gasp.

The vampire who had turned his back turned out at the surprised gasp in the room and his eyes widened.

Madeline felt her heart drop seeing Beth's leg that had increased not only in size but also in its appearance as it had turned furry. Beth's leg looked just like werewolves would. On seeing the wound vanish, they had believed Beth had gotten better, but no one would have guessed that her other leg had changed. It was just a matter of time before her body would slowly transform to a wild beast.

"I will call brother Calhoun," said Lucy to Madeline, leaving the room with Ethan.

"This is why the creature was here. Because I am going to die once I turn to a werewolf," whispered Beth. She couldn't stop staring at her beast-like leg, and it was nothing less to a nightmare. She was going to turn into a hideous beast.