The Crown's Obsession

"I am happy that you are here with me, Ruby," said Lucy without hiding the love and attachment she had towards the elderly woman.

"And I feel privileged to be taking care of you, Lady Lucy. I know you will one day turn to be one of the finest women of this land," there was a promise in Ruby's voice and Lucy grinned. Now only if her grandmother could think and see what Ruby saw, thought Lucy to herself.

"Today's supper time is going to be something, it is good that you aren't going to the dining room," whispered Amice before quickly turning behind to make sure there was no one at the door.

Lucy nodded her head thoughtfully. It wasn't that she wanted to skip her meals purposefully, but coincidently turned out this way. Her mother, Samara was upset because her husband had brought some woman's son into the castle, but there were two other people who were more upset than Lady Samara in the castle.

"It will be an eventful dinner," she murmured to herself.

As Ruby gently pressed Lucy's ankle. She said, "Amice told me the young man has come along with the King's son. Did you get to thank him?"

"I did," replied Lucy.

The last thing she had expected was to see the person in the royal court room. Theodore, she whispered his name.

When the time of supper arrived, the royal family members made their way to the dining room. When Queen Morganna stepped into the room, her eyes fell on the young man whom her son had brought in. Even though her son had brought the boy to keep the control of Devon in his hand, Morganna didn't believe it would be a good idea. It was because when a person was hurt, they often kept things in their mind and waited for the right opportunity to strike back, and by the looks this boy seemed no different.

"I didn't know we were going to have the new guests joining us for dinner," commented Morganna, proudly making her way into the dining room.

"Calhoun is part of the family now," announced Laurence, and Morganna internally rolled her eyes. Her son didn't have to repeat it, they weren't deaf. "From now on, Calhoun will be living with us."

"Are you sure he is your son, Laurence?" asked Morganna, taking her seat at the table. "What if he is another man's son and not yours?"

"You don't have to worry about that, mother," Laurence offered his mother a smile. "I know when Calhoun was conceived and born. I received the letter about it." Lady Samara, who had taken a seat next to her husband, wore an expressionless look on her face.

"If you say so, I doubt you would ever do any mistake," Morganna had suddenly changed her demeanour as if she had accepted Calhoun wholeheartedly.

Laurence chuckled, "Isn't this great? Finally, I have a son who can rule with me," he looked at Calhoun who bowed his head with a passive expression on his face. Unlike Calhoun, Theodore was not asked to join the royal members and instead he was made to stand near the wall behind Calhoun, which Theodore didn't mind. "I knew you would be happy," stated King Laurence with a smile.

Rosamund, who was asked to join in celebrating Calhoun's arrival, she clutched on to her fork tightly.

Her mother had assured her before to be patient, and that her time would come, but with her brother bringing the whore's son to the castle, she was furious underneath her calm demeanor.

"I can see we have another new person at the table and one is missing," commented the King, noticing the governess who had arrived today and she bowed her head. "Where is Lucy?"

Nobody seemed to have an answer, and the King's eyes fell on the elderly woman who was appointed to take care of his daughter. The woman bowed her head, "King Laurence, Lady Lucy said she will be having her food in her room today as she isn't feeling well."

King Laurence frowned, "What happened to her?" and he then looked at his wife who shook her head.

"She was alright when I went to her room," said Lady Samara.

"That is right, she was perfectly doing fine when I saw her in the garden," Morganna's eyes narrowed, and she said, "Is she perhaps avoiding supper with us for no reason? You should be more strict with her Laurence."

"Now we have the governess, she will take care of Lucy and help her in fixing her ways," Laurence seemed hardly bothered.

Morganna shook her head in disagreement, "This is not acceptable. My granddaughters won't be able to find a decent suitor if they behave like this. It would be hard to get them married for the better prosperity of Devon." The mother Queen then turned her eyes towards the maid, and ordered, "This is not the first time in this month and we don't want it to repeat. No food will be sent to her room. If I find out someone offered the food to the princess, you shall be tortured in the dungeon."

Hearing this, the maid bowed her head. Even though Lady Samara didn't know half of the time what her daughter was upto, she didn't like her daughter being deprived of food, and she said, "Queen Morganna, let me go get Lucy-"

"That won't be necessary," interrupted Morganna before picking her knife and fork that was on the table.

Calhoun, who was listening and watching the royal family drama, said, "She didn't commit a crime." His voice startled the people at the table, making their head turn to look at him.

"Do you have a problem, young man?" questioned Morganna with her eyebrows raising up.

One would think that it would be best to not question the Queen's decision, but Calhoun offered her a polite smile, "I said she didn't commit a crime that warrants her from being denied food." The servant's who were in the room, their eyes turned wide.

Morganna glared at Calhoun, fuming in her seat, "How dare you question my decision?" she glowered.