The Crown's Obsession

"You have a wild imagination, Rosa," chuckled Morganna, "Lucy is not a child, and she knows not to have such thoughts towards servants. Her governess has been reporting to me with her progress, and she has turned much better under her guidance. In a few days, we will have Lucy meet suitors. You should worry about your daughter Sophie, Rosa, than worry about Lucy. She's not the one who threw water at me in the gathering."

Rosamund's face turned red hearing this, and she failed to respond immediately.

"I am teaching her, mother. Her punishments are always due in time when she needs it so that she doesn't repeat it again," replied Rosamund.

"It better be. The last thing I need is being humiliated by my own blood," Queen Morganna let out a tired sigh from her lips.

When the time of dinner approached, Lucy entered the room, and the first thing she noticed was Theodore missing from the room along with Calhoun and her father.

Unable to question directly, Lucy inquired, "Is father not joining us for dinner?"

"Your father is in the dungeon, dealing with the criminal thieves," answered Lucy's mother and said, "Sit down, Lucy. The kitchen cook has prepared your favourite dish tonight."

Lucy furrowed her eyebrows, and her eyes fell on her grandmother, who looked calm.

"Did we have intruders in the castle? I didn't know," she hadn't heard a word from her maids about it.

"Conniving thieves, dear. Come sit next to me, my child," Queen Morganna's words were sweet, and Lucy didn't know why, but she felt apprehensive by her grandmother's words. Nonetheless, she walked to where her grandmother was sitting, and she took a seat next to the woman. "How are your lessons going with your governess?" asked her grandmother.

Ms. Lewis was in the room, and Lucy knew her grandmother would have informed about her progress from her governess, yet here she was asking.

"It has been going really well, Queen Morganna," replied Lucy, and she saw her grandmother nod in appreciation.

"That is excellent. I believe you are ready to meet your suitors then?"

When her grandmother asked this question, Lucy knew the only acceptable answer was yes, and no other answer would be approved to be right.

"Yes, grandmother. I am," Lucy answered dutifully, and her grandmother continued to nod.

"Good. This would also mean if you have anyone in your mind, you can always tell me, and I will see what can be done, yes?" though Lucy was naive in a few things when it came to her family, it didn't mean she didn't sense the trap that her grandmother had laid out for her. "It is because I heard you dreamt of a prince. Golden hair was it?"

Lucy's eyes shifted to look at her governess, who had her eyes on the plate, and she didn't look up to meet Lucy's eyes. When they shared the little details today, Lucy had hoped to bond with her governess over it, but not only was the man whom the governess liked turned to be Theodore, but the woman had also given details until the very minute after she had spoken to Lucy, relaying the same to Morganna.

"Yes," answered Lucy, and she felt the room turn tense when her grandmother turned to meet her eyes.

"I hope this is someone you haven't met , as it would be quite troublesome as we already have the selected suitors whom you will be marrying. Dreams are good, but let's not look for the golden blonde hair, okay?" questioned her grandmother.

Lucy bowed her head, "Yes, grandmother."

"Now, let's have a good meal," announced Queen Morganna, "After so many days, my mind is finally at ease. I shall also rest well tonight."

"I cannot agree more, my Queen," responded Lady Samara, and Lucy couldn't help but be suspicious about something being up.

Dinner passed, and Lucy could only guess that Calhoun and Theodore were with her father, probably punishing the intruder who had dared to break into the castle. Once she was done, she went back to her room and stood on the patio as if waiting for Theodore to arrive. Since the last few days, the man often came to her patio and brought her blood with other treats.

It made Lucy feel special, and her feelings for Theodore only grew more.

When one of the maids arrived at her door, Lucy decided to ask, "Do you know if brother Calhoun has had his dinner?"

The maid looked startled, "Have you not heard about it, Lady Lucy? Both Master Calhoun and his guard tried to steal the Queen's jewel from her room. They found the jewel in Master Calhoun's room."

"What?!" asked Lucy in shock. "That is not possible!"

When Lucy was ready to step out of the room, the maid informed, "I don't think it would be the best idea to leave the room now and visit them, Lady Lucy. If I am not wrong, Queen Morganna went to visit them a few minutes ago."

"It must be some kind of misunderstanding," whispered Lucy with a deep frown. "Brother Calhoun doesn't seem to be a person who would steal."

The maid shook her head, "I heard the jewel was found in one of the cupboards of his room. They found it in the evening, and it seems the jewel has been missing for a week now."

It was only a few hours ago since Lucy had spoken to Theodore, and now he and brother Calhoun were locked in the dungeons. She bit her lip in worry.

Away from princess Lucy's room, both Calhoun and Theodore had been tied in shackles. Blood dripped down from their face as they were beaten and tortured for stealing the queen's jewels. In front of one of the cell rooms, Morganna stood there looking down at Calhoun, who was now sitting on the ground.

It didn't matter that the King chose Calhoun , because people didn't forget who he was or where he came from.

The Queen clicked her tongue, a look of false pity on her face.

"You must be regretting not listening to my words to end up like this," Morganna shook her head, a faint smile appearing on her face.