The Crown's Obsession

Lucy couldn't believe her grandmother was blaming her for Ruby's death. Given that it was she who had gone to meet Ruby, but it didn't mean the maid warranted death.

"No," responded Lucy, and she noticed the way her grandmother's eyes subtly widened at her rebellious nature. "You cannot force me to quietly sit down and make me believe that I was the one who was responsible for Ruby's death. You had something to do with brother Calhoun's mother too, didn't you?"

"That is a very wild accusation that you are throwing at me, Lucy. Do you know the consequences of doing so?" asked Morganna with a calm voice.

Lucy didn't claim openly that she had heard those things from the Queen's very own mouth, and it wasn't a rumour she had picked up.

"God will keep an account of everything you have done. Be it in heaven...or in hell-"

SLAP!

Lucy could feel the stinging sensation on her cheek, and the force of the slap was twice as hard as what her mother had delivered to her three days ago.

"How dare you to speak back and insinuate what I did was wrong," Morganna glared at Lucy. "I guess having a governess was of no use as she couldn't teach you the basics of how to speak with your elders or the Queen. You can take your leave from the room now. When you feel you are ready to speak and in a much sane mind, you can come talk to me."

Lucy's jaw clenched together, and she left the room without exchanging another word with the Queen. When Lucy left, Queen Morganna called the maid to her side and said, "Bring the governess and tell Samara come visit me." It seemed like she should get her granddaughter married quickly before Lucy turned completely rebellious, thought Morganna to herself.

Queen Morganna had made sure to tame the people around, making sure no one would ever stand up against her. It was a surprise that her son Laurence was recently not listening to her, but the whore's son was the one to be blamed. Since he had stepped into the castle, the people who listened to her were slowly not taking her orders and instead behaved how they felt like. Laurence was the King therefore, she had to stay on his good side, but Lucy...Lucy seemed to be growing up too fast. She wondered if Calhoun had mentioned something to her granddaughter.

Lucy had tears filled in her eyes once she stepped away from the room where Queen Morganna was in. She knew what it meant when it came to standing one's own ground in front of Queen Morganna, but Ruby's loss was the breaking point for Lucy.

"Lady Lucy?" she heard Theodore's voice in the corridor, who stood not too far away from where she was. Lucy didn't know when she had stopped walking, but it seemed like her feet were glued to the ground now.

Theodore frowned and walked towards her, looking left and right to make sure no one was there. He caught hold of her wrist and pulled her to a nearby empty room.

"What happened to your cheek?" questioned Theodore, his eyes zeroing on the redness that was turning more visible.

Lucy didn't answer his question, but stared into Theodore's eyes. He was someone she felt close to her, and her emotions started to well up, and a tear came to roll down her cheek.

"Hey, don't cry," said Theodore, pulling Lucy to him, who looked broken, and he hugged her. One of his arms came around her waist while the other patted the back of her head.

With Lucy, who was not too far away from the Queen's quarters, he could only guess that Morganna had done something to Lucy and his eyes narrowed. Both Morganna and Samara had no concern regarding what Lucy wanted, and they treated her like a doll that had to listen to what they said.

"Shh," Theodore whispered.

Lucy started to sob, her hands clutching on to the front of his shirt, and he could feel the fabric turning wet. He heard someone walking outside the room in the corridor. He had locked the door earlier, and when he hugged the young vampiress, he realized how delicate and petite she was.

She stayed there in his arms until she had calmed down, and she realized her head was buried in his chest, and she pulled away from him. She wiped her eyes with the back of her sleeves.

Theodore raised his hand, using his finger to wipe one drop of her tear from her cheek, and he noticed the way her heart skipped a beat. He wondered if it was a curse for breaking many women and girl's hearts before meeting Lucy, that he couldn't cherish the girl the way he wanted to.

Her eyelashes held sprinkles of tears, turning her eyes darker than the normal time as they peered up at him right now.

"Things will get better," he assured her, and Lucy believed him. It was only a matter of time before Morganna would be dethroned from her position, and Lucy would be able to be free once Calhoun would take his position as the King of Devon.

There was still time for Lucy's marriage, and that gave him time. "But don't run away," he advised. He knew Lucy craved freedom, but the path she thought to be easy wasn't as easy as she would think it to be. Being born in the royal family was a boon as well as a curse at the same time.

Lucy nodded her head, feeling Theodore trace his finger over her cheek, "Does it hurt?" he asked her.

"No, it doesn't," she replied. Theodore offered her an encouraging smile.

Calhoun had gone out to attend the soiree, giving Theodore no work to do but to watch people and make sure the ministers or the servants were not setting up any traps for him or Calhoun.

After some time, in Queen Morganna's room, Lady Samara appeared at the door.

"My Queen, you wanted to see me?" asked Lady Samara.

"Yes," answered Morganna, "I wanted to speak about Lucy's marriage to Samuel Greville. They have been spending time with each other for a few weeks now, and I think it is a perfect match, especially with what the Duke has agreed to give us."