The Crown's Obsession

"Mr. Maki," Calhoun addressed the magistrate before he could take Theodore away from the castle, "I would prefer that you don't lay your hand on my man unless you find solid evidence against him and don't want to face the repercussions of your actions."

Theodore's hands were being tied in chains, and it was when his eyes met Calhoun's, both the men shared a faint smile before he was dragged away by the guards from there.

The royal court room filled itself with murmur and chatter when Calhoun's bodyguard was taken away from the room. With the discussion that was going on before the magistrate had interrupted, Calhoun waited for it to get over.

"What a pity to find out that your man is not only a jewel thief but also kills people," said Morganna when the King left the room with others. Calhoun turned around to see Morganna, who had a smug smile on her lips. "Laurence has already been filled up with the possible murderer that has taken place in the castle and I must say, your guard did quite a sloppy job by killing my servants and my informer."

With the people who had dispersed from the room, Morganna had taken the opportunity to taunt Calhoun.

"The investigation still needs to be done before he is convicted to be the murderer," replied Calhoun, and he heard Morganna laugh.

"So naive, you think they haven't been investigating until now? They got all the proof they needed and people have testified to Theodore's involvement. You should have bade your guard goodbye, you might not see him again," there was a satisfied smile on Morganna's lips.

Calhoun's expression didn't change, and he said, "I wonder if it is me or if it is you, who is naive. Do you think I am like you to allow the person to be killed, who has been standing next to me?" his lips tugged on both the side to show his fangs.

Morganna stared at Calhoun. This young boy could blabber things, but he couldn't fool her with his boastful words.

"Laurnece is not going to be one bit happy if he finds out that you are trying to break the laws that he set. He is my son and at the end of the day, he will listen to me and not you," Morganna looked up and down at Calhoun.

Calhoun nodded his head, "You are right. It is why you should remember even though he is your son, he loves the throne. More than you and I am the only option he has," he whispered before taking his leave from the room.

Morganna gritted her teeth in anger before making her way out of there.

When Calhoun left the castle, he didn't meet the magistrate or see where they kept Theodore. He was quick to reach a building where the new organization had been formed.

Having taken notes of who did what and where Calhoun pushed the doors open, he made his way towards the room. The guards who stood on either side bowed their head.

"Is she in there?" questioned Calhoun.

"Yes, Advisor Calhoun," answered the guard and pushed the door for Calhoun to step in.

Helena sat behind a desk with a stack of parchments to her right. Her shrewd eyes looked up to see Calhoun entering the room.

"You are late," said Helena. "The spot I offered you has been filled by one of the men who had attended the soiree."

"I didn't come here for it," replied Calhoun. "There's a case I would like to put forward to be considered by you, where you can start your work."

Helena didn't move from her chair and instead stared at Calhoun, "Can you see these piles of parchments? These are the records that belonged to one single town that has been borrowed from the magistrate."

"As busy as your schedule is, a man has been wrongly put behind the town's prison and is going to be executed. I thought this was what the High House did, saving innocent lives," Calhoun raised his eyebrows. "He is a friend of mine. The magistrate jumped into conclusion without proper evidence that it was my friend who killed the woman named Madame Fraunces. You can have your men investigate the case and in the meantime let the man free on my guarantee. I will keep an eye on him."

More than a couple of minutes passed, and Helena sighed before putting her quill down. She stood up from her chair.

"Seems like you will be my first case. Dimitri!" Helena called someone, and a man appeared at the door. "Get your coat. We are going out. Have others deal with these and finish it by the end of the day," she ordered.

The man bowed his head before disappearing from there. Both Calhoun and Helena stepped out of the building, and soon Dimitri joined them in the carriage. When the carriage left the front of the building, one of the members of the High House organization had come to speak to Helena, to only be informed that she had gone out.

He stepped out of the building as it didn't seem like right now he was needed here. After the soiree, Michael had stuck around Helena as it seemed like there were people who wanted to bring harm to her in the soiree.

While he was going to disappear from there, his eyes fell on a couple of long black feathers on the ground. When he went to pick it up, he sensed something dark and evil that sent a jolt like shock up his arm.

Michael frowned, and he stood up. Why did it seem like the Devil was here?

The carriage in which Calhoun, Helena, and Dimitri were travelling finally stopped when they reached the town and in front of the magistrate's office.

When the magistrate's office doors were pushed open in force, the magistrate saw Calhoun walk in there along with a man who was older than him, and he saw a familiar face, the woman who was the talk of every land.

"Advisor Calhoun, Lady Helena," the magistrate greeted them. "Would you like some tea-"

"On what basis have you put Theodore behind the bars, Mr. Maki?" Helena didn't bother to greet and instead directly asked the question.

The magistrate chuckled at the woman's words, "I cannot do that."

Helena didn't bother to smile and instead stared at the magistrate, "If you have forgotten, Mr. Maki, the magistrates and other people come under the control of the High House now. I will personally be taking care of the case and I demand you release the man."

"But he is the murderer, Lady Helena. He has more than one charge on him. The Queen-" he cleared his throat. "There have been many deaths in the castle."

"Did you find the bodies?" questioned Calhoun.

"No, but-"

"Get the bodies and we can then speak. Until then, you shall not touch my man," stated Calhoun.

The magistrate looked troubled, and he said, "Lady Helena, you see, the man has been sent for execution for his deeds." He didn't even know why he had to listen to a woman who had no background.

"Aren't you in a hurry to silence him," Helena narrowed her eyes, "Stop the execution. Unless you prefer to be the next person to be executed for your half-assed work and for punishing an innocent person."