The Crown's Obsession

Music Recommendation: Through falling snow- Johann Johannsson

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Before Theodore was found by Madame Fraunces in the muddy wet street caused by the heavy rain poured from the previous night, he was a nobody. Someone who had no parents, no relatives, no people who were ready to take care of him or wanted to be acquainted with him. And there was no reason for any person to be acquainted with a young boy who wore torn shoes, shabby clothes that had holes in them and a face that had bruises that looked like it was beaten up.

He was used to staying alone without any company, and the only person he had got used to was the woman who had taken him in and sheltered him.

Though Theodore had learned the art to seduce women or girls for his own benefit, he had never come to love anyone. The vampire had been detached with no feelings and a constant hollowness in his heart that he continued to carry along with him.

Meeting Calhoun had given him a purpose to something he believed would bring in great change in the world. Though people had labelled Calhoun to be the whore's son, Theodore knew there was something more to the surface, and he had seen it himself when the bat-like wings had received feathers all around it.

And after coming to the castle, he met her.

She was everything he wasn't. She was the light like the bright sun that could shine despite the heavy clouds that often came to hover in her life. He was the dark sky, but unlike them, even night and day tried to meet each other during dawn or dusk.

Lucy Hawthrone was beautiful and dainty, her expressions polite, and her words could never hurt anyone as they were always thoughtful. Unknowingly, his gaze had come to follow her, and his feelings towards her had only turned profound.

Though Theodore stood in the same place as before, he could see and hear what Lucy and Samuel were speaking.

"I thought you wouldn't be coming today," said Lucy to Samuel while they stood in the middle of the garden.

"I was caught up with work. I was supposed to meet a person today but the person took quite some time to reach the place so that we could discuss our ongoing work. It's good that he did turn up before it was not too late, else I would have not been able to meet you today," replied Samuel, staring at Lucy as if she was the most beautiful thing in the garden. "How was your day, Lady Lucy?"

How was her day? The man she was in love with was pushing her away from him, worse rubbing salts over her wound. Others had declared the same man as a murderer, and somewhere Lucy was shaken by the thought of it.

Lucy smiled at him, "It was fine. How was your day? You must be tired after working for such long hours and making time to come and meet me."

"It is the least I can do for you, Lady Lucy," Samuel smiled back at her. "I promise that I will spare more time for you once we are married. It is just this period of time that is very crucial."

She felt sad thinking she was going to get married, but at the same time, she remembered the way Theodore was behaving with her like he had nothing to do with her. It was as if he had decided to cut off every single tie with her, along with erasing the memories they shared. Samuel Greville seemed to be a good man who had not hurt her, and he was an understanding man.

She heard Samuel laugh, and he said, "I am sorry for getting ahead of myself. I guess, it is a dream come true that I am here standing next to you and talking with you now."

Lucy was talking to Samuel, but when she looked a little far behind him, she noticed the person who stood near one of the castle's windows. Even after everything that had happened, she felt her heart skip a beat.

Samuel caught hold of her hands, taking it in his. He said, "I am very much in love with you, Lady Lucy. Since the first time I saw you, you have taken my breath away. I am grateful to be in your presence, and if you allow me, I want to spend my life with you and will never hurt you. I will love and cherish you just as you deserve."

Lucy was taken aback by the sudden confession given by Samuel. While the man continued to speak, her eyes had shifted slightly to look at the calm expression that Theodore carried on his face.

Even though Theodore stood far away from where she was, she knew he could hear every word they were speaking. He hadn't moved away from the place where she had left him before coming to meet Samuel, and now that she had noticed him, she wished for a change of expression on his face.

Lucy didn't love Samuel, but Theodore. And she knew in some corner of his heart, Theodore felt the same way as she did, but with every passing day, her feelings of hurt only increased.

With the words that transpired between Theodore and her, out of anger, Lucy smiled at Samuel.

"You're a kind man, Samuel. I am sure in time I will be able to return your feelings," and her words brought an instant smile on Samuel's lips.

"I cannot wait for that day, Lady Lucy," responded Samuel. But he didn't stop there.

Samuel took a step forward towards Lucy, and he brought his hand to hold her chin. He didn't wait but bent down to place his lips on hers. Lucy's eyes widened, and at the same time, when she was being kissed, she noticed Theodore's features looked unruffled. The little feelings that she had been holding on to shattered further in the realization of his uninterest.

When Samuel pulled away, he patted Lucy's head with a gentleman-like smile.

Days continued to pass by, and the day of the wedding for the princess and the Duke's son finally arrived.