The Crown's Obsession

Music Recommendation: Much loved - Rachel Portman

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Lucy stared at Theodore, her body numb and her emotions frozen as she tried to sink in the words that he said to her. It wasn't hard to understand what he told her, but the way he did and the words he chose were what she needed to hear. She didn't know how to react, leaving her completely speechless.

Theodore loved her. Even after all these years where she had given him nothing but cold shoulders and her words sharp like knives, he continued to love her.

Her eyes started to blur while staring at him, and she finally looked down to hide her tears from Theodore. A quick frown appeared on Theodore's forehead, and he apologised,

"I am sorry. It must have been too fast."

Lucy shook her head, "No," she whispered, her voice cracking as she took a deep breath and looked back at Theodore.

Theodore brought his hand to place it on the side of her face, gently caressing the skin there with his thumb, "What is it? You can tell me anything, Lucy. I will never judge you for it. You do not have to hide anything from me, even if it hurts me."

A tear slipped down from Lucy's eye, her lips softly trembling with the image of Theodore turning blur in her sight.

"Why do you love me after everything?" she questioned him.

Theodore's actions and words had warmed her heart, and she doubted anyone would ever do that for someone else. While living in a world of high society in the company of the Dukes and Duchesses and many other people who belonged to the high social standing in the kingdom Devon. She saw how people reacted towards the women and men who were left by their partners or turned into a widow. While the situation with the men was more bearable, it wasn't the same for the women, who were judged harshly by society.

Lucy had not spent enough time with the other people, but with the little amount she did spend outside to mingle and keep up the image of her being Duke Grivelle's wife, she had come to learn how people treated each other.

A woman who was in her position would never be asked to marry again, and they would shun both the man and the woman, which was why the woman was often left alone.

Theodore's eyes softened even more than before on seeing Lucy, who had tears in her eyes.

"Such simple questions you already have answers to," replied Theodore, bringing her near to him, and he patted her back while he hugged her. "In the past, I sent you to someone and it pained me. I don't want to give you to someone else again. I don't see the point of waiting when we know the inevitable thing."

Lucy closed her eyes so that she wouldn't cry more, but the tears escaped from the corner of her eyes, slipping down her cheek before it fell on Theodore's skin.

"Are you sure about it?" asked Lucy, her voice small, and she felt a lump form in her throat that made it difficult for her to speak.

"I don't do things if I am not sure," responded Theodore, a smile on his lips as he continued hugging her. He then pulled away from her so that he could take a better look at her. He wiped the streaks of tears from her cheeks. "Will you be my wife, Lucy Hawthrone. Just be mine, while I be only yours."

Lucy nodded her head, "Yes. I would be happy to take you as my husband," and sniffed before breaking into more tears.

"Come here," said Theodore, taking her back into his arms to console her so that she would not cry more.

Theodore had hoped for Lucy to agree, and now that she had, he couldn't tell how happy he was right this moment. It felt like fresh air had started to circulate him and his breathing turned lighter with every intake of his breath. He wanted nothing more than to have Lucy next to him, to live life with her, beside her and to grow a family that she wasn't fortunate to have before.

He loved her with everything he had, and he would give her everything she deserved. This was the woman who was the most important person in his life.

It had been long since one of his purposes had been fulfilled where he had stood next to Calhoun, and he did until now. But now it was time to have Lucy and never to let her go.

"Tell me how you wanted to get married the first time and I will see to it that it is how it will happen this time," said Theodore as he gently patted the back of her head.

Lucy had finally calmed down after her emotional breakdown, and she shook her head.

"I don't mind anything. Anything with you would be perfect," she answered him. Things like lavish celebrations by inviting the other high-status people, expensive decorations, or luxurious food didn't matter to her. The only thing that mattered would be him, which was why she didn't mind the details he would pick. "Whatever you think is fine."

"What a lovely future wife I am going to have," praised Theodore and Lucy felt her heart flutter at his words.

Wife.

Future wife, but it still had the word wife, thought Lucy in her mind. A blush came to settle in her cheeks at the thought of being Theodore's wife. She remembered back in the days how she wanted to be his wife, and finally, she had the opportunity to be his.

There had been days where she had written down his name over and over on the parchment, but unable to keep it out in the open, she had to sadly burn it in the fireplace so that her mother or her governess would not come to know of her feelings towards the guard who worked for her brother.

"Anything I want?" repeated Theodore, humming in the end, and he said, "I was thinking, how about we having a celebration followed by a soiree after the wedding. I have never had a celebration that was kept only for me, on my account. Exquisite drinks and food that everyone will praise how delicious the food is. Me in my groom clothes and you in your white gown so that people will know what a beautiful bride you are. We can possibly pick a mansion by borrowing it from Calhoun. What do you think about it? A big wedding celebration for us."

Lucy smiled at him, nodding her head, "That sounds good."

Theodore's eyes subtly narrowed at her, and he pulled her cheek, "Is that what you really want?" he asked her. He leaned forward to bite one side of her cheek, making her softly yelp.

"What did I do?" she asked, her eyes wide and the rim of her eyes that were slightly red. "You said you wanted it."

"You idiot," scolded Theodore, his words not harsh on her. He said, "I know you don't want those things. How long do you think I have known you?"

"You shouldn't have listed out those things if you didn't want to," she replied, her mood shifting back to its usual self. "I only wanted to see you happy."