The Crown's Obsession

Leave it on Lucy to think the worst person to be a decent person, thought Theodore in his mind. But then that was what made her his Lucy. The ability to not see the worst and to see the best in everything was a gift and, at the same time, a curse. And he decided to turn it into a complete gift while eliminating anything or anyone who would come to harm her.

Pecking her lips, he smiled. Happy to see the lost smile on her face return after many years, he intended to keep it this way for the rest of their lives.

"It is nice you know, our family is getting extended," said Lucy in a thoughtful tone. "First it was just me and brother Cal, but now we are all related to each other. Calhoun is married to Madeline, you, who is his best friend, married his sister, so now you two are brother-in-laws. Then we have Vladimir, who is our new grandpa."

Theodore wasn't too keen on keeping Vladimir as his grandfather-in-law because the Devil meant trouble. Calhoun was the Devil's grandson. If it weren't so, everyone would have had a piece of the Devil's wrath and being friends with him was the last thing one would do. He knew exactly why the Devil had offered him a job in the underworld; that way, it would be easier to persuade Calhoun to come and join Hell.

Lucy continued to speak excitedly, "Oh! I never knew he was interested in the head of the High House."

"If I would have known earlier that you had this much energy, we would be not here but in the bed," said Theodore, his wet hand touching her face, and Lucy blushed. "Enough about others, I want to talk about you."

"Okay," whispered Lucy, "We shall speak about me and you."

Away from the newlywed's room, Calhoun sat with Aunt Monique, talking to her on the first floor of the front patio of the castle, while Madeline was resting in their room after throwing up again.

"Is it necessary to leave this early? I am sure we all could use your company in the castle. It will turn a little lonely without you," one side of Calhoun's lips pulled up in a smile.

"I have overstayed my stay here in the castle. I thought it was going to be a short visit where I would be returning to my mansion once I finished attending your wedding, but I ended up staying longer than the expected time. My poor dog must be missing me and might think I have died," replied Lady Monique with a smile.

With the occasion of the wedding that had completed, and Calhoun and Lucy, who had married the people they loved, Lady Monique didn't see a reason to stay any longer in the castle.

"In a few months you will be having one more member added to the Hawthrone family," smiled the older vampiress, her eyes gaze on the grounds of the castle. "Time has changed and it feels good, doesn't it. The peace we all have been looking forward to. You have done well, King Calhoun. More than I expected you to do."

In the past, Monique had been worried when news had reached her about Constance's son in the castle, that like the woman, even her son would be put under a similar situation. But Calhoun had overcome the hurdles.

During the time of the evening, Lady Monique's trunks had been placed in the back of the carriage along with another carriage that was ready to go with her, filled with gifts for her by Calhoun. Everyone had stepped out of the castle, standing near the carriages, where the older vampiress was going to take her leave.

"Do you really need to go, Aunt Monique?" asked Lucy, her voice a little sad.

"I will come to visit you, or you can come to visit me. Write me letters, dear Lucy," said Monique with a smile on her lips.

"I will miss you terribly," Lucy hugged her aunt, the hug lasting for more than five seconds before they pulled away from each other. "Once the mansion has finished its renovation, we will come to visit you."

Lady Monique's eyes shifted to look at Theodore, who offered her a bow, "We look forward to visiting you, milady."

"Take care of Lucy. She is like my own daughter," said Monique.

"I will, milady," responded Theodore, putting his arm around Lucy when she returned to his side.

"The King and the Queen," Monique turned to Calhoun and Madeline. "I wish you happiness that you didn't find in the past. Please take care of yourself," she said, looking at Madeline.

"Your help won't be forgotten, Lady Monique," Calhoun was grateful that Lady Monique had stayed back in the castle while offering her support.

"With my work done here, it is time for me to leave now," Monique murmured under her breath. Wishing everyone, she finally got inside her carriage. Soon, the horses pulled the carriages away from the front of the castle before leaving the castle grounds through the gates.

Madeline felt Calhoun slip his hand in hers, and she smiled.

"Your parents are coming here tomorrow?" asked Calhoun, and Madeline hummed.

"That's what the letter said," replied Madeline, unconsciously her other hand moved to her stomach, placing it there protectively.

Calhoun tugged her hand, climbing up the stairs while Theodore and Lucy followed a couple of steps away from them.

Soon even Lucy and Theodore would leave the castle to look after the renovation of the mansion. It felt like everyone had gone through a long journey. They had started with the worse and had ended with the best days to look forward to in the future, thought Madeline in her mind.

A week passed in the castle since Lucy and Theodore had been married, and the castle turned joyous but also quiet at the same time as the couples were busy with each other.

On one fine morning, the King and the Queen finally broke the news about Madeline being pregnant, and Lucy couldn't be anymore happier.

"I cannot believe we are going to have a small one in the castle soon!" gushed Lucy. "I am so happy for both of you!"

Madeline laughed at Lucy's excitement. She had already sent a letter to her sister Beth to inform her about the news the very evening of the wedding day.

'Dear Beth, I hope you are doing well.

I heard from Calhoun about the disturbance that is going on in the Northlands, and it has had me worried, but I know you are stronger. Winter has passed, and the flowers of the spring that we used to view have bloomed. It looks beautiful, and I wished you were here with me.

Lucy is finally married to Theodore, and she's very happy. They both are. Mother and father are going to be here in the castle.

I wrote this letter because I have news to share with you. In a few months, you are going to be an aunt, Beth. I am pregnant. Calhoun has not been letting me do anything much and, as always, hovers around me as if I will trip and fall any moment… I know the reason why you left Devon, Beth. But I hope you can forgive yourself. Come home soon. I miss you.

Love Maddie.'