The Crown's Obsession (WN)

When the next day arrived, Catherine Barnes was more than excited to leave her home to go to the village of East Carswell, which was where James Heathcliff lived. She had dressed as usual, the dress was made of silk, and her hair combed that had a veiled hat that went with her attire. A servant man accompanied her, holding an umbrella to shield her from the sunlight.

Catherine had been in love with James for more than a year now. The first time she had met him, it was the time when she had gone to visit his shop with her mother and aunt to get new gowns stitched for her. At first glance, James appeared like any other man, but he was polite, a gentleman who heeded to what she was looking for; suggesting the right colour and fabric that would look good on her. It had taken her two more visits to be enamoured by the man. And he was also a handsome man, compared to the usual humans who were not eye-catching, and many women eyed him. This made Catherine Barnes want James even more.

Vampires and humans never got along. One because of the status and two because of the kind they were, as to vampires, humans were a food source.

The coachman had stopped the carriage not too far away from Heathcliff's shop. It was only a few distances between the carriage and the shop. Catherine made her way towards the entrance of the shop. The servant man who had accompanied her went ahead to knock on the side door that caught the attention of one of the men who worked for James Heathcliff.

"Lady Catherine," the man greeted upon seeing the lovely vampiress who often visited the shop, "Your dress is going to take a week more to be prepared," he informed. The lady shook her head.

"I am looking for Mr. Heathcliff. Is he here?" inquired Catherine, her eyes looking behind the man to catch sight of James. James would most of the times be here by this time, greeting her but not today.

"Mr. Heathcliff told he was sick and would be taking the day off, milady," answered the assistant of the shop. Not well? Catherine frowned hearing this. How did she not know about it?

"Thank you for the information," replied Catherine and took two steps away from the entrance. The assistant went back to continue his work along with the others in the shop while Catherine wondered what to do. She then turned to her servant to say, "We will be going to Mr. Heathcliff's home," she had to make sure James was alright, and nothing had happened to him, "I need you to buy a basket full of fruits."

Even though the distance was a short one as they were in the village, Catherine took herself to the carriage, riding in it for a minute before it came to a stop. After getting down from the carriage, she looked at the small house that stood midst the other houses. Not many carriages came to pass through this road. The neighbours who were outside their houses couldn't help but stare at the lady who had stepped down from the carriage.

Catherine looked around at the humans. Though she loved James dearly, it didn't mean the vampiress took account of the other humans who existed. At least not the ones who lived in the village.

Using her handkerchief, she tied it around her hand before pushing the rusted gate of Heathcliff's house that creaked. She would need to let James know that the gate was creaking. Stepping towards the front of the house, she finally knocked on the door. It took less than a minute before an older man opened the door for her.

"Yes?" asked the man who appeared to be in his sixties. He wore a baggy shirt, his back hunched and his eyebrows had drawn in together.

Catherine had spent more than enough time with James, asking him to accompany her everywhere and anywhere possible, pushing him to a corner with her efforts, but she had never been to his house even once. She looked down at the man who opened the door.

"I would like to see Mr. James Heathcliff," Catherine said, her eyes moved away from the man to notice the windows which looked as old as the gates. She didn't understand why James was living in this broken house when he could afford a better place. He was a talented man who used to earn more than enough by stitching and making clothes for men and women.

The man answered, "James is not well, milady. May I ask who you are?"

"I am Catherine Barnes," the vampiress announced proudly.

"Miss Barnes," the man nodded his head as if acknowledging her presence, "I have heard James speak about you," hearing this, Catherine's gaze turned to look at the man. Her eyes sparkled hearing this man say that James had spoken about her, "Please come inside," offered the man, stepping back to give her space to get in.

Catherine stepped inside the small house. Somewhere it felt congested, but she didn't speak anything about it. She stared at the walls and the furniture.

"Please take a seat. Is there something you would like to drink?" asked the man, and Catherine shook her head. She had not come here to drink and eat but to speak to James. After hearing James was unwell, she decided to go directly to his house to meet him. Catherine took a seat on the plain wooden chair.

"No, that won't be needed," responded Catherine before asking the man, "Who are you?" it didn't seem like there were any women in the house.

"Pardon me for not introducing myself. I am Javier Heathcliff, James' father," he bowed his head, and Catherine quickly stood. She bowed her head. She had guessed the man was a servant. If she knew he was James' father, she would have been much politer.

"Senior Mr. Heathcliff," Catherine bowed her head in a much proper greeting, "It is a pleasure to be meeting you," the man looked perplexed before smiling at the young vampiress. Catherine stood there awkwardly, her hands holding the basket of fruits, she placed it on the table, "Was there something urgent that you wanted to speak to James about?" asked the man.

Catherine had meant to speak to James, but with him being sick, she decided to talk to his father, "My father wishes to meet James. I spoke to him about how wonderfully kind your son is and that I want to take our relationship one step further," hearing this Senior Mr. Heathcliff's eyebrows furrowed, "He is-He is looking for the possibility of us both getting married," she completed her words with a bashful look.

The older man was taken aback and utterly surprised by the girl's words. He would have taken it as a joke, but the lady appeared to be serious while blushing over what she just said. Senior Mr. Heathcliff was still processing when James appeared out of his room. Because of the fever, his brown hair looked messy, and his eyes looked tired and dull.

"James!" Catherine cried his name, and she quickly made her way towards him which took less than two seconds, "How are you? You should be resting in the bed."

James had been resting in the bed, but when he heard voices come from the small hall of his house. He was drifting off to sleep when he heard the words Catherine had uttered that had his eyes snap open,

"Father," said James, "I would like to speak to Miss Barnes alone," he said without addressing her as 'Lady Catherine' that brought distance between them. Even Catherine noticed this, but she took that it was the effect of the fever that was making him address her in such a way. When the older man left to go to the backyard, Catherine asked,

"How did you fall sick? Did you eat? I can ask my cook to come here and make something for you-"

"No," came James' response. His head felt hot, and he wanted to rest, but there was something he wanted to clear on what he overheard, "Could you repeat what you just said to my father?"

Catherine's face turned pink, and she looked away from his gaze. She had fallen in love but to directly speak about marriage, she was shy about it, "That…" she trailed wondering how to put it in front of him, "My father and I spoke last night about my marriage to you. I have tried to convince him, and he would like to meet you so that he can get to know you."

James stared at Catherine as if he didn't understand what the vampiress was speaking about. Marriage to him? Convince her father?

The girl noticing the blank expression wondered if James needed to rest, "I can come back to meet you once you are well. You c-"

James raised his hand for her to stop speaking, "Miss Barnes, I don't know why your father is speaking about your marriage with me and what gave the idea to you because I have no intention to marry you."

"What?" Catherine's face suddenly fell, and she stared at what James just said.

Catherine was more than shocked, and her eyes went wide, "No intention to marry? I thought you liked me. Don't you?" the girl questioned, stepping closer to James, but then he stepped away from her. Her heart broke over this action of James, and she said, "You have been complying to my words, every single time-- coming with me to attend the soirees, the ball and other parties that have been taking place. Are you joking with me?" she asked, her smile faltering to notice James looked serious.