The Crown's Obsession (WN)

Ethan couldn't be anymore happier than to hear Lucy offer her help to him. She had always been kind. But this also gave him the opportunity to ask her out for the ball. Hopefully, she wouldn't refuse and he would finally be able to let out this thoughts on how he felt about her.

"Thank you for the offer, Lady Lucy. I was wondering if you would be able to make it to the ball. Considering how the Barnes family is close to the King when it comes to offering help in work," inquired Ethan, watching her eyes blink and her hand tuck a piece of her hair behind her ear.

"I am not sure about it. When is the ball?" she questioned back.

"Six days from now. It would make me feel much better to have someone I know in the room to support me, and you will be able to meet her too," added Ethan and Lucy was quick to take interest in it.

"I will try to be present, Ethan. You have my full support," and they both smiled at each other. Somewhere, Lucy caught a whisper of word in the wind that spoke 'idiot' but there was no one around them.

"I cannot wait," and he looked at the sky outside the window, "I should probably head out now. The clouds are dark and I might possibly catch rain on my way back home."

"I hope your ride back home is peaceful, Ethan," wished Lucy and the man bowed.

"Until the next time we meet again, milady," and his gaze held hers for a second longer before he walked away from her to step out of the castle.

Lucy hadn't moved from her spot, and she watched the corridor until she heard footsteps approach behind her, "He seems to be in love, doesn't he." Her head snapped around to find Theodore who had made his way to where she was and she felt her heart skip a beat just by hearing his voice.

"Uh, you mean Ethan?" asked Lucy, "He does, he said he loves this girl and he was going to ask her for her hand in marriage."

"How wonderful and the girl doesn't know," commented Theodore and Lucy gave him a perplexed look.

"She will on the day of the ball," said Lucy and she then asked, "Did you come from the royal court?"

"Not exactly," and he then fished something in his pocket before handing it to Lucy, "I think you forgot this yesterday."

For a moment, Lucy didn't know what it was as it looked like folded parchment and then her eyes widened in realization. She quickly snatched it away from him, her cheeks tinting red.

"W-where did you find this? Thank you," said Lucy before putting the folded parchment in her dress pocket.

She had looked for it yesterday, but she was sure the wind had blown it away to another corner or it was handed to the minister or her family members. If that happened, Lucy didn't know what she would do.

"You must have left it behind when we met last evening. I wanted to return it, but with what happened yesterday, I decided to wait," said Theodore, his eyes looking into hers and Lucy couldn't keep hold of the gaze for too long.

Did he read it? Asked Lucy to herself. Some part of her wished he had read, and some part was already embarrassed with the thought that he had already read it. Her eyes slowly moved back to look at his face that had very faint marks compared to the wounds that he had received yesterday from the guards after being put in the cell rooms of the top tower.

"How are you doing today, does it hurt?" asked Lucy with concern in her voice. Her heart ached when she had seen him bloody and on the ground.

"I am doing much better today. Thank you," replied Theodore.

"That's good to hear. What happened yesterday, it shouldn't have happened," Lucy pursed her lips. Theodore didn't utter a word about her governess and even though Lucy wanted to know, it would only make him question why. But Lucy wanted to let him know about her feelings.

Though Theodore didn't bring a single change in his expression, he noticed the way the vampiresses cheeks had turned slightly pink. Her tongue peeked out to wet her lips that seemed like it had turned dry.

Previously he had humoured her for no reason. When Lucy had dropped the parchment without her knowledge, he had picked it up to return it to her without reading it. Not bothering what was written inside it. But one single action after that had changed his view about Lucy Hawthrone. After being released from the cell room and after King Laurence and Queen Morganna had left them, Theodore had reached out for the parchment, opening to read what was in there. It was clear as day that the poem written in there was nothing less to a wonderment of love.

Theodore was not ignorant when it came to women and girls affections towards him, to not know that there was something brewing in Lucy's chest and to whom it was directed to.

The question here was if it was worth the trouble, to involve himself with her, but then he was so used to trouble and at the same time, he was in the castle to accomplish Calhoun's goal.

Theodore offered her a polite and friendly smile, "Little misunderstandings happen, Lady Lucy. I am thankful that we have moved past yesterday's event."

Lucy quickly nodded her head in agreement, "Me too."

"How are your lessons going on with your governess?"

"It was a little bumpy this morning, but nothing too difficult," replied Lucy, "Did you say something to her? The governess I mean."

Theodore tilted his head as he looked in her eyes.

"Nothing of importance, milady," said Theodore and he asked, "Why do you ask?" as if he had no clue.