The Crown's Obsession (WN)

As the days continued, so did Lucy's feelings increase towards Theodore even though both of them didn't interact with each other as much as they did before. But the memories were fresh, and even though her feelings towards Theodore increased, it didn't matter to others as the suitors continued to come and meet her.

Lucy wasn't naive to not know how her royal family wanted her to marry someone of their own stature, someone whose alliance would benefit them and less to her.

Right now, she was in the garden, taking a walk with one of the suitors with whom her parents wanted her to spend her time.

"I have met your father before, but I don't think I ever saw you with him," said Lucy to the man.

The young man offered her a polite smile, "I don't want to hide things from you, Lady Lucy, but I spent most of my time away from home. In the sea. You know how people can get when they start to overwhelm you with how you should and shouldn't be."

Somewhere, Lucy understood where this person came from, and she nodded her head. "The sea must be wonderful. I have only gone and stood near the ports but never stepped into an actually sailing boat," she responded to his words.

"Maybe one day I can take you there?" he offered, "Of course it need not be that we have to be married. Even if you decline, I can fulfill that dream of yours."

With the number of people she had met, Mr. Gerville seemed to be the kindest of them all when it came to considering her feelings. "Thank you, Mr. Gerville. I will look forward to it. Is it true that there are pirates in the sea who sabotage the ships? There are so many stories that I hear, even one that included a ship that is owned by a ghosts."

"Is that so?" Samuel let out a small laugh.

Lucy wasn't able to answer Samuel's question as her eyes caught sight of Calhoun as well as Theodore, who stepped out of the carriage, returning from somewhere. Her heartstrings tugged when Theodore's eyes fell on her, and their eyes met for a brief moment.

"Isn't that the King's son born from the infamous woman?" questioned Samuel, and Lucy frowned, "The woman who has-"

"She's not infamous," Lucy corrected him right away. "Brother Calhoun's mother was a respectable woman. She was a good person and mother. I would prefer that you do not sing along with the rest and learn first before you speak about her."

Samuel deeply bowed, "My apologies, milady. I should have been more careful with my words. Forgive me for upsetting you."

Lucy wasn't upset just because of Samuel's words but also for being unable to stay near Theodore. She wanted to speak, to spend time with him, but the time never felt right as people were always there around both of them. She had tried to sneak back into the tower, but Theodore wasn't there, and it only ached her heart.

"It's okay," murmured Lucy and said, "It was good talking to you, Mr. Gerville. I shall take my leave now." Without waiting for him to tell his goodbye for the day, Lucy quickly returned inside the castle.

The suitor looked at the young vampiress who left his side. The polite smile that had accompanied him all this time slipped away, and his eyes turned dull.

"This seems more difficult than I expected it to be," muttered Samuel under his breath with no one to hear him. "It's okay. I will wait, Lady Lucy."

Lucy's feet were quick, and as she walked, she caught up with Theodore, seeing both he and Calhoun were interrupted by a minister to speak to each other.

Her heart couldn't stop pounding, and she left the place to go to the music room. Ms. Lewis wasn't aware that Lucy had finished speaking to her suitor, and Lucy took this opportunity to play the music by herself in the room.

Picking her cello and positioning it as she sat down on the stool with the bow in her hand, she started to play the music to divert her mind. Lucy didn't know what she was going to do. She wondered if she could run away from here if possible to live away from the castle life and the rules. Music started to fill up the room, with her emotions being poured out of her soul. While she was still playing, she put more force, and some of the strings broke from her bow, and she stopped, silence starting to swallow the room.

"You should be careful with the pressure."

Lucy jumped in her seat. Her eyes snapped to find Theodore, who was in the room. When did he come here?

"You shouldn't be here," said Lucy, looking away from him and giving her attention to the bow.

"You seemed upset about something," stated Theodore. "Are you alright, Lady Lucy?"

"What if I said, I am not?" asked Lucy, her eyes challenging him.

Theodore walked to where Lucy was, and he took hold of the bow from her, inspecting it with his eyes and fingers.

"When there's something troubling you, you should either speak out and try to resolve it or ignore it and start fresh," his eyes then shifted from the bow to look at Lucy, who was looking at him. "You put too much pressure, did the governess teach you to play in this way?" he asked her.

He looked around the room to find another spare bow, and he went to fetch it.

Bringing it back to where Lucy was, he walked behind her and handed it to her, "Why don't you play from the beginning again. Go on," he urged her.

When Lucy placed the bow on the cello's strings, a pair of hands came to place on top of her hand. "Here," he spoke to her softly, and she felt his breath reverberate against her neck, raising goosebumps on her skin.

While Lucy moved her hand under the guidance of Theodore's hand, he said, "You should stop looking at things that are going to cause trouble. Trouble attracts only more trouble."

"Are you addressing me as trouble?" asked Lucy.

"No. I was speaking about myself."