The Crown's Obsession (WN)

This morning, Lucy had not got out of the bed and had instead looked dull. He could only guess that something had happened without his notice, especially with Rosamund's words hanging in the back of his mind.

Theodore stared back at Samuel, his eyebrows subtly raising, "I think you missed what the King said, but it would be better if you don't phrase it that way for Lady Lucy's sake," his reply struck a nerve in Samuel.

Samuel let out a chuckle from his mouth, "You don't have to worry about it. Lucy is my wife, and I know how to treat her. Answer my question."

"Like I said earlier, Lady Lucy and Lady Rosamund happened to join me in the dining room when I went to drink water. It seems like the maids forgot to fill the jug with water in their rooms and mine. We all happened to turn thirsty at the same time," replied Theodore, his expression impassive until a faint smile appeared on his face that Samuel caught on to.

"You should watch your back, Advisor Theodore. People, especially the King wouldn't be happy if he were to find his advisor buzzing like a bee around his sister who is married," warned Samuel. "I know Lucy is beautiful and it is hard for people to look away from her, but it would be better if you don't cross your lines."

This time it was Theodore who chuckled, "I think you are letting your imagination run wild, Duke Grivelle. Hold your horses because what you are insinuating is also something that the King won't tolerate. I wonder where you got the idea, but it would be better if we don't speak about this any further."

Theodore was about to start walking when Samuel said, "Don't think I won't be watching you."

"And I will watch you too," said Theodore before adding, "Your back of course," he offered the man a smile before leaving the place.

Samuel gritted his teeth and his hands clenched together, wanting to punch Theodore for acting as if he was superior to him. He went to the room, opening the doors to find Lucy sitting at the table in their room and having her meal.

"How are you doing now, Lucy?" asked Samuel to her, placing his hand on her head and then on her shoulder.

Feeling Samuel's hands on her, Lucy's grip on the spoon tightened, but she tried not to react and behaved normally as if nothing happened.

"I still feel sick. I think I must have caught something," replied Lucy, and she stood up to walk away from him, moving towards the basin to wash her hands and mouth.

"This is why I always tell you why you shouldn't spend your time in the cemetery. You never know what those deceased bodies contain or carry near them," responded Samuel.

Lucy was too dazed and still in shock from what she had seen and heard that she failed to respond to Samuel's words.

"Lucy?" Samuel had to call her name twice, and she finally broke away from her dazed state, turning to look at him. Samuel's lips were set in a thin line, and he walked to where she was. "Look at you, you look so pale and fragile, you make me worry about you."

Lucy stared into her husband's red eyes. All these years, she had trusted and depended on him. After catching him red-handed without his knowledge, it allowed her to understand why Samuel had tried to cheat on her.

After a few months of their marriage, it felt like she was his wife just by name, and apart from it, there was no other meaning to their relationship.

"I love you so much, do you know that, Lucy?" asked Samuel, and she stared right into his lying eyes. "Do you think we should return to our mansion? I am not sure if the castle is suiting you as you were doing much better in our home."

Lucy shook her head, "It has nothing to do with staying in the castle. I just need some rest," she said, turning her head to the other side. She doubted she would feel better any time soon.

Samuel knew something was not right, and he wondered if Theodore and Lucy had confessed their feelings for each other.

Lucy was his wife! Only his!

"I know this is not the right time to bring it up, but your aunt mentioned something about you visiting the dining room with Theodore," he drawled his words so that Lucy could clarify it.

"Hm," Lucy responded. "I was too sleepy, I don't think I even remember meeting my aunt last night."

"Is that so," replied Samuel with a smile, and he then looked at the clock and said, "I am getting late to go to work. I am supposed to go meet the magistrate again-"

"Would you mind me if I come with you? The time in the castle is slow," added Lucy, wanting to see what kind of work Samuel was working on. She looked at him curiously.

Samuel's smile faltered, and he said, "You will be utterly bored there and also it is hot outside, not to forget, you are still not well. Maybe some other day," saying this, he stepped out of the room.

Lucy stared at the door even after it had been minutes since Samuel had left her in the room. Going to bed, she sat at the edge of it. Things which she had failed to see and notice earlier, she could now clearly see it. In their own little world, Lucy was unaware of Samuel's deeds. From one cage, she had moved to another to never spread her wings again, and the sad part was that until now, she had never taken a note of it.

She wanted to confront him, but she wondered how that would go. She needed some time for the information of what happened to sink into her mind to completely grasp the situation before taking any decision.