The Crown's Obsession (WN)

When the next morning arrived, as Madeline had requested from Calhoun, both of them sat at the opposite ends of the long table. The servants who had come to serve, couldn't help but have a questioning look at the change in the seatings because all these days, the lady had been sitting very next to the King.

It was Madeline who had asked it, but since the maids kept moving back and forth from one end of the table to another, she couldn't help but feel awkward about it. She had thought that she would feel better, where she wouldn't have to look too closely at him or where he could touch her, but she had made it difficult for the servants. Not to forget, Calhoun was still visible to her as he sat in front of her, enjoying his meal.

"Good morning, my King," she heard Theodore's voice from the door, who stepped in to talk. When his eyes fell on Calhoun with the lady not around, he turned to only find her sitting on the other side.

"Good morning, Theo," chimed Calhoun, taking in a bite and turning to look at his loyal man, "Was everything sorted out?" he asked the brown-haired man who bow his head.

"Yes, milord. Mr. Perris has been swayed, after you made your presence. He knows not to talk," answered Theodore. The man who was close to the King decided to ask with good humour, "Do we need to change the chairs here? I can ask the chair maker to replace the old ones if needed."

"That won't be needed," came Calhoun's reply, "Madeline was not happy sitting here, and she wanted to be able to see me directly than have her turn her neck. Isn't that right, Madeline?" he smiled, looking at her.

The King's right-hand man turned to look, and Madeline couldn't do anything but give a small bow to greet him which was returned instantly. She doubted she had to use words to explain to the man on what the truth was, because she believed he already knew. Theodore was the King's close man, someone who had tattle-tale on her, and she had barely spoken to him.

"Did you deliver the letter to the elder daughter of Harris?" asked Calhoun and Madeline's ears turned alert hearing this.

"Yes, milord," Theodore affirmed, "I had it delivered before returning to the castle this morning.

Madeline was happy to hear that. She hoped things would go well, but Madeline didn't know that the letter was not going to make Beth happy.

The letter had been received by Mrs. Harris by one of the King's official men when she was watering the plants in front of their house. She had been extremely pleased to hear that it was written by her younger daughter. When she went inside, Mrs. Harris called her elder daughter,

"Beth! Look, it's a letter from Madeline!" came the excited voice from the older woman. She had been utterly worried since the time the King had hinted how he knew about her passing the note that had her filled with dread. To receive a letter from her younger daughter, meant she was in good health, and the King had not done anything bad to her.

Where was her glasses? Asked Mrs. Harris to herself, searching for her glasses. Beth who had been preparing breakfast, came out of the kitchen.

"Beth! Read this, quick!"

Beth wasn't as excited as Mrs. Harris, but she was curious as to what might be written in the letter.

Beth took the letter from her mother, "Let me read it," she said, unfolding the letter she started to read,

"Dear Sister Beth. I hope this letter finds you well. The King and I shared a few words, and during that time, you happened to come up. He said he would help by speaking to Mr. Danvers about you so that you could rebuild the connection you shared with him. As you are elder to me, it would be rude and not right to get married before you."

When Beth read this out loud, her face turned red.

Mrs. Hariss looked taken aback. The King had mentioned taking Madeline as his wife, but she didn't know when that was going to happen. She then heard Beth continue to read,

"I thought it was only right to ask you if you are still willing to consider the man for a possible alliance. If no, the King said there are other bachelors who may suit your taste. I am treated well without any trouble. Tell papa, I am happy to see that he has his own shop now. I couldn't be any more grateful towards the King, though I am trying to come in terms with things here around me. Tell mama, not to worry about me. Things in the castle have been good. Do write me back. Lots of love, your sister Madeline," Beth concluded the letter, her teeth gritting against each other.

"Is that all that is written in there?" asked Mrs. Harris, and Beth handed over the letter to her mother.

"Yes. It looks like Madeline is finally acknowledging her life in the castle," Beth turned around to have a scornful look on her face, "She wants to stay there, and you were worried for nothing."

"But is it she who wrote it?" asked her mother, "When we saw her here, she looked upset."

"Maybe, she finally changed her mind," Beth was furious how it was hinted in the letter that though she was the older daughter here, Madeline was the first one to get a marriage proposal and who would be getting married first.

What Beth didn't know was that the game she had played with the lette before, someone had made use of the same tactic.

The first half of the letter were the words of Madeline, but it wasn't the same letter that she had written. Calhoun changed words with her handwriting once she had left his room, for his own interest.

Back in the castle, Calhoun thought about what he had done. A malicious smile adorned on his lips.