The Crown's Obsession (WN)

Everyone, including Madeline's aunt, stared at the King who recited a fable that went around in the land. Madeline didn't know why Calhoun would bring up about werewolves and hinting about her grandmother being eaten. Was he trying to test Aunt Mary's intelligence? Madeline questioned herself.

Mr. and Mrs. Harris felt extremely uncomfortable. It was only yesterday that they had found out about what happened to Mr. Harris' parents. Coming to terms with the death of family members was one of the hardest things to do. Mr. Harris would have been angry if his parents hadn't put Madeline in the coffin not once, but twice. Naturally, he was shocked, but Madeline was still his firstborn child, and no one liked to have their children spending their time in the coffin.

While Mr. Harris had grown to be unaware of the tales about the angels, Mary, his sister had taken a keen interest to find out and had started to look for answers when she had first found out about the dark angel��s who were Paschar's children. The woman didn't have abilities like her parents or her niece, but she had got hold of a spell that was enough to keep the demons at bay.

Beth's mood slightly uplifted because whatever the King had said, it had thrown her aunt off.

Their aunt offered a pleasing smile to the King, eyes shining back again. The woman said, "There are no werewolves in the land of Devon, my King. I don't think people should whisper fable-like these in here. It is only in Warring's land."

"One can never be too sure about it," retorted Calhoun, "It has come to my attention that the werewolves are spreading around the other lands and Kingdoms."

"Werewolves need to be eradicated from the lands. They are harmful creatures," stated Aunt Mary, a pleasant smile on her lips.

"Yes, the High House will be coming here to deal with the werewolves," Calhoun casually mentioned, noticing how the woman's facial expression didn't change and her heart continued to beat in the same pace. But her eyes slightly narrowed at the mention of the High House. "I heard they have other business to deal with too. Something about the past," the King continued.

"It is good to see people working for others welfare," answered Aunt Mary, and Madeline wondered why Calhoun was holding the conversation with her aunt for so long, which he usually didn't do with everyone. A frown appeared on her forehead, was Aunt Mary perhaps involved with her grandparents?

"Nicola, why don't you lead Lady Mary to one of the best guest rooms in the castle? I would like to make sure that Madeline's family are well taken care of," said Calhoun, his words 'well taken care of' having another underlying meaning to it, "It is quite unfortunate that Madeline's grandparents aren't here yet. I have gotten the rooms prepared, and they are waiting for them."

"That is very generous of you, my Lord. I am sure my niece will be happy here," came the quick reply from the woman, who was ready to talk to her brother, but the vampire was not done speaking to Madeline's aunt.

"It is good to see that you and the Harris' family are so forthcoming and welcoming when it comes to mine and Madeline's marriage. It is difficult to find people these days with their aggression and lack of tolerance towards the vampires and the same goes with the vampires towards the humans," said Calhoun. Aunt Mary had a tight smile on her lips, while the King continued to offer her a polite smile, that looked less polite and more intimidating.

When Madeline's family left the corridor with the maid who went to show where Aunt Mary could settle in the castle, Madeline who had stayed behind with Calhoun turned to him,

"Why were you reciting the story of the Red Riding Hood to Aunt Mary?" asked Madeline.

"I thought she would enjoy a child's story, not to forget," Calhoun's eyes turned to look at her, "I think it's a wonderful way to bond with each other. What?" he cracked a grin and Madeline shook her head, "Could you recollect again on what your aunt was doing in the past?"

Madeline's eyebrows furrowed at the question. She responded, "She took us to my grandparent's house. So that they could help."

Calhoun hummed in acknowledgement. He then said, "Don't stay alone with her."

"You think she will kill me?"

"Well, yes. Your aunt might not be a fallen angel like your grandparent's, but that doesn't mean she won't use you for her own gains," stated Calhoun, bringing his hand forward to smoothen her hair before tucking the piece of hair that was on the side of her face behind her ear. He ran his finger over the side of her ear lobe to notice Madeline's heart skip a beat.

"With what the ghost said, the demons and the angels will come looking for you for their gains. To use you so that they can redeem their sins through you. The fallen angels and demons find it hard to live as ordinary people on these lands, call it their pride or greed. They want to return."

"You don't?" asked Madeline.

Calhoun was not just a vampire, but he was a vampire who had demon blood in him.

Parents could often disregard and give up on their child whom they brought up with love and care, later to treat them as a pawn for their own benefits. People often followed the path of power, and love between people changed in time. As he said, people wanted a comfortable life, instead of working hard, they wanted to return to who they once were. It made Madeline question if the fallen angels retook birth, repeating the cycle of life as a punishment, because that made sense. Calhoun's intentions were different compared to others when it came to Madeline.

She heard Calhoun say, "I have no interest in lame things like those. I am content with what I have," he said, looking at her, "My happiness lies here with you. Wherever you are."

As cunning as Calhoun was, words like these had somewhere crawled into her heart, his words warming her, and she leaned to his touch, a smile on her lips.