The Crown's Obsession (WN)

Music Recommendation: Loverless Freedom by Tim Wynn

Odin's eyes widened at the voice of a man behind him, and he wondered how these people had got in here.

"W-who are you people?" asked the servant in a worried tone.

"Who are you?" asked one of the men. People were strange, thought Odin to himself.

"I am Odin, but I don't know who you are and what you gentlemen are doing here," Odin slowly turned towards them with his hands still carrying the log of woods. He looked at the men who were all vampires. People usually got stuck in the forest near this cave, and it had been way too long since this place had any visitors.

"Who lives here?" demanded another man who had worn an eyepatch over his left eye. The man held the crossbow on standby, ready to release the arrow into Odin's body.

"Y-you know it is rude to enter a place and questioning wh-oooo-" the spear that was on his neck before was now placed right in front of his throat.

"Speak else I will have slit your throat right this instant," threatened the man.

Odin gulped hard, looking at the men carrying weapons with them. "My Master Vladimir Lazarus is the one who resides here. I would request you to leave unless you want to face his wrath."

One of the men scoffed, "Do you know where to find the antidote for the werewolf's bite?" demanded the person.

"The antidote?" Odin blinked. "Don't think it is here."

"He's lying! We should go inside and get the antidote," said another man, starting to walk past the servant when Odin stretched his hand to the side to stop the person from intruding further while holding the rest of the logs in another arm. "Get the fuck out of my way."

"Gentlemen," Odin bowed his head, "My final request, that you leave unless you don't want to see the next day."

"Keep him here, Gorik. We'll be going inside to see what is in there," said one of the men and another placed his hand on the servant. They started to walk when the man who caught hold of Odin's shoulder fell dead on the ground, and the logs of the wood clattered.

The men looked startled and shocked, looking at where the servant vampire was standing who had blood on his mouth. "Please step out of here," Odin repeated his words, but the men were angry that this person killed one of their men.

Two men went straight at Odin, but the servant quickly dodged and used their weapons to pierce their hearts before pulling it out. When more men came to attack him, Odin caught one of the person's head to smash it straight against the cave's wall that splattered with blood before the man's body fell. Staying under his Master's care, Odin had picked a thing or two when it came to getting rid of people, even though he lacked the abilities like his Master.

In less than five minutes, the remaining men fell dead on the ground. How many times did he request people to go back, but they never listened. Picking up the two men's legs, he dragged them out of the passage and the cave before throwing the bodies in the forest, and Odin continued to do the same with the rest of them.

Wiping his face clean, Odin placed his hand on his back as if he was too tired and getting old. He then went to pick up the log of woods. As he entered the castle connected through the caves, his Master appeared at the top of the staircase.

"What was that noise?" demanded Vladimir, his eyes narrowed as he looked at Odin, who blinked again.

"I was cleaning some insects in the cave, Master. I have put them back in the forest," answered Odin.

"Make sure to clean the blood out there. I can smell the filthy stench coming from there," Vladimir looked in the direction where Odin had come from. "Do you have everything prepared for tonight?"

"Yes, Master!" Odin nodded his head enthusiastically. The vampire servant knew where exactly the Queen's parents were staying right now as he had got hold of their information, and one word from his Master and he would bring them here. But his Master showed no interest in the measly villagers.

"Are we going to leave from here when the moon appears in the sky?" Odin asked for confirmation.

"Yes," saying this Vladimir pulled out the pocket watch from his pocket, "There are a good few hours remaining before we leave. Bring some blood tea to my room," and the older vampire turned around to walk back to his room.

Meanwhile, in the Hawthrone's castle, Monique looked at her pocket watch before flipping it close and putting it in her dress pocket.

"They are late, aren't they?" questioned Calhoun standing next to Monique, watching the sky through the open window. The breeze ruffled his hair.

Monique responded, "If they had found the antidote, they would have sent it by now. I had ordered them to keep sending me the letters so that I know they are alive, but I haven't received any letter since the last one hour."

"They must be all dead," stated Calhoun. He had heard many stories related to Belmont mountain, and it usually spoke about death. Two hours ago, he had heard from Madeline that Beth had turned to a werewolf. As much as they were trying to keep things under control, the news would soon come to light. His face held no expression as he continued to stare at the sky.

When he started to leave the place where he and Monique stood, his aunt asked, "What do you have on your mind?"

"Right now?" asked Calhoun, turning his head over his shoulder, "To see my wife." And he walked away from there.

Madeline was in their room, sitting on the ground with the black book kept open, along with three candles placed in the left, right and another in front of her. The book had something written regarding the lunar cycle and about the energy that was used for certain spells.

"What are you doing?" came the sudden voice. Madeline looked up startled, seeing it was Calhoun who had entered the room and closed the doors behind him. His eyes fell on the book and Madeline.

"Requesting the moon to not appear in the sky tonight," was Madeline's innocent answer. Calhoun walked to where she was, sitting down on his heels next to her.

Picking the black book from the ground, Calhoun read through the page which Madeline had opened. "Will it work?" By the look in her eyes, he could tell that she was scared of losing her sister, which was why she had locked herself in the room with the book.

"I thought it was worth a try," replied Madeline, and he gave her a nod.

"Go on. We wouldn't want to waste time," stated Calhoun, while watching over her so that she wouldn't have another strike of pain and bleed herself to death. When she was done memorizing what was written in the pages, Madeline closed her eyes, and Calhoun stood up, giving her the space she needed while she whispered those words. He saw the candles flicker, letting him know that her spells were working.

As minutes passed by, Calhoun caught sight of something in the room, and his eyes fell on the creature that held an axe in its hand.