The Crown's Obsession (WN)

Lucy held the stuffed toy close to her while she sat in the carriage next to Theodore. Some of the things that they had brought from the village fair were placed near their feet. Two decades ago, she had tried to go to the fair, asking Nana and Amice to cover up for her absence in her room and the castle.

She had spent barely ten minutes in the fair before being found out and taken back by the guards-scolded and punished by her grandmother for attending something so disgraceful as the fair. Now, after she had spent nearly half of the day in the fair of the village, Lucy couldn't help but feel how much her grandmother and her parents must have missed in their life.

The pure joy that she had felt while being around the crowd of people who were laughing and talking was something that could not be found in the castle life. This was what she had been craving for all these years, and to have it fulfilled, the feeling was inexpressible.

She turned to look at Theodore, who was looking outside the window, his features ever so calm like the water that didn't move.

When they finally reached the castle, Theodore helped Lucy to step down from the carriage.

"I will have the guards carry these things that you brought to be sent to your room," said Theodore to Lucy, who stood right in front of him now.

Lucy nodded her head, her eyes looking at him and her right hand holding the toy. "I had a lovely time today," she expressed herself. "Thank you for letting me know about the Winter fair and taking me there. I had a lot of fun."

Theodore bowed his head, "I am glad to hear that you enjoyed it. We should do it again," his words holding a ray of hope about them spending time together.

"I agree," replied Lucy. "I-I look forward to it. Thank you for the-uh-doll," she raised her hand to show the stuffed toy, which was made out of wool and cotton.

Theodore nodded his head.

"I will go to my room," said Lucy, her movements pausing for a moment, and she offered him a sweet smile before she started to walk up the stairs.

Seeing Lucy leave, Theodore smiled at her retreating figure. He wanted to hold her before seeing her to her room, but he didn't want to push his luck. After telling her what he had been hiding from her all these years, he felt the weight on his shoulders had finally been lifted, and he could finally relax.

As eager as Lucy had been to look at the fair, Theodore had been looking forward to spending his time with her. To create new memories so that she wouldn't be able to leave him or this place easily.

Though she was an a.d.u.l.t, a vampiress, she was still a child in a few matters where her innocence hadn't changed. He loved her wholeheartedly, and he wanted to give her everything that he couldn't offer years ago.

Theodore was no more a person who had come from the streets or someone who was being beaten and starved. But still, the place where he came from was important because it was what had made him into today, but that didn't define him.

He was now the King's advisor, the closest person to Calhoun. He now had the money, the status, including the looks and charms that not many people possessed. The people who once looked down at him now looked up at him, bowing their heads. Times had changed, and he had turned into a capable man, someone whom he could see next to Lucy without a doubt.

He waved at the guards who stood at the end of the stairs, beckoning them, "Have these placed in Lady Lucy's room."

"Yes, Advisor Theodore!" bowed one of the guards, carrying the bags away from the carriage.

Before going inside the castle, he heard Calhoun's voice, "Did you finish enjoying your evening?"

Theodore looked up to find the King standing at the front viewing patio of the castle with his arms placed on the railings while he had his body bent forward.

"I guess," replied Theodore, and within less than a second, Calhoun jumped down from the patio to land smoothly on the ground before he stood up straight. "I wonder if it is from you where Lucy has learned to jump down from the balcony."

Calhoun chuckled at Theodore's words, "You don't have to be modest in giving me credit for everything," a smile was etched upon his lips.

The King was well aware of Theodore and Lucy's time in the past where he had even caught sight of them spending time with each other in the middle of the night, on Lucy's patio. Obviously, Theodore didn't make use of the normal doors.

"I thought you two were going to spend some more time outside the castle. You finished the couple outing too quickly," smiled Calhoun, putting his hands in his trouser pockets.

Theodore stared at Calhoun, "What are you doing out here, instead of being with your wife?" he questioned him.

"Madeline is helping Elizabeth to pack up the things for her journey. She is sad that her sister is leaving soon, therefore I decided to not intervene and let her have her time with Elizabeth," responded Calhoun. "Madeline is worried something bad will happen to her. But I think the more important thing to worry about here is what will happen to people who are near her. She is safer here in the castle, but the girl wants to leave."

Theodore noticed how Calhoun had changed, not too much, but just enough to accommodate and adjust with the person he was in love with. If it was in the past, Calhoun would have interrupted the sisters before pulling Madeline away from any other person who wasn't him.

The carriage in which Theodore had returned to the castle with Lucy started to ride away towards the shed so that the horses could rest for the night.

"Lady Elizabeth must be feeling lost. She isn't a human nor a complete werewolf," stated Theodore. "Did Vladimir say anything about another antidote?"

"Don't even remind me about him or anyone else now," a sigh escaped Calhoun's lips. "I have had enough with these angels and the devil, but it is also good to have some peace at last after everything that has happened. I was hoping he would have an antidote, but he said he doesn't. Even if Vlad has it, he will probably want something in return," he rolled his eyes at the thought of his grandfather.

A faint smile appeared on Theodore's lips, "There is something I had to ask from him, do you think he would be willing to meet?"

Calhoun, who was looking at the long path that led to the castle's gates, turned to look at Theodore. "I don't think he will refuse to meet you," he tilted his head to the side.

"I see," replied Theodore without giving away the question that was on his mind, and Calhoun ran his tongue over one of his sharp fangs.