The Crown's Obsession (WN)

Music Recommendation: Everything is different- Jay Wadley

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"Not yet, but thank you for arranging them," Monique thanked her with a short bow and then looked at the servants who were carrying the paintings away. "Are you planning to put something else here, milady?" she asked the young woman.

"Calhoun has asked the painter to come visit us tomorrow. We thought of getting all of us in a frame to remember," replied Madeline. "Some of them are painted in the time when the previous King and Queen were alive."

"I do remember that. It is good to have the family portrait painted and placed here, instead of paintings of people we don't know and care barely about," responded Aunt Monique without mincing her words. "Maybe it will change Lucy's mind and she will stay."

Hearing this, Madeline smiled. It seemed like everyone wanted Lucy to stay in the castle so that they could stay near each other without any worry.

"I heard Theodore decided to go along with her during that time when she will be there in the mansion," stated Madeline, watching two servants who tried to get down the painting from the wall. "Do you feel the same way as Lucy, Lady Monique? About the castle I mean."

"I guess you could say it. But then I don't hold any particular memories of this castle except for work, that is how it used to be," answered Lady Monique. "Everything and everybody needs a change. Like death, change is inevitable and it happens over time."

Madeline agreed to Lady Monique's words, and when she was about to say something, she closed her mouth. She felt slightly dizzy and weak.

"Are you alright, Lady Madeline?" asked Lady Monique in concern.

"Yes," Madeline offered the woman a smile. "I am fine, just probably a little sleep deprived." She hadn't been able to sleep last night until the wake of dawn because of Calhoun.

"You young children sometimes make me wonder if I am missing something," the older vampiress shook her head, and a small tint of redness appeared on Madeline's cheek. "Are your parents coming here tomorrow?"

Madeline shook her head, "They will be coming next week."

"I see," murmured Monique.

At the same time, Madeline felt the uneasiness in her stomach and throat.

She didn't know what was happening, but the discomfort that she had been feeling in her body for quite some time seemed to have appeared again. She quickly left the hall, running towards the nearest room to throw up in the basin.

Monique, who had closely followed Madeline, worried that the girl had fallen sick, her eyes widened in realization, and she ordered the nearby maid, "Get King Calhoun here right this instance."

The maid was startled by the sudden events, and she hurried herself to fetch the King. In the meantime, Monique poured water into a glass for Madeline. She came near Madeline, rubbing her back as the girl continued to throw up.

"I must have eaten something bad," Madeline whispered to herself. Her eyes had teared up, and she thanked Monique while taking the glass of water first to wash her mouth before she drank it, feeling a little relieved. But it was short-lived as she threw up again, and Monique brought the jug from the table, pouring water for her to drink.

With the amount of time Calhoun and Madeline were spending time with each other, Monique was barely surprised by the turn of events. The King loved his wife too much to leave her alone, always holding her or kissing her at every opportunity. She was sure he was going to be ecstatic hearing the news.

"Drink some more water," suggested Monique and Madeline brought the glass close to her lips while her heart beat had increased.

Within a short time, Calhoun appeared in front of the door, and he entered the room. Seeing Madeline sitting on the chair with a glass of water. Monique moved to the other side of the chair to make room for Calhoun.

"What happened?" demanded Calhoun with his eyes narrowed at the thought that someone had tried to harm his beloved wife. "Are you alright?" he got down on one of his knees so that he could look at her.

Calhoun had been working on getting the letter written to the High House when a maid barged into the room to inform him that something had happened to Madeline.

He looked at Madeline's face now that looked pale, and he turned to look at Aunt Monique to see a smile on her lips.

"The Queen is carrying a child," said Monique with a calm voice. "I will step out to give you both some privacy," and she left them alone.

Calhoun's narrowed eyes turned subtly wide now, and he looked back at Madeline, who seemed as surprised as he was. He stood up from his place, and Madeline stood up along with him, staring at him, waiting for him to say something as an anxious look appeared in her eyes.

Suddenly he hugged her, closing his eyes, and he whispered, "Thank you, Maddie. Thank you."

Madeline's eyes suddenly turned moist, and she hugged him back. They had spoken about children, but she didn't expect that day would be today. She was glad that Calhoun was happy with the news.

"I cannot thank you enough for what you have given," said Calhoun, and he pulled away from her to take a look at her. "Are you feeling alright?"

She shook her head, "I feel nauseous."

"No wonder you didn't eat much this morning at breakfast," he commented and took a good look at her. "It is time to rest and eat so that the baby that growth will be fine," saying that he picked her up in his arms, and Madeline laughed, seeing the excitement in Calhoun's eyes.

"There's still a lot of time for that," said Madeline, putting her hands around his neck.

Calhoun didn't listen to her, and he stepped out of the room while carrying her in his arms. "You look pale as ice. Is there something you want to eat? I heard women have strange cravings. I will order the cook to prepare everything you like. Also we'll need to get the room prepared for the baby," he continued to speak, making Madeline giggle.

"Currently I only feel sick, Cal. I think all those other things come after many weeks or months," replied Madeline, her heartwarming at the sight of Calhoun's excitement.

Calhoun carried her to their room before placing her on the bed so that she could rest her feet.

"Make sure to not use the stairs too much and don't go here and there. Don't lift anything heavy," advised Calhoun.

"Cal," Madeline stopped him from speaking more, and she brought her hands forward so that he could hold them. "Let's keep this as a secret until they get married." Tomorrow was going to be Lucy and Theodore's day, and Madeline wanted everyone to enjoy their moment before letting them know about Calhoun and her having a baby.

"As you wish, my sweet girl," he said, bringing her hand towards his lips and kissing the back of her hand. "We are going to have a baby."