The Crown's Obsession (WN)

Music Recommendation: What if? - Guy Jackson

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Turning away from Vladimir, Helena was going to speak to Calhoun when she heard Vladimir ask, "When will I see you next?"

Helena was a serious and busy woman who didn't have time for silly things like this. She answered him, "When I die."

"How lovely," smiled Vladimir.

Helena walked to where Calhoun was, and when he saw her approach her, he said, "Thank you for sparing your time to attend my sister's wedding." His eyes subtly moved to look at Vladimir and then back at the woman.

Dimitri, who had joined her, they both bowed their head in appreciation, "Thank you for inviting us. We will take our leave, to take a look at the other buildings to see what it can be converted into before having the people to come and live here. It might be better if the things around are set up beforehand so that there won't be any breaking of rules and there will be an order."

"That sounds good," agreed Calhoun.

"We should get going now," said Helena, ready to leave, but Calhoun stopped her.

"My wife has decided to get a painting, the wedding portrait done today. We would appreciate it if you would be able to join us, after all, there aren't many here," stated Calhoun.

Helena's lips were set in a thin line, and she said, "I think what the Queen means is a family portrait. We are the members of the High House, it would be odd to have us in something special as the family painting is done."

"Not at all," Calhoun's grin widened to show his fangs and he said, "I believe we are family, Lady Helena," and hearing this the woman narrowed her eyes. He turned to look at Madeline while ignoring the small glare sent by Helena. He asked Madeline, "Did you tell the painter what time to arrive and where?"

Madeline nodded her head, "I did. I wonder where they are."

"No worries, we aren't in a rush," said Calhoun, slipping his hand in hers and holding it as he had been excited since he had heard the news from Madeline. To think that next year at this time they would have their child in their arms.

Lucy and Theodore, who stood together, were speaking to each other, where Theodore touched Lucy's face while running his thumb under her eyes, "Are you tired? You didn't get enough sleep," he asked her with concern.

She shook her head with a smile, "Not at all. I am wide awake," she grinned, saying this. She held his arm with both her hands, her head leaning against him.

Lady Monique came around to speak to the couple, "Look at you both all lovey-dovey. You should have just eloped," she said, speaking about the past. Hearing this Lucy nodded her head, and Theodore chuckled.

"My apologies for not doing that, milady," said Theodore and Monique stared at him.

"Take good care of Lucy. I will make sure to break your legs and hands if you are to hurt her in any way," she gave him a stern look before a small smile broke on her lips.

"I promise to take good care of her and to love her unconditionally," he bowed her head, and the older vampiress nodded her head.

Monique then came to stand in front of Lucy, and she placed both her hands on either side of Lucy's face and leaned forward to kiss her forehead, "Be happy, dear Lucy."

"Thank you, Aunt Monique," Lucy was grateful towards her aunt that she had stayed back in the castle for so long.

She was someone Lucy looked up to, and it meant a lot to her that her aunt cherished her the same way she did. She had always been kind to her, guiding her through when she felt she needed the support.

"There seemed to be a little change in plans as we were short of the bridesmaids," Monique apologized for not walking her down the aisle. Lucy shook her head.

"I am happy to have so many people who have come to attend our day today. It means a lot to me," she had let go of Theodore's hand to step forward and hugged her aunt, who hugged her back.

"I know you do, dear," Monique smiled at Lucy's words.

While everyone was still talking, Theodore caught someone inside the church.

"I will be back," he said to Lucy, and she nodded her head before continuing to speak to her aunt while Theodore stepped inside the church to see someone standing at the front.

The people who had come to attend the wedding were standing outside the church, waiting for the painter to arrive, and it being an abandoned place, he wondered who it was. He saw a woman standing with her back facing him, and as he got closer, the person turned to look at him. His eyes widened in surprise, seeing the familiar woman who looked young now, and a smile had settled on her lips.

"Congratulations on your wedding, Theo," wished Madame Fraunces.

"Thank you," said Theodore, watching the woman in surprise. "I didn't know you were going to be here. We would have waited for you to join."

"I didn't miss it. I was one of the first few people who arrived in here," replied Madame Fraunces, and she asked, "How are you?"

"Very happy. Happier to see you here. Lucy told me about meeting you," he said, glad to see Madame Fraunces. "She also told me what Gabriel said about you."

"Did he now," murmured Madame Fraunces without a hint of anger or annoyance in her voice. "He dropped the veil for a while so that I could talk to you."

Theodore was at a loss of words by seeing the woman now as the last time when he went to see her, he had been greeted by her death. It was as if there were many things he wanted to speak, but he knew their time was limited. "Forgive me. If it weren't for me and Calhoun, they wouldn't have killed you."

"It is fine. I never blamed you both for that," replied Madame Fraunces. "I have lived far better than most of the people and longer than any other human. I am happy to see you have finally settled with the person you have loved for so long. I like her. She's kind."

"She is," agreed Theodore.

When she started to glow, Theodore realized her time to leave had arrived, and he said, "I will miss you."

"Me too, Theo. Me too," smiled Madame Fraunces. She said, "Thank you for continuing to remember me. I am glad that I took you in, you turned into a wonderful person."

Fragments of her body had started to move up in the air as if she was evaporating.

Theodore returned the smile, and he bowed his head in respect, "I will always remember you."

"You have been released from your burdens, go now live the life you want. Live and love the girl..." said Madame Fraunces and her eyes fell behind Theodore where Calhoun stood at the entrance of the church, staring at her. She smiled at Calhoun before evaporating into fragments of orange and white light that disappeared in the air.