The Crown's Obsession (WN)
chapter-118

Music Recommendation: Crossing Paths by Lake Isabel

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Madeline didn't know what to say as her heart was still beating loudly in her chest whilst she stared at Calhoun, who had caught her before she would have crashed right on the ground. Her brown eyes continued to look at his red eyes in such proximity that somewhere she was curious, and at the same time, she was frightened with what just happened.

Her eyes now and then darted to look at Calhoun's back to see if the wings were still there. She had never heard of the night creatures to have wings because if they did, wouldn't they be flying up in the sky like birds? Asked Madeline to herself.

"What is your answer to my question, Maddie?" asked Calhoun whose arm was still holding her snuggly against him before he loosened his hold on her. It took her some time to wrap her mind around before she was able to finally take two steps away from him, staring at the King who was different.

"Question?" asked Madeline, who felt overwhelmed. The feelings he had for her, they were sudden and rushing, which even she could feel from his side which she was overwhelmed with.

Calhoun didn't get annoyed at her wanting to hear the question again because he would say it until he got the answer he wanted to hear from her, "Be mine."

They were two simple words, but they were heavy, heavy enough to weigh on her shoulders now. Madeline wanted to say that she didn't feel that way towards Calhoun and she would have taken James name, but she decided to bite her tongue on it. Calhoun had made a point to have her reflect on her feelings if she truly liked James or if it was just an idea which she was holding on to.

The King's red eyes stared at the beautiful dainty little creature that stood in front of him. Her eyes wide and as he expected, she shook her head. He heard her say,

"Maybe you are right, but you might be wrong too."

"What makes you think that?" asked Calhoun, his words patient while his eyes were alive and attentive, "Is it because you jumped off the cliff for his sake?"

"The cliff was a test for your gain, and it had nothing to do with James," said Madeline to only see Calhoun's wicked smile grace on his lips, "Isn't it?" she asked, a whisper of doubt leaving her lips.

"You stepped back from the cliff, falling. Did you think of the tailorman? You said people are often ready to give up their life for their beloved one. Isn't it only right that you think about the people whom you care when you are nearing death?"

Madeline frowned at his words, "That's not right."

"How so? You care enough to give up your life but not think about them by having it to be your last thoughts?" asked Calhoun who started to twist her words again and she could feel her head muddling like every time he would start doing it, "If I were breathing my last few breaths, my thoughts would be filled with nothing but you."

The words Calhoun spoke were direct and weren't sugar-coated. It was something that left an impression on Madeline, her cheeks turning red, "You don't have to do that!" she said, "You asked me to jump off the cliff and then save me, wanting to know if I can trust you."

"And you did great. Not many dared to jump down, and one's who jumped didn't make it because I didn't care about them. Also, they deserved it," answered Calhoun. There was the unspeakable interest that was in his eyes as he continued to gaze at her.

Madeline turned to her left side, walking towards one side of the cliff but not enough to reach the edge to say, "You stole the opportunity of something that could bloom. You cannot say that I don't feel anything towards the man when there's an obvious affinity that I share with him, and he feels the same way."

"What do you propose then?" asked Calhoun, the smile lowered down from his lips.

"Let me go."

Hearing this Calhoun chuckled, "I have another proposition. Let's have him killed so that I don't have to hear the broken violin crying every time when you start speaking about freedom."

Madeline clenched her hands together, trying not to speak something that she would regret, as who knew when Calhoun would actually push her to only pick her up in his arms again.

"He did nothing to you."

"I wouldn't say that," Calhoun disagreed with Madeline, "He is stealing my time with you, and quite frankly it's annoying. What do you think would be an easier punishment for him? Have him beheaded on the scaffold, throw him in the dungeon and have him tortured. I wouldn't want to throw him because I wouldn't enjoy an easy death for him. So tell me, Madeline." He started to walk towards her. Madeline quickly stepped away, keeping a safe distance between them, to hear him say, "You can run as far as you want, but I will always catch you."

"At least I will be away from you for the spare time of it," Madeline responded back.

"Please go ahead with it. I enjoy the chase. Especially when it involves someone as beautiful as you. I am waiting for you to do it so that we can start the game of chase which will stop right in my room on my bed," said Calhoun, his eyes flickering with something dark and Madeline gulped.

"You said you wouldn't do something I don't like," she said, before stopping from walking any further and let him close the distance that she had created a few seconds ago.

"Everything comes with terms and conditions. If you are so hell-bent on defying me, I won't hold back in exercising some ground rules so that you won't ever forget it," he whispered to her. As he had neared her, he didn't stop to stand in front of her but walked past her to say, "We both have enjoyed the scenery in here. Let's head back to the carriage."

Madeline stood there for a few seconds, her head turned around to look at Calhoun who continued to walk towards the forest, stepping in and she sighed before following him while not getting too close to him. On their way, Madeline stared at Calhoun's back with curious eyes. The shirt that he wore didn't have any tear mark, and it looked perfectly crisp and fine.

How did the wings come out? She asked herself, without realising that while she had her eyes trained on his back, Calhoun had slowed down his footsteps to let her catch up. A twisted smile adorned his lips as he heard the distance reduce between them.

As she walked, she felt like she was releasing the stress she had been carrying so far. She didn't know if it was because of what she had spoken to Calhoun or if it was because of her falling down from the cliff. She didn't want to do it again. She could still feel the jerk of her heart when the foot she had moved backward had not felt the surface that had led her to fall.

Madeline parted her lips to speak, but closed it as she was upset with what Calhoun did. Only an insane person would ask the person they loved to fall off the cliff, without informing how they would be saved. Calhoun wanted her blind trust and faith to be placed in him. She looked at his frame, staring at it from behind. His shoulders and body with every step that moved forward appeared to be proud and confident.

"Walk beside me, Maddie. It is boring to walk alone," said Calhoun as he raised his head to look at the birds that were chirping in the trees.

"You said you walked here before," actually jumped from the cliff, thought Madeline to herself.

Calhoun knew what Madeline was going to say. He said, "I am used to walking alone here, but I don't see why I should stop myself from having you next to me as my company. Come now," he paused his footsteps and waited for her to catch up.

And when Madeline did come to stand next to him, Calhoun walked along with her towards the carriage.