The Crown's Obsession (WN)
chapter-223

"Why do you look like you just saw a ghost?" asked Calhoun to Madeline who took a step away from him.

Madeline shook her head, "I just closed the doors." Calhoun loved her, but that didn't mean he entirely believed what she said because of her heart that was beating slightly more than the usual speed. When it was her, Calhoun was more in tune with what was going on.

"Saw something outside?" he asked her before stepping away and walking past her. Opening the doors, Calhoun stepped outside, in the balcony and Madeline followed him. Her eyes moved around to see nothing out there. Her gaze finally came to settle on Calhoun's handsome face, "What's got you scared?" Calhoun's words were often straightforward, taking no time in confronting about things as if no situation could daunt him.

Madeline's lips that were pressed, she said, "It must be my imagination."

Calhoun took his time to sweep the grounds of the castle with his eyes before his gaze went to settle on Madeline's face, "Why aren't you sleeping?" he asked her.

"It's too early to go to bed," she answered to ask the question back to him, "Why aren't you in your room?"

A smile cracked upon his lips, "I don't sleep much, Maddie, and these days it has increasingly become hard to sleep," he said looking into her eyes that looked darker because of the low light around them.

Madeline didn't want to behave coy and question why it was so because she knew the answer would come to be related to her. She then said,

"Thank you for speaking with my family at the dining table. About the shop." With Calhoun who had cleared his name from the possible thoughts that her parents had misunderstood, this would put them at ease without them having to fear the King nor worry for her in the future.

"It is one thing if I am involved and a completely different matter when I have no hand in it," replied Calhoun. He turned around to lean his back against the railings of the balcony whilst looking at her.

Madeline couldn't hold her gaze longer, with Calhoun here. She stepped forward, placing her hands on the railings. She looked ahead to only feel Calhoun's unwavering gaze on her. It was easier to look at him, challenge him before but after what took place post noon today, Madeline felt hot and bothered by it.

"Do your parents know about Markus and your sister Elizabeth?" Calhoun's question brought her gaze back at him.

She nodded her head, "Yes. I was surprised when she told me about it. Beth seems very happy and pleased by the idea of Mr. Wilmot wooing her. Did he speak to you about it?"

"Something like that," answered Calhoun, his eyes tracing her face.

Madeline's eyebrows then furrowed. Lady Rosamund had been too uptight in her presence but not with Beth. She wondered why.

"What did Beth say about my dear cousin Markus?" asked Calhoun, his eyes curiously looking at her.

"Earlier my family were under the false impression, that you were the one who sabotaged the shop, which has now been cleared," added Madeline. Calhoun gave her a small smile and nod, "He seems to be helping them with it, and said he fell for Beth the first time he saw her."

"And what do you think about it?"

Madeline turned herself to face him, "It is not I who is getting married to him but Beth, who has the plan to marry. She can be very stubborn with her thoughts and decision."

"But she is not a bad person, is she?" Calhoun's question was something that made Madeline wonder why he was asking her questions like these. She looked back into his deep liquid red eyes.

"Did Beth offend you, my King?" Madeline's question narrowed Calhoun's eyes a little before it went back to normal, "Is it about her interrupting at the table?"

Calhoun sighed, "I don't care about such small things. I am merely interested to understand your dynamics with your sister. It feels unfair that I give you a part of my past, speak about my mother, but you don't share anything of yours."

So this is what it was, Madeline thought to herself. This was Calhoun's way to know more about her.

"She is my sister," replied Madeline, like it was the most obvious thing to know. "The closest person with whom I could share my thoughts and feelings with."

"What changed?" Calhoun asked her, "You said could."

Madeline looked away from him to look back at the grounds of the castle, "Time. We were very close when we were little, but we grew up to be different persons," she said thoughtfully, gazing from the grounds to the stars that had spread around in the night sky, "I think it's very normal."

"Tell me more," Calhoun coaxed her with interest.

"Beth has been someone who has always stood next to me. I was the quieter girl out of the two while she was more outspoken. Bold with her words, who at times challenged men. I think that is why the men were attracted to Beth. There aren't many women who question and demand things from the males," Madeline smiled at some of the thoughts.

Calhoun leaned his back behind, "You must have been an adorable little girl."

Madeline tilted her head this time, "Do you like children?" and she saw Calhoun shake his head.

"I don't like them. The most annoying thing that you will find on any lands, but I can make an exception with you," Calhoun's lips twisted before he said, "Long ago, I met a girl. Maybe we can include her to be tolerable," he hummed, "Of course, my disinterest in children only implies to the ones who is not ours."

He then asked, "You have never been jealous of your sister?"

To this, Madeline shook her head, "I don't think so. At least that is what I believe. She is elder to me, and I respect her."

Hearing her words, Calhoun said, "You do know respect doesn't often come with love. Sometimes, it comes out of fear and manipulation."

"Are you telling that my sister manipulated me?" asked Madeline.

"I only gave you the options, and you picked the one which you felt was the close one," Calhoun chuckled, "I am just curious, Madeline. You have a very forgiving nature, and it is nice, but I don't oversee things. Not when it concerns something in my interests. I heard the yelling."

Madeline's eyebrows furrowed in question of what Calhoun was talking about. He continued without waiting for her to question him,

"The day I informed your parents about you staying here, I didn't leave the premise. I was outside, listening to your sister shout and blame you. On how you took away her opportunity while using your way to get ahead of her. Did I hear it wrong?" Calhoun asked.

By Calhoun's behaviour up until now towards her family, Madeline would have never believed that the King had stepped out of the dining room that day, only to stand out and listen to the conversation, she and her family had. She and her family thought that the King had left the room since he had other important work to do.

Madeline had forgiven the words; her sister had spoken to her that day.

"She doesn't hold any ill feelings about that day."

"She shouldn't," stated Calhoun, "It wasn't you who had bad-mouthed her but the other way around. Stay wary about your sister's actions. Sometimes even the closest siblings turn to enemies, when it comes to money and power, also love. These three things are far worse intoxicating than the liquor you will find in the oldest cellars."

"What about you being wary about your relatives?" asked Madeline. She saw how the calm smile turned to a wicked one.

"Them? I always have my eyes on them, even when I have my eyes closed. I don't trust people, Madeline," said Calhoun to her, "You're going to catch a cold. Come." Taking her back inside the room and locking the doors for her.

Madeline had never spoken to anyone about her inner feelings of how she felt until now. Not to her parents, nor her sister or someone in her village.

When Calhoun was about to leave, Madeline said,

"There have been times when I felt bad. Not jealous, though."

"I know," answered Calhoun.