The Crown's Obsession (WN)
chapter-295

Calhoun took a look at Markus who was unconsciously hanging by the rope. Theodore had worked for Calhoun for more than two decades, the man knew what the King wanted and how he wanted things to go on without anyone's notice. It was why many of the murders that took place never surfaced in front of the High House or the blame came to point at them.

There was a bump on Markus' forehead, but Calhoun knew it took more than just a hit on a vampire's head to turn them unconscious.

"What do you plan to do with him?" asked Raphael, turning his eyes to Calhoun.

"Keep him here for the night for my amusement," replied Calhoun casually, "Did you use the syringe on him?" he turned his head to the side, his question directed to Theodore.

"Yes. I used two shot syringes on him. I didn't want him to wake up too soon if the members of the High House would stay back in the castle," answered Theodore and Calhoun gave him a small nod.

Calhoun himself hadn't guessed that Markus would take a stupid step as he made by running away. Though the people of the High House appeared as if they were ordinary people, the abilities they held without demonstrating openly, one had to be wary about them. From the time of his reign, he had met the High House people, not just these four people who had visited the castle today. Even Markus had met them, and seen people getting punished and executed.

"He must have known there was no way out. What was his defence?" inquired Raphael.

"Some people saw me talking to the maid whom I killed," it was strange how Calhoun had not noticed it that day. And though Calhoun did kill two people that day, it wasn't him who had hidden the maid's body. He doubted there was someone who had followed him, "Whatever he was gathering it was a weak one. Even if he did, it would still be weak against me."

Hearing Markus groan as he was returning to his conscious state, Calhoun took two steps away from him, giving him space and time as it would take time for him to return to his conscious state.

When Markus did open his eyes, it took him a few more seconds to focus his eyes as the things around him were not only blur, but it looked upside down. Finally realizing one of his legs was tied with a rope and his hands were bound together, he tried to move and looked nothing less to a worm which was trying to wiggle its way out.

"You bastard!" Markus growled, seeing Calhoun and the other two people standing in front of him.

"No need to be angsty here, cousin," Calhoun tsked, "I must say, I am enjoying the sight in front of me. I thought the dungeon would look pretty but look at you, hanging by the branch. How does it feel?"

"Get me down from here, and I will tell you," glared Markus. It wasn't easy to look at the faces because of his current position, but that didn't lower his burning anger.

"Tough luck with that. You should be happy that I am extending the days of your life," stated Calhoun, "Tell me, why do you want to frame me for something I didn't do?"

"You know damn well that you are guilty for those people's death! You even killed uncle and aunt!" Markus accused, and he continued to wriggle. But no matter how much he tried, he only ended up swinging back and forth.

"I don't know what you are speaking about," came the nonchalant voice of Calhoun, "You should be careful when it comes to accusing the King that might cost your head. But it looks like you don't care about your head anymore, especially considering how you ran away earlier," Calhoun's voice then lowered down as he said, "Did you realize there was no way for you to prove that it was me, that your plan would backfire?"

"I might have run before, but that doesn't mean you are off the hook, are you?" Markus threatened Calhoun, "Do you think that is all the High House came here for today?"

Calhoun didn't bring in the look of surprise on his face, but his eyes did narrow in thought, "And why did they come?"

"I have asked them to reopen the case of the previous King and Queen's death. It is not just me but also my mother, along with some others who have raised the concern and you will soon be exposed," laughed Markus.

"What brave words," said Calhoun, "I don't know why you are trying to imply something that I never had a hand in. Did you perhaps kill the previous King and Queen? Is that why you are now trying to frame me for your actions?"

Markus looked agitated as he tried to free his hands from the ropes, but the binds continued to hold both his hands together, "You think I don't know, that the previous King wanted to turn me as the King and not you?"

Calhoun stared at Markus, "Is that so? Was he your father too? I wouldn't be surprised if you said yes. Father had quite a reputation and so did our grandfather when it came to fucking anything with legs and breasts."

"How dare you insinuate something so evil and disgraceful!" Markus was not happy with the way Calhoun phrased the words that there was something between his mother and Calhoun's father, when they were blood siblings.

Calhoun walked around Markus, coming to stand behind him and placing his hand on Markus' head before pulling the hair to hear Markus flinch.

"If you have been placing mousetraps for me, you should know that this is how I am. I am the person who came from the dark alleys of the village which is covered in dirt. I don't have the habit to coat poison with sugar as I rather prefer to give it to the person directly. And you know what? People swallow it."

"You should stop moving so much, Mr. Wilmot," it was Raphael who advised Markus because he could hear the branch starting to creak.

"That's alright. Markus has the habit of falling. This little fall is nothing compared to the grave which he has dug for himself," Calhoun shaded Markus heavily which was not received well by his cousin.

As expected, in less than a few seconds Markus who continued to move fell straight down on the ground and the branch that broke, fell on his leg making him groan as its sharp edge scraped his leg.

Markus sat upon the ground, trying to keep hold of his dignity and pride. "You heard the King was going to give me the crown, didn't you? It is why you killed them," he accused Calhoun.

Calhoun took a step towards Markus, and then he sat on both his heels so that he could level himself with Markus who was sitting on the ground. Staring into the furious eyes, a smile cracked on Calhoun's lips,

"You are right. I was upset that the King had suddenly decided to change the person who was going to be crowned. After all, he did promise and give his word in front of everyone that I was the rightful heir," Calhoun had a satisfied smile on his lips. "It does make me wonder what happened in that period of time, that father changed his mind. But let me tell you this. Before he died, he desperately wanted to make me the King of Devon. People are such easy beings. A little threat and word about their life, they will do anything to get it back."

"Calhoun," Markus addressed him, "Your greed and pride for the throne will soon burn into ashes. The High House has already started to look into the matter, and it is only time when everything belongs to you will be taken away. You will know how it feels."

Calhoun tilted his head, "How it feels?" He looked at Markus' leg that had been scrapped. Picking up the branch near to him, Calhoun broke it into another half before using the same thing to go straight to stab Markus' leg, that earned him a cry, "Do you feel this? I was someone who grew up with nothing in my hands or a constant roof over my head. What makes you think that I won't be careful or even care if everything is taken away? Sometimes it is more than just the throne and power. Sometimes it is about getting even with others so that they can reflect on their actions."

He twisted the thick uneven branch to earn a more painful groan from Markus, "You fucking bast-" Markus gritted his teeth.

"That is not the way you speak to the King. It must have been hard to stay put," Calhoun egged Markus to see the fury in his eyes.

"Your father realized what a scum you are, and he probably found out how you set grandmother up for her death through his own hands," said Markus.

Calhoun nodded his head, "It was funny, but it was beautiful. We could have lived like any other happy family if you didn't inform the High House. Did you think I would not find out? Foolish little cousin of mine." He used the same branch as support to stand up without pulling it out from Markus' leg. "What do I do with you now? It is hard not to grant your death wishes."

"What about the High House?" asked Theodore as Dimitri had mentioned about sending a search warrant for Markus, "They will want him alive."

"Keep him here until morning," ordered Calhoun, "You can bring him back tomorrow to the dungeon. Tell how he was lurking near the castle. The High House will be revisiting the castle too. Would you like to be the meal of a werewolf, Markus?" He asked his cousin as if he was asking what Markus would like to eat for breakfast.

"Fuck you!" Markus gritted his teeth, "Where did that werewolf go? Where is it?"

Calhoun stared at Markus, "In the dungeon. Where else do you expect me to keep the werewolf. Though I must say, you have been quite nosy," Markus' eyes widened, hearing the werewolf was still in the dungeon, and the High House members had failed to see it. Calhoun continued, "Sabotaging the Harris' shop. Setting up the maid to ruin mine and Madeline's reputation. I wouldn't have cared about it if it was just about me, but you went too far by involving Madeline in it."

Markus was the one to laugh this time, "Do you think she will take it kindly. Especially Elizabeth."

"About her. How many lies did you feed her?" questioned Calhoun.

"I spoke only the truth, Calhoun. To make sure Elizabeth knows what's going on around her," Markus smiled, "She won't be happy if something happens to me."

Calhoun sighed, "I care less to what she thinks or feels. If you have poisoned her mind, I don't care if I need to get rid of her from her current position. I am sure Madeline will understand why I did it."