The Crown's Obsession (WN)
chapter-318

Now that she had opened her heart to him, she felt her heart beating in her chest for different reasons compared to the time in the past. Calhoun's hands reached for her shoes, unbuckling them one after another before he dropped them on the ground. His eyes were on what he was doing. The smile on his face had disappeared, and his unkempt hair turned his attractive face much more handsome than before.

When his eyes snapped up to look at her, it made her feel as if she was caught doing something she was not supposed to do, it reminded her of something that happened in the past. The time when it was just him and her in the quiet corridor, away from people and with just the faint music from the ballroom echoing through the halls and reverberating against the walls.

The memory was still fresh in her mind. She had even dreamt of him that night, a nightmare that woke her from her sleep. And now the same nightmare had turned to something so sweet that her heart ached at times.

The couch was big enough for two people to sleep in. Madeline noticed how the lighting in the room had reduced as if the time of night was right in the corner when it was still morning. The room turned much silent, numbing the world that was outside and behind the closed doors of the room.

"Here," said Calhoun, passing her a cushion, "Put it behind your back. We don't want you having back pain later." Madeline took hold of the pillow, putting it behind her back. When Calhoun continued to stare at her, she leaned back against the pillow.

The previous time, Calhoun had sunk his fangs to draw her blood right above the swell of her breast. With the way things were moving, Madeline had an idea of where Calhoun was planning to bite her.

"I will be removing your garter and stockings off your legs now, dear," he announced, and Madeline turned more red.

"You don't have to tell it outloud," she whispered, biting the inside of her lower lip.

"No?" came the innocent question from Calhoun which Madeline was well aware he was only feigning right now, "I am worried that I might do something that might upset you. Are you telling me it's alright?" he asked, teasing her with his words.

Madeline hadn't broken her gaze from him, and she nodded her head.

"I didn't hear that," said Calhoun, and she sent him a quiet glare.

"Y-you don't have to ask my permission," she rushed the words through her lips, and Calhoun grinned.

"Your wish is my command," he replied to her, "Shall we get rid of your dress. I am too excited and lack patience right now to remove your clothes," he said, snapping his fingers and the next second, the dress which Madeline was wearing had disappeared, leaving black feathers to fall out of nowhere.

W-what? What happened?! Madeline looked left and right, noticing the dress that she had been wearing since morning had disappeared. She then looked at Calhoun, who was staring at her, drinking in her expression.

"Unfortunately, I cannot bring back the dress, but we don't have to worry about it now," teased Calhoun, seeing Madeline who wore just the pale white petticoat that reached up to her knees. As if to tease her more, he asked, "You don't mind, do you?" placing his hand on the sides of her waist to receive no response from Madeline except for a stare.

He bunched the hem of her petticoat up to her mid-thighs, pulling out the lace that was tied around her thighs that looked different to the ones that he had got made for her. As if following his eyes and thoughts, Madeline said,

"These are mine. Mother brought it along with her thinking I might need them," and she heard Calhoun hum. The garter didn't have the elastic band but was only made of satin lace and it followed the shoes that he had dropped it on the ground.

Madeline's eyes moved from Calhoun's face to his hands, and then at the feathers that had disappeared just like they had appeared out of nowhere. It was like magic, and she was fascinated by the little action. When Calhoun started to peel down the stockings that she wore, folding them torturously slow, she could feel the air touch her skin, raising goosebumps on her skin.

Her legs were folded with her feet on the surface of the couch. She felt Calhoun enclasp his hands around her ankles, when he said, "She was right."

"She?"

"The assistant from Heathcliff's shop. You will make a beautiful bride."

Even though Madeline had stood behind the wooden divider of the room, Calhoun could still see her because of the gaps in the divider. He had seen her in the wedding gown, and he realized how beautifully the gown was made while keeping Madeline in mind. In the beginning, he had taken her to James' shop to rub salt on the wound as he was a petty vampire, who enjoyed people's discomfort. But he also knew that if there was someone who would do the job right, it was James. As much as he didn't like the man for having thoughts about Madeline, he was aware of James' skills when it came to making gowns.

"You are not supposed to look at the bride with the wedding dress before the wedding!" whispered Madeline, a frown coming to settle on her face, and it had Calhoun chuckle.

He pulled her ankles towards him, to have her body slide down while her head came to rest on the cushion behind her, "The belief holds only with the humans. Not in our world. If it makes you feel better, would you like to consummate the marriage today?"

Madeline's eyes widened, and she shook her head quickly. She had to prepare her mind for it so that she wouldn't faint, "That's what I thought," responded Calhoun.