The Crown's Obsession (WN)
chapter-34

Beth continued to look at the letter that she had written a minute ago which was now concealed in an envelope. Given that Mr. Heathcliff had never received a letter from Madeline before as they had never written to each other before, Beth found it to be safe to write the letter on behalf of her sister.

If what her mother said was true, this would work just wonderfully. Putting the envelope in her dress, she stepped out of the room.

"Mama, I will be stepping out of the house to go to the central market," informed Beth to her mother who was still in the kitchen. Her mother who noticed her dressed, asked,

"Why are you going to the central market?"

"Madeline happened to leave the gloves here that we took from the shop and forgot to return it. Seems like she was in quite some hurry when she went there," said Beth waving the red gloves in her hands, "I will be back soon," and with that, she left the house to walk to the central market where Mr. Heathcliff's shop was situated at the front.

Her shoes walked towards the shop, and reaching there, she made sure to give the letter to the assistant of Mr. Heathcliff so that he could hand it over to the man along with the gloves, but before she could leave, Mr. Heathcliff arrived at the doorstep.

"Miss Beth," greeted Mr. Heathcliff, looking behind her to see if Madeline had come along with her, but it seemed like it was just the older daughter of the Harris who had come to the shop.

"Mr. Heathcliff," Beth bowed her head, "Madeline forgot to return the gloves, so I came here to give it to you," she saw the assistant hand him the envelope which she had given, "She wished to come here, but she's unable to do it," she added when he read who the letter was from.

The man had a smile on his face, not knowing what the contents were about, thinking it was a love letter sent by the woman he had been trying to court but hadn't done it for so long. Beth who saw the eagerness in his eyes and face decided to burst the bubble herself and said,

"Madeline said to make sure that you received this letter. She was worried about you," said Beth, creating doubt in Mr. Heathcliff's mind.

"I am perfectly fine," the man chuckled but seeing the look on Beth's face, he asked, "Is everything alright?"

Beth pursed her lips, her eyes darting left and right, "You should read the letter she wrote for you…" Mr. Heathcliff's eyebrows drew together in slight worry, and he looked at her before opening the letter she had brought, which was from her younger sister, Madeline.

The man's eyes quickly went to read the letter that was addressed to him, and as if once was not enough, he read the letter one more time. The smile on his lips was gone, and his eyebrows continued to frown.

"I don't understand, Miss Beth," said Mr. Heathcliff, putting the letter down, "I saw her two days ago. We love each other," Beth nodded to his words, her face sad and her shoulders drooped down, "They can't keep her there against her will!"

"Unfortunately, that is how it is, Mr. Heathcliff. The King refuses to let her leave the castle now, and she is imprisoned there. Unhappy for what has happened because she is in love with you and she said she wanted to have a future with you," she shook her head, her words merely a whisper only for him to hear, "But even though she is sad about it, she will get through it one day. Or maybe never," added Beth, her eyes glancing at the man who had a look of disbelief on his face.

"I will speak to the King. He can't keep her against her will," declared Mr. Heathcliff.

"Don't do it. My parents begged and pleaded and believe me when I say this, Madeline has no interest to live in the castle. But the King won't allow it. He has threatened to kill if any of us try something-"

"That doesn't mean I am going to watch the woman I love and who loves me back to be taken away from me. It doesn't mean I am going to sit here doing nothing, Miss Beth," Mr. Heathcliff clutched the envelope in his hand.

James Heathcliff was one of the man in the village who was a bachelor with a decent status and money. Not to forget he was a handsome man who some of the women were trying to aim for but James had fallen in love with a young woman named Madeline Harris. She was a beautiful woman, her words always polite and her demeanour simple.

He had been wanting and waiting to court her for months, but it was only recently, did he take the courage to ask her, wanting to make sure his feelings were not one-sided.

If Madeline had written and left him this letter for him to read, it only showed how anxious she was right now. It was clear that they both liked each other and the King was forcibly keeping her in the castle when in truth she wished to return back home.

Beth, on the other hand, was glad to see that for what she had come here had turned out just like she had expected. Giving Mr. Heathcliff enough push and knowledge that Madeline was upset and sad.

"Please don't do anything harsh," Beth tried to convince him as if she had not come here to rile his feelings for her sister, Madeline.

"Do not worry, Miss Beth. I will make sure no harm falls on your family. There should be a way to change the King's mind," he said thoughtfully.

"I can only hope for my sister to be happy were her happiness lies," replied Beth with a small smile, "I should get going before my mother worries. Thank you," she bowed her head and Mr. Heathcliff bowed his head.

Beth who turned around walked down the streets with a blank expression before a small smile returned on her lips.