The Crown's Obsession (WN)
chapter-642

He stared at her, "Life isn't easy, amare. I cannot leave things behind because I have a purpose that needs to be fulfilled," and he placed his hand on the top of her head and gently moved it as if to pat her.

Lucy felt the comfort return back to the way it was when Ruby was still alive. Theodore's hand stayed there for a second more before he finally dropped it to his side.

"You should get some sleep," advised Theodore.

Lucy didn't want Theodore to go, but after kissing him, she was overwhelmed with feelings, and Theodore seemed like he wanted to go back to his room. She nodded her head. When Theodore left the room, Lucy closed the patios' door and was quick to get on the bed while closely hugging her pillow.

Theodore didn't go back to the room, nor did he stay around the castle. Instead, he went back to the town and pushed open a gate before sitting in front of the door. Pulling out a pack of cigars, he placed one in his mouth, and he lit it up before taking a drag from it.

The door in front of which he sat opened, and Madame Fraunces came outside and said, "Fancy seeing you here. I thought I heard the gate creek."

"I didn't mean to wake you up," responded Theodore.

Madame Fraunces watched Theodore, who didn't make an effort to move and instead sat there smoking the cigar that was in his hand. The air around him looked serious, and she asked, "It's been weeks since I last saw you. How have you been doing? How is Calhoun?"

"We are doing okay. How have you been, Madame Fraunces?" Theodore asked her, watching her take a seat next to him. He passed the cigar to her, but the woman waved her hand before pulling a pack of her own from her dress' pocket.

"You know. Still young and meeting rich people while listening to people's gossip," replied the woman. "Life in the town doesn't change much, at least not for people like me."

Theodore smiled at Madame Fraunces' words, and he took another drag from the cigar, pulling the smoke into his lungs, letting it pollute him before exhaling it out.

"It seems like something is troubling you. You don't come and sit in front of my house just to guard it now, do you?"

"It could be out of love that I have for you," Theodore turned to meet the woman's eyes, who raised her eyebrows.

"Your pretty words don't work on me, boy. What is it?" questioned Madame Fraunces. Having taken Theodore in when he was small, she had watched him grow up into a fine man while also knowing when his mood changed.

"Do you think people like us are allowed to have happiness?" he asked in a thoughtful tone.

Madame Fraunces was taking a puff, and she said, "Why shouldn't anyone be allowed to be happy? It isn't a crime, unless you cause a crime to be happy. If you are asking about yourself, I would advise you not to grovel in self pity. It doesn't suit you."

Theodore nodded his head, "I kissed a girl."

"And why is it a problem?" she asked him and frowned, "Unless you are addressing the King's wife as the girl," and she cracked a smile to lighten the mood.

"It is the King's daughter," replied Theodore and the woman hummed.

Fraunces watched Theodore from the corner of her eyes, who seemed to have lost himself in his thoughts. The last time she had seen him like this was when she had first saved him from the streets.

"Lucy Hawthrone, is it?" asked Madame Fraunces.

"You have met her," said Theodore, it was because the woman had met many people from high society.

"Just twice. A sweet innocent thing, isn't she. Beautiful long hair, small face and petite figure," hummed the woman, "You like her."

Theodore didn't comment on Madame Fraunces' words. He had acted on his emotions, and instead of keeping a distance, he had brought himself closer tonight. He knew his action would cost him, but the feeling of her lips against his was driving him towards the edge.

He finished his cigar before putting it down to stamp with his shoe, placing his hands behind him to support his upper body.

"It's all good until you end up on the other side of the fence, isn't it?" asked Madame Fraunces. "What do you have on your mind, Theo?"

Theodore then said, "I don't think I will be able to see the end of what has started. One of the goals is going to be met soon. If I pick one, I won't be able to fulfil the other."

"Why not both of them?" she asked him. "It's not bad to choose both of them."

"If only it wasn't complicated," murmured Theodore.

He knew Lucy would close her eyes and follow him if he uttered the love word to her, but that would leave Calhoun alone in the castle, and everything that had been worked so far, would go to waste. He wondered if it was possible...to have both and be selfish.

Madame Fraunces then smacked his back to wake him up from his thoughts, "If you find it hard, go with your gut. The little problems children these days have," sighed the woman, and she stood up from where she was sitting. "I am going to sleep now. Come visit me tomorrow and I will bake something good for both of you and Calhoun."

"Have a goodnight sleep, Madame Fraunces," he stood up, bowing his head, and the woman waved her hand before getting inside her house and closing the door.

Theodore stepped out of the house's gates, and he started to head back to the castle. Upon reaching the castle, he went back to Lucy's patio, catching her fast asleep on the bed, and he then went back to his room.