The Crown's Obsession (WN)
chapter-647

But seeing him here, Lucy's good morning turned to a pale one.

With everyone's eyes on Samuel, who had only entered the room, Lucy's eyes fell on Theodore, who was watching her. She felt her heart skip a beat and her eyes lowered with a faint blush coating her cheeks. She didn't forget the closeness she shared with him last night as well as in her dream.

All Lucy wanted was to stay in Theodore's company, to continue the conversation she had started last night and receive an answer from him through his words.

"Why don't you take a seat next to Lucy?" suggested Lady Samara. The vampiress leaned forward and looked at Sophie, sitting on the other side of her daughter. "Sophie dear, why don't you shift so that the gentleman can sit next to Lucy?"

Rosamund didn't like how Samara was ordering her daughter to move, but she was only the King's sister. Therefore there were only a few things that she could oppose.

"Sophie, why don't you come and sit next to your brother," said Rosamund, and without question, the little girl hopped and came around to sit next to Markus.

"Thank you for having me here," Samuel had a kind smile on his lips, and he bowed his head at everyone again before making his way around the table and taking the seat next to Lucy. "How are you doing this morning, Lady Lucy? I hope you had a wonderful sleep."

Lucy didn't have a mean bone in her, and she returned the man's smile, "I did have a good sleep. I wish I can dream it again. Did you finish all your work?" she questioned.

"I did. I have asked some of my men to handle it so that I can spend time with you. My mother said it is important to build the foundation of a relationship for a good future," Samuel insinuated his extreme interest in Lucy.

King Laurence, Queen Morganna and Calhoun were discussing the court's affairs while Samuel tried to initiate small talks. In that time, Lucy couldn't help but look towards Theodore, who wasn't looking at her anymore. She wondered what to do because her heart was elsewhere and not with the person at the table.

She wondered what Theodore was thinking about, and her heart tugged.

The more time passed, the more Lucy could feel her heart and eyes wanting to follow Theodore.

When they finished having breakfast, the elders left the place. Calhoun, who was talking to Theodore about the hunt they had planned to go on, turned around to look at Lucy, who smiled, that didn't reach her eyes.

"Mr. Greville," Calhoun addressed the gentleman who was talking to Lucy. "I don't think we have been formally introduced."

Samuel bowed his head, "I don't think there's anyone who doesn't know who you are."

One side of Calhoun's lips pulled up, and he asked, "I wonder if it is by the knowledge of being the King's son or the whore's son." The atmosphere turned suddenly quiet, and Lucy's eyes darted from Calhoun to look at Samuel. He then chuckled, "I am joking, Samuel."

Samuel laughed along with Calhoun, "It is good to be making your acquaintance. I hope I can be of great service to the future King."

Calhoun stared at Samuel, watching the man closely before saying, "All of us have planned to go hunting, I suppose you wouldn't mind joining?"

"Hunting? I would be more than happy to join your company," obliged the man, and Calhoun gave him a nod.

"Good. We shall see you outside then," and when Calhoun stepped out of the room with Theodore, he murmured, "What a people pleaser."

Lucy was taken aback, and she could only remind herself to later thank Calhoun for inviting Samuel to hunt as that way she would be able to join too instead of walking round and round in the garden with Samuel.

"Do you like to hunt, Lady Lucy?" questioned Samuel and Lucy, who had been staring at the door, snapped her eyes back to look at Samuel.

"I enjoy them. How about you, Mr. Greville?"

"Please call me Samuel," he spoke in his gentle tone. "I would like to pursue you wholeheartedly, milady. I feel we will be able to get closer to each other without making use of the honorifics to our names."

Lucy's eyes widened while she looked at Samuel. The man was handsome, and he was kind to her compared to the other suitors who were pompous and pushy towards her. If Theodore had not caught her heart, she would not have minded this man's company, and maybe her heart would have been captured by him.

"I...I need to tell you something, Mr. Greville-"

"Please," Samuel stopped her, and he caught hold of one of her hands. "You don't have to decide it right now, and I know things like this takes time. I am ready to wait."

Lucy had intended to be truthful to him, wanting him not to wait for her as her heart was already set on someone. She didn't want to break the polite gentleman's heart, but he said he was willing to wait.

"I will be waiting outside with the rest of them," Samuel bowed his head and left the dining room.

Lucy changed her clothes to much more appropriate wear, and her hairs had been braided to the sides of her head while letting it down.

Theodore, who stood with Calhoun, Samuel, Markus, caught sight of Lucy making her way outside the castle and coming to where they stood with their horses.

"Which horse would you like to ride, princess?" asked Theodore to her. A faint smile came to settle on her lips, and Lucy felt her heart soar just by his presence.

Samuel was already ready with the plan, and he proposed, "Lady Lucy can ride with me."

Lucy turned to look at Samuel and said, "Thank you for the offer, Mr. Greville, but I have my own horse."