The Crown's Obsession (WN)
chapter-693

"You can submit it to the High House. How infuriating," scoffed Laurence, "Now the Kings have to take permission from the High House which has no actual origin."

"Forgive me father, but if I am not wrong, there are some people in the High House who might try to oppose the idea," Calhoun reminded Laurence, and a deep frown appeared on the older vampire's face.

King Laurence nodded his head in agreement over his son's words. There were still people in the High House who could disapprove of his request and question it. "Guards!" he called. And in came the guards who were standing outside the room. "Get Devon's finest executioners and send them to the High House to get the men who used to work for Queen Morganna. Send the order without any delay," he ordered the guards.

"There, we don't have to worry about my mother's minions," assured King Laurence, and Calhoun offered his father the kindest smile he could muster.

"You are right, father. There is nothing to worry now and you are the King of Devon, no one will come in your way," agreed Calhoun.

"Why don't I take the parchment back and once we finish washing our hands from the disloyal people, we can have this submitted," said Laurence and Calhoun didn't question his father's decision. Though Laurence was grateful towards Calhoun, it didn't mean the man completely trusted Calhoun.

A servant appeared in front of the closed doors and informed, "King, Laurence, Sir Merden said he would like to speak to you about what happened in the dining room."

Laurence rolled his eyes, "Look at that. After they realize who is the real master, they all come wagging their tails back to me." Looking at the door, he said, "Tell him I will see him in the cellar room."

"Yes, milord!"

"I will take my leave so that you can discuss with him, father," and Calhoun was ready to leave, but King Laurence stopped him.

"That won't be needed. You can join us and listen in on whatever this man wants to tell. Come with me, Calhoun," saying this King Laurence stepped out of the room. Calhoun took three seconds before he joined his father's side.

On their way, Calhoun caught sight of Theodore, who was coming from the other direction. Their eyes met for the briefest moment as if sending a message before walking past each other.

Theodore and Calhoun had already discussed where, when and what they were going to do. His responsibility was to keep the people away and stop them from witnessing the murder that was going to happen soon. Calhoun continued to walk with Laurence until he suddenly stopped.

"What's the matter, Calhoun?" questioned the King, not liking the fact that his son was making him wait.

Calhoun had a deep frown on his face, "I think I just saw Merden walk towards the North Wing. I think he took the passage to the undercroft."

King Laurence was utterly annoyed, "Seriously, is he planning to make us wait for him while he roams around the castle? And what is he doing in the North Wing?! Come," and Laurence walked towards the North Wing. King Laurence's footsteps were heavy on the ground, and his eyes looked for the minister who was going to be executed today for his misbehaviour with him, the King.

Calhoun followed his father with steady steps, and his expression once again turned vacant, his eyes filled with a look of menace. He followed the King like a ghost of death who wanted to reap the King out of this living world.

The guards and the servants had been called to the front of the castle due to the number of guests on the other side, leaving this place unprotected. They entered the undercroft, their footsteps not echoing while Laurence tried to figure out where to catch the unfaithful minister!

When they came to an end where the inner gates were locked, Laurence frowned and turned around to question, "Where did he go? What a waste of time, we should get back now-"

"What's the urgency in it, father. Let's stay here," said Calhoun.

Laurence noted the change of tone in Calhoun's words. "What do you plan on doing here? The undercrofts are dusty and not a place for us." Calhoun stepped forward when Laurence took a step as if to stop him from walking any further. "What do you think you are doing?" Laurence asked, his eyes narrowed.

Suddenly Calhoun's hand moved to catch hold of Laurence's neck, and he pushed him against the giant wall.

"W-what, are you doing, Calhoun?" asked his father in shock with his eyes turned wide, "Free me right this instant! It is my order! Stop your jokes right now!"

A chuckle escaped Calhoun's lips, watching his father struggle to get out of his hold, but he was too strong for the King.

"Order? A King who cannot shield his own back is not worth being a King. How does it feel to be powerless?" asked Calhoun to the King. His father couldn't move an inch except to talk. "Jokes?" he asked, staring into his father's eyes, who had stopped struggling.

Laurence didn't know what was going on. One moment, he was having a wonderful time with his son and right now, his son was holding his neck, which was completely disrespectful!

"I don't know if I did something that upset you, but surely we can speak about it," said his father in nervousness.

Calhoun moved closer to whisper next to his father's ear, "You have the nerve to ask if you did something to upset me? You killed my mother, you and your family, isn't it only right that I repay your kind service?"

He pulled away, and a broad smile spread across his lips.

"I don't want to go into details," said Calhoun, placing his hand on his father's chest and running his fingers over the material. "I have spent enough time with you and I would rather not increase it."

Laurence looked left and right, hoping for guards to arrive, but Calhoun only increased the grip around the King's neck.

"I-I loved Constance, your mother, she loved me," the King tried to playback with Calhoun. "I know you are angry with me, but I am really sorry for what I did and if you like, we can speak about her. I w-will give you every single m-memory of her, how about that?"

Calhoun continued to stare before he closed his eyes and sighed. "You think I haven't heard about it?" he tilted his head.

"What do you want?! I will give you anything. I will make you the King right this instant!" Laurence tried to bribe his son.

Calhoun tapped his fingers on his father's chest, "That I will become when you die. Do not worry, father. I will make sure you die heroically unlike the kind of worthless person you truly are." He pushed his fingers through his father's chest, digging it in deep to see his father splutter blood from his mouth.

"I have taken care of you! You are my son. I love you! Stop this, Calhoun!" his father pleaded, and Calhoun smiled in satisfaction.

"I don't care," came the hollow words from Calhoun's lips. When he heard the sound of footsteps, he whispered, "Don't feel sad. I will send your beloved wife to give you company." Laurence's eyes widened, darkening as it was turning empty.

Calhoun's hand had dipped in blood until his elbow. It was because he had not stopped by just pulling out his father's heart, but he had pushed his hand through the back of his father before dropping the heart on the ground.

Laurence dropped dead on the ground, blood starting to surround his body, and in a few seconds, Lady Samara appeared in the undercroft's passages. A gasp escaped her lips when she caught sight of her husband lying dead on the ground. She quickly ran to where his body was.

"Laurence! Laurence! Guards!" she screamed for help.

At the same time, she heard someone click their tongue in distaste. She quickly snapped around and saw Calhoun standing behind her with his hand covered in blood.

"You murderer!" screamed Lady Samara, getting up to stand and face Calhoun. "How dare you kill hi-"

"Shhh," Calhoun hushed her.

Lady Samara looked down and saw Calhoun had put his hand in her chest. There was a look of horror on her face as she stared at Calhoun. "W-why?" she asked him in shock and confusion.

But Calhoun didn't reply, and he pulled his hand out for blood to flow down from her body, and she fell on her knees. He left the place as quickly as possible, which was when Merten, the minister, appeared at the undercroft area. After going to the cellar and not finding the King, who had made a fool of himself, he had stepped out that wasn't too far away from the North Wing to hear Lady Samara's scream.

Reaching the spot where the King and the Queen fell, Merten quickly ran to their side, "My King!" he tried to wake him up, and while trying to turn his body, blood coated his hands and his knees. "King Laurence?!"

Merten was in shock, and he called the guards, "Guards! Guards! Gu- Lady Lucy," he whispered on seeing the young vampiress who stood on the other end of the undercroft's passage. Her face turned pale seeing her parents surrounded in their pool of blood.

Before the minister could speak something, a shrill scream escaped Lucy's lips, notifying the people in the castle.