The Crown's Obsession (WN)
chapter-76

Madeline had not bothered to look or make another eye contact with Lady Sophie, who sat directly in front of her at the table. The glares were too obvious, but the one time she did make eye contact during a conversation, she noticed how they looked mellow and sweet like she had meant no harm. But she knew better than to believe the facade that Lady Sophie was adorning right now. After all, she was the same person who had dropped her down the carriage when they were halfway away from the castle.

If only the Wilmot's had dropped her in the town or the closest village, she would not have been here.

On the other hand, the vampiress, Sophie, couldn't stop thinking about how Madeline had come to stay in the castle, again. When her mother had agreed to stop the carriage and drop the human had brought immense pleasure to her heart and mind. Looking at the girl who had given a distressed look that had made her laugh, and she would have still been laughing if the girl was not here in the same room. How did she manage to get back to the castle?

Sophie couldn't stop glaring at every opportunity she found when Calhoun was not looking at her way, and she knew Madeline could sense her gaze from across the table as it appeared that she was trying to not look at her.

But she wanted to know about Madeline. The King had taken an interest in her which had come to her notice, "How did you get back to the castle?" asked Sophie, "I was worried when you asked us to stop it in the middle of the forest, and it is such relief that you are alright. Brother Calhoun, I hope you are not upset with me," the girl asked for forgiveness and Madeline furrowed her eyebrows on what Sophie meant by her words.

Calhoun, who had been enjoying his meal, looked up at Sophie, looking utterly oblivious of what she was speaking, "I don't know why I would be upset with you," he smiled at the young vampires, and this had Madeline confused.

"Lady Madeline must have wanted to visit the town first, but she changed her mind and wished to stop the carriage so that she could get down," said Sophie with a concerned look on her face.

"Did she?" asked Calhoun with apparent fake surprise, and he looked at Madeline, "Is that so?" he asked testingly even though he had heard Madeline's version of the story.

Madeline wished she could throw the glass of water at the vampires, but she doubted she would be satisfied with just water being thrown. This vampiress was playing the King and Calhoun was humouring her.

Having both Sophie as well as Calhoun's eyes on her, Madeline took a deep breath and said, "Yes, I wanted to take a walk in the forest. Thought I could find some rabbits and serve them to you," her words were polite. Madeline had always been a respectful girl, and it wasn't in her nature to poke and twist words.

"Such a sweet and thoughtful girl," praised Calhoun as if she had already brought him the rabbits, "Isn't she, Sophie?" Calhoun put the question back to his cousin who didn't understand how Madeline's little escape had turned to Calhoun praising her.

"Yes," came the clipped answer with a smile upon Sophie's lips. When her red eyes met the brown one's, the smile on her lips grew, and she then asked, "Did you find the rabbits? You should probably join us when we go hunting. Brother Calhoun never misses his mark, he's excellent," Sophie flattered Calhoun in return, but the King didn't heed to the words.

"I don't think Madeline is ready for such hunts yet," Calhoun replied before picking up a piece of meat which he placed in Madeline's plate, "Try this," and he went back to eating to leave Sophie's mouth agape.

Madeline didn't react to anything and quietly ate her food along with the meat Calhoun had placed on her plate. She then heard Sophie say to Calhoun, "Brother Calhoun, why are you cutting the sides of the meat and putting it in Lady Madeline's plate? If you want to put the scraps that you don't want to eat, you can put it here," Sophie picked up a fresh plate and placed it in the front.

With Sophie, who put it like that, Madeline stopped moving her knife and fork, and she looked up to look into Sophie's eyes that seemed somewhat pleased.

Calhoun chuckled at Sophie's words, "Madeline is not a night creature like us to eat the barely cooked meat. The sides of the meat is better cooked and would be easy for her to consume than eating the whole uncooked meat," was his response.

Madeline was unhappy that she was being caged in this castle, but she didn't possess a cold heart not to take a look at him when he uttered those words to Sophie. He was being considerate by looking over what she was eating while also making sure she wasn't uncomfortable or repulsed by the food that was being served to her.

"Thank you," she murmured. It went unheard by Sophie, and Calhoun who was looking at his cousin smiled. Not for Sophie but to hear Madeline thank him without him having to push her for the words of gratitude to be heard from her.

"That is very considerate of you, brother Calhoun," claimed Sophie, who switched sides very quickly from insulting to praising, "Lady Madeline," came her words and Madeline knew something was waiting ahead of her, "I think we should share a room so that we can talk. I never had a sister of my own and some of my cousins…"

Now that Sophie had seen Madeline enter one of the rooms in the King's quarters, she wanted the human out of there. When she, the cousin of the King was not allowed to occupy a place anywhere close to the King, she didn't see it to be of any reason on why Madeline should take the privilege. The young vampiress then turned to Calhoun to ask, "What do you think, brother Calhoun, about Lady Madeline sharing room with me?"

Calhoun had just lifted his hand to pick up the glass of wine and he didn't stop himself from taking a sip from it when Sophie asked. After putting the glass down, he said, "It would be better if she used the same room, alone. I wouldn't want to worry where you might suck her dry when she is fast asleep or help her escape from the castle, like the last time," there was a sweet smile on his lips.

Sophie didn't utter another word as it seemed like Calhoun had an inkling of what had happened.

When they finished their meal, Madeline said, "I will be taking my leave first," but Calhoun was not having it.

"Stay," came the order from the King.

Madeline pursed her lips, "I think I dropped my kerchief back in the gallery," she said not wanting to say that the garter around her thigh had been lost.

Sophie was ready to dismiss the girl but then Calhoun was quick to say, "Let us help you look for it."