The Crown's Obsession (WN)
chapter-84

With Sophie happy, the vampiress had stopped glaring at Madeline for a few seconds. But the angst Madeline felt in her chest with the way Calhoun was looking at James ready to throw him somewhere never to be found again was something that threatened her, but the man had other plans on his mind.

"Madeline," the King called her to his side, raising his hand and Madeline made her way towards him. James had finished taking Theodore's measurements, and he was now free to look at Madeline who walked to where the King sat.

Calhoun was not going to let James go that easily, not when he wanted to make sure to drive him away from Madeline's life. It was evident that Madeline was holding on to the idea of James in her life when they weren't even lovers. Because of this, she wasn't willing to look or think of the possibility of opening her heart to him. But Calhoun didn't mind it. He didn't mind going round and round for her, even if it meant his ways were crooked.

He raised his hand, similar to the way he had done two nights ago and Madeline bent forward to kiss the back of his hands gingerly before pulling away.

"You said you met Miss Harris before?" asked Calhoun, interviewing the man to his pleasure.

James bowed his head, "Yes, milord. We have met before."

"Close friends, close family?" asked Calhoun and he raised his hand for Madeline to stay where she was before she could leave his side. He wanted her by his side.

The tailorman shook his head, "No. Miss Harris used to come by the shop with her older sister for clothes."

"Would it be safe to say then, that you share some kind of acquaintance like a relationship with each other? Speaking to each other frequently or maybe being invited to dinner by the family if you were friends?" Calhoun continued with his questions. Madeline, who stood there didn't know what Calhoun was trying to get to by asking these questions.

James' eyes looked at Madeline and then back at the King, "I didn't have dinner with the family."

"A pity," stated Calhoun as if he dismissed the tailorman.

When James looked back at Madeline, he said, "But I have known Lady Madeline for months now. We have had a very good relationship with each other and..." Madeline shook her head, not wanting him to utter anything more than what he just spoke.

Calhoun's eyes moved between the two before he asked, "Lady Madeline, please let James speak," he smiled looking at her. If James were to say anything more, it would cost his head, and she didn't want him to declare anything more in here, "Let him speak, unless you think he doesn't have a mouth of his own."

Calhoun was trying to instigate James to speak up, to confess the same words to see if they matched with Madeline's words. The more time passed, the more the smile on his lips broadened. His suspicion seemed to be right from the very beginning. James and Madeline might have liked each other, but it never moved forward, or they didn't have the opportunity when the time was plenty.

"I have spoken to Lady Madeline before. It was in the shop but often," answered James who didn't heed to Madeline's head shake to not talk about anything without knowing the dangers that were approaching his way, "I wished I could have had a dance with her but I couldn't during the time of Hallow." Saying these words, James didn't look at the King, but he looked at Madeline in the eye, "I was looking forward to spending time with each other so that we could know each other better. I like her, and she likes me," Madeline's eyebrows furrowed at his words.

"Oh my! Who would have known that the tailor would have something for Lady Madeline," Sophie chirped happily. She was in a good mood after Calhoun had told the garter was for her, and now with the tailor here, she could finally be able to shoo both the humans away from the castle and continue with her plans.

Sophie went to Madeline's side and said, "Do you like him too?"

Calhoun's red eyes shifted from James to look at Madeline, who stood there like a statue. He gave her a smile, one that was encouraging. But she knew this wasn't for her happiness. One word and it would push James off the cliff. Madeline wanted to say yes, but she knew she would have to bear the consequences if she didn't give an answer that would satisfy the King's ears.

The room heard Calhoun chuckle, and their attention shifted to look at him, "Like is very common, Sophie, so I wouldn't doubt that the tailorman here likes the lady. We all like a lot of things. I like the smell of blood on my hands, the screams when people defy me and are tortured for the treason they made. When someone tries to steal something that belongs to me, that is something I don't like." He smiled at Madeline who had a look of horror on her face, "But I also like the walls, the ceilings. Sophie, don't you like Lady Madeline too?" asked Calhoun to the vampiress who blinked at him.

She didn't like the human girl one bit and was only tolerating to put a show in front of Calhoun, "I like Lady Madeline," answered Sophie despite her actual feelings towards the human.

"Right. Lady Madeline is too sweet, she likes James, but then she likes other things too," commented Calhoun.

If the King thought that he was going to accept anything that was said by him and was intimidated by his words, he was wrong, thought James to himself.

"I think you mistook it, my King. Madeline is the one woman I care about and look forward to spending my life with," and just as James uttered these words, Madeline's face turned pale as blood drained down from her face, "If you allow me, I would like to take her back with me. Her family will be worried as she's not been home for-"

"Her family knows she's been living in the castle. Madeline stayed back in the castle after getting her parents approval. I am sure Madeline will enlighten you about it," Calhoun then turned to look at Madeline who looked paler than a ghost and her eyes slowly moved to look at him.

"That is not true!" James said as he had got the letter, as well as Beth, Madeline's elder sister, had confirmed about it, "You are keeping her against her will."

Calhoun's lips twisted, and he laughed. Nodding his head he said, "Madeline, Mr. Tailorman is waiting for you to speak."

Madeline's hands had turned cold out of nervousness and a certain headiness occupied her mind. Gulping softly, she then said to James, "I stayed here on my own will."

"That is a lie!" James stepped forward to only be held back by Theodore, who had placed his hand forward to stop him from moving, "She is being made to lie. You are forcing her to stay in here. You probably scared her and her parents! Madeline!" James looked at Madeline's face that was warped in anxiousness, "You don't have to fear the King. Tell the truth in front of everyone," he stared into her eyes.