The Crown's Obsession (WN)

During the time of lunch, the guests were asked to join in the dining room which wasn't as large as the one back in the castle, but it was decent enough to accommodate every guest who had been invited. It was a round table that had a spinning platform so that the food could be passed for everyone to take by turns. Madeline had never seen anything like this before, and she had a look of fascination on her face.

"Is it the first time you have seen this type of table, Lady Madeline?" asked a man who happened to be sitting next to her while on the other side, Calhoun sat next to her.

Before the time of lunch had arrived, she was almost introduced to every single person by Calhoun without giving much details and Madeline had spoken not more than a word or two.

"Yes," answered Madeline, her eyes looking at the marble slab that turned smoothly that was on the table.

The man gave her a nod, who continued to speak to her, "Marble slabs like these were introduced two years ago. It hasn't been introduced to everyone," the man was polite enough, to not mock her knowledge on it, but it wasn't the same when it came to others who were seated around the table.

"Poor people aren't aware of the new inventions. They live in a well," the comment came from across the table from a man who appeared to be wealthy by the way he looked down upon the people except the King.

The woman next to him joined, "It is a pity that they are unaware about it but then at the same time, they cannot afford using something like this," the woman was putting a napkin on her lap when she continued to say, "Considering that their houses are very small and so is space."

"That is because there is no need to bring something home which won't be used," James said that made the people to turn to look at him. Even Madeline turned her eyes to look at the man, "We have the habit of living with what we have. Slabs like these are not of any use when family members don't mind passing the vessels from one side to another."

Very few agreed to his words, but most of them were not pleased with the human who spoke out of line.

"Yes, it's fun to do that," added Lady Catherine when she noticed the number of eyes that looked at James in distaste. At the same time, the vampiress glanced at Madeline as it was because of her why the conversation had started.

"It looks like Lady Catherine had found the right man to be next to her side," stated Calhoun, for everyone to raise their eyebrows.

Lady Catherine blushed, waving her hand, "Oh no, it is still something that I am still working on," she said to everyone who had started to give her knowing looks. James looked like he had been caught off guard.

During the time of the meal when everyone had started to eat, Calhoun's eyes shifted to look at Madeline. He noticed how she was lost in her thoughts. Her face looking upset over the words and sight she witnessed. This only broadened the smile on Calhoun's lips.

He didn't like it when she smiled looking at James, at his words that were used to protect her. Calhoun didn't know that, the emotion of jealousy could run down so deep that he wanted to rip the man's head off but then if he was going to kill him, he would need the right reason. Not to forget, there were other ways than killing that would require less bloodshed, thought Calhoun to himself.

James was occupied with talking to Catherine, who was smiling at him sweetly. It was obvious that she was smitten by the man who politely spoke to her, but every once in a while, the man glanced to look at Madeline who was seated in the opposite direction.

Madeline couldn't help but ponder over the words of Lady Catherine and Calhoun. It looked like James had been accompanying Lady Catherine for some time now, especially the way they both spoke to each other.

Nobody at the table cared if Madeline had taken only a bite to have her spoon turn around the bowl, except for the person who sat on her right side.

"Is the food not to your taste?" Calhoun questioned who had leaned to her side that made Madeline snap her eyes up to look at him.

"It's delicious," Madeline answered, taking one bite and Calhoun's lips twisted,

"You look upset. Is something bothering you?" asked Calhoun. He knew why she was upset, but it was good that Madeline was pondering over the scene which was in front of her. Who knew one day Lady Catherine would be of great use.

Madeline pursed her lips and then replied, "I am fine."

"If you say so," he agreed and went back to eating his meal before one of the men spoke to the King about the recent news circulating in the higher society.

"I heard that they found the body of Miss Lipton, my King. Was it resolved?" asked the man. Some of the people's eyes fell on the guest.

Calhoun took a bite from his fork, chewing his food and swallowing before he responded, "Yes. After her father and I had a talk with his false allegation, the girl is finally resting in peace right now, just where she needs to be. It is a pity that she had to die so young."

"Indeed, milord."

"That's true," came the murmur from across the table.

Lady Jennings shifted the conversation to something much lighter, "My King, were you not in the Hallow ball which was hosted a few days ago? I don't think any of us saw you."

A chuckle escaped Calhoun's lips, "I thought it would be much more entertaining without having a need to scurry the villagers who came to attend the ball for the very first time," he said, to gain thoughtful nods.

"There were rumours about you picking a bride this year, which is why you invited so many people," came another conversation.

"Everyone is always so curious. It was the minister who advised to having people come to see the castle. Hoping it would bring the subjects closer to the crown," Madeline heard Calhoun reply to the question, his presence charming people around the table. She was going to take another bite by ignoring the sight in front of her when she felt Calhoun place his hand on her thigh under the table.

Her heart hitched.

She lowered her hand that she had raised almost near her mouth.

Did he think that there was space between them? Was it by mistake? No, when it was Calhoun, there was no room for mistake! They were in a room full of people. What was he thinking?! She placed the fork down and noticed how one of the older ladies on the table looked at her, offering her a smile, and Madeline smiled back. She picked the napkin, wiping her lips with it and just as she lowered it down on her lap, she pushed Calhoun's hand away from her thigh.

Madeline would have glared at him for trying something so shameful by placing his hand on her leg under the table. But with people around where some of them were looking at her, she tried to have a passive expression on her face and went to pick up the fork.

One of the men said, "The Hallow indeed was successful. Devon has been prospering better than before."

"Aye," said another person, lifting the glass towards the King.

Bringing the fork towards her mouth, she started to eat and was about to swallow when she felt Calhoun's hand back on her thigh, which was positioned higher than before. When she turned to look at Calhoun, he was busy concentrating on his food while his hand inched higher.

As her gaze moved across the table, her eyes met James and a second later, Calhoun's hand squeezed her thigh firmly. Her face turned red and she looked away from James to look down at her plate.

She wanted to stab the hand!

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