The Crown's Obsession (WN)

In one corner of the courtroom, Weasely listened to Lady Aubree's description as he started to draw the merchant named Elias. On the other side of the room, Helena and Calhoun spoke to each other with Madeline next to them.

"The members of the High House would never do something like that. They know well of the outcomes of what happens if they don't abide by the rules, King Calhoun," said Helena, her head turning to look at the people who had come with her. But Calhoun could tell by the look Helena had in her eyes, she was doubtful on whom to trust and whom to not, "The meeting is going to take place the day after tomorrow in the High House, and the matter would be discussed there."

"I cannot wait to attend it," came Calhoun's enthusiastic reply, before he added, "There was something else I had to discuss with you. Away from the ears and eyes of your people whom I don't trust," came his unfiltered words.

After a long hard stare, Helena finally nodded her head. Madeline decided to give them their space even though Calhoun didn't mind her standing next to them and listening to the conversation. Her eyes fell on Beth, who stood near the wall alone while she stared at the people with discomfort in her eyes.

"Beth?" Madeline called her sister's name, and Beth looked slightly startled, "Are you fine?"

"Yes," Beth nodded her head, bringing a smile on her face that didn't reach even halfway to her eyes.

Beth felt odd to be standing in the court in the presence of the High House members. The last time they were in this room, Markus had been sentenced to his death. There had been some nights where the memory had haunted her. As if she had seen his head being beheaded when in truth she wasn't there the day Markus had been executed.

She was still trying to work her way around on what had happened until now, and beilving some of her actions could have prevented some of the unfortunate incidents. And though she knew it was wrong, Beth couldn't help but feel the emptiness she felt in her heart when she thought about Markus.

Even though previously she was blinded with wealth and power, there was some part of her that had fallen in love with Markus, and it was only in an attempt to help him did she go-ahead to look for the poison. As she was consumed by the thoughts about the past, and her follies, Beth felt Madeline hold her hand. She realized how much Madeline cared for her, and she was the beacon that was guiding her back to the way things were between them when they were small.

The people in the court had turned busy, murmuring about the cursed jewel and the conspiracy towards the Queen's.

Two guards appeared at the entrance of the courtroom, speaking to Theodore, who had his lips set in a thin line. He then walked up to the King, to say,

"It seems they couldn't find any merchant with the name Elias," informed Theodore. Lady Aubree, who heard this, stood up from where she sat, where she had been giving details about the merchant.

"That is not possible!" exclaimed Lady Aubree, "My standing lady can vouch for me as an alibi that I didn't make it up."

"Milady, if you will please sit down," Requested Weasley who was drawing the man's face on the description of Lady Aubree. Helena moved her hand as if asking the lady to sit, and the vampiress sat back with a look of worry on her face.

Calhoun said, "Whoever the person was, he must have given a false name while selling the jewellery to Lady Aubree. Did they bring other merchants who work in the market?"

"Yes, milord. The guards have brought four people who work there and are well known," answered Theodore, and four men, who had been standing behind the guards until then stepped forward, "These are the men."

Calhoun stepped away from Helena, moving towards the merchants, "Good morning, gentlemen," he greeted the men with a broad smile on his lips.

"Milord!"

"My King!" came the collective voices from the four men who bowed their head.

"There has been a small question going around, and we need some answers for it," explained Calhoun, "I hear that you don't know anyone by the name Elias?"

The merchants shook their head to a no. One of them said, "I knew an old man named Ellias, but he passed away three months ago."

Calhoun turned to look at his relative who kept glancing back and forth, "Have you seen that woman in the market before?" he had raised his hand to use his thumb to point at Lady Aubree. The men shook their heads again. "Looks like your alibi is not going to be of much help, Lady Aubree," sighed Calhoun as if the time of her end was near and the woman looked shocked.

"Lady Aubree, please finish giving the details before you speak another word," Helena was having a headache. She had hoped with the time of snow and the season's celebratory time, the folks would be busy and it would lead to less work for the members of the High House, "King Calhoun," she said with a frown.

"What did I do?" he whispered as if he had no idea he had irked the vampiress to her worry.

Once the drawing was complete, Lady Aubree had an anxious look on her face, and Weasley asked, "Is this how the merchant looks?" and the vampiress quickly nodded her head.

"Yes, this is how he looks!"

The drawing was taken to Helena and Calhoun to see, and Calhoun brought it forward to show it to the four merchants, "Seen this man before in your market? For someone who sells rare jewels, I would peg that person is famous amongst you."

The merchants took a closer look at the man's face which was drawn, but unfortunately, none of them could identify him.

Helena turned to the vampiress, "I hope you have not got the wrong person drawn who doesn't exist. How many times did you meet this man named Elias?"

"I met him two times in the market and one time in the town of Cossington. He said he was going to the East and had to deliver something. To save time, I decided to meet him there in the town."

"And when did you meet him in Cossington and where?" inquired Calhoun, his words sharp.

Lady Aubree looked a little awkward as she said, "It was the third time. The last time I saw him, he had come to my carriage to give the box to me. I didn't want to carry the gold coins on the streets and found it to be feasible back then."

"Lady Aubree, you might be innocent and have nothing to do with the jewellery, but sadly you are looking very suspicious to not just me but to everyone in this room," said Calhoun who looked like she was about to cry. Cry because she knew Markus Wilmot had been beheaded mercilessly, not to forget those rumours that surrounded the King for murdering his very own birth mother.

The parchment which had the drawing was circulated in the room until it finally came to Beth's and Madeline's hand. Madeline took a look at the merchant's face and her mouth went dry.