The Crown's Obsession (WN)

Music Recommendation: Promenade of Stolen Children

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Morganna was not happy with her current situation, and in her room, she waited for her loyal man to arrive at the castle so that she could ask him about the progress in the High House regarding Theodore being the murderer of Madame Fraunces. A few months ago, her life was perfect, and there was nothing to worry about. Since her husband's death, she had made enough wealth, and she had control over the land of Devon and its people.

But right now, she was stressed. Every passing minute, she looked at the closed door, waiting for the person to arrive.

Finally, when the door opened, Morganna was more than relieved that the person had finally arrived, but her heart sunk when she noticed Laurence, Samara and Calhoun entering the room.

"Mother, you are awake!" exclaimed Laurence, moving to his mother's side and sitting on the bed. "How are you feeling now?"

Morganna smiled at her son's concern, "It was just a little fatigue. I am completely fine and should be able to go back to attend the royal court meetings."

The King shook his head, "I think it would be best for you to sit out on the meetings for a few days. Rest and get back your energy. You have been by my side, assisting me for so long, it must have been exhausting as you never take a break."

"I am fine, Laurence," Morganna placed her hand on her son's arm. "Tomorrow I will be doing well."

"It is good to see that Queen Morganna is doing fine," Lady Samara showed her concern towards the Queen. "Is there something you would like me to do? I will see to it that it is done."

Morganna had a tight smile on her face. She wanted to butcher this cocky boy who was in the room.

"Don't trouble yourself, Samara. There are maids to do that," responded Morganna, and Samara bowed her head.

Calhoun, who was watching the exchange of words, said, "Grandmother, you should let us spoil you. How about we go out and spend some time together. Us family members. What do you think, my King?"

King Laurence laughed, "Calhoun seemed to be quite taken by you, mother. He has been worried about you since you fainted, asking when you would wake up and if we need to find another physician to look after you. Isn't he wonderful?"

A broad smile appeared on Calhoun's lips, "She's my family now, like everyone else. I wouldn't want anything bad to happen to her."

This lying bastard! cursed Morganna in her mind. The time right now was so bad that if Calhoun brought a crow after painting it white, her son would nod his head and tell it wasn't a crow.

To play along, Morganna smiled back, "What can I say. In the beginning I was wrong, but I now know so much about Calhoun, he surprises me every day," she commented. She had underestimated him, believing him to be a weakling just like his mother, but she was so wrong about it. If she knew about his true nature, she would have got him killed long ago.

Lady Samara looked slightly taken aback by this exchange of words. It was because she knew the Queen despised Calhoun's existence. Did something happen?

"It's good to see that you both are bonding so well," said King Laurence with a pleased expression on his face. This also meant that his mother wouldn't try to give his throne to anyone else.

At the same time, while they were speaking, the person whom Morganna had summoned for arrived at the door.

"My King! My Queen!" the person bowed his head in greetings.

King Laurence raised his eyebrows in question, "Arthur Horatio, what brings you here?"

Queen Morganna glared at the minister and then at her servant for bringing the man here without any prior notice.

Arthur glanced at Morganna, receiving the noticeable glare from her while Calhoun tried to hide his smile, "I-uh, I heard about the Queen's health and decided to come here and see if she was alright."

"It seems that news reaches the High House faster than anyone else," as Laurence said this, there was an evident distaste in his voice when he said 'High House'. "How are things going there?"

"We have been working as per your instructions and orders, my King and watching the people's moves on what they do," replied the minister.

"And what about the woman Helena?" demanded King Laurence. "I thought you were going to kill her at any possible opportunity. I guess it is time that we change the men appointed in the High House as they don't seem worthy of the job."

The minister bowed his head and said, "Forgive me, my majesty! It has been extremely difficult to get a knife near her without being suspected. Many of them have already tried to attach her, but they have either ended up with broken or twisted arms. I tried to arrange a kill on her when she was outside, but there is another High House member who is always with her. He must be her lover because they go to her house together-"

"That's enough!" King Laurence had turned annoyed just by hearing what the minister had to say about Helena. "You cannot handle one mere woman? Pathetic!"

"My King, I will try to arrange another way to have her killed. I won't let you down this time!" assured the minister, but Laurence waved his hand as if he didn't want to listen to the man.

"I will come back later to see you again, mother. Please rest until then," said Laurence before walking out of the room followed by his wife and son. This left the minister with the Queen and some of the maids who were in the room.

"Leave us alone," ordered Queen Morganna to her maids, "And close the door, while making sure if someone comes, let me know."

The maids bowed and stepped out of the room and closed the door to give the Queen and the minister the needed privacy.