The Crown's Obsession (WN)

Music Recommendation: Limetown - Ronit Kirchman

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The news was quick to spread across Devon's land about the fallen Queen who had been executed on the King and the High House' members orders for committing treason. As shocking as the news was when it reached their ears, people slowly forgot it and continued their lives as if the Queen's death didn't matter to them anymore.

In the royal cemetery, Theodore silently stood in front of one of the cemented graves. Revenge never brought back a person, but it somewhere did pacify the pain that had stayed in Theodore's mind.

He returned to the castle and went to the royal court to see Calhoun humouring the King with something he had found out about Devon's ministers. With the Queen not in the scene anymore, Theodore didn't know what Calhoun was waiting for.

"Isn't Calhoun wonderful?" praised King Laurence. "He's my true successor, and also my saviour. If it weren't for my son who used his quick thinking in removing the poison quickly out of my body, I would have either been dead or bed ridden."

"Aye, my King," came the voices from the ministers who were in the royal court room in agreement.

"My mother thought she could overthrow me and my son, but here we are and she...she's dead for her misdeeds," stated King Laurence, with little to no pity towards his mother, who wasn't with them anymore. "Rosamund," he addressed his sister.

"Yes, my King," she bowed her head in response.

"Do keep this in mind that in the future if I die, Calhoun should be crowned as the King and no one else," King Laurence was still bitter with the thought that his mother, along with his sister, had tried to pull strings to overthrow him.

Rosamund nodded her head in acknowledgement.

When the discussion in the court came to an end, people started to leave the room. Alone, Theodore finally asked Calhoun, "What are you waiting for?"

"The right time," replied Calhoun. "I heard from one of the men in the High House that Morganna's followers are still working on trying to pin the blame on me for her death. It would be best to give some time before we make another attack so that they aren't suspicious."

"Rosamund keeps looking at you," commented Theodore, and Calhoun smiled.

"It would be strange if she didn't. She is trying to get into the good side of the King, but we all know how her position has fallen in the King's eyes," said Calhoun. "Let's pick two weeks from now."

Theodore turned to look at Calhoun, "How would you want it to be done?" he questioned.

"Murdered by me. No framing, no stalling. I will do the job and will need you to cover for me that day. We can invite the relatives for lunch who are close to the Hawthrone's along with Morganna's ministers who can act as a catalyst. This way the suspicion will fall on everyone. Let me go inform the people about the lunch," Calhoun had a bright smile on his lips as he left Theodore's side.

After a couple of seconds passed, Theodore was walking in one of the corridors, going to the shed next to the castle, when Rosamund appeared in front of him.

"Theodore Chauncey, I would like to speak to you about something," said the vampiress.

Theodore didn't refuse, and he walked along with Rosamund, a questioning look in his eyes. "Was there something you needed, milady?"

Rosamund nodded her head, a grim expression on her face, "As you know, the King doesn't like anyone bringing up the topic about the Queen in front of him. I wanted to know where my mother's body has been buried so that I can go and visit her. I was hoping you could tell me where she is."

"My apologies, Lady Rosamund, but I don't know where the Queen's body is," Theodore bowed his head in apology. "I think it would be best if you ask Advisor Calhoun about it. He was the one who executed her."

The vampiress gritted her teeth, her jaw ticking. At first, her plea to save her mother's life had been refused, and now no one cared to know where her body was.

"Is it in the dungeon?" demanded Rosamund.

"All the bodies in the castle's dungeon have been cleared a week ago. I doubt you will find it there. I have some important matters to take care of. If you will excuse me now," offering another bow, Theodore left her standing in rage.

Rosamund left the castle and went straight to meet the bunch of ministers who were her mother's loyal servants.

"What is taking so long to reopen the case?" Rosamund demanded the four men who stood in front of her. "It has been many days since the Queen's death and we haven't even scratched the surface of what we were supposed to do. Nor have you succeeded in erasing the woman and the High House organization, neither have you been able to put Calhoun under the High House's scrutiny."

"Forgive us, Lady Rosamund, but the situation is completely different compared to how you are viewing it. Head Lady Helena passed the judgment on Queen Morganna's actions before she was executed. Neither the King nor Calhoun took it in their own hands until Helena signed papers to carry out with the execution."

Rosamund didn't understand how things had taken such a sharp turn. She knew that Calhoun had entered the castle to destroy her family. It was only a matter of time before he would come after her, thought Rosamund in her mind.

"Laurence is too blind with power and I cannot let him have the crown," stated Rosamund. "He is intent on saying he will handover the power to Calhoun, but he will continue to hold on to the throne like a stubborn child. I know some things that may help in getting Laurence off the throne."

One of the ministers looked curious, and he asked, "What is it , milady?"

"I know the people who have been missing and were killed on my brother's order. I will send the list of people to you and you can reopen the wounds of the people so that they can reach out for the High House for help," explained the vampiress. "I am sure you can take care of the rest of it."

While Rosamund was intensively planning to remove her brother from the throne to take control for herself, Calhoun in the castle had his own plans. Two weeks passed, and some of the relatives arrived at the castle to have lunch with the royal family.

"Good afternoon, Calhoun," greeted Mr. Moryett, a distant relative of King Laurence. "How have you been doing?"

"Very well, Sir. How have you been doing yourself, Mr. Moyett? I see Ethan isn't here," Calhoun's eyes fell behind the man before looking back at the person.

"Ethan said he had to work. He has been terribly busy and doesn't have time to even come home, ends up sleeping at the office," laughed Mr. Moryett.

Calhoun offered the man a smile, "He is a diligent man. I can only hope that we can continue to have a good relationship between us so that I can make use of his skills."