The Crown's Obsession (WN)

Music Recommendation: Rhythm of the Breeze- Chapavich Temnitikul

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"Thank you for coming here to paint our portraits within one frame," thanked Madeline, and when she turned to look at Calhoun, he pulled a bag from his pocket and threw it towards the painter.

"We look forward for you painting many more portraits of ours," said Calhoun as if he were booking the woman for the subsequent occasions that would take place in the future.

"I look forward to it, milord," Fad bowed her head.

"The walls in our castle are quite empty, aren't they, Odin?" questioned Vladimir to his faithful servant.

"You," came out the sudden threatening voice of the Devil that had both the painter as well as her assistant step back in worry. "You will be coming to Belmount once you finish this portrait. I want to have you make a portrait of mine."

The two people quickly nodded their head and later carried the canvas to the carriage that they had come in, taking their leave.

"We'll be leaving too King Calhoun and Queen Madeline," Helena offered her bows along with Dimitri, wishing the married couple once again before they departed in their carriage.

"We should head back to the castle," suggested Lady Monique, to which everyone agreed. They sent Lucy and Theodore in a different carriage while Calhoun, Madeline, and the older vampiress travelled back to the castle together in the other carriage. Ethan, who had come in his own carriage, and took his leave to return to his mansion for now.

Seeing the carriages leave, Vladimir said, "I guess it is time to return back to Hell."

"We are not going to the Hawthrone castle, master?" questioned Odin, and Vladimir waved his hand at this.

The Devil then turned to look at the angel, who hadn't left the place and questioned, "What are you doing with the veil, my servant has been changing his appearance back and forth."

"He looks quite adorable," complimented Gabriel, and he then added, "It should be fixed by today."

"Hmph," responded Vladimir, "I hope I don't see any of you anytime soon."

Gabriel smiled and said, "We miss you too." Vladimir snapped his fingers, and the next second he disappeared with a sizzle of fire. Seeing this, Odin quickly zapped out of there to follow his master. "I hope one day you can turn back to who you once were," he murmured under his breath, where his gaze was gentle as always.

The carriages that had come here before had all left, and at a distance, he could sense the two High House members inspecting a building to set up another headquarters so that the High House could have control over the affairs of the town.

His eyes turned back to look at the church where even the musicians had left, leaving the place empty. At least, that is how it looked to a person from the living world who continued to exist here. But since he was an angel, Gabriel caught sight of the young-looking vampiress who sat at the front bench of the church.

"My apologies if I pulled up the veil too soon," said Gabriel, walking around the place to come and stand in front of her.

"No, the time was more than enough. Thank you for letting me be here," Madame Fraunces thanked the angel who had granted her wish.

The gentle smile on Gabriel's lips didn't leave, "You did promise me to enter Heaven if I let you talk to him and somewhere it seemed right to do it." If he let the veil down for too long, it would alert others in Heaven, which would bring in questions. "It is time, Sylvie, to complete your end of promise."

Madame Fraunces stood up from the bench, turning back to look at the entrance space of the church before nodding her head, "I am ready."

Gabriel placed his hand on her shoulder, and suddenly they disappeared without a trace, leaving the church abandoned.

The two carriages rode back to the Hawthrone castle with the horses neighing and their hooves clopping against the ground as they pulled the carriages. In one of the carriages where Calhoun sat, he held Madeline's hand firmly in his hand, his ears keenly listening to her heart beat while his eyes were trained outside the window of the carriage.

Strangely like Vladimir, Calhoun had felt as if his mother was here with him today. The gown would be preserved in her remembrance like the rest of the things that belonged to her. A few days ago, when Madeline had mentioned the man named Doughlas, he had gone looking for the man's family, and he did find the person's house.

The house was located near the mountain of Belmount, which was close to where Vladimir's castle was located.

When he had knocked on the door, an older woman had appeared at the door, 'How can I help you?'

Calhoun had worn clothes that didn't highlight his status, and he had let his hair down instead of combing it back. 'I was looking for a man named Doughlas. I was told he lives here.'

The woman had given him a confused expression, 'It has been a while since my father passed away. Was there something you wanted from him? Maybe I can help,' she asked him.

He brought the letter that had been sent to his mother. 'This was sent to this address, to my mother.'

The woman nodded her head, identifying the letter right away, 'I remember this letter, it was written by him, but I was the one to send it. He returned back from the castle he was working at and he had gone to find your mother. When he finally found where she was living, he handed me this letter and said if he was unable to send it in time, I should do it. My father said it was important, and to send it when the bats from the East would come flying to make noise under the full moon. I think he knew, he was going to make it for the next few days. The day he went to meet her, the same evening someone found him on the ground. He had passed his time. I don't know if he met the lady.'

Calhoun had hoped it would bring in some more light to his mother's life, but in the end, it was just a letter to let her know that Vladimir was awake. At the same time, he was glad that some people cared about her.

On reaching the castle, the carriages came to a stop. Lady Monique got down to be followed by Calhoun. He offered his hand to Madeline, holding her carefully so that she wouldn't fall.

In the past, his mother was the only family he had, but now he had a doting wife who loved him, and they were going to have a child. He had a kind sister, where they were connected by blood, and he had Theodore, whom he knew had his back. He had a grandfather and other members like Monique. The family that once consisted of only two people had started to grow.

"Cal?" Madeline placed her hand on his cheek. "Everything fine?" she asked him.

His eyes sparkled, and a grin broke through his lips, "Absolutely splendid."