The Crown's Obsession (WN)

Music Recommendation: David's writings- Christopher Willis

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Beth was happy to see James standing in front of her, but at the same time, the smile on her face fell. A bad deed was like a fool stepping on a dog's tail, which later resulted in it coming to chase you.

A few months ago, when she had found out that James had been bitten, she had not cared about it. But after being bit and while trying to make things right, she finally realized the depth of the situation. Not to forget the way she had tried to catalyze between him and her sister.

"I didn't know that you were bit by a werewolf. When did this happen?" there was an evident surprise in James' voice as he looked at her.

James Heathcliff was once one of the most sought bachelors in the village of East Carswell. He came from a decent family and owned a popular shop in its trade and looks that were fairly handsome. But now the man had changed, a beard that had grown around his jaws, and there were dark circles below his eyes.

"It was after Madeline got married," replied Beth, her words turning low at the end of the sentence as she noticed James' jaw tick at the news. "There was an attack in Cossington when we went to visit the church on some work."

James nodded his head. When he had been bit by a werewolf, it had happened out of nowhere, and he had nowhere to go.

He then said, "The magistrate is going to take a look at your things and is going to ask some of the people where you have been living to make sure you aren't a threat to them. I have already mentioned how you are related to the Queen of Devon. You don't have to worry about anything, they should free you by tomorrow morning or worse in the evening."

"Thank you," thanked Beth, not knowing what else to say as she felt guilty.

"I heard Madeline mention about you moving here. But I didn't expect to cross paths with you."

James smiled at the mention of the girl's name, whom he had continued to keep in his heart, "Yes, I did meet her before leaving Devon. I must say, it was a surprise to see you in the middle of the road. I am glad we took the road today rather than the forest. How is she? The Queen."

"She's doing good," Beth conveyed the message. Seeing how James was trying to hide his feelings for her sister, she wasn't sure if she should mention the unborn baby coming to this world. "I am happy to see that you have found a place here."

"Yes, people here are a little rough, but it is alright. The person who took me in, Jagger, he has been helpful when it comes to teaching me about the transformation. He's also the person who put you in there," James let her know.

Beth wasn't sure if it was a good way to start an introduction by nearly killing people. Remembering it, she quickly asked, "The men who were with me. Are they alright?"

James pursed his lips before shaking his head, "One of them died, while the other has camped himself in the magistrate's office wanting to hunt you for killing his brother."

A nervous sigh escaped her lips, her eyebrows knitting together on hearing the news.

Seeing the blood drain from Beth's face, James quickly said, "We know it was out of self-defense. As wolves, we have better hearing abilities. Jagger won't let any harm befall on you and he is also one of the men who is well acquainted with the King of this land. With you being King's sister-in-law, I am sure they won't bring any harm to you. I will go get you some food to eat and a blanket so that you can rest."

"Thank you for coming to talk to me here, Mr. Heathcliff," Beth deeply bowed her head, and James' eyes lingered at the young woman longer than it usually did in the past.

Since he had met Elizabeth Harris in the roadway that led away from the village today, he noticed something very different about her. It wasn't because she had shown her werewolf traits. It was her demeanour that appeared to have changed.

Back when they still lived in the same village of East Carswell, Elizabeth Harris was the attractive young woman whose head had always held high, and everyone sought to be like her. But if there was something he did take a note of, nobody was truly next to her. It was because there was a coldness, a gap in the way she was and behaved with people.

Offering her a quick nod, he went to get her the promised things while wondering what must have happened in the last few weeks since he had left Devon.

Beth was more than thankful for the food and the blanket that was provided to her later. Even though she had animalistic traits, she was still part human. Draping the blanket around her body, she went to the corner to sit down. As her eyes turned heavy, her mind took her to the past troubles she had experienced.

'What are you doing here, Elizabeth?' asked her grandmother, who had only opened the front doors of the house. But her grandmother's eyes softened, looking pleased when her eyes fell on her sister Madeline. 'Come on in.'

'Mama said I should come along with Madeline as she might get lost,' replied Beth with a smile on her face. It was the time of summer where she had only turned fourteen.

'Well that is good, it would be troublesome if she were to get lost,' replied her grandmother before turning to look at Madeline and asking, 'How about I give you something to drink, Madeline. You must be very tired because of the heat outside.'

'Look at my two angels in the house,' her grandfather greeted them with a smile on his face, and Beth forgot the little amount of insecurity that she had felt a moment ago.

'Grandpa!' Beth hugged him.

'How are you doing? I heard from your aunt Mary that you are learning to read and write,' said her grandfather before sharing a silent look with his wife that went unnoticed by the two girls.

Her little sister trailed right behind their grandmother, while Beth had stayed back to reply to her grandfather's questions. 'Aunt Mary has a lot of books in the house. I finished reading five books when we went to visit her house.'

'And how about Madeline, is she slow or is she quick when it comes to learning things?' asked her grandfather, his eyes looking at her curiously while the tone he had used was light.

It was always about her sister, while it seemed like her grandparents weren't as enthusiastic when it came to her own learnings. Unhappy with the thought, she responded, 'She's a dimwit! She keeps making mistakes, I don't even know why Aunt Mary is trying to reach her things when she's younger to me and still has time.' She said it, when in truth, it was untrue as her sister was a quick learner.