The Crown's Obsession

James nodded his head, "I spoke to her, and she was happy to see me yet worried. She also denied the fact that she wrote the letter to me," and saying this, the man looked at Harris' elder daughter.

"Why would she do that?" Beth asked with a frown, "She was the one who wanted the letter to be delivered to you," she acted oblivious to it. 

James shook his head, "Maybe she is scared...but the King has taken a liking towards her."

Was that it? Asked Beth in her mind. This spineless man was not going to fight for the woman he was in love with? Beth had a look of disappointment in her eyes.

After a few seconds, she said, 

"Madeline must be terrified right now. The King appears to be a violent man," she said, her voice dropping to a whisper, "I worry for her, Mr. Heathcliff. What if he does something to her? Something unspeakable. You know how Madeline is, she might have just wanted to protect you."

James weighed her words.

"Did you tell her to speak to the King?" Beth asked him, her words slow, and she turned around to make sure her mother wasn't listening to their conversation now. 

"I spoke to the King," James replied, and Beth raised her eyebrows, "He is not willing to free her, and he claims that she is staying there out of her own will. Madeline also agreed to it." 

"What?" Beth narrowed her eyes. 

"That's true. She denied the letter and then said that she was staying back in the castle without anyone's force," James raised his hand to his forehead and rubbed it, "I don't know why...but somewhere I felt that maybe it is true." 

Beth let out an empty laugh and she shook her head, "I don't think that's true. She might be getting threatened by the crown. She told my mama and me how much she loves you. She wished to marry you, Mr. Heathcliff and Madeline is not someone fickle."

James sighed, "I will think about something after I reach home. Thank you for your time," he said to bow his head and left the front of the Harris' house. 

The older daughter of Harris continued to stand outside the house, looking at the retreating figure of Mr. Heathcliff. If what the man said was true, Beth was glad that she had cursed her younger sister. In front of them, she had cried big fat tears to gain pity but in truth she was happy. When she entered the house and locked the door, she heard her mother,

"What did Mr. Heathcliff want from you?" asked her mother, "And how did he find out that Madeline is in the castle?"

Beth continued to walk before saying, "He must have gone for some work there and met her. Said, she's happy there and unwilling to return."

Hearing this Mrs. Harris frowned, "Is that what he said or what you want to hear, Beth? You forget that this is your sister and not any girl. You should know her better."

The girl rolled her green eyes, "Mama, when are you going to realise that she might like the same things that I like?! You never listen to me. Since the time we returned back from the castle, it is always been about Madeline this or that. Did you forget you have another daughter who exists?"

"Elizabeth!" her mother scolded her, "You know it's untrue. Both your father and I love you and her equally. We worry because she never wanted a life like that."

"But guess what mama, she is enjoying those things while you worry about her," said Beth, walking further into the house to be followed by her mother. She finally stopped walking and turned around, "She is happy, and it is what she wants. Isn't that good? She will not have to work because she will be the queen. Be happy for that…" she had a look of concern on her face as she said this. 

Mrs. Harris walked towards the dining table. She pulled out the chair and sat down with one hand supporting her forehead. 

"You are not mad at her anymore?" asked Mrs. Harris as the woman knew how Beth had been excited that day only to have her dreams shattered by the few words their King had uttered. 

Beth walked forward to where her mother was and sat down on her heels. She then placed her hands on her mother's knees to say, "I was sad initially. Angry too but I think we both know that she can have a life like that. The King even said that he would help papa with his shop and the shop is being built. It is good, isn't it?"

Beth had changed her entire demeanour and words, her words sweet to encourage her mother. 

"You are right," exhaled her mother. 

Beth then said, "How about I go visit her? See how she is doing?"

Her mother's eyes shifted to look at Beth and she said, "No," for Beth's face to fall.

"What? Why not?" asked the young girl. Her jaws gritted together. 

"The castle is not safe. I don't know what will happen to you."

Beth smiled, "Madeline is safe."

"Madeline has the King's protection. You don't," and these words only made Beth more bitter, "We don't have the protection, my child. The King is not someone to test."

Beth had wanted so much to visit the castle right now. It was something that had been on the back of her head. She had hoped to go and pull out her charms to show that she was the better choice out of the two sisters. The Kingdom of Devon was vast, but it was often told how it was the village she lived in had pretty girls with blonde hair and Beth was one of the most attractive brunette beauty.

"Mama, you don't have to worry about it. The King knows how much Madeline loves us. He would never harm us," she assured her mother, but her mother continued to shake her head. 

"Let us wait for the next invitation from the castle. Until then, we cannot enter," her mother stood up and left the room, leaving the fuming young girl behind. 

Back in the castle, Madeline was walking next to Calhoun in the garden. After breakfast, Calhoun had dragged her here. The atmosphere in the morning felt warm on Madeline's skin, and she walked without a word being spoken to him. She hoped that if she didn't show any interest towards him or didn't heed to his words the way he wanted, it would finally make him look for another girl. 

Didn't the King have other duties that he now took his time to walk in the garden? Asked Madeline to herself. 

"You are quiet. Is it because you saw the tailorman?" asked Calhoun who didn't turn to look at her but was looking ahead of him. Walking next to him, she felt short as Calhoun was a tall man. 

"Aren't I always quiet?" Madeline asked back. She turned her gaze to look at his sharp side profile. 

"Hm. You didn't speak much back in the courtroom, I thought you would take out your frustration now," the man taunted, his eyes then moved to catch hold of her eyes that quickly looked away. 

Madeline wasn't stupid enough to complain to the person when he was the problem, "I don't think any of my words would have mattered or stopped you from speaking what you said back there." 

"Now now, don't blame me. If you had asked me to stop, I would have done it. I am a gentleman who listens to the woman I am affectionate with," his affections were harmful; she thought to herself. And she didn't believe those words. 

"I doubt that," came her small voice. 

"If you keep doubting, you will never be able to see how beautiful the other things are," Calhoun's words appeared to be speaking of more than one subject in here, "Did you like what I wanted? I thought maybe you would have your specifications when it comes to what kind of garter you want to wear."

"I never asked for it!" Madeline's mind finally fizzled out. 

"No?" asked Calhoun thoughtfully, "But you were the one asking for it saying how you wanted it back. I thought I would get you new ones as a present."