The Crown’s Obsession

Chapter 12 - Prisoner

Madeline stood there alone in the corridor, seeing Mr. Heathcliff leave who had left the back of her hand tingling with a kiss. She had never been kissed on her hand before, and though it was a simple and familiar gesture, it had left her heart beating in her chest. She knew Mr. Heathcliff was a gentleman, which was why the man had not pressed for another day right away.

At the same time, she realized he had come here with Lady Catherine, who was the one who had invited him here. She started to walk away from there, deciding to continue to look for her parents.

As she walked in the castle, her shoes softly clicked on the marble floor and her dress swept on the already clean floor behind her. Her brown eyes were looking at the pillars, walls, paintings that hung on the wall and the ceiling that was built up and high. All these years, she had heard only words and stories about the King and the castle, and now that she was here, she understood the madness of wanting to be here. Only the fortunate were able to witness a night like this so magnificent.

Madeline walked far away from the ball, and she wasn't sure if she was looking at the castle or looking for her parents anymore as her fascination grew in watching the paintings. She didn't realize she was going farther and farther away from the ball where the guests were and further towards the den of a predator that was watching her from afar.

She continued to move, and as she moved, a shadow continued to walk to move along with her. Far away from the crowd now, she pulled the ribbon that was tied behind her head to let loose of the mask to fall from her face that she caught in her hand.

When she moved forward, the fire in the torches suddenly blew out because of the strong wind that passed through the corridor in and around her, turning everything dark. She turned her head to notice the dark empty hall, and she started to walk back, unaware of the time she had spent looking at the castle and things that decorated it.

She thought she knew the way, but the castle was big enough to have anyone lost in their first visit.

Her eyes looked at the corridors that led to two different way, and she could only hope that she was in the right direction. Madeline had taken the wrong passage, and she continued to walk, her heart feeling slightly unsettled with the quietness that surrounded her. From a distance, she heard a wolf-like a howl, and she didn't know if it was because there was no one here, but she felt a sliver of worry run down her spine.

She stood unmoving to hear a deep voice speak right behind her,

"Haven't you wandered far into the castle?"

When Madeline turned around, she met the person who wore the silver mask on his face who she had danced with a while ago.

"What are you doing here?" he asked her. Even with the lack of light around them, Madeline could see his eyes clear because of the proximity they shared.

Madeline didn't know how they ended up together now, all alone. Where did he even come from?

"I was looking at the paintings," answered Madeline and then asked, "What are you doing here?" her brave question had the man chuckle.

"Looking. I don't think there's a restriction to look," he said. He took a step forward, and she took a step back, but he didn't stop. He continued to walk forward to have her back hit the cold wall. A small gasp escaped from her delicate lips that had the man's lips pull up slowly. He placed one hand on the wall next to her, "I don't think you are ready to hear that yet, Madeline." The atmosphere around them and in the castle where there were no lights turned darker, and she said,

"I should get back," she said, finally breaking eye contact with this daunting man, but when she turned another hand came to be placed on the other side of her.

Calhoun enjoyed the way she had been staring at the paintings, one after another so far as to she had got lost in the castle. It was the time of night, and it was a new place. Getting lost was inevitable.

He could tell that she was growing scared, not to forget the fact that he hadn't pulled away the mask he was wearing. He had been watching her all night, and he could barely resist not to get close to her. One part of him wanted to take her to the darkest corners of the castle, and he wanted to have his way, but another part of him wanted to keep her safe in a glass cage.

Madeline didn't hide away and instead looked right into his red eyes. She was trying to hold her ground without letting a tinge of a fear show on her face when in truth, her knees would soon give away if the man continued to daunt her.

"I wasn't done with you, sweet. So much hurry," his words were kind and calm for her ears, but Madeline was no fool to believe that. Calhoun remembered her talking to the man and the way she smiled that had him move closer to her.

"What do you want?" she asked him. He was a night creature and she knew not to cross one. The stories about the night creatures were never pretty and were rather gruesome.

"If I ask, will you give it?" there was something very dangerous the way he asked her. Madeline didn't answer, not knowing what exactly the man was looking for. He finally dropped his hands that were holding her prisoner, "Go," he said, having the fill of his amusement.

She gulped, taking one step away testingly as if the person would pounce on her, she took another step away with her front facing him. She held the front of her dress with both her hands, quickly turning around and ran away from there before she would be caught in the web.

Calhoun's eyes trained on the girl who ran away to disappear behind one of the many walls of the castle.

He finally pulled up the mask he had been wearing to reveal his handsome face who looked nothing less to the devil's incarnation. His lips that were parted, he ran his tongue over his fang, a small chuckle escaping his wicked lips.