The Crown's Obsession

She couldn't believe that this was happening. She didn't want to stay here in the castle, and she wanted to go back home, which was where she rightfully belonged. Madeline could feel her anxiousness bubbling up in her throat, which didn't settle down and could be seen in her eyes.

Her father was unable to go against the King as he was just a man who cut woods and sold it, with no higher authority nor connections like other men who belonged to the higher society where he could try to haggle his time enough to hide his young daughter.

"Mama, please don't listen to him. Please don't leave me here," Madeline said with her eyes turning moist. Her mother shook her head sadly. Mrs. Harris had tried to pursue the King to agree to bring her home for some more days before she would come to live here, but he had refused it right away.

"Oh, my child," her mother raised both her hands to hold Madeline's face, sorrow in the woman's eyes because she knew it was not what Madeline wanted, "Be strong. We will try to appeal to him again," he didn't listen to them now, why would he listen later?

She shook her head, "I don't want to stay here."

"I know, dear," her mother hugged her, patting her back, "We will speak to your uncle and see what can be done. Do not lose hope. It's just now, it will turn better," her mother said, pulling away to look at Madeline and kiss her forehead.

Her father looked defeated, and she didn't want to impose on him, knowing how helpless he was feeling.

She then turned to her sister, Beth, who was quiet since the King had spoken about keeping her here in the castle. She moved herself to stand in front of her sister, holding both Beth's hands in hers,

"Beth, please tell the King that I don't want to live here," said Madeline. She saw her father go console her mother who was troubled, and Madeline looked at Beth who was not looking at her, "He might listen to you, I-"

Beth turned to look at her, annoyed; her eyes brows were crookedly raised. Taking Madeline's hands off her arms, "Isn't this what you wanted?" asked Beth and Madeline looked at her confused, "I know deep down you want to live in a castle, a place where you will not have to work and will be dotted. What are you crying about?"

"What?" Madeline frowned, "You know those things do not matter to me. You know I don't wish for these things, and it is you who-"

"Finally, the truth comes out, isn't it?" Beth accused, her green eyes looking at Madeline with resentfulness, "Aren't you happy that you have earned his favour and interest?"

"Beth!" their mother scolded.

Beth took a step away from Madeline, "If you weren't interested you wouldn't have dolled yourself up for the Hallow here. If you weren't interested you would have refused to go, you would not have spent money on the dress," her words were hurtful to hear, "What are you crying about now?"

"I dressed because I wanted to go along with you. I had no interest to pay dress-"

"Then you should have picked a cheaper dress instead of trying to match others. Do not act innocent with me, Maddie," Beth looked in the eye of her sister, "We are sisters. When I told you that I was trying to persuade the King, you went and did something behind my back. You must have got tired standing behind me, wanting the attention which I would have understood if you didn't take away things like this."

Madeline couldn't believe that her sister thought she was trying to take away what belonged to her, "I would never do something like that to you. You are my sister."

"Why don't you tell how you charmed the King then? He seems more than interested when he could have someone better."

"You're crossing the decency of not understanding that it was never my intention to catch his attention," Madeline responded not liking the way her sister was blaming that it was her fault when she had done nothing.

"Her mother supported her, "Madeline is right, Beth. She would never do anything like that. She didn't have the intention to marry the King. Her interest lies in Mr. Heathcliff."

A dry, empty laugh passed through Beth's lips, "Is that so? Do you know Madeline was away from the ballroom for several minutes? Why don't you ask her where and what she was doing during that time?" Beth had her doubts the moment she had seen her sister missing from the room. She had looked all around but Madeline was nowhere to be seen.

But when her sister did arrive back in the room, she had noticed how flushed her face looked even though she had her mask on.

Mr. and Mrs. Harris turned to look at their two daughters. Madeline clenched her hands which was resting on her sides. Did Beth know what happened?

"She must have gone to look at the castle," said Mr. Harris, "Stop blaming her just because the King didn't shower you with the same attention as her. Do you know how difficult this is for your sister?"

The door of the dining room was knocked to have everyone go silent, and Theodore entered the room, "Your carriage is waiting for you, Mr. and Mrs. Harris, and Miss Beth."

Madeline had to swallow the distress she felt from not only having to stay here, but the sister she lived and cared for had accused her of taking the King's attention for her own.

Beth was the first one to leave who didn't care to say bye to her sister as she was more than upset right now. She had barely slept last night at the thought that the King wanted to meet them because of her but who knew that her little sister had gone behind her back to snatch her happiness.

She was in shock and anger to speak more. Something that was almost promised and was near had been taken away from her, and her sister dared to behave innocent and sad that she was supposed to stay here.

Madeline saw her sister pass through the doors. Her mother and father looked at her, her mother saying,

"We will write you letters, write us back," said her mother placing her hand on Madeline's shoulder and squeezing it gently. Her father only gave her a sad nod before they made through the doors to step out of the dining room, leaving her alone in this golden cage.