The Crown's Obsession

When the Harris' family got back to their home, Beth, who was more than angry, was the first one to step out of the carriage. Without waiting for anyone, she headed straight into the house and went to her room. Her door closing with a loud bang that had both Mr. and Mrs. Harris look at each other worried.

Their daughter had not spoken a word in the carriage, and neither did they as they were worried about their younger daughter, Madeline who had been asked by the King to stay in the castle from now onwards.

"What are we going to do?" asked Mrs. Harris in a shaky voice, the carriage rode away from the front of their humble house.

Mr. Harris had no answer right now as the person they were dealing with wasn't anyone but the King of their lands, "I will try to talk to Frances and see if she can try to persuade him." But, there was doubt in his voice as he was unsure and uncertain that the King would let his dear daughter return back home.

Mrs. Harris nodded her head, her eyebrows drawn together with wrinkles on her forehead, "Yes, that is one way to do it. You don't think he will hurt her, will he?" she asked in the end. Madeline was different compared to their elder daughter Beth, who would have agreed to do anything the King would ask upon, but the same couldn't be told when it came to Madeline.

They stepped inside their house, locking the doors from inside before walking forward into the small hall of their home, "Let us hope she is safe."

Beth had changed her clothes, but she was yet to remove the pins she had placed in her hair.

She came out to get a glass of water for herself. Going to the table and pouring herself a glass of water before she drank from it while overhearing what her parents were talking about.

"Madeline is a smart girl," said her father, "I am sure no ill will fall upon her."

"She was so unhappy when the King announced that she would have to stay there," said her mother and Beth's hand tightened around the glass, clutching it she heard her mother continue to speak, "Maybe we should find someone else to speak to the King, if Frances is unable to get him to listen to our request. Poor Madeline, she is there all alone now."

Beth didn't want to hear more of it, and she went back to her room. The door, this time almost thundering the house with the way it banged close. She was more than upset that Madeline had taken her place, she had stolen the opportunity right under her nose by telling she was not interested in the life of the castle. She should have known better.

She started to pull the pins around her hair, going to stand in front of the mirror.

She looked at her reflection where the girl in the mirror stared back at her. Eyes that were green and hair that dark in colour. There was no man in this village or nearby town who had never paid attention to her. And when the King had spoken to her the most today, she had believed the King had taken in by her appearance. She took the comb and started to comb her hair angrily before throwing the comb across the room in a rage.

"How could you…" asked Beth, her hands quivering in her anger for what Madeline did.

She had asked Madeline where she was that night during the time of her absence in the ballroom, but instead of telling the truth, she had told nothing had happened. She was her older sister; therefore, she knew something had happened between her and someone, and it so happened that someone was none other than the King.

"I will never forgive you, Madeline. The humiliation you have put me through," everything until the point of the meal at the table, everyone had been led to believe that it was her, but no...it was her sister who had stolen her place in the King's mind.

When the time of morning arrived, Beth woke up to go to the kitchen and help her mother, who was quietly working. She took the vessel of water and placed it on the fire, "How are you doing, mama?" asked Beth to her mother, going to her mother and placing both her hands on her shoulders for comfort.

Her mother shook her head and sighed, "I am worried about, Madeline. I don't even know why the King kept her against her will when we mentioned that she was engaged to Mr. Heathcliff."

Beth, who had her lips pursed together, said, "Why did you pick Mr. Heathcliff's name? He and Maddie barely spoke to each other. They only have exchanged greetings without having an actual conversation with each other. Bringing Mr. Heathcliff in the scene would put him in danger."

"There's nothing wrong in it!" her mother responded to her daughter, "They both like each other and I don't mind them getting married. They were going to meet this Saturday but…" she shook her head.

"Madeline told you that they were meeting?" Beth tried to confirm to receive a nod from her mother.

"Her heart must be broken," murmured her mother before going back to do the kitchen work.

Beth turned around and looked at the window of their kitchen. Her teeth gritted in anger which had still not evaporated. This little information only turned the ire in her more. Until now, Beth and Madeline shared everything with one other. With them being only a year apart in age, they did everything together, and if not done, they were sure to let one another know about what happened.

Madeline was hiding things from her when she was giving out every single information without holding back. She was here in this small house, working in the morning while Madeline would be showered with the luxury of not having to move anything. The King would surely treat her with clothes, jewels, and maids that she had always dreamt about.

Beth went back to her room. Pulling out a parchment, she placed it on the table and pulled out the quill and ink bottle to write a letter.

'Dear James,

I am sending you this letter because I am unable to come to meet you right now. I have been confined to the castle against my wishes. The King wants to marry me, but the only person I want to marry is you. You are the one who holds my heart and mind, I would not like anyone to take it away. Please do not ask my family about this, as they are unable to help me either, as it would mean going against the King's orders. I don't know what to do, therefore, I am sending this letter to you in the hope that you understand in what circumstances I have been placed in.

Yours,

Madeline Harris'

Folding the parchment she neatly placed it inside the envelope and stood up to look at the envelope in her hand. It was time to deliver it, thought Beth to herself.