After helping her wear the garter on one leg, Calhoun went to her next leg and changed it to the newer one. The dress was then unfolded back to its place the way it was, to cover her legs. Noticing how he didn’t make an effort to move from where he sat, Madeline moved her hands back to her lap, holding them together.
“You can sit on the couch,” suggested Madeline. Even though Calhoun was going to be her husband, it was still strange to have him sitting on the ground. He was not an ordinary man but the King of Devon.
“This place is much better,” replied Calhoun while staring back at her. He doubted he would be able to keep his hands to himself if he were to sit next to her on the couch now. Madeline looked far more radiant than the rays of the sun that had fallen on the grounds of the castle today. Her pale skin had a tint of pinkness on them, her heart calm and quiet, beating a rhythm like a little bird.
The girl had little confidence when it came to her looks, making her appear more humble and humane. But then she was a human, thought Calhoun to himself. He could tell that because of her sister, Madeline had preferred to stay in the shadow, but things were changing. Madeline was far more beautiful and someone he treasured. As much as he wanted to act on his instincts, he told himself to wait a little longer because she was worth it.
It took all his strength not to bite into her smooth milky pale thigh that was wrapped with the fancy-looking garter.
“There will be another tailorman who will be visiting the castle today,” he informed her.
Madeline had a look of surprise on her face, “Another one?” They were already getting the wedding dress made from James’ shop.
“Wouldn’t your family need new clothes to wear at our wedding?” asked Calhoun. He pulled the ends of her skirt to keep it straight, “I wouldn’t want them to feel pressured on whom you are marrying. That’s alright, right?”
Madeline bowed her head, “Thank you for thinking about them.” With her passive rebellious attitude since the time she had entered the castle, she had forgotten to consider that her family would need to dress and look proper in front of the subjects. She was thankful that Calhoun had thought about it and had gone as far as to arrange a tailor for them.
“You don’t need to. I wouldn’t like you to have frowns and worry lines on your forehead. I am doing it for my own selfish reasons,” Calhoun said before cracking a smile.
Even if it were for his own selfish reasons, he had still considered it, and she saw a ray of light pass through the clouds that she had been seeing all this time.
“What about your clothes?” Madeline inquired.
“The measurements have already been taken, and it is in the making,” he replied to her, “My relatives will be here in the castle. Possibly staying here until the wedding, keep an eye around you and your ears open.”
“Why do you say that?”
Calhoun’s eyes narrowed, almost flinching in thought, he said, “As much as occasions are fun, there’s always a possibility of something bad to happen. And you are going to be the Queen, I would like to think that nothing bad will happen,” and he stood up from the place from where he was.
Madeline didn’t forget what happened yesterday in the forest at this hour. The arrow had been caught, but there was no guarantee if she would be lucky the next time. She felt Calhoun place his hand on her cheek.
“Stay with me. I will take care of everything else.” She felt a shiver run down her spine when his hand turned back for his fingers to run across her skin. Someone knocked on the closed door. Madeline saw the garters Calhoun had pulled down from her leg turned to catch fire before evaporating in thin air without a smoke. She looked around with widened eyes.
The knock on the door took place only twice and stopped. Calhoun left Madeline’s side and walked towards the door, opening the door to see it was Theodore. The man bowed his head and informed,
“Milord, Lady Madeline’s family, have arrived.”
Hearing this, Madeline stood up from the couch. Happiness started to bubble up in her chest. She had been anticipating them for some days now, and Madeline couldn’t wait to meet them.
She walked and came to stand next to Calhoun. He turned to look at her, “I believe you want to meet them. Let’s go greet them,” he said. He headed out of the room with her while having Theodore who followed them behind.
When Madeline saw her parents with her sister Elizabeth, she walked faster than before, and she hugged her mother first who hugged her back. She had been worried why they had not visited the castle yet, but now that they were here, she was happy. A smile spread across her face.
“Mr. Harris,” Calhoun greeted Madeline’s father whose back slightly straightened at the greeting. The King directly offered his hand to the man to shake hands. Mr. Harris was surprised, and apprehensively he took the King’s hand to have a firm shake.
Mr. Harris was surprised by the King’s behaviour, but he didn’t say anything. The King had gone as far as to take back the shop he had given them, and now he was shaking his hand in front of his daughter.
“Glad to see that all of you are here. Madeline was worried and waiting for you,” said the King. Mr. Harris turned to his daughter, offering her a smile and she returned it back, “Take the belongings to the guest rooms,” Calhoun ordered the servants who had come to pick up the little luggage that the family had brought with them.
“We were caught up with the shop-” Beth started, but her mother placed her hand on Beth’s back as if to stop talking.
Calhoun’s eyes moved to look at Beth in question, “The shop?” he asked.
Mrs. Harris smiled, “We had a few things to sort out, and it took time. We made sure to send out the invitations that were given to us.” The King continued to stare at the family for a few seconds before saying,
“Madeline, why don’t you help your family settle in the guest rooms,” Calhoun suggested, and Madeline nodded her head. The family bowed and walked away from there.
Calhoun continued to look at them before he said, “Check what is going on in the shop,” to Theodore. Something felt odd, not that things were smooth between him and Madeline’s family as the first time they had officially met he had scared them.
Theodore bowed his head and left the castle right away. It took less than an hour when Theodore returned to report to Calhoun with his lips set in a thin line, “What is it?” asked Calhoun.
“It looks like they are rebuilding the shop which was given by you. The men you sent are nowhere to be found,” reported Theodore, “There’s also something I overheard.”
Calhoun’s eyes narrowed, “I am listening…”
