Madeline was more than worried to stand in the same room where both James and Calhoun's were present. Calhoun gave her a look of suspicion, as she was yet to take a seat. She knew it wouldn't last long, hiding James from Calhoun's eyes because they had only reached the mansion and there was more than enough time for them to spend here in the mansion where they could possibly meet face to face.

She looked at Calhoun who raised his hand, waiting for her to take it so that she could come and sit next to him but how could she right now. She knew the last time they met was not the last because Calhoun had ordered James to make a garter which was for her. she was unprepared to have them in the same room.

"Madeline," said Calhoun, "Are you planning to stand in front of me the entire day?" he raised his eyebrows.

"I-I cannot move my leg," she replied, the quickest thing she could lie about, and he cocked his head to the side.

"What happened to your leg?" Calhoun asked her, and he was ready to reach out for her leg to check when Madeline quickly moved to sit next to him. She didn't know why she was trying to cover up something that was going to blow up today. But she couldn't calm her nerves, "Are you alright?"

She shook her head. She was far from being okay right now.

Calhoun was the King, so it was apparent that there would be many eyes looking at him. People were often curious about what the King did, what he said and how he looked. His eyes were yet to fall on James. His red eyes softened, looking at her, "You can tell me."

If Madeline's heart wasn't racing with worry right now, she would have noticed how Calhoun's voice had turned gentle and so did his demeanour towards her so that she could be in ease, "I haven't been around too many people for a long time. Never been in the company of vampires," she whispered so that no one around would take an offence that a human was calling the night creatures to be hideously scary.

"Is it too daunting for you?" asked Calhoun. He raised his hand to place it on hers, but Madeline turned even more conscious of people's eyes on hers.

"You are touching my hand," she continued to whisper, and he chuckled.

"I am. Be at ease," he said to her, "You don't have to look at other people or on what they think about. Just look at me. That will be more than enough," Calhoun's words struck deep in Madeline's mind, and for a moment, she forgot the people around her and only concentrated on the person she was sitting with.

"Okay."

She broke her gaze away from him to look at her lap and at the walls of the open room. It was the kind of room that looked similar to an enclosed garden where the room didn't have a roof and was left open for one to see the sky. Beneath their feet was the soft grass that had been cut to make it even.

She noticed how men and women came to greet and talk to Calhoun while only eyeing her and she wondered for how long the soiree would take place. A tea party with the King. Calhoun was still talking to a man when a familiar red-headed woman appeared through the doors of the room.

Madeline saw how the woman walked up to the King and bowed her head.

"Good day, my King," the red-haired woman bent on one of her knees to offer her greeting.

"Lady Jullianne, what a wonderful surprise," Calhoun commented, and he raised his hand for the lady to kiss the back of his hand.

Madeline noticed that the girl was a human, or at least by her eyes but her apperance resembled one to be of the vampires because of how pale and how sharp her features despite the demeanour she carried. The last time she had seen the woman walking in one part of the castle towards the chamber of the King, to give pleasure to him. Madeline wasn't someone to judge, but somewhere, she didn't like the woman.

She didn't understand how women could openly give away their body or blood, to please the King for their gain.

"Miss Jenning was kind enough to invite me here. I was only going to leave," she answered the King with a smile on her face.

Madeline turned her eyes to look at Calhoun who had a pleased expression, "Why not stay longer? I heard they had some show arranged for later this evening," said Calhoun, his red eyes looking at the woman. Most of the women and men kissed the King's feet for the power and position he held. Trying to please him, time and time again. Either by their words or by their actions.

"One of the servants who is looking after mother has fallen sick. She is in bed rest, and someone will need to be there to tend to her. Forgive me for spending such a short time with you," on Jullianne's words, Madeline couldn't help but raise her eyebrows at Calhoun.

Short time…, thought Madeline to herself.

"Convey my greetings to your parents," and the woman bowed again. Before leaving, the woman turned to look at Madeline and gave her a bow. Madeline was compelled to return the polite gesture, and as the lady walked away from them, Calhoun said, "I can tell why your legs are aching."

Hearing this, Madeline turned alert, and her eyes very slowly moved to look at him. Had he noticed James in the room? The room wasn't that big enough where James would be hidden away from the sight of the King for long. Of course, Calhoun would have noticed him. Especially considering her suspicious behaviour.

"Why?" she asked.

"You walked quite a lot yesterday. Your delicate feet must not be used to it," came the answer from Calhoun who had turned to look into her eyes, "The distance from the forest to the castle isn't a short one. Walking suddenly must have caused some pain. Once we get back to the castle, let's make sure it is properly massaged."

Madeline shook her head, "No no, that won't be needed. It's just some regular pain. It doesn't hurt too much," she said, knowing exactly what the King was having on his mind when she noticed the wicked smile on his lips. Instead of letting the maids massage her feet, Calhoun would himself pull up her skirt like last time to tend to her. Madeline was not ready for her heart to jump out of her throat again because of him.

Calhoun was not healthy for anyone's heart. The man could turn tables in a way that would leave a person's mouth wide open where one would not be able to comprehend on what was going on.

"Please," came the teasing voice of his with a smile, "I was the one who made you walk, allow me to make amends," but Madeline didn't want him to make amends by touching her!

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