Chapter 21 - The King

He smiled at everyone in the room, a smile which was just enough for his subjects, and he walked forward to his seat which was plush and had decorated metal and wood on it. And though he smiled at the Harris, except for Beth who was utterly charmed by the handsome man who was not seated in front of them, Mr. and Mrs. Harris smiled back at the man, but it was a smile of caution.

He leaned back against the chair, raising his hand to say, "Sit."

His voice deep that had Madeline internally frown as the voice sounded familiar, but then it was hard to catch with a single word the King had spoken. The Harris who were standing took their seats on the King's words.

Mr. Harris was the one to speak, "Thank you for inviting us for lunch, milord," he bowed his head to show respect.

"Lunch is a small gathering. I am hoping we have good ties in the future, Mr. Harris. After all, it would be a shame not to share good relations with the woman I would like to have next to me, who is your daughter."

Madeline's eyebrows now furrowed even further until she realized who she had danced in the Grand ball of the Hallow. There were only two people Madeline had danced, and it wasn't possible that this person was Mr. Hane. It was the first person she had danced in the Ball, the man with a silver mask who had cornered her was none other than the King.

It was barely a minute since she met the King, and she was already feeling anxious in her chest, that she wanted to go back home. He had danced with her, and he must have danced with Beth too. So it was possible the King didn't mean her. After all, she had been away from the ballroom for many minutes. Right? No, she was having her doubts.

"Of course, milord," Mrs. Harris bowed her head, "We were stunned. Therefore, we didn't have time to pick suitable dresses to come here in," the way they had dressed for the ball, and the way they were dressed in had a sharp contrast.

Calhoun noticed it. But he saw more than that. Though his eyes didn't linger too long on the girl he was looking forward to meeting, he had picked up every single detail. Unlike her elder sister, Madeline had braided her hair to make her look like a simplistic.

His eyes glanced to look at her. From where he sat, he could sense the breathlessness from her as if she had figured out who she had danced with. Her skin looked pale, and her eyes not meeting his, she gulped, and his eyes followed the action of her throat.

His eyes moved back to look at the parents. In comparison to Madeline, her sister was dressed, and her hair was left half-open to show the womanly appeal. He could see the eagerness in the girl's eyes, and he cocked his head.

Calhoun was not a King for no reason, did they think that they would pass the eager one to him by hiding the younger girl who he was interested in? A soft chuckle escaped his lips that had everyone look at him in wonderment of what he had found to be amusing.

"I heard that you have woodwork, Mr. Harris," he said turning to look at Mr. Harris, "How do you manage it? If I am not wrong you need manpower for it."

Madeline who sat between her mother and Beth, looked at the man who now questioned her father's work.

His voice was reminding her of the time where it was just him and her in the corridor. He sat in a relaxed manner with his legs crossed, his red eyes shifting to look at Madeline that had her dart eyes away from him. The King and her father spoke about his work, a question or two to her mother before it shifted back to her father.

"I would like to offer my help in setting up a shop so that you can work in ease while also two men shall be assigned to help you in bringing the logs back from the forest," the King's generous words made everyone happy and it included Madeline. She knew how hard it was for her father to work single-handedly, he was turning old and he lacked the strength he once used to possess.

"That is very generous of, my King," her father stood up and bowed his head to show his appreciation and the rest of the Harris bowed their head.

"It is the least I can do," said Calhoun with a smile reaching up to his lips, "Why don't we have lunch. I am sure you must be starving," he looked at Theodore who bowed his head.

"Please follow me," said Theodore walking towards the door and opening it stepped outside the room. The servant man who stood outside held the door for them to pass. Mr. and Mrs. Harris were the first one to step outside the room. Followed by Beth as if she was the diligent daughter out of the two when it came to her and Madeline.

Madeline by mistake had sat on her dress and therefore she ended up late in getting out of the room. She was following Beth, almost walking past through the door when she felt the King place his hand on her back.

Her body froze along with her heart leaping up in her throat, startled by his action.

She then heard him laugh and felt him move his hand away, one side of his lips pulled up as he walked past her to chat up with her sister, Beth.