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298 Acceptance- Part 3

Madeline wasn\'t ignorant of how Beth felt, that she was the reason why Beth was not chosen, and it was only because Beth didn\'t know the truth. As much as Markus would have filled possible hate in Beth, there was some part in her mind that believed that Beth\'s actions were redeemable. She was also aware that Beth\'s decision often jumped from one boat to another, depending on the fruitfulness she saw in the person.

Feeling Calhoun\'s thumb brush over her hand, Madeline\'s attention fell back on Calhoun who was looking at her, "I didn\'t know you cared so much about me. If it weren\'t for the High House, I would have never known," said Calhoun to her.

Madeline\'s cheeks suddenly turned red in embarrassment and unable to keep her gaze on him, her eyes fell on his taut muscles of his chest.

"I didn\'t want them to find you guilty because of me," her gaze moved back to look into his eyes. Madeline had never tried to kill herself and what the maid said was a lie.

Calhoun was overbearing by nature, but there were some redeemable qualities. She remembered of the time when he had asked her to list adjectives for him. If he asked now, there were some new ones. Like a rainbow after a heavy rain, Calhoun had shown kindness towards her. He was undoubtedly teaseful, and he enjoyed watching people squirm and feel uncomfortable. But at the same time, he was here with her, without worrying she could harm him.

Even her grandparents didn\'t tell her, whether they saw her killing people in the past, but part of her knew that she was responsible for it. She had killed people, and it sent a chill over her body. And even after knowing that, this person, who was in front of her, continued to see the good things about her.

"I didn\'t want you getting into trouble because of me," said Madeline to him.

Calhoun pushed himself to sit straight on the bed, and Madeline\'s own body straightened seeing him get close to her,

"It will be lonely not to have each other around, isn\'t it?"

Madeline gave him a nod, "It will be lonely." And she then saw a smile breakthrough Calhoun\'s lips that made him look much younger than he often appeared to be unlike the constant glare or smirk on his face.

"Are you sure about it?" Calhoun asked her, even though he already knew the answer to it. It was the reason why he asked her to stay back tonight, "Thirteen more days and you will be married to me."

"What about Markus?" questioned Madeline.

"The guilty people die, and we all get to have our happily ever after." People often died, and most of the time, it was because Calhoun got them killed. His cousin\'s death would mean little to nothing to him, "The big bad wolf will be getting married to the red riding hood."

This brought a faint smile on Madeline\'s lips, "But what about the High House."

"They can burn in flames," Calhoun replied to her before his hand trailed to the side of her neck. He took in the way her eyes looked at him right now. There was no fear or doubt, and even though there was a shyness which was shedding away, he could tell that she had finally accepted him.

To think that this beautiful creature whom he eyed standing in the balcony of the ballroom was finally here with him, without a doubt of resistance in her mind,

"Would it be too much to ask you to repeat what you did in the courtroom?"

Madeline\'s eyes widened at Calhoun words.

When he leaned closer to her, she could feel the spike in her heartbeat, but Calhoun didn\'t close in the distance between their lips. His eyes were on her lips, and then it went back to look at her eyes that were staring deep into his eyes—time stopped as she looked at his handsome face before she moved her head forward to close the gap.

Madeline pressed her lips on his, feeling the warmth that started to set her skin ablaze when he slipped his hand around her waist to bring her close to him. Shyly, she moved her lips against his bold lips, that were quick to dip his soul into her by indulging both of them in a warm kiss.

The rosebud he had been holding, waiting for it had finally bloomed in his hands, opening up to him and to Calhoun it was nothing less than euphoric. This sweet flower had finally opened its petals, allowing him to love her, and it was pure bliss to know that Madeline was finally responding to his feelings.

With Calhoun who was taller than her, Madeline\'s back had arched and her neck craned up, kissing him back as her cheeks continued to burn. She had closed her eyes, one hand going to place on his bare chest and the other hand which moved to his shoulder. When she parted her lips, opening to him, Calhoun seized the opportunity to taste her and in return letting her to taste him. Madeline could feel Calhoun exuding his masculinity, taking over the kiss, guiding her with his lips and hands on her body. Another arm of his went to settle on her waist before both his arms circled and brought her near to him.

Madeline\'s eyes fluttered open to find Calhoun\'s eyes that were partly open looking at her, and she blushed further.

Pulling back from the kiss, Madeline turned her head to the side. She hadn\'t expected him to watch her expressions during the kiss and her hands slowly slid down from his shoulder and his chest.

"How was it?" Calhoun\'s shameless side came forward, and Madeline was sure she turned close to the colour of an apple by his question.

"W-what kind of question is that?" she cleared her throat and gave a quick glance towards him.

A grin was plastered on Calhoun\'s face, "I need to know if you are satisfied with the kiss," he said. He then laid down on the bed before patting the space next to him,

"I want to hold you tonight."

The kiss he shared with Madeline, he had never kissed anyone like that. It was a careful one, a kiss where he wanted to transfer his feelings to her without having to utter those in words.

"But you are not wearing a shirt," Madeline reminded him.

"I am sure you will keep me warm," he offered her a charming smile, waiting for her with his eyes holding a mischievous look.

What kind of reasoning was that, asked Madeline to herself. At the same time, she was surprised that Calhoun had not gone farther than a kiss on her forehead and lips.

"Did you want more?" she heard him question her.

Madeline quickly laid down, her back facing him but with a distance between them as she wasn\'t courageous and bold enough to snuggle in his chest like some kitten.

She wondered if Calhoun was listening to her heart beating in her chest. She had surprised not only others but also herself by kissing the King in front of everyone and then in private. And now she was lying on his bed willingly. The heat on her cheeks didn\'t reduce, and her skin felt warm.

While Madeline was still calming her heart, Calhoun\'s hand went around her waist and pulled her smoothly towards him. "Your heart is beating too fast," Calhoun chuckled, and he placed a kiss on the nape of her neck.

"You are holding me," she whispered. She was snuggly pulled against Calhoun\'s bare chest.

"Yes, I am aware of that," Calhoun whispered back, and he then buried his nose in the crook of her neck, "You smell like roses."

It took some time for Madeline to calm her beating heart, and when it did, she realized she had her hands on Calhoun\'s hand that was holding her waist. The candles that were burning dimmed down to turn the room dark so that she could sleep.

So much had happened over the week and there were only thirteen more days left for their wedding as the hour of the new day had started. This moment felt peaceful and cocooned, while trouble lurked outside. Madeline believed Calhoun was smart enough not to be caught, but somewhere in the corner of her mind, she couldn\'t stop but worry about him. Dimitri had openly said to Calhoun that he had his eyes on him.

Madeline remembered Calhoun\'s words to Lady Rosamund.

\'It is not like no one in the family has not stayed in the dungeon. Consider it to be a fulfilment of the Hawthrone\'s tradition.\'

"Calhoun?"

"Hm," his breath fell on her neck.

She asked, "Did your family lock you in one of the cells of the dungeon in the past?"

"They did. It was a long time ago," replied Calhoun to her question. To Madeline, it seemed like he had not forgotten about it. She wondered how much bitterness he carried in his heart or if it had transformed to something else over the years.

She heard him say, "Sleep, my sweet rose."