Adeline had read enough books to understand what he meant. She wryly smiled at him, hoping it would ease the tension between his brows and down under. But it didn’t.
Elias patted the top of her head. "It’s almost time for a late lunch. Come, let’s get you—"
"Your Majesty!"
"—fed," Elias finished. A disgruntled scowl twisted his perfect features.
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Elias let out a loud, irritated sigh. He sat upright, with her still in his l.a.p. He tucked the strands of hair behind her ears before sliding her off of him.
"What is it?" he barked at the door.
"Your Majesty, that crazy Claymore is here again," Weston called out.
Weston stood outside of the door, scratching his neck. He wondered if that title would forever be attached to that strong-willed woman whose face never left his mind. When he closed his eyes, he’d see her deep frown, and when he tried to sleep, he heard her irritating questions.
A second later, the doors opened. The King stood there with slightly disheveled hair and lightly crumbled silk button-up. He had the appearance of someone who rolled out of bed, but far from rested.
"What for?" Elias demanded.
"To see Adeline, Your Majesty," Weston said.
Weston expected Lydia Claymore to demand the audience of the King. But she took the twins by surprise when she called for Adeline.
"Where is the proper address?" Elias snapped a second later. His voice was filled with disp.l.e.a.s.u.r.e, his eyes flashing with taunt warning.
Weston wondered what crawled up His Majesty’s a.s.s and died. This man was in a sour mood the entire day. It wasn’t rare for the King to have an ill-temper, but he rarely showed it.
There was always a sardonic smile on his face, for he knew everyone was beneath him. There was no need for him to get irritated when he controlled everyone. Absolute power reeked from His Majesty’s prestigious bloodline.
"I apologize, Your Majesty," Weston said in a tone that seemed far from apologetic.
Elias narrowed his eyes, but he had different problems to deal with. "Lead the foolish Claymore to the dining hall and have the chefs serve lunch."
Weston nodded. It was a strange request since guests were often greeted in the drawing rooms downstairs. The King only dined with people he saw worthy of his presence.
"As you wish, Your Majesty." Weston bowed his head and stepped back. His bloodline had always served the Luxton’s. The action was outdated, but expected. Vampires like him favored etiquette and tradition, for they never forgot the riches and royalty of the old era.
"Excused."
Weston turned and walked off, ready to guide the fire-breathing Lydia Claymore to the posh dining hall. Heaven knows if that girl is even trained in etiquette. Given her unruly nature, he wouldn’t be surprised if she used the soup spoon for dessert, and fish fork for salad.
- - - - -
"Lydia is here?" Adeline eagerly said the second Elias closed the door. She had climbed out of bed, her n.a.k.e.d feet sinking into the plush, black rug. She saw grey designs upon it, but didn’t focus enough to see what it was.
"You have sharp ears," Elias muttered with dissatisfaction.
Elias didn’t like someone coveting what belonged to him—especially the Claymores. He abhorred what he couldn’t have absolute control over.
"I’ll get dressed," Adeline said with a large smile, her eyes twinkling with joy.
Elias wondered if she’ll ever seem that happy to greet him. Everytime she saw him, she stared at him with parted lips, as if she didn’t know what to do in his presence. It was as easy as tossing her arms around his neck and hugging him. Was that so difficult?
"I’ll let Jean and Jenny know," Elias responded.
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As unhappy as he was with Lydia Claymore, he liked seeing Adeline smile. When she did so, she wasn’t so meek and demure.
Besides, Lydia Claymore seemed like a good influence on a weak-natured woman. He had no doubt it was because of her ability as the Golden Rose. Touching the Golden Rose gave a surge of strength and power which was the same as confidence.
"Will you join us in the dining hall?" Adeline asked.
Elias cast her a glance. She was completely oblivious of the electrifying tension between him and Lydia. They both wanted Adeline’s attention, whether or not they’d admit it. Being in the same room as her meant vying for Adeline’s slight smiles and gentle laughter.
He narrowed his eyes. It was an easy win for him, but placed Adeline in an uncomfortable situation.
"No, I’d rather not ruin my appetite with her ugly face," Elias said.
Adeline was instantly offended. It was written all over her taunt brows and slight, but rare frown. "Lydia is the most beautiful woman I know."
"I’ve seen better," Elias said whilst lying a gaze at her.
"You’ll take your comment back," she defiantly said.
Elias gawked at her in disbelief. He had never seen her command something of him. No one dared to make the King move if he didn’t want to.
"And why should I?" Elias scoffed. He tucked his hands into his pocket.
"Because it is unbelievably rude to slander the beloved daughter of your most important weapon manufacturer’s tycoon," Adeline responded.
Elias’s lips curled into a sly smile. She was finally growing a backbone of her own. Not many people openly defied him, or openly advised him like this. She did so with ease and grace, never once backing down.
The temperature had dipped, his presence became suffocating, and the tension had thickened. But she was like a stubborn tree, firmly rooted to the ground, and unyielding even in the worst of storms.
Didn’t she stutter when she was nervous or anxious? She said her sentence with fluidly and determination of a future Queen. It seemed the royal blood coursing through her veins wasn’t just for show. Her eyes flashed brighter than emeralds found in forest caves.
"Fine," Elias finally said. "I didn’t mean my earlier statement. Happy?"
Adeline nodded. "Very."
"I expect you to have the same confidence and courage tomorrow," he said.
Adeline blinked. She didn’t realize what she had just done until he laid it out for her. She just acted on what she felt was right.
"What’s tomorrow?" she asked, whilst stepping forward. Her eyes searched for her shoes which haphazardly laid next to the bed. She tried to not think how it fell off in the first place.
"The Council Meeting. Your presence is required."
Adeline paused. The Council? She had heard a bit about them. "Alright."
"You will vouch for yourself as the Queen. Bent them to your will and force them to think you’re more beneficial than the useless Golden Rose," he said as a matter of fact.
Adeline’s fingers trembled. He was watching her carefully. This would be her first task to prove herself worthy.
"I won’t fail you, Elias."
Elias smiled. He closed the distance between them. He tucked stray tendrils of hair away from her small forehead.
"I expect success, and nothing less, Adeline."
Adeline nodded. Her freedom relied on it. She must succeed. It wasn’t a matter of ’if’ or ’but.’ She had to win—at all cost.
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