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Chapter 46 - Bitter Greed

Adeline wanted to search the crowd for her Aunt Eleanor and Asher. She wanted to talk to them and explain what was going on. For some reason, no matter how far she looked, how long she stared, they were nowhere to be found.

Were they so furious that they didn\'t attend the ball? She didn\'t mean to keep them out of the loop, but everything had happened too quickly. Her search was futile.

Holding back a disappointed sigh, she turned her attention back to the group. To her surprise, they were all staring at her.

"What? Are we boring you?" Elias teased.

He had noticed she was looking around the room, thus, he began to follow every little direction her head turned. As a result, the twins instantly began to follow his actions.

"A bit," Adeline bluntly said.

Easton choked, before stifling a laughter. They were discussing the conclusion of the ball, and what needed to be done. Weston had brought up the topic first, as a means of excluding her from the conversation. It seemed she was the least bit affected.

"This is a matter of importance that a Queen will have to take into consideration," Weston said with a deep frown. His brows wrung together, showing his obvious disp.l.e.a.s.u.r.e.

"The closing of a ball?" Adeline said.

"Of course," Weston deadpanned.

Adeline blinked. You can just bid the guests goodbye, make sure everyone leaves, and then close the doors for cleaning and security. What else needs to be done?

"Don\'t we thank the guests for coming, let them leave, then have the guards check the premise, and lock the castle?" Adeline said it like a question, even though she knew it was true.

Weston wondered if she was purposely being nonchalant, or she simply didn\'t care. Either way, he didn\'t like her attitude. She had a blank face and appeared to not be bothered by anything.

He responded, "Of course, but there are other measures in place. For example, ensuring the servants will clean the ballroom and—"

"Don\'t put my darling to sleep before I even take her to the bedroom," Elias mused.

Easton gagged in the background, wishing he was elsewhere. Weston gawked in disbelief, his eyes going wide.

"Your Majesty," Weston hissed.

"She\'s not a fool, Fitzcharles," Elias coldly said.

Weston\'s brows etched together.

"The Princess has received training," Easton explained to his brother.

Easton liked it when he was in the lead, which rarely happened. Teaching his brother something was not an everyday occurrence.

Weston was calculated and cunning. He was one of the smartest people Easton had ever known. From difficult quantum physics to chaos theories, Weston was equipped in every field.

It was precisely why Easton enjoyed this night. He was able to inform Weston about the things that his older brother seemingly forgot.

"Since she was one her way to becoming the Crown Princess of Kastrem before that—" Easton cut himself off. He noticed the grim look that crossed the Princess\'s face. For once, she had lowered her head a bit, to observe the ground.

Instantly, Easton knew he had offended her. He gulped a bit. There was a demon ready to snatch his soul. He felt the daunting glare of his Majesty\'s unmoving eyes. It had widened a bit, freezing in place in an eerie matter.

"Princess, I apologize," Easton instantly said. "I didn\'t mean to—"

"Look, a coin," the Princess suddenly said.

Easton nearly let out a small "huh?" He was confused about what she was talking about. Wasn\'t she upset? Didn\'t this topic make her unhappy? The death of any parent was bound to make people cry and tear up.

Easton thought the thing that would hit the floor would be her tears, and not her hand. But before she could bend down properly, the King grabbed her.

"Adeline," Elias growled.

"Elias?" Adeline responded.

Elias had walked in front of her, and gripped her elbows, preventing her from doing anything. He was greatly displeased. His eyes were set ablaze, the color of freshly spilled blood. His fangs slightly pointed out from his lips.

Uh oh…

Adeline hesitatingly smiled. Her fingers shook a bit, so she wrung it together. "I-I noticed the coin was heads up. It\'s for good luck."

"And what were you going to do? Pick up that dirty thing and pocket it?" he demanded in a slightly raised voice, but not loud enough for the people to hear.

Adeline\'s heart trembled. He was tightly holding her elbows, his fingers harshly pushing into her skin. He was deliberately pressing the areas that would hurt. But she continued to naively look up at him, before her hands graced his triceps.

The action must\'ve shocked him. In an instant, his grip loosened, and he almost seemed apologetic.

"It\'s for good luck," she repeated in a sturdier voice. "I wanted to give it to you."

Elias\'s eyes went wide. He didn\'t know what to say. For a split second, his heart completely stopped.

"What? Did you think I need luck in this world? I am already flawless as it is," Elias retorted. His voice was arrogant, and he was proudly bragging of the undeniable truth.

Adeline\'s lips slightly went up. She didn\'t know if it was an okay place to smile. But he was bragging like a little boy who rubbed his nose and puffed out his c.h.e.s.t. She found this side of him to be humorous and annoying.

"If your belief floats the boat, then so be it…" Adeline finally said.

Adeline couldn\'t see beyond Elias. His frame was large and powerful. The suit he wore hugged his perfectly muscular body perfectly, giving him a great figure. His shoulders were wide, but his waist slimmed down. He was truly blessed by the Heavens.

"Belief?" he chortled, before laughing a bit. "It\'s the truth, darling."

"Like I said," she slowly mused. "If it floats the boat—"

"You don\'t believe me."

Elias\'s brows were finally raised, both of them at once. He knew she was a bit ignorant, but to think she was blind as well. Goodness, he will need to bring her to a doctor. How could she not realize the fine specimen in front of her? What did he lack? Nothing.

"I didn\'t say that," Adeline responded.

"You implied it," Elias deadpanned.

"Oh, did I?" Adeline piqued in a lighter voice.

Elias narrowed his eyes. She teased people so smoothly. He was rubbing off on her. Or perhaps, it wasn\'t a tease, judging from the honest look in her eyes. Why, this girl! She truly believed he was not perfect!

"Yes you did, my sweet Adeline," Elias gritted out.

Elias was rarely aggravated by something. He prided himself on the fact that he never lost his composure. Not even once. He would never lash out at someone, for it was beneath his nature.

But she was always testing him. Like a small child pushing every button until the bomb exploded. He could practically envision her like that, holding a small bunny doll in one hand, whilst her tiny fingers poked at everything.

"I didn\'t mean to," she said in her voice, sweet like candy. "I apologize."

Elias pressed his lips together. Just how was he going to deal with something like her? She was the stark opposite of him. She apologized even when she wasn\'t in the wrong. She stuttered at random times even when he didn\'t make her nervous. She\'d look away, when he wanted her attention the most.

Suddenly, Elias felt something soft touch his hand. He nearly grabbed it and yanked her flush against him. Just her tiny affection was enough for his restraints to be tested.

"Elias." She touched his hand, peering up at him with bright, endearing eyes. "I was wrong. Forgive me," she whispered.

Elias could only stare.

"Please?" she added on, her voice squeaking a little mouse.

Elias felt a strange movement in his c.h.e.s.t. There was an overwhelming feeling he could not describe. She had such beautiful eyes. Under the chandelier, it was more dazzling than the ocean under the sun. He didn\'t know where the disgustingly cheesy words came from.

One day her eyes, lovely and bright, will dull from bitter greed. How long will it be when that happens?

"Elias?" she addressed.

Elias blinked.

"Please?" she repeated. This time, a smile graced her features, softening it all for him.

Elias clasped his hands over hers and gently pulled her close. Her b.r.e.a.s.t grazed his c.h.e.s.t, as his upper body bent towards her.

"Of course, darling, how can I ever be mad at you?" Elias mused. It was half the truth. He knew it. The twins knew it. Only she did not, for her smile widened.

"Truly?"

Elias held her tighter. "Truly."

Her eyes lit up, like her face that was flushed with a gentle warmth. She was so… human that it hurt.

It was at this moment that Elias made a terrifying discovery.

Adeline Mae Rose was going to be the death of him. And she didn\'t even know it.