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Chapter 109 - Deeply In Love

When the next morning came, Elias informed Adeline there would be a council. She looked at him with surprise. Why didn't he warn her in advance? He had ample time to tell her. Was this another one of his tests to prove her worth as Queen?

Elias was dressing himself, buttoning his clothes with ease. She stared at his large silhouette that always towered over her. His shoulders were broad and comfortable, his presence lethal and cruel. It was strange that he had so many contradictions.

He seemed to treat everyone ruthlessly, everyone but her.

"Do you plan to sit there all morning?" Elias mused, turning around.

Adeline's shoulders subconsciously dropped in disappointment. He was fully clothed now. But then she blinked, wondering what was she expecting?

"You could've told me yesterday," Adeline said. "I would've prepared myself."

"Hm, but where's the fun in that? I'd like to see how you react under stressful and unexpected circ.u.mstances."

Adeline frowned at his words. Nonetheless, she slipped out of bed and placed on her slippers. "I will get dressed."

"What is it?" she asked.

"Are you angry, darling?"

"Should I be pleased?" she bit out.

Elias smiled. He released her hands and allowed her to briskly leave the room. A second later, she popped her head through the door and sighed.

"Not angry, just annoyed." Without another word, she closed it again and left to get dressed.

Elias widened his smile. What an adorable prey she was.

Elias adjusted the cuffs of his button-up, glancing at the spot where she had laid. He was accustomed to waking up before the sun even rose. Today was no expectation.

Elias had watched her sleep as the sun rose above the horizon. In her sleep, she clung to him with her entire body. Her hand was always holding onto his shirt, her legs entwined with his.

Did she view him as a teddy bear? He'd suspect as much, especially with the way she'd hug a pillow in her normal sleep.

"Day by day, you grow bolder." Elias slipped on his black suit jacket and placed the royal pin upon the collar. He hated wearing such formal clothing, but had grown used to it by now.

After getting dressed, Elias headed straight for Adeline's room, which was right beside his. He entered without a knock, for he owned the entire castle and the things that belonged within it.

Adeline was getting dressed. She let out a horrified shriek at his arrival, her eyes darting to her closet. Oh dear, was that where she hid her gun? Inside the closet? Like skeletons inside of a closet? He snickered at the thought.

"I'll help, darling."

Elias entered the room and headed straight for her. He stood behind her and zipped up her white dress. It was flowy with fabric dancing off her shoulders. When the wind swayed, she would resemble a goddess amongst people.

"It seems you also don't like getting dressed or bathed by maids. Did you excuse the maids of this week's rotation?"

Elias wrapped an arm around her waist, hugging her from behind. He heard her heart skip and drum, whilst she placed a hand upon his arm. Her breathing became a bit shaky, as she looked up at him, naive and ignorant of his danger.

Elias smiled down at her, as a predator would taunt a prey before eating it. She blinked in confusion, lost in thought.

"Was that such a difficult question to answer?" Elias glanced at her vanity, where she had the jewelry box opened. There were many layers to it, all of which had different arrays of necklaces, earrings, and the list went on.

"I'm just surprised… Everyday, I find new jewelry in here. Is it a magic box?"

"They're gifts from me, yet you rarely wear it." Elias shook his head in disapproval.

He guided her closer to the box and picked out a silver necklace for her. It was shaped like newly blossoming spring branches coiling around one's neck.

"Silver looks lovely on your skin," he said.

Elias clasped the necklace onto her. He felt her skin turn even warmer under his touch, a devious thought crossing his mind. He recalled her hair sprawled underneath her, her body warm with sweat as he worked his fingers.

She jumped when he suddenly kissed her neck, then the back of her earlobes whilst his hands slipped down her body, hitching up her dress.

"Pick out an earring for me," she whispered.

Elias smiled upon her skin. Was this her way of distracting him? He pulled away a bit to examine the earrings he had given her, many of which were encrusted with jewels, and could probably buy a decent house or so. He lifted a crystal earring shaped like tiny feathers and slipped it through her ears.

"You have great taste, Elias."

Adeline was finding it difficult to hear over the loud drumming of her heart. He touched her so sweetly that she was often bewildered. She had seen his interactions with Lydia.

'Why is he only kind to me? How long will this affection last before I'm discarded for someone else?' she thought to herself.

Adeline glanced at their reflection in the mirror. His brows were taunted with concentration. Each time his fingers brushed her skin, rough against smooth, her stomach would flutter. Everywhere he touched, it prickled with sparks.

She was falling helplessly in love with him, and he didn't even know what love was.

"There."

Adeline blinked back into reality. She touched her ears and smiled. "They're lovely."

"I know, I chose them," he mused. Arrogance dripped from his voice, yet her smile remained.

Elias reached into the jewelry box again in search of an accessory to decorate her delicate hands. He loved holding them, the way they practically disappeared within his grasp. She was tiny and it reminded him every time of how human she was.

"You've never given me a ring." Her voice was low, but not disappointed. It was a sincere observation that didn't mean any harm.

Elias paused. He saw her face through the reflection of the mirror. Her body was leaned against his, one of his hands resting upon her stomach again. They looked every part the loving couple that people believed them to be.

"I know." Elias found the drawer of bracelets. He picked out a simple, angular one that was sharp, like a vein of rose thorns coiling around a hand. How befitting of her. He clasped the bracelet upon her wrist.

"Is it because you don't view me as a Queen yet? And you don't believe our agreement counts as a marriage?"

Elias blinked. Was she Queen material? He glanced down at her. Her eyes were bright and earnest, like a pond during a spring morning. She held his gaze with composure when most people would've shrank or flinched back. Her shoulders were set back, her chin raised, her eyes forward.

She had the beauty and grace of a Queen. The presence was not quite there, but she held elegance. And that meant a lot.

"You're almost a Queen to me," Elias said. "I'm very proud of your transformation under my wing. Soon, you'll be a Queen."

Adeline didn't understand what he meant by the last part. "And what will make me an actual Queen?"

"Once the Council agrees you are."

Adeline blinked. Was that today's topic? Selecting her as Queen? She stepped away from his grasp, but this time, he didn't make moves to hold her in place.

"Why did you invite Lydia into the castle that day? Something about a ritual? Did you—"

"I didn't touch your ugl—beloved friend, if that's what you asked. It was simply to worm out Quinston, who was undoubtedly not loyal to me, but to my Grandmother. And I couldn't have that in my court, can I?"

"Was it bothering you? That I was in a room alone with Lydia, where she was dressed in fabric I could easily tear off?"

Adeline shook her head. She widened her smile and even laughed. "Lydia is not that type of friend, and you're not that type of man."

"Oh?"

"I trust both of you in ways that could probably hurt me in the future," she admitted.

"And why's that?"

Adeline glanced at his large hands. She grabbed one of them with both of hers, squeezing it.

His touch was always cold, but his actions were warm.

"Because one day, you might lose affection towards me once you grow bored of this marriage. You'll probably find other women to entertain you, to replace my position, but by then, I would've fallen so deeply in love with you, it'd be too late for me to hate you."

Instead of saying anything, Elias grabbed her and yanked her towards him. He captured her lips in a searing kiss, passionate and fervid.

She was surprised, but tried to match his fervor. Suddenly, he pulled back and embraced her tightly. Adeline was crushed against his body, her eyes widening with surprise.

"Go ahead. Fall so deeply in love with me, that you can never leave. You can rest assured, I'd never leave your side. Even with your death."