Chapter 74 - My Present
Adeline insisted on changing herself. She would be absolutely mortified if the maids found her lack of u.n.d.e.r.w.e.a.r was the reason why she needed a new outfit. Afterward changing faster than the speed of light, she practically rushed down the hallways, startling passing servants.
Elias was nowhere to be found, but she didn't mind. Her thoughts were occupied by Lydia Claymore and the joy of seeing her friend almost everyday. In the Marden Estate, Adeline was solely forbidden to see Lydia Claymore.
"Liddy!" Adeline gushed the second the guards opened the door for her.
Lydia Claymore was pacing in circles, nibbling at her nails, when she heard the ecstatic call of her friend. Her heart was heavy with even more guilt. Adeline looked happier than a child on Christmas morning, ready to open presents. Her eyes were glued upon Adeline's bright smile and the shimmer of her gaze.
"Where were you last night? After we parted ways, I didn't get to see you," Adeline quickly said in a breathless voice, not from running, but out of excitement.
"A-Addy," Lydia stammered out with a forced, hesitant smile.
Adeline's attention swept to Lydia's attire. Lydia wore a crisp white blazer with clean-cut khaki pants, and white heels. She always had the impressive aura of a woman in charge.
Adeline adored Lydia's style. It was perfectly suitable for an heiress of a multi-billion dollar company.
Adeline was also forbidden to wear too many pants in the Marden Estate. They were traditional and conservative, claiming a Princess like her would be unsuitable to wear anything more than a dress or skirt.
"What's wrong?" Adeline softly asked, her excitement dying down. She saw the stressed and worried look upon Lydia's paling face.
"Oh dear, you've broken out in cold sweat," Adeline whispered in a terrified voice. She reached a hand out and touched Lydia's forehead, where her hair clung to it.
"Addy, I love you so, so much, you must know that," Lydia rushed out. She grasped her friend's hands and pulled her close. Her heart was racing with uncertainty. She could barely hear over the gush of her thundering heartbeats.
"Of course, Liddy," Adeline lightly laughed. It was a bit forced, given the situation of Lydia's unnerved expression.
"A-and I'd never take what belongs to you. Remember when we were six, and you had this lovely teapot set? I loved it more than you and you knew it, and insisted on giving it to me, but I'd never take it because it will always belong to you."
Adeline slowly nodded.
"It's the same as right now. I will never take something of yours," Lydia said.
Adeline was confused. What was going on?
"Addy," Lydia stressed the nickname. She tightened her grip on her friend and lowered her eyes to the ground.
Adeline realized Lydia had incorrectly buttoned her blazer. The first button was in the second hole. What made her rush here to the point of ruining her clothes? She pulled her hands from Lydia's clutch, not realizing the crestfallen expression.
"Addy, y-you are my best friend and we've grown up together. You know all of my secrets, as I know of yours. You were the reason I was able to be so happy in my youth," Lydia rushed out, believing Adeline was disappointed.
Her great friend never pulled away from her. Lydia had become accustomed to Adeline. Everyone was always out to get the rich and powerful Lydia Claymore. Everyone she knew was a foe in disguise as a friend. It was why she cherished Adeline very much. Adeline was always a friend, through and through. She had always lent Lydia an open ear and patient smile, regardless of her long rants. No matter what, Adeline was always by Lydias' side, supportive as always.
Lydia was terrified of losing Adeline.
"What are you d-doing?" Lydia stuttered out, her nerves reaching their peak when Adeline reached forward. She quietly gulped, believing Adeline would press a knife through her stomach.
"Your buttons are done incorrectly," Adeline explained with a soft smile, like a mother adjusting her child's clothes.
"Oh…" Lydia managed to say just as Adeline finished correcting the buttons. She smoothed out the material with a brighter smile.
"There, perfect as always," Adeline said.
Lydia???s heart stung with guilt. Adeline's voice was gentle like the calm roll of a river, softly and slowly, soothing the soul of those she met. As demure as Adeline was, there was something pleasant about her silence and withdrawn approach. People wanted to get to know her better, to unravel the depths of her mystery.
"Addy…" Lydia trailed off, feeling like a fool in front of her best friend. How was she going to tell Adeline what her parents had said?
How was Lydia going to tell Adeline that her father had explained the purpose of the Golden Rose? What was supposed to be a fairy tale was actually reality. The Golden Rose wasn't just a children's book.
Her mother had blown her top when she heard the nickname coming out of Lydia's mouth. Shortly after Mrs. Claymore's explosive fit, she fainted on the spot and was quickly brought to the emergency room. Her father, on the other hand, reacted calmly, as if he had already known the truth.
"Liddy, you're so pale," Adeline murmured. She was used to Lydia's sun-kissed skin, silky as olive oil. But today, the blood was drained from Lydia's face, as if she had seen a ghost.
"Oh lunch is being served, let's eat." Adeline had noticed the servants walking into the dining hall with a rolling cart of food. The maids daintily placed the large array of food on the table, whereas the butlers arranged the utensil.
"R-right, lunch," Lydia murmured. She approached the table with Adeline directly beside her.
Lydia placed a hand on the top of the chair, just as Adeline took a seat. She watched as the butlers pushed Adeline in. Adeline offered the butler a kind, grateful smile, her shoulders set forward. Elegance and etiquette dripped from Adeline's perfect posture.
Lydia could never manage the same grace instilled in the blood of a Princess.
"Adeline, can we talk? In private?" Lydia blurted out, knowing she would have to get to the bottom of this conversation. Her parents mentioned she had to be present at the Council Meeting tomorrow. Her father held one of the important seats.
"Of course," Adeline said.
The maids and butlers instantly understood the cue. They hurriedly placed everything down, with as much respect as they could. Not a minute later, they scurried out, closing the dining hall doors behind them.
Soon, silence engulfed the place.
"What did you want to tell me?" Adeline asked, whilst gesturing for Lydia to take a seat. There was plenty of food in front of them, all of which were nutritious and could aid Lydia's ill-face.
She saw abalone soup, fruit salad topped with fresh cream, wagyu beef with asparagus and garlic mashed potatoes, freshly baked honey buns, and so much more. It was an ample meal that would give Lydia some energy.
"Please, you're welcomed to sit. I'm worried about you Liddy, you look sick to your stomach," Adeline murmured.
Lydia felt out of place in this palace, as grand as it was. She felt like a small shrimp in a sea of sharks. It was a bizarre feeling, for she was at the top of the social pyramid. Everyone was at her beck and call. Socialites were disposable, friends flocked to her, and everyone wanted to please her.
Yet, when she stood before Adeline, small as she was, Lydia saw the presence of royalty. Adeline carried herself with an air that none could match, whether it was the fluidly of her thin wrist gesturing for her to sit down, or the flash of her vibrant eyes when she subtly allowed the servants to leave.
This was Adeline's domain, whether she knew it or not.
"Liddy…"
Lydia jolted. She forced a smile and sat down. She wasn't in the mood to eat. She felt nauseous.
"Sorry, I was just so excited to see you again, I skipped breakfast," Lydia said in a shaky voice. "I'm fine, don't worry about me, Addy."
Adeline's concern remained. "You said you wanted to tell me something, Liddy… Is that what has been bothering you all this time?"
Lydia always admired Adeline's ability to seek the truth. She always made quiet deductions. Adeline always noticed the small details.
"No, it's nothing, Addy," Lydia said with a large smile. She forced it to reach her eyes, softening it so that Adeline didn't grow suspicious.
"I was just really nervous to find out your reaction to my birthday gift yesterday—the guns. I couldn't give it to you in a regular box since everything was searched by the guards."
Adeline felt like there was more than what Lydia led on. She saw it in the quiet twitch of Lydia's fingers, the slight wrinkle on her forehead, and the cold sweat that never stopped. Nonetheless, she didn't want to pry.
Until Lydia was ready to tell her, Adeline would patiently wait.
Adeline smiled. She clasped her hands over each other and gently laughed. "I see, so that's why you seemed so anxious. Well, fret no more, my dear Liddy, I love your present with all of my heart."
Lydia let out a puff of startled air. Adeline was too kind. Her eyes crinkled when she smiled, as light brilliantly reflected off the earnest, sharp surface. When she smiled, not even a Goddess could rival her.
Seeing Adeline's sweet dedication, Lydia drowned with even more guilt. She couldn't tell Adeline. She could never break her best friend's heart like this.
So, Lydia swallowed her remorse and smiled even larger. "I'm glad you enjoyed my present."
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