Chapter 87 - Watching Her
Viscount Sebastian Marden's private study overlooked the main road leading to the estate. He could see the luxurious black car rolling up their stone pavement, guarded by a few other cars behind it.
His eyes narrowed upon the royal license plates, knowing the little whore of a niece had brought her lover with her. Like mother, like daughter, they used their charm to get their powerful husbands.
He watched with a lifted chin as she exited the black car. Her legs elegantly slid out, and for a split moment, he thought he saw Addison. Long blond hair like molten gold, bright green eyes that put the forests to shame, and a demure expression, he could've sworn it was Addison.
"A few days in the castle and she already forgot her etiquette," Viscount Marden hissed. He was displeased by her well-fitted black pants, tailored as if she was going to an important office meeting.
Women like Adeline should just stick to dresses, especially when their legs had no curve to make their figure beautiful. He told her to wear skirts and dresses for a reason. It was to cover her dreary-looking legs, like skeleton bones during Halloween.
"What a despicable, disgusting pairing they are." Viscount Marden's lips curled into a snarl when he saw his wife come out to greet them. Just then, his heart lurched, for the vermin King was looking him directly in the eyes. The King's mouth parted slightly, to reveal a cunning smile, revealing his sharp fangs.
The King had spotted Viscount Marden.
- - - - -
"A-Aunt Eleanor," Adeline stammered out when she saw the willow figure of her Aunt.
Aunt Eleanor came out with a large scarf wrapped around her shoulders and arms, like a shawl. She greeted her niece, who she hadn't seen for days, with a slight grimace of a smile.
"You've finally come home after eloping?" Aunt Eleanor asked.
Adeline slid her hands together, tightly gripping them. She felt the pressing glare of Elias, who held her waist tightly as if warning her to lift her head. She thought she would be able to withstand the displeased stare of her Aunt.
"I didn't elope," Adeline finally said.
"Oh look, your dreadful stutter finally went away." Aunt Eleanor let out a slight sigh and shook her head. "I've told you before, didn't I? If you're going to visit someone's house, you need to bring house welcoming presents."
Adeline felt like she was slapped by Aunt Eleanor's words. Aunt Eleanor was treating her as a guest as if she hadn't lived in this estate for over a decade. She was giving her the cold treatment all because Adeline went against protocol and etiquette.
"The Queen will only be here for a second. Besides, it's you who should be blessed by her presence enough to present her gifts for coming all the way here," Elias smoothly said.
Eleanor jolted a bit. She had tried her hardest to ignore the presence of the disgusting vampire. The sight of their ruby red eyes and pale skin disgusted her. She could practically smell the stench of death and blood from him. Nonetheless, he was the King and he could make her death look like an accident.
Eleanor forced a large smile. She bowed deeply, her shawl slipping down a bit. "Welcome, Your Majesty to our humble estate."
"Humble is too kind of a word," Elias murmured. He glanced around the landscape with disgust, as if everything here was beneath him.
Adeline felt the tension thicken. Her Aunt's face had paled a bit, but she wasn't sure if it was out of sheer anger or fear. Maybe a mixture of both. It would be difficult to not feel intimidated in the presence of Elias.
"Speaking of etiquette, where is the man of the house? On bedrest?" Elias demanded.
"W-what? Oh goodness no," Aunt Eleanor sharply gasped. She was offended by the King's brash words. Weren't vampires supposed to mimic the aristocracy era? They favored the past when they had absolute control over humans and none dared to become their equal.
Aunt Eleanor had never seen someone so rude, yet so unbothered. She cast a disapproving glance towards her niece. Once she had a moment alone, she would discipline the child as if it was her own. She considered Adeline her own daughter.
"Uncle," Adeline suddenly said, upon seeing Viscount Sebastian Marden walking out of the front doors. He was walking with his usual cane, his hand sliding over the golden knob.
"Your Majesty," Viscount Marden instantly greeted with a large, amiable smile on his aging face. "To what p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e do we owe your much-appreciated company?"
"I take back bed rest, perhaps you were just lying on your death bed," Elias taunted.
Viscount Marden was taken aback. He blinked a bit, wondering if his ears had tricked him. What kind of disrespectful brat was this? He tried to look the King in the eyes. The second he lifted his chin, he dropped his gaze.
The King's presence was no joke. He wasn't standing that close but s.u.c.k.e.d up all the air in the atmosphere. The temperature lowered, the sun slowly dimming behind a storm cloud, and the wind turned ominous. He felt an overwhelming strength that forced him to tuck his tail in between his legs and look away.
"I believe we have personal business to tend to, Uncle." Adeline tightly held her own hands together, hoping to conceal how nervous she was. Her stomach uncomfortably bubbled and she felt the need to empty her stomach.
Adeline glanced at him. He was already looking at her. 'Breathe,' his eyes seemed to scream. She did so, slowly bringing air through her nostrils and letting it out through her slightly parted mouth.
Adeline didn't mean to be so nervous. But seeing the cane, the equipment of her nightmares, she had been temporarily paralyzed.
This house, large and looming, frightened her. She thought she had many great memories in this house, but the more she thought about it, the more it felt like her own hallucination. She wondered if her brain had tricked her into believing the bad memories were good.
"Since it's personal business," Viscount Marden said. "I'd like to invite His Majesty for tea in the drawing-room, whilst we discuss our business, Adeline."
Elias's gaze darkened. He didn't plan on leaving her side, especially with the way they looked at her. She was their niece, the one they had raised for ten years. Yet, Eleanor looked at Adeline like some family disappointment, and Sebastian glanced at Adeline as if she had committed grave sins.
Neither of them seemed pleased by her presence.
"I'd rather stay in my car than your humble estate," Elias said with a slight smile.
Eleanor gritted her teeth. This man had a temper, much like Adeline before she was taught the proper manners. But he was the King and his presence was deadly. She was irritated but scared of feeling such negative emotions against him. She felt like he'd know the Mardens did not welcome him.
"My sweet," Elias addressed Adeline. "I will be waiting in the car."
Adeline's heart raced. Really? She glanced up at him, not expecting this kind of freedom to be granted to her. His mouth spread into a larger, sinister smile that reached his lifeless eyes.
Oh.
He wasn't going to wait in the car. He was going to be watching her.
Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.c(o)m