Chapter 90 - Our Contract
"Royal blood or not," Adeline seethed. "I am still the Princess of Kastrem, and future Queen of Wraith. Your accusations do not faze me."
Adeline struggled to keep her composure, but knew Elias was watching. This was a test for him to see if she truly could lead the nation.
Elias saw the plan right through him when he allowed her to walk into this house without visible guards or protection. Wherever he was watching from, his eyes were on her. She couldn't break down, not now, not in front of these people.
"Hah, some people are just so shameless," Viscount Marden sneered. "Just like your mother, lying to your father that you're his daughter, even though she warmed my bed."
Adeline's fingers dug into her palms. Her skin broke, blood threatening to dribble. "A child should never pay for the sins of their parents."
Without another word, she turned around and walked off, much to his loud taunts echoing in the hallways.
"How would His Majesty feel about your lies? Will you swindle him the same as your mother swindled the Crown Prince?"
Adeline continued walking. She never looked back, amidst all of his provocations and taunts. She felt her shoulders tremble and her eyes water.
It had been a decade since she had cried.
Adeline didn't cry at her parents' funeral, but the sky had wept in her place. She had cried the first night she spent in the castle alone, without them. She cried the nights afterward, until her eyes dried up and she vowed to never cry about the same thing again.
"Once His Majesty finds out the truth, divorce will be too kind of an action to take! He might even ruin your name and make sure you're a penniless streetwalker!"
Adeline squared her shoulder and lifted her head. Words were just words. People sharpened it into weapons, but they were imaginary knives and guns. They weren't physical things that could hurt her, but it did wound the heart and soul.
Adeline stepped through the hallways, her heels cl.i.c.k.i.n.g on the ground. She imagined her days spent here.
The first month she'd dash these halls, seeking the thrill of running in the castle with her parents and their laughter chasing after her. The second month she learned to walk properly, her eyes lowered, her mouth taunt. The third month, she no longer laughed or smiled as brightly. Soon, she lost all the charms that her parents praised her for. By the end of the year, she was the perfect little puppet.
"Is that gun powder I smell?" Elias teased when she approached him. Her expression was gaunt, her cheeks hollow, her eyes cold. Yet, he smirked at her presence, brushing the strands of hair away from her desolate stare.
"See, darling this is why I told you to not go back. I guess some lessons must be learned the hard way."
Elias reached for her gun, but she moved her hand. She slid the gun into her front pockets. Elias let out a small sigh and shook his head. Without warning, he grabbed for her neck, and she dodged him.
"I want to go home."
Elias's hand paused. He stared at her. Home? Was she not already home? Then, he saw her desolate gaze, her trembling lips, and the slight twitch of her nose. Was she crying? He wondered how her tears would taste.
"Let me take this off of you at least."
Elias's fingers graced the collar of her shirt.
"My clothes…?" Adeline mumbled, her brows drawing together.
"What? Would you like to do it against this car?"
Elias reached behind her neck, right where her hair was. He pulled off a small device she didn't even know was there. The device was barely the size of a pinky, but it slightly blinked yellow. With her blond hair, the device was practically invisible. She gawked at it in disbelief.
"O-oh."
Elias snickered at the slight flush of her cheeks. "I am very proud of what you've done and said."
He patted the back of her head with affection. "I was watching you from the windows, but hearing you through the device. Everything was recorded, you know."
Adeline's smile slid off her face. Suddenly, she pushed him away and took steps backward.
"Now, now. Don't run from me so quickly." Elias grabbed her wrists at the speed of light. He yanked her towards him, a dangerous glint on his face. His lips were warped into a large smile that never reached his bright red eyes.
"I took you here without arguments and you're pushing me away? That's hardly the proper reward for my kindness." Elias bent his head, his lips brushing upon her lips. She cowered back from him, but his arm slid over her back. He pressed her towards him.
"Now kiss me well, darling. Show me what you've learned." Elias's other hand slid behind her neck, holding her in place.
Adeline was not in the mood, even though her stomach fluttered and her heart raced. She shifted her hand up to his elbow, feeling the tense squeeze of his powerful muscles. He was strong. She was resiting with her entire body, except her hands, and he didn't move an inch.
"I'm tired, Elias." Adeline kissed the corners of his mouth, a light peck, but nothing more. She eventually let her head fall upon his shoulder, her hair blocking her face.
Adeline heard his quiet sigh and felt the release on his c.h.e.s.t. She buried herself within his embrace, seeking a comfort he didn't know how to give.
In his bulging arms, hidden by smooth silk, she felt warmth and love. He cupped one side of her face, stroking her cheek with his thumb. His other arm was wrapped tightly around her, whilst she clung to him for support.
"I suppose only you're allowed to throw small tantrums like this and disobey my orders, darling. But next time, I won't let you go so easily."
Adeline nudged her face into his shoulders, standing on her tippy toes, even in heels, just to reach the curve of his neck. She breathed in his scent, spicy with a hint of tang, like pinecones and citrus.
Adeline hugged him even tighter, her eyes growing hot with angry tears.
"You heard, didn't you?" Adeline wiped at her eyes until it dried. She refused to let her tears fall.
"Heard what?" Elias taunted.
Elias decided to put her out of her misery. He pulled away. For once, she wouldn't let go of him. Her fingers gripped his shirt, fisting the material. He touched her fist, his lips twisting into a sardonic smile.
Adeline Rose was scared of losing him. Good. He wanted her to rely on him and no one else. He wanted her to be starved of love and touch from everyone else until she was addicted to his. He wanted her to feel the same pain and terror as him—fear of losing her.
Elias didn't understand what terrified him about losing her. She was just like every other human, with a weak pulse, flush of life on their lips, and rosy-cheeked. Somewhere in his conscience already told him the truth.
"Are you finally ready to speak? Or will I continue to wait in a cliffhanging silence?" Elias asked.
Adeline pulled back to reveal her sullen expression.
Elias's smile transformed into a smirk. There it was, that confessing face. She had finally realized what kind of support he'd offer. It would be in her best interest to fling herself at him and beg him to never leave her. He craved that validation from her. He wanted the reassurance that she had no one else but him.
"Let's void our contract," she said. "We should get a divorce."
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