Don't Be Mean

Adeline's eyes snapped open. She sat up in bed, her forehead drenched in a cold sweat.

What a strange dream.

It was the first time she had seen Elias in her dreams. He seemed quite familiar with her as well.

Adeline recalled she was wary of strangers. She still was. She rarely smiled at her relatives, much less a stranger. If little Adeline had requested Elias to pick her up, and even feed her, then it must have meant she had her full trust in him. But how was this possible?

Adeline did not remember meeting Elias until that night. As the years went by, she gradually forgot her childhood memories.

"This is too bizarre," she said to herself.

There was nothing Adeline could do. She would just have to ask Asher. He would know something. He had accompanied her for a long time now.

With this new mission in mind, Adeline slipped out of bed. She didn't bother checking the time, before pulling back her curtains. The sunlight washed over her, basking her in warmth. To her delight, it was morning! She could leave this castle now!

Adeline instantly perked up. She hurriedly tried out one of the various doors in her room. Soon, she found one of the two closets. To her bewilderment, the closets were fully stocked with clothes. Dresses, shirts, pants, jewels, enormous mirrors, there was everything a girl could ever need.

"At least he doesn't know my measurements," Adeline whispered to herself, upon noticing the various sizes of clothes.

She couldn't even imagine how he would know. Adeline grabbed whatever was the easiest to wear. In this case, it was a slip on chiffon dress that didn't require zippers or anything.

Adeline placed it on and ran a hand over the pleated skirts. The dress was as white as the morning sky, but made her look like a ghost.

Knock. Knock.

Adeline blinked. She had just stepped out of the room when there was a quiet knock on her door. Believing it was the maids, she hurriedly ran towards the door and opened it for them.

"G-good morning!" she excitedly greeted.

Adeline's great mood soured.

"Someone is in a dapper mood," he commented.

Elias loomed over her, with his hands tucked into his pockets. He was dressed in all black again, with a silky button-up that had the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing thick chords on his toned arms. The shirt was unbuttoned toward the top, showing a glimpse of his strong neck.

"What's wrong?" he teased. "Did I ruin your morning already?"

Elias had noted how quick she was to frown. Where did that cheery smile go? Amused by her antics, he pinched the side of her cheek.

"It's good to see the bride is already in white," he said, just to get on her nerves even more.

Adeline didn't react. It seemed she was growing familiar with his antics by now. But her frown deepened a bit.

"T-that's not funny."

"Hmph, tough crowd."

Elias remained by the doorway, one hand clutching the frame and the other caressing her smooth cheek. He was amazed that she didn't shove his hand away.

"I had a dream about you," she admitted.

"A wet one?"

"Elias," she groaned.

Elias grinned. "What is it?"

Adeline had a sense of deja vu. She gripped the side of her dress, staying still for him. He had a gentle, but teasing expression on his face. Was this why he was so kind towards her? Because he had known her since she was a child? But why didn't she remember him?

"It was a peculiar dream," she added on.

Elias raised a brow. "Bummer. I was hoping for a steamy one."

"Elias!"

He loudly laughed. The sound bounced off the walls and struck a chord in her heart. Her stomach fluttered at the deep, velvety sound. He was so handsome that it blinded her.

"Admit it, my little Adeline. Who wouldn't want to have a lovely dream with me?" he teased. "It is the only way a woman can ever be in my arms."

Adeline pressed her lips together. She nearly blurted out the times she was in his arm. He didn't seem to mind either. What a shameless despot he was!

"Aren't you going to let me in?"

Adeline blinked in surprise. Since when did he have the courtesy to ask now? She was still holding onto the doorknob, like a scared little animal. Warily, she glanced around her room.

"But there's nowhere to sit."

"So the bed is just not there?"

He scoffed when she nodded. How stingy of her. He dropped his hand.

"Fine, come with me."

Adeline excitedly nodded. She stepped out of the room, her feet squishing on the incredibly soft rug. Suddenly, she paused. She wasn't wearing shoes.

"What's wrong?"

Elias turned around to see she was gone. His brows shot up alarmingly. He dashed to the door, only to see her hurrying into the closest. Without knowing it, he let out a small sigh of relief.

"The fuck?" he muttered under his breath.

Elias ran a hand through his hair. He must've been tired from sleeping only a wink at night. For a split second there, he had cared too deeply for her. He shouldn't have. It was a mistake.

"I didn't have shoes," she told him, stepping out with a pair of flat shoes in her hands.

Elias wordlessly nodded. He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed whilst watching her slip the shoes on. He decided to have a love chair brought into the room.

He instantly noticed the color of her comfortable flats. Tiffany blue. He glanced away, resisting the urge to fluff her feathers again. Something old, something blue… It was a wedding tradition of the past.

"Where are we going?"

Elias blinked once. He had been lost in his own thoughts to realize she was now standing in front of him. Adeline innocently peered up at him, with large viridescent eyes. He was instantly sucked into her world of green and would've gladly stayed there.

"To the dining room," he said in a low voice.

Excitement flooded her eyes, making the color even lighter. Without warning, she was suddenly upset, revealing a sea of emerald.

"O-oh, but I'm not hungry…"

Elias narrowed his eyes. Lies. She was ecstatic to eat a second earlier. Now, she changed her mind? He was not going to have it. She would not be wasting food under his roof.

"At least have a bite, darling."

"N-no—"

"Adeline," he sniped.

Adeline reluctantly gave in. She could just sit there and play with her food. He wouldn't even notice it if she did her usual "trick." Quietly, she nodded her head.

She heard him let out a small sigh. He planted a hand at the top of her head. She raised it, only to see his lopsided smile. He seemed a lot kinder this way. She wanted to see what other expressions he was capable of…

The thought surprised her. She shrugged it off. Who wouldn't want to see the different sides of their new friend?

"Good girl," he said.

"D-don't treat me like a pet."

"Preys are often pets," he stated.

Adeline did not understand what he meant. A prey? Her?

"Let's not diddle daddle any longer," Elias deadpanned. He turned upon his heels, and walked off, without waiting for her.

She was surprisingly stubborn. Adeline caught up to him with a small dash of her feet. Soon, she was walking beside him, with a great rush of her short little legs. He held back a snicker and quickened his pace. Soon, she was pushed to her limits, just like how he enjoyed it.

"D-don't be so mean," she finally said.

"What are you talking about?"

Elias slowed down. She was a bit out of breath, from just speed walking alone. Hardheaded at heart, she clamped her mouth shut and refused to say something else. He didn't mind.

His plan worked.

He wanted her to speak more, to voice her concerns, and understand that it was perfectly fine to complain.

With a careless shrug of his shoulders, Elias did not say anything else. Soon, their footsteps fell in sync, and a comfortable silence drifted over them. He didn't notice it before, but he was surprisingly fine with her silence.

What a strange realization.