Maybe She Knows

Adeline was dumbstruck. She might as well have gone mute. No matter what she thought of, there was not a single thing she dared to utter.

Elias was His Royal Majesty.

Suddenly, their first conversation yesterday night made much more sense. The person she was supposed to kill was standing directly in front of her. And he knew of her plans.

"What's wrong, little Adeline? Cats got your tongue?" Elias teased. His other hand continued to stroke the side of her face, as one would towards a pet. His grip on her waist tightened, almost playfully.

"You're usually more vocal," he added on, in a low and soothing voice. Her entire body trembled in his hold, and he was even more entertained. With the right words, she would be putty in his hands.

"E-Elias…" she managed to stutter out. "No, I-I meant Y-Your Majesty—"

"Hush, darling," he coaxed. His breath fanned the top of her mouth, as her hand unknowingly gripped his upper arm, for reassurance.

"I can practically hear your heart racing towards a heart attack," he wryly commented.

Elias only wanted to tease her. He didn't want to terrify her to this extent. Though, he wondered if she was truly afraid of him. Despite hearing of his rank, she was still holding onto him.

"I-I just…" she trailed off.

Elias patiently waited for her to continue. She had lowered her head and refused to meet his gaze.

"Are you going to k-kill me?" she finally said.

Elias's lips twitched. "Well, you tried to kill me yesterday. It's only fair I return the same favor, don't you think so, darling Adeline?"

Adeline's mouth opened and closed, like a gaping fish. Eventually, she dropped her hands and pushed him away. Again, he would not budge. Her dismay was visible, yet he continued to hold her.

"I… I have my reasons to kill you."

"Well, this is the first time someone is so vocal about their hatred for me."

Elias was highly entertained. There were many people that contempt him, but none dared to show it. If they wanted to live another day, they'd keep their mouths shut. He was not known to be a tyrannical King for no reason. But did his little darling know that?

Obviously not.

She wasn't foolishly struggling in his arms or begging for forgiveness; though, he had only seen her beg three times. The first was as a child, the second was after the drunken night, and the third was yesterday for the necklace in his hands.

"I-I just… I just wanted my freedom," she whispered.

"I can grant you that freedom with the snap of my hand."

Adeline instantly looked up. Her eyes had grown wide in disbelief and curiosity. Like the gaze of a deer observing it's Hunter, she was breathless with anticipation.

Adeline's attention was solely on him and no one else.

Elias bent his head and smiled down at her. Though, it lacked warmth and kindness. How could there be affection when he planned to trap her in his little cage?

"How…?" she asked with uncertainty dripping from her voice.

"Live in the castle with me."

"L-like as a maid?"

Elias threw her a deadpanning look. "I have plenty and no need for a pampered little Princess to become my maid."

"Then…" Adeline trailed off.

Adeline wished his words would hurt. But it didn't even scratch her fragile heart. She had heard much worse.

"Think, Little Fawn. What use would I have of a beautiful and willing girl?" Elias touched strands of her fine hair that resembled spun gold. He lazily brought it towards his lips and stared into her eyes.

She flushed on the spot.

"Then as a mistress?" she squeaked out in fear.

Elias froze. She was as dense as a wall.

"And who would that benefit?" he teased, whilst twirling her hair in between his fingers.

Adeline gulped. Eyeing his fingers, she tried her best to not think of that night. He had said he was great at playing the piano. His expertise was greatly demonstrated.

"Y-you?"

Elias loudly laughed. "Sounds like it will benefit you more, darling."

Adeline shook her head so fast, he was worried the poor thing would fall off her neck.

"I don't know…" he mused. "Getting to wake up to my handsome face every morning, enjoy the ecstasy I bring you, and succumb to pleasure…"

Adeline's breath was caught in her throat. Her heart skipped a beat. Was it debauched of her to imagine everything? A sudden image flashed inside her head. His muscular body pressing her tone, as she writhed in pleasure, sweat slicking upon their tangled limbs.

"Seems like you'll enjoy it a lot more than me," he teased on.

Elias wondered if he should kill the only Pure-Bred in this entire world that could read minds. If he drank that man's blood, then Elias would inherit the power. He'd do anything to see what went on inside of that little head of hers.

"I-I just…"

"You have until the end of the ball to tell me your duties in this enormous castle of mine," Elias stated. His fingers graced the side of her neck, feeling her soft and supple skin against his knuckles. Such a pretty neck… it would be a shame if he bit into it.

"And where would I find you?" she warily asked.

"Anywhere."

Adeline was confused. She had been mesmerized by him for so long, that she had forgotten their promiscuous position. The realization only settled in when he took a respectful step backward.

"I don't understand," she said.

Elias simply shrugged in response. He spun on his heels and sauntered off.

"Elias."

For her sake, he halted.

"My necklace."

Elias turned his head and winked over his shoulders. "It will be mine."

She opened her mouth to protest.

"—until you make your decision."

- - - - -

Adeline didn't want to return to the ball. Aunt Eleanor would be irritable and Asher would be pissed. She had spent far too long out here. But time seemed to stop in Elias's presence. When he was around, she saw no one but him. It was as if he was the center of her world.

"This makes no sense," Adeline mumbled.

It seemed like Elias knew her as a child. For some reason, she felt like she knew him as well. Adeline wouldn't have just let a stranger touch her.

When she was in a dazed state, she must've recognized him. From his words and promise, they didn't reach the same conclusion as a husband and wife would.

"Was he… one of Asher's friends?"

Adeline shook her head at the foolish thought. She would remember Elias if he had been Asher's friends. Besides, Adeline doubted Asher would ever tolerate a Vampire, much less, a Pure-Bred.

There was one last conclusion that came to mind.

Elias must've been a friend of her father, Crown Prince Kaline. They must've been good friends too, for her father was a protective man that never let any boys around her.

"I should ask Aunt Eleanor. Maybe she knows something."