Can't Afford To Feed Another Mouth

"I suppose this little girl will be the one who supplies your weapons to kill me, darling Adeline?"

Elias only meant to tease her. He wanted to see her lovely, yet demure eyes waver with hesitation. Uncertainty was always upon her soft features. She was an earnest and determined woman that amused him. He wanted to know more of her, and the unexpected changes that happened in the decade he hadn't seen her.

In all honesty, Elias had expected Adeline to behave like the infamous Lydia Claymore, who was known for her boisterous nature. Adeline used to be a lot more energetic. As a child, she would cause mischief.

"I-I guess my secret has been revealed…"

Elias's eyes widened a bit. It was a tease, but she returned it with the truth. He shifted his attention towards her. She was seated upon the couch, with her back facing him, but her head and arm were turned towards him in surprise.

Her expression was always delicately beautiful. Her scent, her soft voice, her voice, everything drove him insane. And when she revealed that shy, teasing smile, something unfamiliar jolted.

"I-It was a joke," Adeline added on in a lower voice.

"Hah," Elias's smile became a grimace.

For a second, he had believed her. After all, Duke Claymore was one of the largest suppliers of weapons for the Empire of Wraith. Though, the man was too loyal to turn his back towards Elias— who had supported Kaline and Addison's marriage since the very beginning.

"You're not going to greet me?" Elias softly demanded. He closed the doors behind him and focused all of his attention on her.

Adeline blinked for a few seconds. Slowly, she rose out of the couch, but there was a look of doubt on her face. He suppressed a smirk. It was a joke, and she was beginning to grow familiar with his nature.

"And you're not going to greet y-your fiancee?"

Elias's lips twitched. He wondered if it would be possible to not smile in her presence. Her curiosity humored him too much. She had not been in the high society's scene for a while.

A luxurious drawing-room like this would've overshadowed all of the unworthy people. Yet, she stood here, in the most simple and plain white dress, with cascading hair of gold and bright, emerald eyes. She didn't look like she belonged in this room. She looked like the room belonged to her.

"Then just for today, we'll pardon the greetings," Elias smoothly said. He maintained his distance, deciding to watch her from the doorway.

Elias was not someone that couldn't control his urges. He had been taught for decades to do so. But those were primal urges to feast upon blood. There was another type of instinct that he had long forgotten, until she tumbled back into his life.

"But we've never g-greeted each other," Adeline mumbled out, not knowing it was a sass.

Elias noted she was blunt. Did she say whatever came to mind? Surprisingly, he enjoyed that.

"S-should we start from today and onwards?" Adeline added on, in a lower voice than before, as if bewildered by her own question.

"Would you like that, darling Adeline?" Elias countered.

Adeline instantly shook her head. "W-well I-I uhm—"

"I guess I'm not even here," Lydia deadpanned. She watched them like one would view a movie with popcorn and snacks. "I'm just an illusion. Don't mind me~"

Adeline let out a small laugh, whereas Elias's gaze darkened. He didn't like people interrupting Adeline, especially when she tried so hard to speak. She had been suppressed for far too long in life. It would take some time to get used to speaking again.

Elias barely cast Lydia a glance. She had the hair color of hay straws that horses munched on and eyes the color of murky, swamp water. Adeline would probably describe her best friend in a prettier light, but he was too lazy to care.

"Elias," Adeline stated. She gestured a hand towards Lydia. "This is my good friend, Lydia Claymore."

Lydia narrowed her eyes upon the King. She was familiar with him. During her Fathers' frequent outings to the castle, she would accompany him, but not enter the private meeting. She had heard rumors about him from the gossiping socialites that always thirsted after the King.

Even heiresses of wealthy conglomerates, with more money than one could imagine, dreamed about His Majesty. Vampires and humans alike were captivated by Elias Luxton.

Lydia, however, was not. She disliked how bloody red his eyes were. They intimidated her.

"Your Majesty," Lydia finally said in a monotone voice.

"Claymore," Elias deadpanned.

Adeline naively blinked, glancing from left to right. She felt like there was a crackly tension, but didn't know what started it.

Lydia looped her arm around Adeline's and edged closer. "So, where were we?" she chirped. "Before we were rudely interrupted, that is."

Adeline perked up a bit more. "Yes, I think we were discussing the weapons you always…" she trailed off, not wanting to embarrass her friend in front of someone.

Lydia tightened her arm around Adeline.

"That reminds me," she suddenly said. "How is Duke Claymore?"

Lydia wrinkled her nose. "You know Father would've preferred if you called him Uncle Claymore, or just Uncle. Duke is so formal, and—"

"Adeline," Elias sharply stated.

Lydia's hands twitched to hit something. She hated it when people interrupted her—unless it was Adeline. She held onto her beloved Addy, glaring at the King.

Elias pushed himself off the wall, his eyes solely trained upon Adeline. He reached them in the blink of an eye, his large figure towering over them.

Lydia hesitated, feeling a slight sense of fear. But then she remembered who she was, and squared her shoulders.

"Elias," Adeline gently stated.

Elias ignored the vine clinging onto his woman's arm. He reached down and touched her chin, bringing her face higher up.

"Come, I have a surprise for you." Elias gingerly pressed into the tender spot of her small chin. She blinked a bit, her eyes darting from the unruly Claymore, then back to him.

"M-my friend…"

Elias's grip tightened. She didn't even flinch. "She can come too, but as the mere daughter of a Duke, will walk behind us."

Adeline slowly shook her head. Then, she was hesitant, knowing she had just disobeyed the Monarch in control of the government. Without warning, she shook her head again.

"Lydia is my best friend, I will walk behind you with her."

Elias's gaze became even more frightsome. He saw Lydia's body tense. His naive little Adeline continued to peer up at him, with large, unknowing eyes.

"Please?"

Elias let out a small sigh. He dropped her chin and grabbed her hand. "Don't plead to me," he irritably said.

Adeline blinked again, gouging his reaction in surprise. Then, she smiled a bit, realizing he was a lot kinder than expected.

"C-can't the surprise be brought into here?" she slowly added on.

"No."

"Oh."

A subtle, uneasy silence fell over them. Elias's shadow loomed over them, but she seemed unbothered by it. Did she even realize the position she was in?

"I'm sure it can be brought here," Lydia suddenly said.

Adeline turned to her friend.

Lydia flashed her an encouraging smile. "Gifts can be—"

"My darling Adeline," Elias gently murmured. He lifted her hand towards him, bringing it closer to his chest. A look of worry flashed upon his face. At this, her attention was immediately upon him.

"Are you alright?" Adeline asked, concern dancing in her eyes.

Elias concealed his smirk behind a smile. He could feel Lydia glaring daggers into his skull, despite her position in this world. He could have her killed for being so disrespectful. Assassins were aplenty, her death could look like an accident. But his sweet Adeline treasured the useless Claymore too much.

"I am a bit wounded," he said.

She softly breathed out in surprise, her body instantly rising towards him, whilst her gaze searching for visible injuries.

Elias heard the quiet scoff of Lydia.

"Addy, don't fall for his tricks!" Lydia bit out. "How can his Majesty be injured when he is one of the old—"

"You see, my heart was hurt because you skipped the meal and barely took a bite," Elias interjected. He dropped her hand and walked around the couch, until he was standing directly in front of her.

"B-but I attended our meal..."

"You barely ate anything there," Elias sharply said. He grabbed her hands again, this time, bringing her to her feet, much to Lydia's protest.

Adeline glanced down at their hands, and then back up at him, with parted lips. She was fixated by him, but her attention kept wandering back to Lydia.

Elias tightened his hold on her, bringing her even closer. He wanted her to look at no one but him. Like a needy brat, he wanted all of her attention.

"Adeline," he fondly addressed.

She looked at him.

"Come, my darling Adeline, let's get you fed."

Lydia glowered at Elias. She knew what he was doing. Can't he share?!

"Great!" Lydia burst into their picturesque scene. "I was just getting hungry as well!"

Elias coldly turned towards her. "The food is not for you," he snapped.

Lydia let out a scoff. "You're telling me his Royal Majesty can't afford to feed another mouth?"

Elias glowered at her. This woman was crazy!