His Majesty's Devious Sin

"W-wow," Adeline managed to say, blinking in surprise. "I don\'t even know what to say to that."

"Don\'t say anything," Lydia groaned, clutching her forehead. She felt a horrible headache coming in, just thinking about the events of that day. Even now, she was irritated by Weston\'s actions. 

Weston intended to make a mistress out of a heiress. The audacity of this man! Who did he think he was? She was simply too beautiful, powerful, and wealthy to ever be a mistress. Lydia knew that much.

"I didn\'t think Weston would be that kind of man," Adeline softly admitted, slicing through the meat and taking another bite. She tried her hardest to not make a sound, despite how delicious the food was.

"Now I know where all of that pent-up anger goes," Lydia mumbled. She thought he\'d be the gentle type in bed, but who knew he was so dominating and rough? She had never met someone as stubborn as her.

"Have you been thinking about him?" Adeline asked, never once pulling her eyes away from the food. Even with all the bites she took, her stomach was still not satisfied. She supposed it was because of the baby, but didn\'t think it\'d take that much to feed a second person.

Adeline was just glad she wasn\'t craving actual blood. If that were to happen… She didn\'t know what to do with herself. For now, she decided to focus on consuming food high in iron.

"I tried not to, but I bet he placed a curse on me," Lydia complained. "Whenever I close my eyes, I see his stupid face, hear his irritating voice, and god damn it! The kiss keeps on haunting my dreams!"

Adeline\'s brows shot up. If that wasn\'t love, she didn\'t know what was. Before she could say anything, Lydia spoke up again.

"Ugh, look at the time," Lydia complained. "I\'ve been talking so much about myself that I didn\'t realize my next meeting was soon."

Adeline raised her head. She realized she had practically scraped the plate clean, but her stomach still grumbled for more food. 

"My shareholder meeting is tomorrow, Addy," Lydia said. "I\'ve set up a secret meeting with the ones that went against me. I\'m trying to sway their opinions."

Adeline thought back to what Elias said. "Would you like my help?" she instantly offered, knowing Lydia would do the same.

"Well… A few photos of us together wouldn\'t hurt. I\'m sorry, Addy. I should\'ve told you in advance, but I just… I feel so guilty using you," Lydia admitted. Even though she knew what she was doing, she couldn\'t help it. With such a powerful chess piece, who wouldn\'t want to play it?

"That\'s alright," Adeline said. "You\'ve always done your hardest to help me in any way I could."

Lydia sheepishly smiled. "Thank you, Addy. I knew I could count on you!"

Lydia rose out of her seat just as Adeline stood up. Quickly, she enveloped her friend in a close hug, breathing in the comforting scent of Adeline. Adeline reassuringly patted her best friend\'s back.

Adeline didn\'t want to make false compliments like "you\'ve got this" or "I just know you\'ll win." Not because she didn\'t have confidence in her friend, but it boosted expectations too much. The higher the expectation, the greater the disappointment.

"Make sure to communicate what we\'ve discussed today," Lydia reminded Adeline after the two of them pulled-apart. "You have to make sure he\'s not being rough on you on purpose. I\'m sure if you talk it out, everything will be fine."

Lydia grabbed Adeline\'s hands, squeezing them. She glanced at her face, and instantly, her heart stung. Staring into Adeline\'s large, innocent eyes made Lydia realize how terrifying the world would be if she was gone. Lydia had spent her entire childhood with Adeline, cherishing a friendship that started since birth. Lydia had never fathomed the day she\'d lose Adeline. And knowing a baby was the cause of that… It terrified Lydia.

Without warning, Lydia hugged Adeline again, catching the latter by surprise. 

"What\'s wrong, Liddy?" Adeline mumbled into the hug, reassuringly patting her friend\'s back again. Lydia\'s embrace was extra tight, like a child unwilling to let her mother go.

"Be strong, Addy," Lydia whispered. "I just know we\'ll find a way out of these turbulent times."

Immediately, Adeline knew what Lydia was referring to. Her face softened, and her heart ached. It seemed Lydia was scared of losing her too… Everyone seemed to be that way. 

"I will, Liddy."

- - - - -

After more photos of the two were captured, Adeline shortly returned to the castle. She was instantly greeted by the servants who lined up, bowed, and welcomed her back. Adeline had smiled at them all and headed to her bedroom, where she was fatigued, despite the fact that it was the afternoon.

Adeline didn\'t want to admit it, but the baby was taking a toll on her. She was exhausted and hungry, but couldn\'t find the energy to voice either concern. Thus, she laid on the bed, her face staring up at the ceiling.

"Your Grace," Stella said, standing by the Queen\'s side. Then, her head snapped to the other end of the room, on high alert. Her eyes went wide.

"I\'m fine, I just need a nap…" Adeline trailed off, her voice drowsy and tired. She was struggling to keep her eyes open, so she closed them without hesitation.

Adeline heard the quiet shuffle of shoes and then the door opened and closed. Adeline relaxed a bit, knowing Stella had just left the room.

Suddenly, she felt the bed beside her dip. She turned her head, her eyes snapping open, but a hand covered them.

"Who—"

"Shhh…" Elias whispered, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips, but she couldn\'t see that. He sat on the bed, glancing down at her. "Did you enjoy your outing?"

Adeline\'s shoulders relaxed on their own accord. She scooted closer to him until her head rested on his thighs. He rested one hand on her thighs, and the other upon the bed.

"Yes," she murmured, her voice thick and tired.

Elias\'s thigh was uncomfortable. It was hard and she felt the muscles underneath. But she was too comforted by his presence to voice the complaint.

"What did you two talk about?" Elias asked, even though he knew she was on the brink of falling asleep.

"That you\'re too rough in bed…" she yawned, turning a bit.

Elias removed his hand, surprised by her words. His attention was focused on her, but she was dozing off.

"You like that, though," Elias said in a hardened voice. He pushed the hair away from her forehead, his forefinger twirling the fringes.

"But it\'s too dangerous on the baby," she said. "Next time, please be kinder."

Elias paused. Kind? The word did not exist in his dictionary. He liked it hard and rough, until her voice was hoarse, tears in her eyes, and her mouth ajar. He could still recall her breathless gasps, her low moan, and her cute twitches.

"I\'ll keep that in mind, then," he mused.

Adeline finally smiled. She curled her body, her face dangerously close to his large friend. Even so, she felt herself being lulled to sleep by his gentle caress on the head, and his hand resting on her shoulders. 

Adeline had never felt more safe than when she was with him.

"Sleep well, darling."