His Majesty's Devious Sins

After spending the remaining of her afternoon with Lydia, talking about idle things like errands they wanted to run, their mood, the things in their life, and so on, their meeting came to an end. 

Lydia was reluctant to let Adeline go, treating it like a permanent parting. With a man as controlling yet cunning as the King, poor Adeline would've been convinced to stay in the castle for as long as time allowed her to. 

Lydia wished her friend wasn't so easily tricked by the King, but he was quite handsome and had a way of words.

"Let's meet again in a week," Lydia said. She stood by Adeline's car door, firmly holding onto it, despite the disapproval of the royal guards and entourage.

"I always have so much to tell you," she added on. 

Adeline blinked. "But don't you have meetings to attend? The annual shareholder meeting is approaching in two weeks. Are you sure you have time to meet me?"

"If I don't even have time for my best friend and myself, what's the point of being so rich? I have all the money in the world, but no freedom and joy," Lydia retorted with the roll of her eyes.

Lydia crossed her arms and added on, "Money can't even buy my happiness, no matter how much jewelry I have, the expensive food I eat, and the clothes I own."

Adeline laughed. "Money can't buy happiness, but it's better to cry in a car than a bike."

Lydia chuckled. "The bike has a nice breeze though."

Adeline quirked a brow. "So does the car window."

"Oh just get into the car and leave!" Lydia huffed, closing the car door. Not a second later, she knocked on the windows, waiting for Adeline to roll it down.

"Let's meet here again," Lydia said. "It's very secluded and we weren't disturbed once, except by your irritating employees…"

Adeline wryly smiled. She could practically feel Evelyn and Stella glaring at Lydia behind her back. 

"Oh, by the way!" Lydia perked up, reaching into her pockets. She pulled out a small vial of clear liquid and handed it to Adeline.

Adeline took it, tilting her head in curiosity. "What's this?"

"There has been a growing population of vampires experiencing insomnia since they don't need that much sleep, but now it has begun affecting their health," Lydia explained.

She pointed at the vial of clear liquid. "So Claymore Conglomerate began dabbling in the pharmaceutical sector. We finally worked out medicine that can make vampires sleep deeply."

"But why are you giving this to me…?" Adeline asked, tilting her head in confusion.

"Because we don't know its effectiveness against Pure-Bloods, and it's difficult to find test subjects. Since you're married to one, maybe you can ask the King to test out this drug before Claymore Conglomerate tells him what we've been creating."

"Oh," Adeline blinked in surprise, placing the vial into her pant pocket. "I'll ask Elias if he's interested."

Adeline knew Elias would never agree if Lydia reached out herself. Adeline quite enjoyed the idea of this medicine, since Elias never properly slept whenever he was around her. He was always the last to sleep and first to wake up. 

"Well, let me know how it goes the next time we meet!" Lydia exclaimed.

Adeline nodded. "Alright, I will." 

- - - - -

Adeline stared out the window as the car drove through the capital. Multiple cars were following hers, in the same model and brand, so that even if an assassination was to happen, they wouldn't know which car she was in. The people must've known it was the royal cars, for they paused and waved.

"Your Grace, it would be dangerous to roll down the window," Stella said when she noticed the Queen's fingertips reaching for the button. 

"Well, a little bit of public greeting never harmed anyone," Evelyn countered. She saw this as a quick and easy strategy to boost the Queen's reputation. It would be more difficult to replace the Queen if the people loved her so dearly.

Adeline ignored their words. She rolled down the window, stuck a hand out to wave. Eventually, she leaned out the window a bit, flashing a smile. She rarely visited the city that often, and everything was a sight to see.

  From the tables set outside the restaurants, the smell of Wraith's special coffee, and the bustling of street life were all very entertaining. People were jogging, bicycling, and in the parks, people were having picnics. 

"Long live Her Grace!" The people would say with enthusiasm, but it pricked at Adeline's heart.

She would never live long. Her life space was that of a human. It would be a miracle if she lived over the age of one hundred. At the thought of this, her smile slipped a bit, before she grinned and tried to not show her dismay for such words. They were wishing her well, and she was thinking of the worst.

Soon, the car ride came to an end. Adeline was escorted out of the car and into the castle. The servants were already waiting for her. A butler came to take her coat, and a maid grabbed her gloves. 

"Did you enjoy your time away, Your Grace?" A sharp, cold voice asked.

Adeline spun around, surprised to see Weston. He was walking down the main staircase, a stack of papers tucked into his elbow. Dressed in a fine suit, with the first few buttons undone, and hair slightly messy, she concluded he must've been in a meeting. He wore a haggard look on his face as if the work was difficult.

"You were supposed to be touring the gardens and picking which flower you'd like to be planted before Spring approached, Your Grace," Weston added on.

"There are more pressing matters than picking flowers. Besides, I can just decide on the spot," Adeline said.

Weston deeply frowned at her words. He walked directly to her and shook his head. "Your Grace, the gardens can be seen from within the castle fences by tourists and citizens. Thus, anything planted is highly significant and can affect the reputation of the Royal Family."

Adeline raised a brow. 

"And since you don't see its importance, tell me on the spot what should be planted then, Your Grace."

Adeline felt like they had taken one step forward and two steps back in their relationship. She thought she had earned his respect, but nearly forgotten that respect must be maintained.

"Because the coronation recently happened, we should plant irises and orchids for Spring," Adeline said without hesitation.

"And why's that?" Weston returned.

"Irises have been known to celebrate wisdom, emphasize faithfulness, and underscore valor, whereas orchids symbolize beauty, charm, and strength. They're also very beautiful and perfect for picture opportunities."

Weston was speechless. He didn't fathom she was able to think this far in advance and right on the spot. Yet again, he was proven wrong by her. Yet again, he had to underestimate someone so intelligent. Each time he did it, he had hoped to learn his lesson but never did. It was the flaws of a human, but now it applies to him.

"It's a great choice, Your Grace," Weston admitted in a determined voice. He was a stubborn man, but knew when he was in the wrong. "Forgive me, Your Grace, my day has been rough."

"You and Elias are exactly the same in the way you apologize," Adeline muttered.

"A King never apologizes, Your Grace," Weston sternly said, his voice laced with surprise. He didn't think the arrogant King would bat an eye at mistakes, for the King never made them. 

"Where is the King?" Adeline asked.

"In a meeting."

"With?"

"An important foreign embassy."

Adeline's brows drew together. Realizing they were still in a public area, with the eyes of her people and the workers, she gestured for Weston to walk with her. 

"Why don't we tour the gardens now?" she said.

Weston frowned. "I have more important things to do than entertain myself with flowers."

"Funny that you say that, but I was assigned the very same thing," Adeline snipped.

Weston pressed his lips together. She had a point. "Let's take a walk in the gardens, then."

Adeline's lips twisted into a delighted smile. She was the first to take a step forward. Weston was a step behind her, and her people were ten steps behind, out of courtesy and privacy. 

"The weather was spectacular today," Adeline started. 

They sauntered down the hallways, where the windows were tall, and the ceilings were high. Beautiful paintings of greek gods and goddesses adorned the ceilings, chandeliers spinning their dazzling light upon them.

Weston was confused by her small-talk, but then realized what she was trying to do. People were still following them, and they needed to maintain a courteous relationship. The proper time to discuss would be in the gardens, where she'd tell them to wait by the entrance, and the two would go deep into the flower bushes.

"Yes, the sun is out, and the wind is just right, Your Grace " Weston grumbled. He hated small-talk. Beating around the bush was too annoying.

Adeline hummed in response. They reached the gardens soon enough, and she instructed them to wait outside. The flower bushes were tall, but not enough to mask them. A few stopped at her ankles, and others went as high as her knees and lower stomach.

"Roses," Adeline mused, pointing at a set of yellow ones, as brilliant as the sunlight, and fine as gold. 

"Golden Roses, Your Grace," Weston corrected her. "Planted recently by Matriarch Dorothy."

Adeline felt the underlying message from miles away. Dorothy was still in support of Lydia Claymore, probably because having the heiress of such a powerful and wealthy conglomerate would be extremely beneficial to the kingdom.

"Relocate this away from the cameras," Adeline instructed Weston. "And have my flowers planted."