His Majesty's Devious Sins

Johann Strauss — Voices Of Spring.

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Adeline nearly flinched at the thundering claps that sounded through the room. Everyone began to celebrate His Majesty, with blessings and congratulatory messages. The music became even more festive and pleasant. The people watched on with large smiles, though some never met the eyes.

To some, her pain was their laughter. She could see it.

Despite that, Adeline forced herself to smile, until her cheeks began to hurt. She was guided down the staircase, with Elias in tow. Her eyes locked with Lydia who watched her with a worried gaze. But eventually, Lydia bowed her head, swearing an allegiance they both knew.

"A dance," he whispered into her ears.

Goosebumps broke out on her arms. He was so close to her, his lips brushing upon her ear for a split second. Then, he was gone. His voice sent a shiver down her body, that only he could muster.

"Just one?" she muttered back, her attention upon the crowd.

"Congratulations, Princess!"

"Oh Princess, your dress is so lovely!"

"Princess suits His Majesty well!"

Adeline maintained her deceitful smile. She allowed herself to be whisked onto the dance floor. The same people who congratulated her would curse her behind her back. Not a single person held a genuine smile for her. Especially the Vampires.

She understood why. When her dark green eyes were revealed, they already judged her. They knew this would not benefit the King.

Elias pulled her to the dance floor, where everyone instantly parted ways for them. He stared deeply into her eyes, just as Voices of Spring began. Her heart raced as the beat started off high, before lowering into a more energetic yet celebratory note.

"Focus on me," Elias commanded. "No one else."

Adeline wondered if he saw the anxiety in her eyes. His grip tightened on her hand, as he eased her through the smooth, polished floor.

She knew this dance.

Her body remembered all of its teachings from the past and present. Instantly, her feet began to move in sync with his, as they waltzed through the dance floor.

Elias spun her gently, as her dresses bellowed out, like a petal slowly falling to the ground. One hand upon her lower back, the other holding hers gently, he guided her across the entire dance floor. They were in perfect sync, like a couple from a well-crafted music box.

The dance matched the high tempo, and then the low tempos, as it broke out into an exciting beat.

Elias twirled her to perfection, letting her slip away for a single second, only for him to gently pull her back. He would only let her out of sight for a split second. She felt her heart race with each step she took, as her dress effortlessly swept through the air, a whirlwind of pearl pink that created the elusion of the blush of dawn.

"I didn't know you could dance this well," Elias said, his voice filled with amusement.

"I danced well on the first night," Adeline responded, confused by his tease.

"Did you?" Elias mused. "I think you stepped on my foot multiple times."

Instantly, her voice reddened a bit. "T-that was because the previous dance was different."

Elias's lips curled into a smile. He glanced down upon her, with unknowingly affection eyes.

As the drums began to reach their peak, the tempos rising higher, and faster, so did their dancing. He spun her around, and around, like a pretty little ballerina that only danced for him. And as the beat began to drop, so did she.

Elias gently lowered her upon the ground, just as the music came to an end.

There was a brief moment of quiet, before people clapped and gushed over the couple. They talked about how handsome his Majesty was, how lucky the Princess was, and how they congratulated them for finally choosing a Queen.

"You did well," Elias praised in a low voice. He helped her back to her feet, her palms resting upon his chest.

Amidst all the clapping and words, Adeline only heard his voice. She only felt the comfort of his chest, the sturdiness of his hands, and the strength of his gaze. He smiled down at her, as one hand gently brushed her cheekbone, as if she was made of glass.

His smile never reached his eyes. He smiled for the sake of doing it, but never because he meant it.

Adeline's heart foolishly skipped—even when she knew he was not genuinely smiling for her.

She continued to stare up at him, awestruck as if his eyes held the secrets of the universe. And perhaps, if she looked long enough, she would unravel the secrets of Elias Luxton. He had enough skeletons in his closet to forge a throne of skulls.

"Am I handsome?" Elias teased, his smile widening at the sight of her. Finally, he was the center of her world, even for a split second.

"Y-you already know the answer to that question," she murmured.

"But am I the most handsome man out of everyone you know, darling Adeline?"

Her voice died in her throat.

"Handsome enough to tempt you to the dark side of life? Enough for you to spill all of your secrets, give me your heart, and sell your soul to me, a demon?" Elias murmured, in a voice that only she could hear. He continued to caress her face, holding her like she was meant to be held by him.

He saw his reflection in her earnest, clear eyes. It was what drew her to him. She was dreary and demure, but had more guts than anyone he knew. Her eyes were the windows to her soul. She wore her heart on a sleeve.

Adeline Rose was the biggest fool he knew, but she was wise beyond ways he could even comprehend. She had her cards out on the table, not because it was a mistake, but because she intended for it to be that way.

"And what about me?" Adeline whispered whilst smiling.

Everyone was staring at them, wondering what the secretive conversation was about. They dared to not judge or question, for the two seemed to be in a world of their own.

For once, Adeline didn't notice the stares.

The entire world could be watching them and she would not care. Truthfully, everyone would know the news by tomorrow morning. The announcement would spread like wildfire.

"What about you?" Elias teased, in a coy and cunning voice.

Adeline's smile softened. He acted as if he was the mastermind of the game as if no one could beat him. The world was his playground, and he was the ruler.

"Nevermind," she suddenly said in a hesitant voice whilst glancing away.

Elias's fingers twitched. She left him high and dry. He could sense the questions she would never utter. Not because she couldn't, but because she was subconsciously teasing him.

He wanted to know. He needed to know. Exactly what did she plan to say? Was it just as he had predicted.

Before Elias could speak, Adeline glanced upon the crowd.

"I think it's time for us to return to reality, Eli."

Elias stared at her with great astonishment. Eli…?