His Majesty's Devious Sins

Adeline quietly walked through the crowd. Everywhere she turned, people were eying her and whispering. When she made eye contact, they'd brightly smile, but none would bow. She ignored them.

Without another word, Adeline began to look around for Lydia. She had spotted her talking to a group of women before. It wasn't a surprise, considering how likable Lydia was. She was the center of the party.

Suddenly, something flashed in the corner of her eyes.

Adeline turned around, wondering what it was. She was momentarily blinded when the light was directly in her eyes. After blinking a bit, she regained her vision.

Adeline noticed something shining in the corner of the ballroom, right near the pillars. Quietly, she glanced around, wondering if anyone else saw it.

"How peculiar…" Adeline mumbled.

During that split second, no one seemed to notice. Curiosity got the best of Adeline. She weaved through black suits and colorful dresses. Soon, she was near the corner of the ballroom where the heavy curtains for the ceiling-tall windows were. The place was sparse of people and hidden behind the staircase leading to the platforms.

No one could see what hid behind the staircase unless they were standing at a certain angle.

"Asher!" Adeline whispered under her breath. Excitement warmed her chest. Instantly, she held her dress and dashed forward, turning her body in time to swivel behind the staircase.

"You're here!" Adeline squealed, as she jumped onto her dear friend. She tightly wrapped her arms around him, despite seeing him at the ball yesterday.

"Adeline," Asher fondly said, with a large and gentle smile on his face.

Adeline had pulled back from the hug, but his hands rested on either side of her waist. She brushed it off, thinking he was just missing her. She quickly glanced around, noticing this area was vacant and spacious. No one would hear them. No one would see them.

"How's Aunt Eleanor?" Adeline instantly asked. "Does she miss me? Why isn't she here? How did she react when she saw the engagement letter? What about—"

"One question at a time, Adeline," Asher chuckled. It was low and smooth, filled with warmth and adoration reserved only for her.

Adeline was bubbling with excitement. She thought he had forgotten about her birthday. She thought he was furious at her for disappearing. Seeing that he was in a decent mood, her smile could not disappear.

"Well, hurry and answer me then," Adeline gushed, waiting eagerly for the news of her chaperone.

"I don't understand your fondness towards Viscountess Eleanor. She hurts you too much," Asher said. His lips had tilted down a bit, and he regarded her with concern.

Asher knew how harsh Aunt Eleanor was. The chaperone restricted Adeline's speech, diet, and behavior. For an entire decade, Adeline was suppressed in every manner possible.

She was a dog on a leash. Every disobedience was met with a lengthy scolding. It was borderline abusive, and Adeline never complained. He was worried.

Adeline brushed off the crude nature of Aunt Eleanor, excusing it as motherly behavior.

"Just answer my questions, Asher," Adeline lightly laughed. "Besides, Aunt Eleanor had her reasons. I was such an r-rebellious child..."

"You were just a normal girl with too much energy, that's all," Asher muttered. "You had a bit of baby fat which was normal, but she restricted you for so long."

"Asher please," Adeline mumbled. "I just want to know how my Aunt is doing. She took care of me for an entire decade to the best of her capabilities and—"

"Aunt Eleanor fainted."

Adeline's body jolted. Her eyes went wide with terror. Instantly, her heart trembled and her lips quivered.

"W-what?" Adeline whispered, terrified that history was repeating itself.

"From the shock of the engagement letter. When you didn't return with us yesterday, she was worried sick and refused to leave the castle, until the butlers had personally dragged her out. Then, the second she gets home, a letter was already waiting for her."

Adeline rapidly blinked her eyes.

"It seems that vermin King was hell-bent on marrying you even before yesterday," Asher growled.

For a split second, Adeline saw a burgundy glint in Asher's hazel eyes. But she brushed it off, believing it was because he was infuriated.

"D-did she wake up yet?" Adeline stuttered. "S-she has to wake up! She is the last memories of M-mother a-and—"

"Shh, it's alright," Asher murmured.

Asher drew her close and tightly embraced her. He felt her shaking in his arms, like a newborn animal. He closed his eyes and hugged her with all of his heart. She was tiny in his arms, and he loved that about her. If only she was not all bones and skin…

Asher grounded his teeth. Every time Adeline was forcibly excused from the dining table, he snuck her some snacks afterward. When the maids "forgot" to inform Adeline of dinner time, Asher made sure she was given a sandwich of some sort. However, it was not enough food for a grown adult.

The Mardens were strict. They made sure to inspect the servants' pockets and bags before entering the estate. They claimed it was a weapon inspection, but Asher knew better than that.

Asher had heard the grumbling complaints of the maids who had snuck in lunch boxes only to be heavily reprimanded. Shortly after, the Mardens began providing the servants with great lunches to prevent them from bringing food into the estate.

"You shouldn't be worrying about Viscountess Eleanor," Asher scolded. She was pressed into his chest, their bodies fitting perfectly together.

"After all that she has done to you, you still feel bad for her?" Asher bit out in an unpleasant voice. "You should be celebrating her sickness instead of worrying about it."

Adeline didn't respond. She felt his arms tighten around her. Her hands were numbly resting upon her sides, not knowing what to do. He rarely hugged her.

"H-how is she…"

"Viscount Marden had called in a Doctor for her, since the ride to the hospital is too far, and he doesn't like the loud noises of the ambulance. It'll be fine. She'll probably wake up soon, though I hope she doesn't."

Adeline instantly shook her head. "N-no, she has to wake up! M-mother loved Aunt E-Eleanor so much and I-I-I—" her voice cracked towards the end.

Adeline had not cried for a long time. It had been a decade since she wept for anything or anyone. Even when the last memory of her parents was ripped from her hands.

When she came to Viscount Marden's estate, holding a dirtied white bunny doll, he had yanked it out of her arm and declared she was too hold for a toy. The plushie was her tenth birthday gift.

"I-I can't live without Aunt E-Eleanor—"

"Hush, it's alright," Asher comforted. Her stutter was worsening, and he could hear the ripe sound of her thundering heart. He nervously licked his parched lips.

"P-please Asher, d-don't leave—"

"Your side?"

Asher stiffened. Adeline's body went rigid.

Instantly, he held her closer to him. Asher could smell the bloodthirst. He felt the murderous presence. Without warning, he spun her around, until Adeline was pressed into the corner of the staircase, far from the vermin's eyes.

"Oh dear, it seems I've misplaced the mousetrap," a cold, cunning voice bemused.

Adeline's heart froze. That voice… that humor… of course he would catch them in a promiscuous position, behind a staircase, like a pair of lovers.

Asher held her behind him, protecting her from the vermin king. "What do you want?" he spat out.

His Majesty's crimson eyes flickered behind the useless bodyguard. Nothing could hide Adeline's grand, sunset pink gown. It was a soft, beautiful color that reminded him of her gentle blush.

"I asked you a question," the bodyguard barked out, like the dog he was.

Elias's lips tugged into a Cheshire grin. His fangs were revealed. They were pearly white and sharper than a knife. Despite the heaters, the air was biting cold. Darkness loomed over them. Shadows danced in the corners, turning into freight some figures of monsters with sharp nails.

"My darling Adeline, come."

Adeline trembled. She snuck a peek over Asher's shoulders. Her heart plummeted to her stomach. Goosebumps nipped at her skin. A shiver crawled down her spine.

A calm man's anger was the scariest thing in the world. Elias was the calm water before a tsunami. His blood-red eyes, dangerous smile, and pale skin painted him as the perfect villain. Dark, handsome, and mysterious, he left her breathless.

"Don't make me repeat myself, my sweet," he cooed.

Adeline shakily took a step to the side. His eyes flickered with amusement, like a predator watching a prey dashing through the fields.

"E-Elias…" she stammered out.

"Don't," Asher growled. He tightly grabbed her wrist, preventing her from going anywhere.

Instantly, Elias's grin widened. Now, he had a good reason to chop off the bodyguard's hand. It will be as easy as beheading a chicken.

"Stay with me, I'll keep you safe," Asher added on.

With this, a cool chuckle rippled through the air. Asher stiffened at the sound, his heart going cold. But he stood his ground, for he was armed, and the King was alone.

Asher could take on the King. He was sure of it.