Her Devious King

Nowhere to be seen

"How may I help you, honored guest?" he politely asked.

"Did everyone leave…?"

"Yes, honored guest. Everyone went home a little over an hour ago."

Adeline was bewildered. Her stomach churned uncomfortably with the answer. It couldn't have been possible for her to be in the hallways for that long. At most, ten or fifteen minutes have passed. But an hour? It was beyond her wildest dreams.

"Shall I escort you outside, honored guest? Perhaps your chaperone is waiting for you outside as we speak."

Adeline instantly nodded her head. But first, she snuck a glance at the male servant. On his breast pocket, was an embroidered drawing of a thorn-covered crown. The symbol of the Luxton family.

He was a trusted servant of the castle.

Her raised shoulders relaxed a bit. "Yes please," she softly said.

The male servant bowed his head in response. Each and every guest invited into the ballroom was someone of high wealth or power. Or else, they could only dream of getting an invitation. The people selected here were far more prestigious than anyone could imagine, especially the dazzling daughters of fine features. After all, this was a gathering to select a suitable woman to wed his Majesty, the King.

The servant didn't dare to disrespect anyone. Even if she was a mere human.

"Come with me, honored guest—"

"There will be no need, Marlow."

The servant raised his head, startled by the calm and composed voice. The temperature around them dipped below the freezing point. If possible, icicles bloomed on top of the ballroom ceilings, despite the warm Autumn.

"Your Majesty!" Marlow hurriedly greeted. He dipped into an even lower bow, as low as his upper body would allow it. He began to tremble in his shoes. There were terrifying, satanic rumors surrounding the tyrannical King.

None dared to offend him, for they never lived to tell the tale. Murder was a punishment worthy of imprisonment, but who'd dare to put one of the most powerful Pure-Bred in the world?

His Majesty's frigid eyes swept over the scene. His gaze narrowed upon Adeline. What was she doing here? He thought she had fled into the night. He had stationed people at the exit of the ball to grab her. But they came up empty-handed and claimed a woman of startling yellow hair and brilliant green eyes were nowhere to be seen.

"Marlow, go and join the rest of your peers," His Majesty cooly said. His voice was clipped, and left no room for argument—not that anyone dared to.

Marlow didn't need to be told twice. He hurriedly nodded and ran off, like a frightened animal freed from a heinous trap. He quickly picked up the mops and resumed his work.

"Elias—Your Majesty," she quickly corrected.

Adeline tightly gripped the sides of her dress. She was too worried by the sight of him to care about wrinkling her gown. Aunt Eleanor would give her an earful later. But she needed something to distract her from his grand title.

He cast her a heartless glance. Without warning, he turned around and walked off.

Adeline stood there like a lost child. She sullenly glanced at the ground, wondering if was going to leave her here. She would have to navigate this enormous castle to find the exit. But if her memory did not betray her, she would find it without too much trouble.

"Don't just stand there like an abandoned pet."

Adeline lifted her head, slightly happy at his words.

"Hurry along, my confused citizen."

Adeline's shoulders dropped in disappointment. Citizen…? It was the appropriate phrase, but she was not used to it. As horribly unoriginal as his nickname was for her, she preferred it much more than the cold "citizen."

Seeing her stand there like an i***t, Elias let out a small sigh. He stopped directly in front of her. She didn't even take a step back.

"Come," he coaxed her.

Adeline suppressed the naughty image that flashed in her head. He offered her a hand, large and calloused. She peered down at it, recalling how it felt upon her soft skin. With slow hesitation, she placed her hand over his palms. Instantly, he wrapped his fingers around her tiny ones.

His hand was cold. It was like she had touched the first fall of snow. For some reason, she did not mind it. Her fingers had been warm from her tight fists. Fire and ice. Together, they balanced each other out.

"That's a good girl," he teased.

Eventually, the silence worried Adeline. She was practically being dragged by him, her short legs unable to meet his long ones. His grip on her hand had tightened, unwilling to let her go. She felt like she had fallen into a trap.

"T-that male servant," Adeline managed out. "Marlow… He was quite kind."

Elias came to a halt. His lips twitched when she bumped into him, nose-first. A small "ow" was heard. But he looked forward, resisting the urge to taunt her.

"I didn't know you knew t-the servants by name," Adeline added on.

Elias raised a brow. Was she making small talk? For a split second there, he felt an unpleasant feeling in his chest. It was uncomfortable.

"Servants should always be greeted well. They serve, cloth, and feed you." Elias continued walking. He was fully aware that she was being pulled forward. This was not how he usually walked. But he wanted to give her a small punishment for escaping for this long.

"T-that's a first…"

Elias stopped again. This time, she caught herself before bumping into him. What did she mean by that? He sharply turned around, revealing cold, cunning eyes reserved solely for her.

She naively looked up at him, revealing a slight smile paired with hesitant eyes. She was like a small deer watching her predator, gouging when it was the time to flee for her life. Right now, would be the right chance.

"W-well, it's just, there are some aristocrats who mistreat their people."

"I know."

Adeline blinked. "And well uhm… I was just saying, it's a f-first that I've seen someone treat the s-servants so well, besides my parents' o-of course."

"Adeline," he deadpanned.

She jumped at the abrupt address, her eyes widening a bit. Like an inquisitive little animal, she tilted her head and watched his reaction.

"Are you nervous?"

"A-a bit…"

"Why?"

"I-I don't know—"

"You do."

Adeline bit her bottom lips. "W-who wouldn't be nervous in front of His Majesty? You can kill me with just one order."

Elias let out harsh laughter. "And you tried to kill me just yesterday. What do you have to say about that?"

"I-it was for a good reason—"

"If you kill a sinner, the amount of sinners in this world remains."

Adeline tightened her hands, but forgot one of them was enveloped in his. Amusement twinkled in his bright red eyes. He could sense her nervousness. He should've, for her hands had gone clammy with cold sweat.