Lydia hesitated, feeling a slight sense of fear. But then she remembered who she was, and squared her shoulders. "Elias," Adeline gently stated. Elias ignored the vine clinging onto his woman's arm. He reached down and touched her chin, bringing her face higher up. "Come, I have a surprise for you." Elias gingerly pressed into the tender spot of her small chin. She blinked a bit, her eyes darting from the unruly Claymore, then back to him. "M-my friend…" Elias's grip tightened. She didn't even flinch. "She can come too, but as the mere daughter of a Duke, will walk behind us." Adeline slowly shook her head. Then, she was hesitant, knowing she had just disobeyed the Monarch in control of the government. Without warning, she shook her head again. "Lydia is my best friend, I will walk

