Her Devious King

Bewitched

Adeline was hurt. Her heart was stabbed by his painful words—not a friend. How could she forget? No matter the past between them, their relationship had diminished to a meager friendship. She did not hate it. She was used to it.

Despite her sullen mood, she forced a smile. Although, in her eyes, it came out as a grimace. She did not wish to upset him in such a festive place, with hushed chatter and elegant music.

Adeline quickly searched for something to distract them from the awkward conversation. Aunt Eleanor was nowhere to be found. However, she would rather not bring that up.

Eventually, she spotted something interesting.

"What's that?" Adeline asked.

In Asher's hand was something that looked out of place—considering his size and nature. He was well-built, with muscles from constant exercise. Seeing a grown man like him holding a plate of cake humored her to the extent of widening her smile. Eventually, her happiness became genuine.

"A piece of cake," Asher shyly said.

Suddenly, Asher's frustration was forgotten. Enamoured by her dazzling charm, he was reduced to a fumbling mess. He couldn't help it, she always brought out this embarrassing side to him.

"For me?" Adeline breathlessly asked, her eyes growing larger.

There it came, her child-like wonder. He was momentarily mesmerized by her soft, beautiful features. The air was stolen from his lungs.

"O-of course." At the stutter, Asher inwardly cursed. He would never swear in front of her. Goodness no, he would never taint her ears like that.

Asher cleared his throat. "I know Viscountess Eleanor placed that horrendous diet on you, but she's being distracted by a group of gossiping elderly women. Thus, I found your favorite cake."

It was clear as day. Adeline's somber mood was gone, as if it was never there in the first place. When she was truly happy, her eyes would lighten in shade, until it resembled soft, plush grass on a rainy day.

He was captivated. Bewitched, even.

"Can I have it?" Adeline requested excitedly.

Asher swallowed. Hard. When Adeline peered up at him like that, he wanted to hide her from everyone. He wished to bring her, far, far away from this continent. Maybe then, she would always smile like this.

"Of course," Asher said. "Who else would I give this lemon meringue tart to?"

Adeline extended both of her hands. They were cupped together, as if she was going to receive the national treasure. Her heart was pitter-pattering with joy.

She was starving. The whole morning and afternoon, Aunt Eleanor had deprived her of food, just so she could fit into the body-hugging, ivory ball gown. Everyone there was dressed in majestic colors. The ballroom resembled a rainbow, but Adeline preferred plain and simple.

It was what her mother enjoyed. Thus, she enjoyed it as well.

"Thank you," Adeline gratefully said.

Adeline took the dessert fork from his other hand. It was small and no longer than a man's finger. She eagerly stabbed the utensil through the juicy pastry.

Adeline brought the fork into her mouth, tart and tangy flavors bursting on her tongue. She closed her eyes and moaned in relief. It was delicious. Her shoulders relaxed in pure ecstasy.

"It's delicious," Adeline wistfully sighed.

Ever the innocent woman, she was not aware of the burning eyes watching her every movent. Nor did she fathom the thoughts that ran through their minds. Four people had fixated their attention on her.

Adeline was completely oblivious. Especially towards their unruly intent of undressing her right then and there.

"What are you eating?" a shrill voice demanded.

Adeline cringed, her eardrums nearly shattering from the unpleasant noise. It resembled nails on a blackboard tone froze her fingers. She had barely taken a third bite when the plate disappeared from her grasp.

"You're supposed to be on a diet, Adeline," Aunt Eleanor scolded.

Aunt Eleanor had worked so hard to get the young woman into the dress. It would only take a few mouthfuls of food for the corset to burst and the clips to open! How embarrassing would that be?

In a ballroom of women with hourglass figures and thin, yet elegant bodies, Adeline stood out like a sore thumb. In Aunt Eleanor's eyes, Adeline should not be eating. At all. For the next few weeks. A woman should eat no more than what a bird consumed.

"Goodness, look at your belly, it's protruding like your lips. What did I say about pouting like this?" Aunt Eleanor nagged on.

Aunt Eleanor placed a hand on Adeline's shoulder and another behind her back to straighten the young woman's spine.

"Stand up taller," Aunt Eleanor ordered. "It's because you're behaving like this that no man has danced with you."

Adeline stiffened. "Auntie, what are you talking about? I was just—"

"Viscountess Eleanor, surely Adeline can let herself go for one night? She has already begun eating the tart. It is impolite to not finish her plate," Asher immediately came to her rescue.

Asher had witnessed how swiftly sunshine could become a storm. Especially with her glum stare and lowered shoulders.

"Absolutely not. Adeline has eaten enough bites for the night," Aunt Eleanor asserted. It was her duty to marry Adeline off. But if Eleanor couldn't control something as simple as an appetite, how else was she going to control the rebellious woman?

Adeline was still confused. "Auntie, what did you mean when you said I wasn't dancing—"

"Adeline," Asher interrupted. "Aunt Eleanor is right," he agreed slowly, almost convinced of the same thing.

In an instant, her face fell, her happiness gone. "But—"

"It seems the ball is coming to an end," Aunt Eleanor exasperated. She released a loud, disappointed sigh. "Yet another wasted dress. What's the point of dolling you up if no one dances with you?

Adeline was absolutely floored. What exactly was going on?! She was dancing with someone! For quite a long time, too. Her foot was hurting from that dance. He was slow, but rough with her, pulling and molding her to the way he wanted. Everyone should have witnessed that.

"Oh, nevermind!" Aunt Eleanor huffed. She waved her hand, as if shooing away a pet. "Servant, bring her to the car and make sure she doesn't wander off. I will be out soon."

Asher's expression darkened at the title. Servant. For Adeline's sake, he kept his mouth shut. Pivoting on his heels, he nodded in her direction.

"Come, Princess," Asher seethed.

Adeline noticed his taut shoulders, they were firmer than usual. His hands were curled into fists two shades lighter than his tanned skin. He was furious and her heart raced with fear. Not because of him.

"Alright," Adeline whispered, her voice a ghost of an echo. He didn't hear her.

Adeline walked off with Asher directly alongside her. The whole time, she kept her head low and hands tucked. She did not wish to give Aunt Eleanor another excuse to lecture her. Surely, she would receive a harsh slap on the mouth for eating.