“Alright,” Elias mused. “Hand it over.”

Adeline didn’t know how he saw it. But he did. She wanted to protest and say it was for her protection. Then, she lifted her gaze towards his handsome face. He was too good looking for her poor heart to handle.

Elias’s red eyes became the color of black cherry, the bright hue no longer visible. He wasn’t angry. However, his brows were taut together, revealing he was going to be displeased if she disobeyed.

“Liddy doesn’t mean harm,” Adeline slowly said. She hid her hands behind her back, offering him a slight smile.

Elias didn’t take no for an answer. He never had to. Thus, he closed the distance between her, his figure like a tower over her. She was a head shorter than him. With flats, she was even shorter.

She reminded him of a small child hiding the stolen cookie from her parents. She was earnest in expression, her eyes a blinding green.

Elias reached a hand out and caressed the side of her face. She flinched in fear, her eyes squeezing shut as she shrank backward.

Instantly, his face froze over.

“Hand the weapon over,” he said with displeasure.

“E-Elias—”

“Give. Me. The. Gun.”

Adeline’s short, panicked breaths were loudly heard. She was trembling now, her head bowed. Her blond hair fell over her face, like a curtain. She was terrified. Not of him, but what he could do.

She was suddenly reminded of Viscount Marden’s glower as he told her to lift her skirts and to grab his desk. Then, he would take out his cane and discipline the back of her legs, until she collapsed to her knees, and could not move for a few minutes.

“I-I w-will but y-you must promise t-to not h-hurt—”

“Darling,” he softly murmured.

Elias was instantly hurt by her reaction. She was stuttering more than usual. Something was bothering her, and he believed it was him. Her face had gone white as a sheet, and she looked like she was going to throw up.

“I’ve scared you.” Elias loudly sighed. He retracted his hand and took a step back. She was trembling before him, like a small prey before a predator.

Fuck.

When she looked at him like that, how could he dare to stay angered? He wanted to cage her in this castle, and placed her in a pretty birdcage for his pleasure. But he could not. He could never restrict her freedom, never trap her, and he didn’t know why.

“Forgive me,” Elias muttered.

Adeline could not lift her head. She was still shaking.

Elias’s gaze darkened. Why did she behave like he had the guts to hurt her? He had never lifted a hand to her before. The thought of hurting her repulsed him. So, who the hell did it? Who was the reason she flinched like this? Who dared to lay a hand on his woman?

Without warning, he turned around. He would get to the bottom of this. And whoever was behind it, he would ensure they’d die of mysterious circumstances.

“T-that’s n-not a proper apology…” she finally whispered out.

Elias had planned to walk out of here. He didn’t want to frighten her even more than he already had. With great reluctance, he swiveled upon his heels, until he was facing her.

She still hid her hands from him.

Elias knew she could never hurt him. She would have plenty of opportunities to steal a knife during meal times. Even the gun in her palm would be useless. She would be too terrified to hurt something, or so he believed.

“Why do you flinch?” he coldly demanded.

Adeline shrank away. She lifted her head, slightly. “I-it’s nothing.”

“Adeline.”

“Elias.”

Elias narrowed his eyes. He glowered down upon her and she shook even more. He let out another sigh. So she was scared of loud voices, glares, and raised hands. It seemed he would have to rip out someone’s throat, gouge out their eyes, and cut off their hands. It would be as easy as butchering a chicken.

“Come here.” His voice had hardened, leaving no room for an argument.

Despite that, Adeline was glued to the ground. She continued watching him through her long lashes.

“I won’t hurt you.”

Adeline swallowed. The words of Viscount Marden rang in her ears. ‘I don’t like hurting you. This is discipline.’ He’d say that with a smile.

Adeline saw his expected stare. She had promised him she would change, but her stammering worsening.

With great hesitation, she took a timid step forward. When he didn’t move, she took another one, and another one, until she finally stood in front of him.

Without warning, Elias yanked her towards him. His arms slid around her waist, pressing her tiny form against his large body. A startled breath left her mouth, and she looked up at him with wide eyes. He was convinced she had a forest trapped within those pupils.

As a result of his action, her hands flew towards his chest, revealing the silver gun in her palms.

“What’s with this puny pistol?” Elias murmured.

Elias touched her hand, despite wanting to caress her face. She hadn’t flinched from him previously. So, why did she do it? Was it because he touched her out of the blue? He would make sure she gets used to his touch.

“Did that cocky Claymore think this would work on me?” Elias stole the gun from her palm, and examined it in front of them. She bit her bottom lips harder, and gripped his satin button-up.

“G-give it to me please,” she said.

“Beg some more.”

“Elias,” she groaned, hitting her forehead upon his chest.

Somehow, being in his arms was comforting. Not many people showed her affection. Lydia was right.

‘My standards are so low, it might as well be underground,’ she thought to herself.

Adeline jumped when his chest suddenly rumbled. He had softly chuckled. The sound sent her heart skipping and her stomach fluttering. It was a pleasant noise.

“Here, you can have your child-size pistol back. I doubt it can even shatter glass.”

Adeline frowned. Maybe she should just shoot his foot. Then, he’d know how powerful the small gun was.

Adeline felt him touch her hand, the cold gun pressing into her warm skin. She leaned back a bit, to take the pistol, but suddenly, he grabbed her wrist.

“Elias?”

Elias was glaring upon her sleeves. He turned her wrist around, his eyes centering upon the stain. “Who dirtied your hand?”

Adeline yanked her wrist back. She was embarrassed to be caught with a soiled sleeve, like a child. “I-it’s nothing.”

“Adeline,” he growled.

“Elias?”

Elias raised a brow. Was she going to continue saying the same thing? Though, he quite liked the sound of his name on her tongue. It flowed out smoothly. She said his name without hesitation. He loved that too much for him to understand why.

“Lydia had pulled a small prank by putting dirt on her face,” Adeline mumbled, without realizing she hadn’t stammered in this sentence. Something about Lydia always makes her feel strong. She didn’t know why.

“So I wiped it off,” Adeline said. “I’m sorry I soiled your dress.”

“It’s your dress, not mine,” he snapped.

Adeline blinked. “But you brought it.”

Elias scoffed. “And I gifted it to you.”

“But why?”

“What use would I have with a dress? Wear it?”

Adeline suppressed a smile. She suddenly imagined his muscular body trapped in a white dress. The thought brought out a small laugh. She buried her face upon his chest, and hid her laughter.

“It would be a spectacular sight for you to wear it…”

Elias chuckled. He dropped the pistol upon the couch, and entwined his hand into her soft, silky locks. He pressed her head closer to his body, embracing her tighter. He felt secure with her in his arms—as if she would never be able to run from him.

Elias could not let her get away again. He had given her too much time. He had not forgotten the day she turned eighteen. A large limousine guarded by black vans pulled up to the Marden Estate. However, they were all turned away, claiming the lady of the house would rather kill herself than get in.

At the thought of this, his gaze darkened. Without warning, he pushed Adeline off of him, catching her by surprise.

“What—”

“I saw you skipped breakfast,” Elias stated in a dark, cunning voice.

Adeline was thrown off by his abrupt frustration. His eyes were as violent as a storm. His face was as peaceful as a breeze. She did not understand him. How did he remain so calm when angered? And why was he so unhappy? Did he argue with himself?

“I had a salad with ample dressing and toppings,” Adeline slowly said.

“Do you take me for a fool?” he coldly demanded.

Adeline felt like there was more to this argument than he was implying. Did he find out what she had done?