"Your Grace, where are we going?" Stella asked when she saw the Queen walk past the grand staircase leading to the first floor.

Stella thought the Queen had adhered her advice and would stick to the main schedule. The quaint woman ignored her question and continued walking until they stopped by another door that surprised Stella.

She knew the castle like the back of her hand, for she had worked here for a while now, and worked her way up from a janitor to a secretary. How did the Queen know of this staircase? It wasn't painted on the map!

"Please wait upstairs," Adeline said, turning to her people.

Adeline didn't want Elias's secrets to be revealed to anyone but her. She twisted the ruby ring on her finger, wondering what his reaction would be to her discovery.

"But we must accompany you wherever you go, Your Grace, to ensure your safety," Stella slowly said, her voice filled with confusion and exasperation.

"It's dusty down there, just as you said. I don't want my precious employees to breath it in and get sick," Adeline mused, the corners of her mouth lifting into a soft smile.

Stella's face went blank. She didn't expect her own words to be turned against her like this! It wasn't like she could take back what was said, now that it was being wielded by the Queen. Hesitant and unwilling to obey, she opened her mouth to speak again.

"I won't repeat myself," Adeline coldly said. "Wait upstairs for me. If I need anyone, I will call for them."

"The doors to downstairs are locked," Evelyn finally said. "And none of us have the keys, Your Grace."

Locked and staff has no access? Now, Adeline really wanted to go downstairs. What could be down there that was this secluded and hidden? What was His Majesty's devious secrets?

Adeline pressed her lips together. "I see."

The staff were relieved. But she surprised them by opening the staircase door regardless and walking down the stairs.

"Your Grace!" They called back, but it was too late.

Adeline was descending the staircase, the air turning cold with each step. She was dressed in her long-sleeve blouse, but still shivered. It was as if they kept the temperature in the basement cold on purpose. Was it really a storage room?

Adeline reached the bottom of the stairs, where, sure enough, there was a door. And only a door. Nothing more, nothing less. The door was cold to the touch, most likely made of heavy, impenetrable metal. She pressed her ears to it, wondering if she'll hear anything. Thus, she knocked, a heavy echo following after her.

Nothing.Not even a stir or the pitter patter of a mouse running. She wondered what was beyond this door. There wasn't even a window for her to look through.

"Such a disobedient thing you are."

Adeline gasped as she whipped around. Her heart raced in her chest, caught off guard by the malicious and deadly voice. She was surprised to see Elias, leaning against the railing. He had crossed one leg over the other, and observed her with his arms crossed. He was so devastatingly beautiful that a painter would cry at the sight of him.

She gulped when his ruby-red eyes met hers. Frigid and icy, his gaze was colder than Antarctica. His lips were pulled into a grim line, a vein popping on his forehead. His sharp jaws were clenched, a fine line that could cut through stone.

"What is beyond these doors?" Adeline asked.

"You're trespassing, Adeline."

Not the full name… Adeline felt like a child caught doing something wrong. She pressed herself against the door, even though Elias wasn't approaching her. His presence consumed the entire staircase, sucking the air from her lungs. It felt difficult to breathe.

They were three feet apart, but it felt like he was directly in front of her. The air practically crackled at the electricity of his intense glare.

"You wanted me to tour the castle, so I'm touring it from the ground up."

"Did the staff not tell you to start from the first floor?" he said in a deep voice, infuriated at her disobedience.

"The more you try to keep secrets from me, the more I want to know," she defiantly said.

Elias let out a harsh laugh. It caused her to flinch, the sound ringing in her ears. His laughter was as cruel as the crack of a whip. She didn't like that. Her heart raced a little bit faster, her palms growing clammy.

"You want so much, but give so little," he seethed.

"I don't keep secrets from you," she shot back. "I never have."

"Good."

"Elias."

Elias straightened. He cast her a hardened glare. "I'm still pissed. Don't test my limits. Now get upstairs. I'll punish you later."

Adeline glowered back at him. "I'm not leaving until you tell me what's beyond these doors."

In the blink of an eye he was in front of her. She jumped, as a hand slammed an inch besides her head. Adeline swore her heart stopped right then and there. She suddenly wanted to run, run far, far away from here. She could hear his haggard breathing, rough and wild, as he attempted to keep his temper in control.

"Darling," he softly uttered, his other hand grasping her fingers. He squeezed it, lacing their fingers together whilst resting his head upon her shoulder."Let's tour the castle together. I'll take you to my favorite spot. There is a place in the palace where you witness the sunset in all of its glory."

Adeline was nearly convinced by his words. She liked sunsets—the way the majestic blue sky melted into a blur of orange, pink, and lavender. It was a sight she was always mesmerized by, as golden hour hit and warm sunlight flooded her skin.magic

As beautiful as everything was, she pulled her hand back. "I want to see what's beyond these doors, not sunsets."

Elias gritted his teeth. He grabbed for her hand again and she moved it away. She was testing his patience far too much today.

He raised his head to catch a glimpse of her face, knowing her gentle, earnest eyes were enough to soften his cruel, stony heart. There was a reason he couldn't look her in the eye, as powerful as he was.

She was his one and only weakness. That son of a bitch from Kastrem was right. And Elias despised this more than anything in the world. He never had a weakness, never had a visible flaw.

Elias Luxton was the embodiment of perfection. Flip to the word "perfect" in the dictionary, and there would be a picture of him.

Adeline let out a small sigh. "I never hide anything from you. When you want to know something, I always tell you. I told you were my Uncle's contract was, told you all of my deepest darkest secrets, and everything you wish to find out."

"I'll show you what's beyond these doors tomorrow, darling."

"I don't believe you," Adeline shot back, knowing he could easily remove everything from beyond the door and erase everything there was to change.

"I could always wipe your memories here, and warp your perspective, darling."

"Then do it," Adeline softly said. "And wipe my memory of you whilst you're at it."

Elias gritted his teeth. "Adeline, don't be unreasonable. I am trying to protect you—"

"You always get your way, don't you?" Adeline muttered, her voice firm and resolute, even amidst the dent he created in the metal door, and his infuriated glare.

"You forced your way into my conversation with the Mardens, forced yourself into every conversation between me and Lydia, forcefully erased my childhood memories, and well, must I go on?"

Adeline shoved him off off her, despite the thunder cloud rolling over his face. The temperature dropped even lower around them, his breathing heavy and rough.

"Don't you dare turn me against you like this—"

"Are you the cause of the Mardens suicide?" Adeline returned.

"Adeline—"

"Answer the question!" she demanded, as she stood upon the staircase, looking down at him. It was the first time she was taller than him, and he had never looked so small in her eyes.

Elias's gaze searched her face. He thought she was descending into madness, but the more he looked at her, the more sane she felt, and insane he appeared. He let out a small sigh, unable to understand why he was so infuriated.

Perhaps it was because she was so close to discovering one of his devious sins—torturing a man she deeply cherished, and killing her family. Remnants of the Marden's blood were still on the wall, and so was a few pieces of their discarded clothes. Maybe even a fingernail or two…

"I am the cause of their death," Elias coldly said.