Just as Elias climbed into the bed, Adeline spoke up. "Will you really show me what's downstairs?"

Elias settled comfortably into the blankets. He laid down and opened his arms out for her. Adeline remained sitting, her lips pulled into a slight frown. He smirked at her disgruntled expression. The bed dipped when he leaned sideways and grabbed her waist.

Adeline remained seated in the bed, even when she felt the pressure tug of his arm.

"I will," Elias promised.

"And you won't try to clean the basement, get rid of whatever is down there, and move things without my permission?"

"Any more loopholes you can think of, darling?" Elias returned, rolling his eyes. "Do you really have that little trust in me?"

"Yes."

"Smart girl." Elias's smirk widened when she pushed his arm off of her waist. He liked this side of her the most. She must've thought she was so strong and arrogant, but she was just adorable and feisty.

"Promise me," Adeline said.

"You should really have more faith in me," Elias said. At this, she instantly got off the bed.

Elias raised a sharp brow. He watched as she walked around the bed, seemingly headed for the door. He quickly got up, ready to grab her, but she surprised him by locking the doors. He gawked when she walked to the curtains, grabbed the magnetic ropes that tied the curtains together, then headed for the doors again. She clasped the metal rope around the door handles, and stood by it.

"You better not do anything to leave this room before sunrise."

"Oh god, you're so dramatic," Elias said. He stood up and pulled the magnetic clasp off. "We're only taking a nap. Don't tell me you plan to skip dinner and sleep until morning?"

"I am."

Elias sighed. He turned to her and grabbed her shoulders. "You need to eat dinner now then. Not later."

"I'm not hungry."

"Adeline," he warned.

She shook her head. Elias's fingers dug into her skin, his face twisted into a scowl. "You had nothing but cakes and small sandwiches the entire day. You need to eat dinner. Or else, I am going to do everything you don't want me to."

"You were going to do them anyways."

"I—"

"I told you to promise me, but you didn't and tried to change the subject. Don't take me for a fool, I know what kind of man you are!" Adeline argued whilst shaking her shoulders and getting him off of her.Elias let out a loud sigh. He ran a hand through his hair. "The basement won't entertain you! It's basically an underground holding cell for criminals caught in the castle."

"W-what?" Adeline said. She was shocked that something like this even existed! "What happens to the criminals?"

"The ones that we deem are useless to hold downstairs will be sent to the nearest police."

"And the ones that are dangerous?" Adeline whispered.

"That depends."

Adeline pressed her lips together. She had a feeling there was more that he was leading on. She let out a small sigh, wondering if she had worried for nothing.

"I don't want you downstairs because you shouldn't concern yourself with the lowlifes. I'll deal with the dirty work. You can continue focusing your time and attention on the citizens," Elias explained in a softer voice.

He didn't mean to raise his voice at her. She was testing his patience, and there was only so much he could do to control himself. It was strange. Whenever he was infuriated, he would keep his anger in check.

The angrier he was, the more menacing his smile was. He hid his displeasure through grins and laughter. But when it came to Adeline, he could only raise his voice. It was like she knew what made him tick like a time bomb. Only she had the ability to affect him this much. It was a startling and terrifying realization.

"Does anyone else know of the cellar's existence?" Adeline asked.

"Yes, the twins, and a handful of selected staffs."

"And who has the keys?"

"I do," Elias said.

"Only you?"

"Yes, of course," Elias mused.

Elias could practically see the lightbulb hovering over her head. The gears inside of her brain were churning, and she had probably formulated an idea. Poor Adeline. She would never expect her husband to be ten footsteps ahead of her already.

"I want to see it," Adeline said.

"Why?"

"I'll hold onto it, in case you try to go downstairs with the key."

"Do you really have that little faith in me?"

Adeline threw him a pointed look.

Elias loudly sighed. He walked towards his discarded clothes near the closet and reached into his suit pocket. Shortly afterwards, he returned to Adeline with a silver key.

"Such a smart girl you are," he dryly remarked.

Adeline took the key from him, holding onto it tightly."Don't even think about sneaking downstairs when I'm asleep," Elias said. "I never sleep."

Adeline rolled her eyes. "Who do you think I am?"

Elias threw her the same, pointed look. "Someone who loves to get herself into trouble."

Adeline scoffed. Smart boy. "I'm hungry now," she said.

Elias snorted at her words. "I knew you'd say that. Now that you're done wasting your energy into this argument, let's get you fed."magic

- - - - -

Adeline wasn't sure how she would get Elias to drink the vial without him being too suspicious of her. Stella had entered with the tea, but then was instructed to inform the chef to begin cooking dinner.

Adeline and Elias ate on the balcony, watching the sun set beautifully into the night sky. The entire time, she couldn't focus on her favorite scenery. She was too busy watching him, waiting for the right moment to pour the drink into his cup. But he drank nothing tonight.

"You don't want wine?" Adeline asked. "You always drink it with your meals."

"It's not wine."

Adeline's brows wrung together. Then, what was in the cups he always drank from?

Sensing her confusion, Elias's lips stretched into a smile. He settled his spoon onto the table. "Why do you ask? Would you like a sip?"

Adeline perked up at the opportunity. She nodded her head and rose out of the chair. "Yes, I'll grab it for you."

Elias narrowed his eyes at her suspicious movements. "The wine is stored in a special place, with the perfect humidity and temperature. You wouldn't know where to find it."

"Oh." Adeline's shoulders sagged in disappointment. She took a seat and softly sighed, pushing the food on her plate around. She hadn't touched the lobster bisque soup at all.

Seeing her slight pout, Elias chuckled. "I will grab it for you, how does that sound?"

Adeline instantly nodded. "I've never tried wine before…"

"You'll like it," Elias wryly said. "Especially with how fast you drank that night you supposedly snuck out of the Marden Estate."

At the mention of the Mardens, Adeline shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She still didn't know what to think of Elias's actions. She couldn't get the image of the Marden's battered body out of her mind. Lydia said their bodies were found in suspicious states…

"Seeing as you're a light-weight, I'll grab white wine for you."

Elias rose out of his chair and eyed her movements. "Don't you dare go downstairs when I'm gone."

Adeline wryly smiled. "I trust you. So, I'll stay put."

Elias let out a scoff. Sure she did. "I'm serious, darling. I won't take this betrayal well."

Adeline nodded her head. "But only if you don't go out to instruct the twins to move the stuff downstairs."

"I won't."

"Then I won't go downstairs."

Elias narrowed his eyes. He headed for the doors, and shut it quietly behind him. She wouldn't dare leave, when he could instantly go downstairs and come up in the blink of an eye.

With that thought in mind, he went to fetch the wine.