Adeline was enjoying breakfast in the dining hall, enjoying her food, when she saw Elias was texting someone. She wondered who it was, but he slid his phone away and met her curious eyes.magic

"I'm telling Weston to check if Dorothy is in her tower," Elias said.

"You can leave my side, it's alright," Adeline responded.

Adeline didn't want to feel like she was weighing him down. He was always at her side, and she was beginning to worry if there was something he urgently needed to do. Elias simply smiled and pushed the morning soup closer to her.

"I'm serious," Adeline said. "Stella and Evelyn are always by my side. It'll be fine."

Elias glanced at her secretary and publicist who were standing by the door of the dining hall. They were discussing something, most likely about her next speech in regards to an update of her condition.

The press was hounding the Royal Family's public relations team about the twins' gender and feature reveal. Everyone was eager to get a glimpse of the children.

"Your wheelchair is arriving this morning. It should be here any minute now," Elias finally relented. He had it custom-made just for her arm length and body. That way, it'd be more comfortable.

"And the railings?" Adeline asked, taking a sip of the soup.

"Being installed as we speak. The maids and butlers just finished cleaning it," Elias stated. Just then, a knock was heard on the door and he allowed them in.

Weston walked in with a troubled expression, but his eyes were dark with irritation, Easton hot on his trails. Easton seemed exhausted by the staircase all the way up the tower, and he visibly showed it by whining to Weston.

Elias suppressed a humored smile and the urge to ask if Weston was finally laid after all these centuries.

"Brother, I can't feel my legs," Easton groaned, leaning against his younger brother.

They could've sped walk up the towers which would only take a few seconds, but Weston said they needed to exercise to stay healthy. The tower was torture for Easton who hated cardio.

"Shut up," Weston hissed, shoving Easton away.

Weston approached the Queen, bowing his head in respect.

"Your Grace," he greeted her. Then, Weston approached the King, his eyes sweeping the room to locate the children. They weren't here.

Weston was immediately worried, but looked at the relaxed Queen. His nerves were settled, realizing she would've panicked even more than him if something happened to the children.

"Her belongings are gone, Your Majesty," Weston placed the note he found on her wooden table.

There were still books and small trinkets remaining in Dorothy's tower, but her clothes and toiletries were nowhere to be seen.

"I suspected as much." Elias took the letter from Weston and undid the wax seal. He read through the contents, his brows raising.

'To my beloved, but brat of a grandson,

My job here is done. I've fulfilled your parents' dying wish and your grandfather's plea for an heir to House Luxton. I've decided it's finally time for my vacation. Beyond the forests and the meadows, you'll know where to find me, for I bleed what you need.

I am ready whenever you are.

Signed,

Your youthful grandmother.'

Elias blinked in disbelief. All this time, what he wished for was right under his nose.

"She's either O positive or negative," Elias stated.

Elias's eyes snapped to Adeline, his lips curling in satisfaction. "We've found you a blood donor to turn you into a Pure-Blood."

Adeline was ecstatic, but worried. "But your grandmother is your last remaining relative. I—"

"She wishes to die and join my parents and grandfather in heaven." Elias folded the letter and glanced at Weston who was ready for the next command.

"She's going to sacrifice herself for me," Adeline breathed out, feeling guilty that she was going to take another's life in exchange for hers.

"Call it whatever you please, we're still draining her blood," Elias nonchalantly said, his heart pricking with the realization that he'd need to kill his own grandmother.

To turn a human into a Pure-Blood, almost all blood had to be drained from their body. It was extremely dangerous and difficult. Most Pure-Bloods die in the process, but some live to tell the tale.

"However, you're still young and we have a far future ahead of us," Elias slowly said. "Let's wait and debate until we truly need to turn you."

Adeline knew the rewards were high, but so were the risks. She said nothing and nodded her head, returning to the food, wondering if it was alright to peacefully act like everything was alright."For now," Adeline slowly said. "We should give it some thought and give your grandmother time to change her mind or—"

"She's made up her mind," Elias stated. "But yes, for now, we'll let her live out her final days in the place that she and my grandfather used to escape to. The memories of them are strongest there, and she'll be happy in her last moments."

Adeline was shocked at his words. Everyone was. They weren't used to his selflessness. Even the twins looked at the King like a stranger, and they had been friends for centuries.

Elias rolled his eyes at their shocked expression. "Don't look so astonished, darling. Who was it that taught me compassion?"

Adeline's lips twitched. She tried to suppress a smile as she pushed the empty plate aside to enjoy her morning pastries. It was nice seeing how much Elias had developed. He was much kinder than in the past.

"Are you going to respond to her?" Adeline asked, peering at the letter. She wasn't surprised by Dorothy's neat script handwriting that she could barely read.

"Yes. In paper and quill ink, since she's old-fashioned. We can literally send messages in a second, and she still decides to use letters," Elias sighed, shaking his head.

"I think letters are nice. People rarely send them anymore, especially with a wax seal," Adeline commented, looking down at the letter. "And look, she even attached dried flowers on the wax seal. How pretty."

"It was a tradition started by the first Queen, Your Grace" Weston muttered. "It was very popular back in the days."

Adeline blinked. She wasn't surprised. The letter was aesthetic to look at. Anyone would feel special in this era to receive something so pretty and handmade.

Before she could say anything else, Weston spoke up. "Your Grace, where are the royal highnesses?"

"With their nannies," Elias spoke for Adeline. "They've been fed, then burped by Adeline, before they were put to sleep."

Elias was the one that helped the babies drink from the bottle. He did it one by one, so Adeline would have time to hug them and help them burp. He knew she was severely attached to them, from the way she lovingly embraced them, her eyes closed, and her face on their head. It was difficult to separate her from the babies.

"Your Majesty! Since you've hired nannies…" Easton suddenly spoke up, eager to stop having so much work piled onto him. He wasn't used to that kind of load. "Would you like to return to your usual stack of documents—"

"Your brain is often missing a few cells," Elias said. "It seems you'd like more workload to make you smarter. I shall grant you that wish."

"No, I—"

"Now, you're excused," Elias shooed at Easton, turning to his wife. "Your wheelchair should be here by now. The flowers you planted are in full bloom. Let's go and view them."

Adeline blinked. She looked at the pouting Easton who was on the verge of tears, and Weston who was engrossed on his phone, likely texting someone. Then, she peered back at Elias who was staring at her expectantly.

She lightly laughed and nodded her head.

"With our children?" Adeline asked, already missing them.

Elias's face turned gloomy. He peered at her for a moment and debated the options. He wanted to spend more alone time with her… and get her on birth control soon. He was already yearning for her touch again, her nails digging into his back, and her body writhing in pleasure under him.

With the children around… not much can be done.

"They should be up from their nap by now," Adeline added, completely oblivious to his thoughts.

"Fine," Elias finally relented. "The baby cribs with heavy sunblock screens should be ready as well. A walk in the gardens as a family it is."