"Is there something wrong with the castle food?" Elias calmly asked in a frigid voice, a cruel smile upon his sharp features. His eyes were set ablaze. It was just food. Eating it was as easy as opening the mouth, chewing, then swallowing. Surely, it wasn't too hard for her?

"No, the food is delicious," Adeline admitted. She brushed strands of hair behind her ears, searching for a way to distract herself.

Adeline didn't like his frustration. She would've preferred it if he was violent. That way, she could predict his next moves. But he was too peaceful, even when irked. She couldn't understand how and why. What gave him this much patience?

"Then why won't you eat, Adeline?" Elias asked.

Adeline wrung her fingers together. He was intensely watching her, his gaze boring a hole into her skull. She wondered if he knew what she was thinking. But mind-reading was not a written power of a Pure-Bred. Or so, she hoped it… it would be a terrifying ability.

"I'm sorry," she finally said.

Elias loudly sighed. He settled the plate of cookies onto the table. Then, he gripped her chin. He forced her to look up at him. She had a habit of lowering her head and gaze. It was not the behavior of a Princess.

"Don't apologize when you did nothing wrong," he snapped.

"But you're mad at me."

"I—" he paused.

Elias didn't realize he was irritated at her. He pressed his lips together. "I'm not mad at you."

Adeline naively blinked up at him. Suddenly, she reached a hand up and touched his face. Elias froze.

"Your eyes… they're burning right through me."

Elias swallowed. He had always enjoyed touching her soft skin. Strangely, wherever she touched, it tingled. Whether or not she was aware of the effect, she didn't show it.

"I'm not mad," he repeated in a firmer voice.

Elias gingerly grabbed her wrist and pulled her hand away from his face. It was hurting her. He saw her stand upon her tippy-toes.

"But you will eat," he said.

Elias noted her sullen frown. Her eyes slightly shifted left and right. What was she doing? Calculating?

"Eat what…?" she slowly asked.

Elias narrowed his eyes. He recalled her untouched salad. She was good at fooling people. He thought she had taken a bite of the food, but in reality, she had played with it.

The fork never went inside of her mouth.

"Soup and sandwich," Elias responded. It would be difficult to hide the soup portion from dwindling.

"Okay."

"You're going to drink the soup with a spoon and eat the sandwich with your hands, no fork and knife."

Adeline's shoulders dropped.

Elias's eyes turned cold. He knew it. She was deliberately tricking him. But why? What was the reason for starving herself? Did she find pleasure in doing so? She weighed like a feather. What more did she want?!

"I'm doing this for your own good, Adeline." "Sure, Elias."

- - - - -

Adeline thought she could get away with it. No one ever noticed it. The technique she used was never pointed out by anyone. Except him. She unwillingly sat upon the same chair as earlier.

Elias was sitting at the head of the table, intently watching her. He didn't have a plate of food in front of him. There was a thin wine glass beside him, to which he didn't even touch.

"If roasted tomato soup and club sandwich doesn't suit you, something else will be prepared." Elias's voice was stern. He left no room for arguments. magic

"I-it's fine," Adeline said.

Adeline warily glanced upon the club sandwich. She heard it was popular in the western side of the world. There were three slices of bread, with honey ham, lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese. It was a lovely blend of vegetables, but too much for her.

"Adeline," Elias gently said. "Staring at the food won't make it go away."

Adeline nodded. She picked up the spoon and quietly drank the soup. Etiquette was easy for her. She had been trained for a decade. The soup was manageable; since, the soup consisted of blended tomatoes and vegetable stock. Unfortunately, the sandwich would be too much for her to handle.

"I'm full," she said.

Elias glanced upon her bowl. She was seated directly towards his right, where he could see everything she was doing. She could try to slit his throat right now, and he'd know. Well, he'd know in advance, but it was fun watching her.

He noted the soup was half empty. Did she not like it? Perhaps it was too dense for her empty stomach.

"And the sandwich?" he genuinely asked.

Adeline frowned upon the bread. She gingerly picked up half of the sandwich, took a tiny bite from the corners, and placed it down.

"F-finished."

Elias stared intently at her.

Adeline picked up the sandwich again, taking another bite. She chewed and swallowed, much to her fear.

"Are you going to continue watching me?" she whispered.

Elias noticed she hadn't stuttered. Was she upset then? He had pinpointed she stammered only when she was nervous or anxious. When she was at ease or angered, she did not stutter.

"Yes, I am."

Adeline pressed her lips together. She looked up at him, and he had never glanced away.

"W-what did Easton's brother come in for?"

Elias raised a brow. "Would you like to know the full details, my darling Adeline?"

She instantly nodded.

Elias revealed a cunning smile. "A bite for a sentence."

She shook her head. "Nevermind then."

"Adeline," he growled.

"Elias," she mumbled.

He let out a loud sigh. "Why are you doing this to me?"

She scowled. "I don't like wasting food, so I didn't ask for it."

"Did that chaperone of yours put you up to this?" he asked in a low and controlled voice. Adeline stiffened. Elias noticed right away.

"Viscountess Marden was it?" Elias sneered. Before she could even respond, he was already up and standing.

"I-I'll eat!" Adeline cried out.

Elias sharply turned towards her. "You had your chance."

Adeline picked up the sandwich and stood up as well. He was already heading out of the large dining room. She ran after him, half of the sandwich at hand.

Catching him by surprise, she whirled in front of him. "She did nothing wrong," she slowly said.

Elias glanced upon her sandwich. What? Did she think she could convince him with such pathetic excuses?

Adeline caught him by surprise. She willingly gripped his hand, holding it tightly, as if it could keep him in place. Then, she showed him the sandwich and took a bite. One after the other, until there was none left.

"S-see…" Adeline trailed off, after swallowing the food.

Elias glowered at her. Adeline held his gaze. She was trapped in the pool of bright red. He was furious. But not at her. She refused to look away, refused to back down. This man could kill her. He'd do it with the flick of his wrist. Or even worst, suck her dry. But she stood her ground.

Finally, he sighed.

Adeline jolted when he touched her mouth. Elias brushed the crumbles off her mouth. Fearing he would eat it, she licked the crumb from his thumb. It was a mistake. She knew it right away, when his gaze darkened.

"Don't test me, Adeline," he growled out.

Adeline didn't understand what he meant. She had hoped none of the servants saw them. But with his large figure swallowing her tiny one, she doubt they did.

"I didn't mean to, Elias," she said.

Elias's hand furled into a fist. The slight dart of her little pink tongue had nearly driven him mad. He was always great at controlling himself— even when her sweet scent swarmed him, and her soft skin was a remembrance of that night. But just that small action alone was enough for him to risk it all.

"I think that was five bites," she said, holding up five fingers. "S-so you have to tell me five sentences."

Elias revealed a wry smile. "Didn't you say the deal was off, darling?"

Adeline shook her head. "I changed my mind."

Elias simply shrugged. "It's too late for that."

Adeline tightened her hold upon his hand. "Please?"

Elias threw her a deadpanning look. What? Did she think she could just pat her pretty little lashes at him, and he'd readily agree? Because damn right, he would.

"Please, I want to know," she added on, coming closer to him.

"Adeline—"

"I-it involved me, didn't it?"

Elias needed the patience of a saint to deal with her. Unable to deny her request, he let out an aggravated sigh. Without warning, he yanked her out of the door, pulling her down the hallways. She tripped a bit, but he ignored it. Surprisingly, she caught up to him, her little legs breaking into a small jog.

"Why do you insist on walking beside me?" he genuinely asked.

"B-because a husband and wife are equals…"

Elias let out a small scoff. Did she even fathom the position she was in?

Adeline was a mere human, wagering her life before him? Adeline had practically signed her soul away to a demon. Yet, she had the guts and pride to say she was the equal of a demon.

And she said he was shameless.

As if.

"Even if you don't like it, you will have to learn to like it," she said in a soft, gentle voice like a teacher explaining a concept to a child.

Elias didn't need to learn. He already liked it. Far more than he would ever admit to her. And he did not understand why.