His Majesty's Devious Sin

"Chairwoman," William addressed, knowing the meeting was going to start soon. Yet again, the chairwoman was in a daze, her eyes drawn to the window. It was raining outside, the droplets sliding off the tall glass.

"The sky is crying," Lydia vaguely said, her attention focused on the storm clouds. It was a horrible morning. She swallowed, knowing there was nothing that could be done for Adeline.

"And your employees will be crying from no paycheck if you continue to stare out the window instead of preparing for the meeting," William reprimanded her, not sure why she seemed so depressed. 

Claymore Pharmetuics was quickly advancing, and the new medicine being developed was going to reap millions, if not, billions of dollars in profit. It was a much-sought drug that would quickly spread across the country, and then, the world. They were already on their way to filling out a patent for the drug.

"I'm always prepared," Lydia remarked, glaring at him. "I went over the briefings yesterday, and earlier."

William raised a brow. 

"Don't look so surprised," Lydia scoffed. "I didn't get to where I am without hard work."

"I know that, Chairwoman," William said. "For as long as you could walk, you were being tutored on how to become a proper candidate for the chief executive officer."

"If you know, stop looking so exhausted all the time," Lydia said, rising to her feet. She was going to have an investor meeting in a few minutes, as they needed a bit more funding to speed up the process.

"Or else you'll wrinkle too quickly and no one will want you," she added on, wrinkling her nose at him.

William chuckled. "Tell that to my girlfriend, chairwoman."

"I still can't believe you were able to find a girl that tolerates your nagging," Lydia said, shaking her head. She walked out of her office, with William hot on her trail. Thunder cracked in the distance, the gloomy sky lighting up for just a split moment before darkness consumed it again.

It was as if the sky was mourning.

- - - - -

Adeline found herself in the library. After she had completed her schedule for the day, she wanted to take a break, but be productive at the same time. It had been a while since she last picked up a romance book and read it from dawn to dusk.

Stella and Evelyn had been pardoned for the day, seeing as they had already completed their duties. 

"Such a beautiful place," Adeline breathlessly said, her eyes taking in the antiquated library, with dark oak walls and shelves, rich velvet carpeting, and subtle temperature that preserved all of the books in here. 

Adeline aimlessly wandered the enormous bookshelves, until she turned a corner and was surprised by the large stack of books resting on a table. She approached the stack, curious of what it could be. She picked up the first book and read the name out loud.

"The First Queen of Wraith: A Biography."

Adeline's brows shot up, then she looked at the other books. "Founders of Wraith," she read. Then, she went through the other books, and one by one, they followed a similar theme about the First Queen of Wraith. That is, until she stopped by a particular one that caught her eye.

"The Second King of Wraith."

That must've been the First Queen's child. She immediately opened the book, her heart racing with anticipation. That meant… the First Queen's children have survived the birth. But what of the Queen?

"There is no information about the First Queen's pregnancy," a cold voice said from behind her.

Adeline spun around, startled by the sight of Elias. He emerged from the shadows, one hand tucked into his pockets, his gaze pressing into her soul. They hadn't talked the entire day after their discussion this morning, even at breakfast and lunch.

"This library has all the exclusive information about the First Queen, seeing as we're related to the First King somehow. I had every scholar at my disposal researching the First Queen's pregnancy. She is the first known human to mate with a Pure-Blood." Elias closed the distance between them in three steps. He softly grabbed the book from her fingertips, a dark scowl on his face.

"And they came across nothing," he remarked. "There are no records of her pregnancy. No one dared to write or comment about the pregnancy. Why do you think that?"

Adeline frowned. "Either they were lazy to write it, or the First King and Queen didn't want people to know what happened."

Elias stared at her. "Precisely. The pregnancy must've been so atrocious that no one dared to speak of it."

"Then, let us hope we leave a record behind," Adeline remarked, taking the book back from him. 

Adeline placed the book back onto the stacks and pressed her lips together. "Seeing as there is a book about the Second King, we can assume the children survived."

"But what about the first Queen?" he asked.

"I don't know, you tell me," Adeline said. She suddenly thought back to Dorothy's words, her heart skipping with fear. 

"Eli," she suddenly said.

Elias's eyes flashed. "Yes, darling?"

"If I die, are you going to erase your memories of me?" she whispered, her shoulders closing in. She didn't care if her name didn't go down in history, but she was terrified that he'd forget her.

"If the pain is too much, then I will be a coward and do so," Elias said without hesitating.

"You've already thought this through," she breathlessly accused.

"Just as you've thought your death through."

"Then, will you resent our children?"

"Who knows if I'll even remember them as mine," he remarked.

"Elias!"

Elias stared at her, unblinking and unflinching.

Adeline felt like she was looking at a stranger. There was no emotion in his eyes. No joy. No sadness. Just… nothingness. He was aloof before her. She didn't know this was how he coped with pain—by shutting it off.

"They are your flesh and blood as well, you said so yourself," Adeline said.

Elias's lips twitched to suppress a frown.

"You can erase your memories of me, but there will forever and always be a hole in your chest, and you'd be left to wonder exactly what used to fill it. But by then, it'd be too late and you'll suffer the rest of eternity not knowing the truth," Adeline argued.

There would be people around him to remind him of what happened between the two of them. She knew Lydia would never let it go. Neither would the twins and the rest of the people. But would Elias care?

Elias was silent for the longest time. They stood there, a hand width apart, not touching, not speaking, but just staring at each other. They had been still for so long, the motion-sensor lights flickered and threatened to switch off.

Finally, Elias spoke, in a somber, low voice. "They are my flesh and blood. I will not forget they are my children nor will I be a coward."

Adeline observed his expression, gaunt and grueling. She knew there must've been turmoil in his mind, one that she'd never understand, but wish she heard. Seeing his face, she knew his words were resolute and he wasn't going to take them back any time soon.

Relief filled her chest and she suddenly felt lighter. He walked towards her and placed his arm on either side of her body, caging her in. He wasn't touching her, but his burning gaze might as well undress her.

"What should we name them?" he suddenly asked, smiling down at her.

Adeline's heart swelled with joy. She immediately grinned and wrapped her arms around his neck, embracing him dearly. He hugged her back, kissing the side of her head.

"I don't know yet," she breathed out. "We don't know the gender." 

Elias raised a brow. 

"But how about we continue my family tradition?" Adeline breathed out. "A combination of our names."

Elias dryly looked at her. "Like?"

Adeline blinked and stared at him. She couldn't think of anything from the top of her head. "I don't know yet," she sheepishly admitted, earning a chuckle from him.

"Let's hope we figure out soon."