Elias was the first to wake up. He rarely slept at night and would often work for 24-hours and more. His body didn''t need sleep the ways humans do. However, there were times he indulged in sleep as a way to freshen his mind. In contrast to a human''s eight hours of required sleep, he only needed four.


    Elias stroked Adeline''s smooth, creamy cheeks. He smiled down at her and brushed the hair from her forehead.


    There was a lot to do today.


    She slept peacefully by his side, tucked into his arms. Even now, she was tightly grabbing onto his shirt, as if he''d dare to go anywhere.


    "What a cute little prey."


    Elias bent down and kissed her on the forehead. She slightly squirmed and scooted even closer towards him, most likely relishing in his icy presence. He always found it intriguing how warm she was. It must''ve been nice to have hot-blood pumping through her body.


    "Sleep well."


    Elias slowly detangled himself from her. He ced a pillow in between her arms, which she instantly hugged. He smirked at her action and shook her head. Once he dealt with today''s problems, he''ll have the Mardens seized.


    If Viscount Marden''s confessions were true, then Elias knew she''d want a paternity test. He doubted the Viscount''s words.


    If Kaline knew Addison was pregnant with the Viscount''s child, why would he storm the wedding ceremony? He hade with an army of men, guns zing, and shots firing.


    And why would Kaline marry Addison? It didn''t make sense. Addison wasn''t a weak damsel in distress who didn''t know how to defend herself. Elias had read rumors of her school days where she beated people double her size.


    "What a troublesome rtionship those three have." Elias shook his head. "Whatever the Viscount was implying that day, I doubt it''s true."


    Elias nced at Adeline''s sleeping face. She was too naive and must''ve believed her Uncle''s words.


    Elias recalled Addison was forced to marry Viscount Marden. Something about her hand being promised to him, long before her birth. Whatever the reason, Elias decided it was nothing that Adeline should fret over.


    "It''s not something you should worry about."


    Elias caressed the top of her forehead, adjusting her hair again. With a final nce in her direction, he headed for the bathroom and got ready for the day.


    Once dressed and formal, Elias went downstairs and towards the throne room. Sure enough, the twins were there, and so was Quinston. Elias had invited the entire council and aristocrats to witness the betrayal of Quinston.


    "Your M-Majesty! What is the meaning of this?!" Quinston shouted. He had his arms tied behind him by restrictive devices. His ankles were bound and he was forced to kneel before the great King.


    Elias took a seat on the throne and leaned back. "I expected better from you, Quinston." Elias sighed in disappointment. He shook his head and threw Quinston a doubtful look.


    "I expected a better performance instead of cheap assassins using the gun of my best manufacturerpany." Elias gestured for the twins to present the evidence of the assassin''s pins.


    "If you n on framing the ymores from a disagreement, you shouldn''t have dragged me into it." Elias leaned his head on a finger and smirked at Quinston''s paled face.


    "I-I''d never frame the ymores! We''ve been old friends since our high school days. Why would I possibly target my own friend? And how could I dare to bring Your Majesty into this kind of situation?" Quinston bbered on.


    Quinston had grown up in wealth. Kneeling on the ground like some kind of criminal was never his specialty. He was way more ustomed to people bending at the sight of him.


    His blood boiled to see the King on his high throne upon a raised tform. Quinston had dedicated the majority of his life to serving the King and this was the reward he got?


    "I''m disappointed, truly. I had nned on rewarding you for your loyalty, but it seems you''ve saved me the trouble." Elias flicked his wrists, letting the twins step forward with the evidence. He had the pictures presented to every aristocrat in the room.


    "I-isn''t this Quinston''s family symbol..."


    Murmurs quickly began in the room, starting from a quiet hum to the buzz of bees. They whispered amongst themselves, their faux smiles turning devious. If Quinston was disposed of…


    "I was framed by the ymores!" Quinston roared. "I am wise and intelligent. How could I be so foolish to have my assassins wear my family symbol? How could I get such arge supply of ymore weapons when they''re only one of the five manufacturers that supply the military?"


    Elias tilted his head. "It''s quite convenient that the assassins came at a time I was supposedly distracted. And now that I thought about it, you were the only one that knew where and what I would''ve been doing."


    Quinston paled. "But the ymores would''ve—"


    "You speak that you''re good friends with him, yet you don''t hesitate to throw them under the bus." Elias snickered. "Surely, you thought the n through?"


    Quinston gulped. "Your Majesty, I don''t understand why you''re doing this. I''ve served you for many years and have given you my dedication. Is this because of what was said in the council meeting?"


    At this, even more hushed mutters began. Council meeting? Did this mean Quinston was one of the members? Instantly, people turned on him in hopes of taking his position. If Quinston was dead, then one seat would be empty.


    "Your Majesty is right! It''s suspicious that Quinston knew of a schedule that no one else knows about, and on that exact time, an assassination was attempted! The coincidences are simply too much."


    "I agree with Mr. Yves, the timeline matches perfectly. The ymores are one of thergest manufacturers of weapons, so it was easy for Quinston''s military influence to have arge supply of it! If he wasn''t trying to frame the ymores, why didn''t he use weapons from the other five manufacturers?"


    Chimes of agreement rang throughout the room. Once these people saw blood, they were like a pack of chickens. They pecked at the wound, again and again, until the chicken was left to bleed to death.


    Quinston''s face paled significantly. He didn''t think His Majesty didn''t tell anyone else that yesterday night was the ritual!


    "I''m being set up, Your Majesty. Surely, there is someone else aware of the rit—"


    "I will consider the time you''ve served me when deciding the consequences of your betrayal." Elias rose from this throne. "You will have a trial before the court, though… I hope for your sess."


    "Your Majesty—"


    "Everyone is excused from the throne room." Elias gestured for the aristocrats to leave. He didn''t need them anymore. They had served their purpose in attacking Quinston.


    Elias motioned for the guards to take action. They quickly stepped forward, grabbed Quinston and restricted his mouth before the foolish man could babble any more. Elias watched with a smile as Quinston was dragged from the room.


    A disloyal dog like Quinston should be put down, as soon as possible. It would set a great example to Minerva, who also served Dorothy. Killing this man would keep his Grandmother in ce.


    Besides, Elias didn''t need Quinston to go around babbling about the ritual. That would only hurt Adeline''s reputation. He couldn''t have that happening, especially when he was her parent''s good friend.


    "Hm, but it would''ve been interesting to see her cry for once…" Elias tilted his head at the thought, smiling in amusement. She had rarely shed a tear in front of him. He wondered what''d make her tick and crack.


    But the thought of tears trickling down her trembling eyes, and the quiver of her lips, he decided it was too much of a hassle to deal with.