Bab 25: Childhood Crush (2)
"That was years ago." Madeline quickly cleared his doubt before he misunderstood her reasoning. "I wouldn't dare to harbor such feelings anymore now that I'm married to you, but I respect him."
Madeline hoped he'd believe her. She only knew Orson when he was about to leave for the military and she was only fifteen at that time. When she turned eighteen, he stopped one of her neighbor's sons from committing a burglary crime. She saw everything through her window that day and also heard of how nice of a man Orson was.
It was only mutual for her to like someone who had many nice things surrounding his name, but the feeling died when she knew running into someone that important was impossible.
Who knew she'd end up as the wife of his best friend!!!! How did she not know of this??
Cassian on the other hand said nothing to her sincere words, and his eyes narrowed suspiciously. He looked unconvinced as he studied her honest expression and clicked his tongue in annoyance. Hearing her mention his best friend as her longtime crush didn't settle with him.
Orson, no doubt, had many admirers and he knew. That wasn't his problem, but he didn't like the fact his wife was one of Orson's secret admirers.
"So, have you met with him personally?" Questioned Cassian as he leaned against the window, unwilling to let the matter slide until he was satisfied with the responses he got from Maddie.
The naive Madeline shook her head in a candid manner, "I've only seen glances of him when he rode by in his carriage. There was someone who stood outside my window once. I heard he'd be attending the masquerade ball that night, and we made eye contact." Her bright expression suddenly dulled. "But turns out it wasn't him."
Cassian's brow arched_ was she referring to the day they made eye contact at her window? No wonder she looked at him in that manner, she mistook him for her 'childhood crush!'
Oblivious to how upsetting her words were for Cassian. The young lad moved away from the window and was heading out.
"I won't be returning till tonight." He said before Madeline could ask him where he was going, and he shut the door after he left, giving her no chance to question his movement.
Madeline placed both hands on her warm cheeks after he left, tapping it continuously as she tried to clear her head of Cassian's handsome profile. She was married to him now, and therefore, it would be wrong to think about someone else, so he has no reason to suspect her feelings.
If she still liked Orson as much as she did back then, she would have married Orson and not him.
"But where is he going?" She instinctively bit her lower lip as she looked around the big room. What if that girl shows up again?
When the sky finally darkened, Madeline quietly stepped out of her room. The corridor at both sides had been brightly lit up with rows of candles, since it was already the dark hours. It looked strangely empty and quiet as a graveyard, as though no one was living in the house, and it strangely disturbed her. She knew it was just her thinking, but she wasn't used to such quietness.
In the upper west quarters, she would either hear the sounds of carriages riding outside, or Aunt Auriela scolding a maid for something that was unnecessary. If not scolding a maid, she would be the one receiving Auriela's anger and being a victim to her physical maltreatment. She might have been locked in her room for years, but she was aware of everything that happened in that house.
As she walked through the spacious corridor, Fredrick appeared from the stairs, and a warm gracious smile adorned his middle-aged face as he saw the young lady approaching his direction as well.
"Mrs Cassian, I was just about to come and call you for dinner." He said warmly, and Madeline's eyes went round when he called her by Mrs Cassian.
"Allow me to introduce myself properly, I am Fredrick, the butler of the house." He introduced properly with a bow of his head, and Madeline politely curtsied.
"Thank you for thinking of my health Mr Fredrick, and taking the time to call me for dinner, but I don't think I will join the family if Cassian is not around."
Madeline politely refused to go down for dinner. She wanted to have dinner with Cassian, and if he hadn't eaten, it wouldn't be right for her to eat as well.
"I see, it is alright," Fredrick responded with a look of understanding. "I will send a maid to bring them to your room if that's where you're more comfortable."
"Thank you for understanding." Madeline smiled as she acknowledged Fredrick's kindness. The people working here are even nicer than the owner of the large mansion.
"Father will get angry if you don't join us for dinner." Came the authoritative voice of a young man who also showed up at the top of the stairs.
"Lord Jeremy." The butler bowed before the young man who made his way towards them. Madeline looked at the young man who was passing glares at the butler.
"It is a rule that every member of the Albrecht family must sit at the dining table to have their dinner. You didn't forget the rules, did you?"
"Absolutely not." Fredrick responded calmly. "I am only trying to make the lady feel comfortable since she is new here."
"Leave," Jeremy's eyes landed on Madeline. "I will bring her down myself."
"Eh?" The butler was startled by it. Jeremy rolled his eyes as though the butler's reaction had annoyed him.
"Got a problem with that? Or is it wrong for me to see my sister-in-law at the diner?"
"Not at all." The butler responded, still not convinced on leaving the young lady alone with Jeremy. The young man wasn't someone who had time for others, but seeing as he wanted to bring Madeline down for dinner, the butler couldn't help but be worried.
"Then what are you waiting for, excuse us." Jeremy ordered for the second time, leaving the butler with no other choice but to leave.
"Yes." Clearing his throat, the butler hesitated and left.
Madeline was about to follow the butler down when Jeremy stood in her path. She looked at him, wondering what he wanted from her before noticing how his eyes raked her from head to bottom.
"Getting married to someone like Cassian is bad news. You could have stayed where you are, or even better, marry someone who's more suitable of bearing the title of your husband, rather than an insane_"
"Forgive me but I will not let you speak about my husband in that manner." Madeline straightforwardly cut him off. "Who I choose to marry is none of your business, and you sir, are in my way."
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