章節 16: Family Trouble (1)

At the far back of the upper west quarters, lies the main market that had been closed for the day. The weather had dulled up the street that was now empty of passerby, and the rain poured heavier onto the street, creating a puddle and causing splashes along the empty dark road.

Moving away from the market street and further ahead, a big tall closed iron gate shielded the homes of large nobilities. The upper east quarters was filled with different estates, belonging to those who had the highest nobilities in Carmarthen.

It was said that most people who lived in the upper east quarters, barely stayed in their large estates. Stories of wealthy men coming into Carmarthen and buying those estates without living in them, got to spread around the four sectors of Carmarthen.

It didn't come as a surprise to those living in the rest quarters. It was common for the wealthy to buy houses in different places. Either with the intention of showing off their wealth, or making their important standards known in a society.

Inside one of those beautiful large estates, Lady Elaine remained wide awake in her living room. She was sitting on a couch, legs crossed and effortlessly portraying the position of an affluent woman.

However, her brows were furrowed slightly in worry.

She looked seriously disturbed as the rumbling sound of thunder boomed outside. The pitter-patter sounds of rain dropping and mixing with the rumbling only heightened her worries, and sitting on the couch without doing anything made her uncomfortable.

Her beautiful fingers clutched against her skirt as her eyes shifted to the door from time to time, like she was expecting someone to show up at the last minute and relieve her of her inescapable worries.

Looking up at the clock that hung at the side of the wall, it was 11;45pm, and still her son wasn't back yet.

Where on Earth is he??

"You should head to bed Lady Elaine, I'll be sure to inform you once the Young Lord returns." Fredrick, the butler of the Duke's mansion, quickly suggested since he didn't want to tire his Lady by making her stay up this late for her son.

The burning woods in the fireplace crackled. It kept the living room warm and filled with its orange-yellowish light.

"No, that is not necessary." Lady Elaine dismissed the idea, turning her face to look at the butler who was still holding an oil lamp for any emergency.

Apparently, Lady Elaine's anger had been replaced with worriedness. Her son had refused to return home since last night, and she would be lying if she said it didn't trouble her, despite her rage.

Unable to keep it in, she looked at the butler again and asked, "do you think Cassian is alright out there? I know he often stays out late, but I'm his mother, he should learn to inform me about his whereabouts so I don't get worried. He wasn't at the Marquees today, I don't know where else he could be at this moment, and it worries me."

"He'll be back." The butler said, sounding assured himself, "Lord Cassian is capable of giving his loved one's a stroke if he wanted to, which isn't something new since he's been this way since childhood. But he is a grown man now, and can find his way back if needed."

"I understand your point Frederick, but_" Lady Elaine silenced herself, pursing her lips. With the news of disappearing people reaching her ears whenever she stepped out, she had to be concerned about her only son who still prefers to stay out late.

He deliberately ignores the warnings that had been sent out so no one will be harmed.

"What else can be said about your stubborn son who doesn't listen to his elders?" Lady Juliana who showed up at the top of the stairs, suddenly interrupted their conversation.

Her gaze solely shifted from the butler, then to Lady Elaine before averting her gaze in irritation. It was unnecessary to hide her true feelings since it was obvious she holds no likes towards Elaine.

"Chatting with a butler? Elaine? You were moved from grass to grace by getting married to the Duke, but still, must you prove to everyone you came from the slums?" She questioned.

"I don't want to have this inapplicable conversation with you Juliana, don't bother me." Eyeing the lady at the top of the stairs, Lady Elaine returned her calm gaze to the butler who was waiting for her orders.

"Like I said, I'll be waiting for Cassian to arrive, but if you want to help, make me some tea, and then you can retire to bed."

"Yes, Lady Elaine." The butler quickly bowed before walking out, leaving the two women to themselves.

"Your son hasn't returned, he's getting bolder by the minute. Seems to me he never knew discipline from his mother's side." Juliana quipped, coming down the stairs to stand before Lady Elaine.

"I am worried enough Juliana, don't add to my problems and go your way. Your spiteful words won't work today, so just return to wherever you're coming from."

Lady Elaine knew what she came here for, but she wasn't in the right state of mind to handle the nosy woman.

"I still wonder what Duke Richard saw in you before deciding to marry you. I mean, it is fine if you have your body to men but_"

"Stop spouting nonsense Juliana." Elaine snapped, "you know nothing about my past so watch what you say to me. Because I got married to Richard while being pregnant for him doesn't make me a prostitute."

"He asked you to get rid of it back then, didn't he? But you chose to keep your beloved children and look where it has gotten you." She wanted to laugh, "he doesn't love you, he doesn't think of your children as his, and you? You're tied under the marriage."

Elaine's fist that had been clenching by her side, released itself as she had nothing to say to a woman like Juliana. She was hurt, but she had a missing son to be more concerned about, and paying attention to Juliana's nonsense wasn't going to help.

"I don't like it when people ignore me." Juliana was about to grab Elaine's hand when a deep, dominating voice stopped her mid-way.

"I don't like it when people use filthy hands like yours to touch precious things that matter to me. Are you interested in losing a finger? Then I dare you to touch my mother!"