Chapter 172: Encounter In The Courtroom (1)

That night, Madeline had difficulty going to sleep as she laid flat on the bed, her midnight hair sprawled over the pillow in waves. Her blank gaze was fixed on the ceiling, recalling everything that had happened at the palace, and how it all centered around her, including Cassian getting hurt all because of her.

The images played in her head, like a nightmare she couldn’t stop visiting.

It still felt like some kind of dream, but the absence of someone beside her made her aware of the fact that it wasn’t a dream. Looking at the empty space at her left, Madeline placed her hand there, and it felt cold to the touch, the familiar warmth of someone missing, and she wished for his presence again.

Her heart ached, and she wondered what he must be going through all by himself.

Was his wound getting treated? Or is he being punished? Did she make a mistake by leaving him all alone?

Sitting up, Madeline made the decision to visit the palace first thing in the morning. She needed to speak with His Majesty, and make him understand that Cassian is still the Cassian he knew, and she would do her best to free him from this trouble, even if it means making any sort of deal with His Majesty, she was ready for it.

Unable to go back to sleep when her heart still felt troubled by Cas’s absence, Madeline got out of bed and chose to take a walk instead, at least something that would keep her mind swayed, and this was the best time to go out and receive the fresh air at the garden.

The next day, just like everyone had predicted, the news about Cassian becoming a creature of the night went rampant in the whole of the upper East quarters. Some of the news went as far as accusing Cassian for the disappearance of those missing people, and the shocking revelations had the people talking, most especially the house of the Duke.

Richard’s gaze scrutinized today’s news on the newspaper, and his expression went grim when his eyes fixed themselves on the headlines. Unlike Elaine who was worriedly pacing back and forth in front of his study room, Richard remained relatively calm as he closed the newspaper.

"What do we do?" Elaine asked her husband who relaxed against the seat of his desk, but his grim expression remained unfaltering. Elaine on the other hand, refused to believe what was written on the headlines till she saw it for herself.

"My son," she shook her head. "No, it can’t possibly be, I refuse to believe this. Another rumor must have spread out again." She looked at her husband, "this isn’t the first time Cas is being accused of things, but in the end we figure out it’s a silly rumor that was created to bring our son’s name down, it has to be."

"I will go and see His Majesty for myself, and understand what is going on." Richard’s unusually calm tone left Elaine pondering on something, and she narrowed her eyes skeptically at Richard.

"You don’t believe this is true right? Our son, you can’t possibly agree with the rumors that our son is responsible for the missing people, am I right?" Elaine questioned her husband in a serious tone, hoping her husband hadn’t jumped into any silly conclusion concerning the rumors that were spreading like wildfire around Carmarthen.

"First, you need to calm down." Richard uttered to Elaine who looked ready to explode on him if he proved her intuitions right. "Yes, I know I have blamed Cas for a lot of things myself, but in this case, I don’t follow." He leaned back against his seat, "Cas has created havoc during his childhood, but I don’t think he’s someone who’d abduct people behind their back."

As much as Richard knew his son, Cassian wasn’t the type to hide his mischief or evil doing, he was someone who’d make sure you see him do it, and then watch you do nothing about it.

"I’ll visit the palace and see what the problem is. I won’t know the actual truth if I stay here reading the newspaper." Rising to his feet, Richard made his way past Elaine, and as he opened the door to his study, the servants and everyone else who were eavesdropping on the conversation immediately scattered.

Frederick pretended to conduct the servants who were cleaning the staircase while Adeline pretended to be observing the walls in case there were any little errors with the painting.

Shaking his head, Richard said nothing and strode off, making his way to the left side of the corridor. Once he was out of sight, everyone released a breath, feeling relieved that Richard hadn’t caught them eavesdropping.

"Is Lord Cassian really in serious trouble?" Asked Adeline who moved closer to Frederick, but the butler looked worried and utterly confused concerning the news he received, and it was just his bad luck that he had to step out this morning to make early preparations for the small fancy event the duchess was planning with her fellow elite women.

"I don’t know." He folded his arms behind his back, "whatever the situation might be, I’m only hoping for Lord Cassian’s safety. Amadeus would pass out in his home if I inform him about this. I should spare the old man from growing any more white hairs before he gives his wife a heart attack, let’s go before the master of the house returns and sees us here."

Saying this, Frederick left the corridor with Adeline.

~

"Who put out the news about Cassian without seeking my orders?" Asked Alaric as he had called everyone to the courtroom during their official morning meeting, his gaze stoic and stern as he scanned the faces of the council in front of him.

"There’s a loudmouth amongst everyone here, and if none of you are willing to provide this person, or choosing to be each other’s bad eggs, then I shall not be blamed for the consequences that will fall onto everyone, as there seems to be a need for correction and reminding you once again of who your King is!"

"Your Majesty." Klaus, who had been sitting at the far end of the table, stood up to bow his head politely at Alaric who was sitting at the podium of his big courtroom.

"Forgive me Your Majesty, I was the one who informed the people about Cas’s true self." He revealed, and the courtroom quieted down after listening to Klaus confession, and from his tone, it proved he held no regrets.

"Why did you do it?"

"Cause the people need to be wary of the one they admire." Answered Klaus, "the fact he’s one of them proves he also has a hand in the missing people case. I was only being protective of the people, Your Majesty."

"Does that insinuate that I have no intention of protecting my people?" Inquired Alaric who took that statement as an offense, "you went behind the orders of the King and revealed what you were specifically told not to. I have my reasons for making that decision, and your careless disobedience has made the people start to worry."

"Forgive me, Your Majesty." Klaus lowered his head in apology, "Cassian is not human, he’s dangerous, and I think it would be best if he’s gotten rid off instead of keeping him here with us. What if he calls on his kind?"

"Insecurities." A lady’s voice echoed lightly in the courtroom, catching the attention of everyone as all heads turned to look at the beautiful woman who was standing at the entrance of the courtroom, dressed in a black tailored long sleeve gown with gold buttons that gleamed in the harsh overhead light.

What’s more surprising, she was holding a long wooden stick in her hand.

. . . ..

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read