The Baroness Misbehaves
Chapter 112: A Unique Ring (Bonus - )

Chapter 112: A Unique Ring (Bonus Chapter)

With her fingers gripping the sides of her dress, Madeline slowly lifted her head up to meet his vehement stare, and her grip on the dress tightened as she looked away to avoid saying something stupid, her heart pounding repeatedly, and she felt the need to catch her breath as she inhaled deeply.

"I...I can’t..give you an answer just yet." She answered with her gaze low, and Cassian leaned even closer - so close she could feel his breathing fanning her burning cheeks, and she heard him say in a low tone.

"How much time do you need?" Placing his index finger under her chin, he tilted her head up so she could meet his expecting gaze. "How much time do you need? Do you really not see what I feel..."

"A few more days." Madeline cut him off with her response. "Just a few more days, I will give my answer then."

"I said I wouldn’t force you." He pulled back, giving her the breathing space she was eager to find. "In order to make this marriage work, I also need to know what you feel for me, what you think of this relationship and where you see it heading, only then, will I be satisfied." Saying this and making what he wanted clear to her, he walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.

Madeline remained at her wardrobe, she closed her eyes to stabilize the weird emotions that told her to go after him. He seemed upset but Madeline couldn’t risk giving him a wrong answer only for the two of them to end up regretting it.

Releasing a tired sigh, she opened her eyes, but was instantly baffled to see Lily standing at the other end of the room, staring at her. Unlike how her presence always gave her a fright, Madeline had gotten quite used to the little ghost, most especially after spending quality time with her at the garden.

"Lily?" Composing herself immediately, Madeline watched as the little ghost approached her with quick steps, and she stopped in front of her.

"Lily, is there something you want to say?" Crouching to her height, Madeline waited to hear what the little girl had to say, but suddenly, she started gesticulating, using hand gestures that Madeline failed to grasp what the meaning of her gestures meant.

"I don’t understand what you’re trying to say."

Lily shook her head and continued to gesticulate, trying to demonstrate that she was going to be poisoned, but Madeline couldn’t understand hand signs since she never learned how to do them.

"I really wish I understood hand signs or whatever the name is, but I can’t listen to you right now. I’m going somewhere important, when I come back, we’ll go to the backyard garden and make drawings like what we did last time. Okay?"

She reassured Lily who stood silent for some seconds before nodding her head in response. Smiling at her approval, Madeline rose to her feet and stepped out of the room after waving her goodbye for the day.

Finally out of her room, Madeline joined Isabella downstairs, and they both left the mansion together. Cassian stood at the opposite hallway, watching them leave and he pursed his lips.

"Do you want me to send someone to follow them and make sure Lady Madeline is safe?" Asked Amadeus who joined Cassian where he stood.

"No need for that, I already did." He assured Amadeus before holding his bottom lip between his perfect teeth. He appeared lost in thoughts and tsked in discomfort, turning his attention to Amadeus.

"Are marriages always difficult to take care of?" He asked, leaving Amadeus to stare puzzledly as he could not comprehend the words of his young Lord.

"What do you mean?"

"You have a wife which means you can tell me what it feels like when a woman loves someone."

"Eh?" Amadeus looked lost, earning a frown from Cassian.

"What are the signs that show a woman is in love?"

~~~

As Madeline and Isabella approached the grand bonnet house in one of the estates, the first thing that caught Madeline’s eye was the enormous stone entranceway. It was intricately decorated with carvings of animals and symbols that baffled Madeline’s interpretation. She could hear the excited chatter of other visitors as she approached the door, adorned with animal skins and bones, and she couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe and curiosity.

"This is the bonnet house?" Questioned Madeline, and Isabella nodded with delight as she gently pushed Madeline forward.

"Wait till you see the inside."

Once inside the old standard house, a sense of grandeur washed over both women, as the spacious entry hall was filled with the warm glow of flickering torches and bustling activity. The walls, made of neatly-stacked stone and accented with colorful tapestries, waver in the light, casting dancing shadows across the space. Wooden beams stretch across the ceiling, connecting the walls into an exquisite and solid architecture that can only hint at the remarkable engineering feats of prehistoric times.

The air is charged with a sense of authority and grandness, making one feel like they are in a grand palace, rather than a simple abode. The grand fireplace, situated in the center of the room, is big enough to roast a whole caribou, with stone hearth and mantel, adding to the ambiance of the grandeur. Everywhere you look you see pieces of prehistoric craftsmanship: hand-woven rugs, intricately-carved earthenware and elk horn tableware.

"This is.... amazing." Commented Madeline as her eyes feasted on the beautiful sight before her.

"I told you." Isabella smiled proudly. "The royal family once owned this place, there is a history regarding how the bonnet house is connected to the royal family, and I heard they rarely visited since it reminds them of the King’s eldest son’s disappearance." Isabella began with her chattering, and Madeline could remember when there was a story regarding how the late Prince’s son disappeared and was considered dead.

"I heard." Madeline kept her voice low as there were many other people who paid the bonnet house a visit. Not only that, there were guards positioned everywhere as they monitored those who came in and out of the house.

As they made their way through the house, Madeline’s attention was struck by the innovative designs that incorporate sustainability and ingenuity.

Large windows let in plenty of natural light and ventilation, and the smoke hole in the roof above made it easier to maintain air quality, even with large groups of people. Wooden ladders and stairs connect the different chambers of the house, allowing for ample space and privacy for families and guests.

Other visitors dressed elegantly continued to wander about the house, pointing to different design elements and decorations. Madeline could spot a group of family discussing ancient techniques and how the rules were a bit different from what it was now.

With such an opportunity to venture into history itself, why wouldn’t they gain such wide knowledge?

"If it isn’t Lady Isabella." A pleasing voice interrupted them both, and when both ladies turned to see who had spoken, an unfamiliar lady with Venetian-red hair approached them with a smile on her lips.

"Barletta?" Returning her smile with a surprised one, both women exchanged airy kisses before pulling away.

"It has been ages, how have you been?" Barletta asked, and Isabella’s lips curved to the side as her smile broadened.

"What are you expecting to hear? Of course I’m doing fine and well. What about you? I heard your wedding is coming up in a few days, saw the announcement and would like to wish you a very happy wedding celebration."

"Thank you." After the exchange of pleasantries, Barletta’s gaze shifted to Madeline who silently remained at Isabella’s side.

"You are..." Barletta’s eyes widened in surprise. "I know you, you’re the wife of the handsome Lord Cassian, it is so good to finally meet you."

Madeline wanted to bow her head in response, but was taken-aback when the Venetian-red hair lady pulled her for some airy kisses before letting her go.

"Enjoying your time at the bonnet house?" She asked, and she nodded.

"But why are you here, shouldn’t you be busy with the wedding preparations?" Questioned Isabella until she heard Barletta sigh with displeasure.

"Darling, I have been looking for the perfect ring for my engagement, but unfortunately, no new ring has come into town, and I needed something unique."

"Did you check Mr Forelock?" Asked Isabella, and the lady nodded. "Yes, but he guarantees I will get something different in a month’s time, and I can’t wait that long, actually I.... Hold on, where did you get this??"

With a surprised-filled tone, Barletta’s gaze was fixed on the beautiful flower ring on Madeline’s ring finger.

"This?" Madeline was surprised she found her ring mesmerizing, judging from the way she stared at it.

"Yes, I’ve never seen anything like this one, it’s very unique, where did you get it?"

"I... didn’t get it, I made it myself." Answered Madeline, and both women stared in disbelief like someone who got knocked down with a feather.