The Baroness Misbehaves
Chapter 155: Meeting The King (2)

Chapter 155: Meeting The King (2)

"Pardon my unforgivable manners, Your Majesty, I..I didn’t know.... actually I thought.... g... greetings." Madeline bobbed her head in silent despair when she could no longer hold in the embarrassment. She felt like slapping her mouth shut due to her sudden stuttering, not liking how horrible she presented herself before someone like His Majesty.

She’s heard relatable news of how strict and decisive the King of Carmarthen can be, and Madeline feared for her life as she waited for him to say something regarding how she had misbehaved with him.

She anxiously pressed her lips into a thin line with her head still lowered, finding it disrespectful to meet His Majesty’s gaze without permission, but to her relief, she heard him laugh softly, indicating he wasn’t offended by her actions in the slightest, rather, he found it amusing.

"You can stand properly." He gave her the orders, and Madeline, although still found it awkward to be in front of him like this, had to raise her head up since it was an order from the Majesty himself, but her gaze was still meekly lowered since she felt comfortable in that posture.

"I’m honestly sorry, I.... I didn’t know you were...."

"It is alright." Alaric’s usual stern expression softened into a charming smile, finding it humorous that a wild tiger had shockingly mellowed into a bashful kitten. "I can’t remember the last time I got smacked with a stick, it takes me back to my Younger days when I had to join the military to help my father protect Carmarthen. Anyways, since I couldn’t make it to the wedding and the celebration, I thought I should stop by and see the lovely woman who has captured this man’s heart, but I completely understand why he fell for you, you are... pretty skilled."

"Please come inside, I’ll check for any wounds and promise to tend them before you leave." Madeline gestured for him to come in with them with the hopes of repaying him back for his Mercy, but Alaric shook his head apologetically, ignoring the fact that he was still hurt from the beating he got, but then it would be unmanly of him to reveal it.

"I have urgent matters to attend to." He stated his reason. "My times are monitored strictly, and it would be improper if I had to show up late in a meeting I assigned for myself with the officials at court. But before I go, I have one harmless question to ask if you don’t mind."

Madeline, who finally smiled in relief at his Majesty’s reassurance, nodded her head obediently, prompting the King to ask what he had in mind as he shifted suspicious gazes between Madeline and Cassian.

"Did he force you to marry him?"

"What?" Madeline blinked in bafflement, same with Cassian who raised a threatening brow at Alaric, but the young King ignored it, and to spice up Cassian’s brewing jealousy, he beckoned the diffident Madeline forward and whispered secretively into her ear.

"The Cas I know doesn’t interact really well with women, if he forced you into this marriage then do let me know in case you need saving. I never assumed there would be someone who can tolerate Cassian’s insensitivity and frightening intimidation, so I am bound to be the least curious about it."

Stealing glances at the young lad, the warm look on Alaric’s face faded slowly when he locked gazes with Cassian’s death stare. The young lad stood at a corner, arms folded and watching the king whisper unclear words into his wife’s ears. Knowing Alaric for a long time already, Cassian could guess the buffoon was probably trying to save his wife from his hands.

Unfortunately, that isn’t possible because he won’t let it happen.

Trying his best to tolerate their close proximity and not show his disapproval, Cassian’s eyes widened slightly when he noticed his wife blush at something Alaric said, and she shook her head at him before smiling shyly, and at this point, Cassian’s expression darkened to the point one could see dark crows flying at the top of his head.

"No, Cassian is really....nice to me." She assured the king with a smile, still keeping her gaze low. "He treats me even better than I had expected, and he is not intimidating at all, he just tends to have his bad and good days."

"I take it from your expression that you are telling me the truth, it is good to hear he has some manners when it comes to treating a woman right."

"Okay this conversation is getting long, don’t you have meetings to attend to." Irritated, Cassian grabbed hold of Madeline’s wrist and pulled her beside him, startling the young woman when she felt his hand go around her waist, keeping her close to him as though he was claiming his rights and making it aware to a certain someone.

Alaric, who wasn’t oblivious to the young lad’s jealousy could only chuckle inwardly after confirming all that he needed to know. Obviously, Cassian happened to be quite possessive over his wife, and it was something he failed terribly at hiding.

"You’re right, I have to get home to my own wife as well, I can’t delay any longer." He smiled at Madeline and Cassian. "I will take my leave now, and hey! You brat, take good care of her or I’ll make you lose an eye. If your wife can hurt the King to save you, then you better hold on tight before someone takes over."

Cassian smiled cockily and cocked his head to the side. "Don’t forget my wedding present, I don’t care what you do after that."

"Sure, I’ll get you a nice-looking pipe, wrapped in Barb wires, and watch you weep as you’re being gifted with multiple strokes of the whip." He sounded serious, and as if on cue, both men laughed it off before Alaric waved his hand as a way of saying goodbye to them.

"I shall send an invitation letter, until then, I bid my goodbyes to the both of you." And he turned to leave.

"Goodbye, do come again." Madeline returned his wave with a bright smile, promising herself to treat His Majesty better since he was someone who was genuinely fond and close to Cassian.

Cas and Madeline watched him get into his carriage with the aid of the well-dressed Coachman till they left.

Inna and Elian stood at the window together, watching the royal carriage ride off, and Inna released an exasperated sigh as she rested her forehead against the window. "Why wasn’t I born much earlier to marry the King, he’s so handsome."

She tsked, and Elian looked at the lady who was sounding dispirited, not particularly sure of what to make from it.

"Why would he marry you? You’d scare him off on your first meeting with just one..." Elian didn’t bother to complete his statement when Inna hit him with that dangerous glare that dared him to say it.

There she goes with that look again.

"What do you know about His Majesty? Don’t let me get started with you. You’re just jealous cause you’re not as remarkable as His Majesty, hmph!" She haughtily flipped her hair at his face, earning a scoff from Elian who moved away from the window.

"I am not as remarkable as His Majesty?" He took that as a lie. "If I told you my background, you’d take back what you just said."

"I don’t think I will." Inna highly doubted it. "The sight of his Majesty gives me the tingles." Her smile faded when she looked at Elian, "you....you irritate me."

"The feelings are mutual darling." His green eyes held a hint of mischief as he moved closer. "You know, opposites attract even better, it’s difficult to ignore the dynamics."

"Try again next year when I officially become an adult, so I can reject your sorry excuse for a proposal."

"Awwwww." Elian placed a hand to his chest, as though he felt touched by her words, and a dangerous bewitching smirk graced his pale lips. "Do you still wish to see me next year? Is someone becoming too attached to the irritable?"