The Baroness Misbehaves
Chapter 192: A Warm Welcome (1)

Yawning tiredly, Madeline set the traveling bag as a pillow to rest her head on before closing her heavy eyes and succumbing to the sleep that finally got its hold on her.

How Cassian had gotten past the gatekeeper at the main gate of the upper East quarters, Madeline barely knew since she had fallen asleep only to be awakened by the sun kissing her face from the window the next morning.

Due to her exhaustion, she ended up sleeping a lot since she had a hard time falling asleep with Cassian away, and then their plans to escape from the upper East quarters also took a toll on her. Only after she relaxed her system did the soreness of her body become more evident.

When she awoke again, Cassian had stopped the carriage to get the sleeping beauty some food since he knew she had to fill up her stomach. Funnily, he wasn’t used to the ways of the locals, and Madeline, who watched him from the windows of the carriage, giggled silently as her confused husband listened to the food vendor who showed him varieties of snacks and meals he could get.

Shaking her head lightly at Cassian’s genuine confusion, Madeline got down from the carriage to assist him. Since she still had the dress of a military man, the vendor owner became more polite, and Madeline made the purchases before dragging Cas back to the carriage.

He continued later on, and by the time Madeline awoke again, she peered out the carriage window, taking in the bustling streets and crowded homes of the lower East quarters. The unfamiliarity of the environment made her know they had made it past the upper west quarters.

The air outside was thick with the scent of spices and the sounds of vendors hawking their wares. Tattered banners and streamers fluttered in the wind, giving the scene a festive but gritty feel.

As they drew closer to their destination, Madeline could see the simple buildings and hovels of common folks, huddled together in a labyrinth of narrow alleys. Shadows lurked in every corner, and the occasional screams or shout would pierce through the din of the crowd, startling Madeline to her wits.

She was beginning to wonder how the locals of Carmarthen could live like this? There were times when Cas spoke to her about how His Majesty already ordered the ministers and local councils to provide shelter to the less privileged, and from what she saw, the local councils incharge of the lower East quarters are clearly not doing the job assigned to them.

To Madeline’s relief, the carriage continued down the street till they made it to a quiet and safe district. The carriage slowed down, signaling their arrival, and before Madeline knew it, the Carriage screeched to a halt.

Looking out the window, Amade’s lovely home came into view. A small bungalow with a red brick exterior was situated on the quiet street. To Madeline’s amazement, the houses on this part were a lot better than the ones they just passed.

The house itself was a single-story structure with a sloping roof and modest windows that gleamed with candle lights coming from the inside, and Madeline couldn’t wait to be in the warmth of Amade’s home.

Coming down from the carriage and taking their traveling bag with her. Madeline waited for Cassian to drop from the Coachman’s seat, and when he stood beside her, they heard the door to Amade’s house creak open, and a familiar face peered out.

The alarmed expression on Amade’s face deteriorated instantly when he took notice of Madeline and Cassian standing at the front porch of his home, having a conversation regarding something he couldn’t hear. With a surprised look on his face, he stepped out of his home.

"Am I hallucinating?" Amade questioned himself as he rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand, but to his amazement, he wasn’t.

"Lord Cassian!"

"Who is at the door?" A female voice inquired curiously after hearing Amade’s jubilating tone, and just like Amade, the woman, who appeared to be in her early forties, stepped out of the house.

She rubbed her wet hands with a napkin like someone who just finished doing the dishes, and the woman who had come to see the carriage that stopped in her home, also froze in surprise at the presence of Cassian and a young woman in millitary uniform approaching them.

"Lord Cassian." Without wasting time, Amade rushed towards them to receive the traveling bag from Madeline who was reluctant to give it at first, but after Amade’s undying insistence, she let him carry the bag for her.

"Lady Madeline, Lord Cassian? Why did you ride the carriage yourself? And why are you dressed in this manner? No one will think you belong to the family of a Duke with this appearance." As confused as Amade was, he took notice of their exhaustion, and immediately led them into his home.

"Come, come in. My dear, get something prepared for them, they must have journeyed all day." Amade barely gave the young couples the opportunity to explain why they were here and instantly ushered them into his home.

The front yard was well manicured, and Madeline took notice of the various flowers and shrubs lining the walkway to the door that was painted a bright shade of blue.

The woman who stood at the entrance heartedly welcomed them into her home with a warm smile, and behind her stood a little fluffy-brown-haired boy who appeared to be the age of four as he hid behind his mother, his doe coffee-brown eyes peeping at the two unfamiliar people that just stepped into his parents home.