The Baroness Misbehaves
Chapter 208: Meeting The County Council (1)

Chapter 208: Meeting The County Council (1)

When the carriage made its way smoothly into Whitebrige city’s capital, Madeline was the first to peek her head out the window when Henry informed them of their arrival. Her inquisitive gaze peered out through the curtains, wanting to satisfy her curiosity regarding Whitebrige city’s capital, and when she got a chance to finally see the foreign land her mother was birthed in, her eyes instinctively widened in awe.

The journey had been strenuous, and it rained a little on the way, but it turned out to be worth it after successfully making it into Whitebrige. The sun had already set when their carriage rode into the city’s main capital, casting a warm glow over the tall, dark building that surrounded them.

The buildings they passed were made of the finest stones with intricate carvings on the side. It depicted unique mythical creatures and ancient symbols that Madeline had never seen before. She couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe and wonder as she looked at the towering structure.

"Cas, you need to see this." She mused, drawing the young lad’s attention towards the window she peeked out from, and he joined her, equally taking a look at the strange mysterious city.

The people of Whitebrige were just as intriguing. They wore clothings made from rich velvet and silk. Some carried lantern lights to light the path as they walked in pairs, and others traveled by horsebacks, the sound of their hooves echoing off the walls.

As the carriage rode further, the young couple could hear the distant sound of a fountain that seemed to be located at the center of everything. They followed the sound until they came across a plaza, where the fountain stood tall and magnificent, spraying water high into the air.

The people of Whitebrige city had gathered around the fountain, engaging in small talks, and Madeline could hear giggling including murmurings. Some of them casted strange glances at their carriage, but it wouldn’t take a minute before they averted their gazes back to what they were doing.

"This is where the people of Whitebrige city’s capital gather to conduct business and socialize." Henry explained to the confused couple. "The fountain is known to be the heart of this city, and most events are being occasionally held here, presently, they must be waiting for the county council."

Madeline and Cassian exchanged knowing looks. Unlike Carmarthen, this part looked utterly peaceful to be in. A lot of people still roamed the streets at night while such is forbidden in Carmarthen. Still, Madeline refused to judge a book by the cover, Carmarthen is linked to the heart of Whitebrige, so they possibly can’t be the only one suffering in the hands of Fiends.

There was an air of magic and mystery about Whitebrige that couldn’t be ignored. Everything else looked amazing, but there was something odd about it too, all the leaves and flowers had dried, amounting to nothing. It was getting past the rainy season, and in these times, raindrops tend to be heavier, so how is it possible that not a single flower had bloomed and changed its color to autumn? Even the trees were no different as not a single leaf could be seen on the branches.

For the time being, Madeline considered it to be the first sign of error in Whitebrige city.

When the Carriage pulled to the side, Cassian and Madeline got down from it. The people of Whitebrige glanced their way multiple times, surprised to see non-inhabitants of Whitebrige stopping at the fountain. Apart from that, Madeline took notice of how most attention was centered on Cassian who barely noticed, and Madeline frowned when she noticed those looks were no different from leering advances.

"So, do you have an idea on what to do next or should I think of one?" Asked Cassian as he massaged the back of his neck, feeling utterly strained there, but Madeline caught his arm and hooked her arm around his like a couple would.

"We shall wait for the county council." She responded as they took a walk, "he should be more familiar with his people, and if I’m not mistaken, my Mother used to be known as an exotic angel, I believed this statement cause I don’t think I’ve seen anyone with a beauty like that of my Mother, or maybe it’s because she’s my Mother, but now it’s time to see if that truly is indeed true."

"Or we can ask these people." Cassian brought another easier method instead of having to wait for the county council to arrive, but Madeline was clearly against that idea of having to ask the people about it. It was best to hear it from someone who would be more than aware of her Mother’s emigration to Carmarthen.

"We need to find an inn, or a comfortable place to stay for tonight. We can’t keep lingering here, who knows when the county whatever is going to show up, and if we get a chance to speak with him, how will he entertain the idea of two unfamiliar èmigrè."

"Be positive." Madeline tried to make him look on the bright side, "the Fiend made mention of Whitebridge city’s capital, surely, there has to be some sort of connection, it couldn’t have lied...."

Madeline paused in her statement when something odd went through her nerves. In front of them, a strange blue swirling light appeared in a small circular round form. Staring at what seemed to be a magical portal, Madeline and Cassian took a step back when it widened, and the murmuring from the crowds fell silent at the sight.

Before their eyes, a human figure stepped out of the swirling blue hole, followed by another human figure who held out his lantern as they dropped to the ground. The youthful-looking figure with long copper-brown hair that reached his shoulder, and hazel eyes that looked attractive, likewise intimidating had everyone bowing their heads in the form of greeting.

Everyone except Cassian and Madeline who stared blankly like they were still discovering how two people could step out from a giant swirling hole.

"Madeline." The handsome lad with the copper-brown hair called out her name in his smooth baritone voice, startling Madeline who wondered if he was referring to her or someone behind her.

"And you must be Cassian." His hazel eyes shifted to the equally handsome man who wasn’t sure how to react to their names being called.

"I’ve been expecting you, come with me." With that, he went through the same swirling hole that he had come out from.

Madeline nudged Cassian forward, gesturing he should take the first lead into the portal, but the young lad whispered as he took a step back.

"Lady’s first."

"What tha--" Madeline’s mouth hung open, shocked he would use that phrase on her. Frowning at the young lad who refused to look in her direction, she grabbed hold of his hand and dragged him with her to the portal that instantly sucked them in.