The Baroness Misbehaves
Chapter 224: A Note From Elian

Chapter 224: A Note From Elian

The next morning, Madeline was still sound asleep on the bed when she heard the chirping of a bird outside her window. Her scanty lashes fluttered tiredly, and her ears twitched when the chirping sound refused to go away.

Slowly, she opened her eyes, and her blurry gaze landed on the bird that sat outside their window. When her vision cleared, she didn’t hesitate to take note of how beautiful the bird at her window was. It had stopped making those squeaking noises and only remained at the window, staring.

She hasn’t seen any bird since she showed up at Whitebrige, and the sight of a pretty red bird piqued her curiosity.

When Madeline made an attempt to rise to her feet and see what the bird wanted, she felt the weight of someone’s arm resting on her body, limiting her movement. Slightly puzzled, she turned her head to look at the young lad who was fast asleep beside her.

She blinked multiple times at the sight of him, and memories of last night flooded her brain, reminding her of why she felt awfully tired this morning. He had put on a nightgown for her when she fell asleep last night, and Madeline felt glad to wake up with some clothes on.

She wanted to feel infuriated with him for what he had done to her last night, but looking at him now, she couldn’t help but smile as she admired his pretty face.

His usually sharp features were softened by sleep, and his long lashes casted soft shadows on his cheek. His lips were parted ever so slightly, and she couldn’t resist the urge to reach out a finger and trace the fullness that was a result of their rough kissing last night.

His nose was straight and slightly pointed at the end, fitting perfectly with the rest of his features.

Madeline admired the soft tuft of his hair that framed his face, so different from his usual perfectly coiffed hair. Before she knew it, she had taken a strand of his hair between her fingers, feeling its soft texture as she continued to watch him.

In this moment, Madeline felt her love for him grow even stronger. She understood what he meant when he said he fell in love with her while watching her sleep, cause she was feeling the same way presently.

She couldn’t believe how lucky she was to wake up to him every morning, to witness his beauty in its most natural state. To avoid waking him up, she gently took his arm off her, but in her attempt, his arm around her tightened as he pulled her close out of reflex, and Madeline’s back hugged his bare torso

Her heart raced when his warm breathing fanned her neck. She didn’t move, patiently waiting for him to fall asleep again so she could recoil herself out of his grip, and when she finally got the chance, she removed the blanket from her body and quietly slipped away from his hold.

From how he took her last night, Madeline expected to find herself unable to walk today, but surprisingly, she didn’t feel as sore down there as she had expected.

Getting out of bed, Madeline tip-toed quietly to the window and opened it. The bird hovered in the air, and when Madeline stretched both her hands forward, it dropped lightly on her palm, closing its bright red wings that left her fascinated.

"Where did you come from?" She whispered as though the lovely bird could speak, but from its reaction, she knew it understood her question judging from how it pointed at the letter attached to its leg using its beak.

Surely, this bird had a master, or a mistress.

"A letter? For me?" Feeling even more confused, Madeline took the rolled-up parchment.

She gently set the bird down on the window sill, but before she got a chance to open the letter, someone’s hands went around her waist, pulling her close.

A startled gasp escaped her, but when she felt Cassian’s chin resting on her shoulder, her heart sped even more, but it was not out of fear.

"What are you doing by the window?" He asked, his voice still deep with sleep, and Madeline showed him the letter the bird had delivered.

"This bird, I think it’s a messenger bird." Madeline concluded, "and this letter is for....us?" She looked at Cassian’s face, wanting to confirm if he had any idea about this, but just like her, he seemed lost.

"A letter?" His brows furrowed slightly as he seemed to be more awake than before.

He took the letter from Madeline’s grip. Opening it, he silently read through the letter, and Madeline folded her arms, waiting for him to finish up with the letter so he could explain to her what was written in it.

It took about two minutes before he closed the letter.

"It’s from Elian." He told her, and Madeline finally moved at the mention of Elian.

"Elian? Why...why would Elian send us a letter, is something wrong? Are Inna and Orson okay? Mother and Father...."

"They’re all fine." He answered, turning to look at her, but he still didn’t look happy after reading the letter.

"Then.. What’s the issue?" She asked, her expression contorted into worry.

"I shouldn’t have left those two idiots with Inna."

"Why? What happened? Has Elijah done something to them?"

"Even worse, those three musketeers are coming here."

"The three what?" Madeline was so lost.

"Inna, Orson and Elian, they’re coming here." He brushed his hand through his hair, "I specifically told them to stay back, but according to the letter, Elian says they’re being threatened by Inna."

"Inna? But Inna’s a sweet girl, how can she threaten them?"

"Inna? Sweet?" Cassian begged to differ, "I hate when people use that term to describe her. But still, she’s a seventeen-year-old she-devil, I expected more from them."

Madeline chuckled lightly before placing a hand on his shoulder. "The three of them coming over doesn’t sound bad, I’ve missed their presence. Don’t you miss them? Especially Orson?"

"No."

"Liar."

Madeline walked back to the bird and let it settle in her arm. "I’ll feed the bird, and you’ll write back a response for the three of them."