The Baroness Misbehaves
Chapter 237: Keep It A Secret

Chapter 237: Keep It A Secret

Entering a room that was opposite the main hall, Inna smiled in relief to see Madeline scanning through the books on the bookshelf. Closing the door quietly, she turned and made her way through the narrow passage of the library to meet Madeline.

"What are you looking for? They must be important since you haven’t taken my presence into consideration." Inna’s gaze shifted from the racks of books to Madeline who’s seeking gaze was still fixed on the wellkept books on the shelf.

"Do not pay attention to my lack of focus, Inna." Madeline smiled but didn’t turn to look at Inna. "Now that you’re here can you help me out real quick, " Osvaldo said something about finding a black-colored book with three stars on the front cover. He just hinted on a very peculiar note that I needed to know concerning my powers, and I’m stuck here."

"Didn’t you ask which shelf it would be on?"

"Oh I did." Madeline stopped searching and turned to look at Inna. "He told me on the fourth shelf at the right, on the section below. I’ve been going through them but I can’t tell if my eyes are the problem or if Osvaldo is messing with me, cause I can’t find it."

"If he says it’s here then it has to be." Inna’s gaze instinctively glanced through the books on the below section of the shelf, and this time, Madeline’s gaze shifted to the picture portrait she was holding close to her chest.

"What is that?" Madeline asked with drooping eyes, and Inna’s brows rose as if she just remembered her main reason for searching for Madeline in the first place.

"Ah! Yes! Elian found this on a table in the hallway, and I thought it would be meaningful to you." While saying this, she stretched her hand forward, handing the portrait to the curious Madeline who stared at Inna for five seconds, then back at the portrait before receiving it.

"Whose is it?" Her undenying curiosity had Inna smiling, but she said nothing and gestured with her brows instead for Madeline to take a look at the portrait herself.

Turning the portrait, Madeline’s gaze landed on the familiar picture of a woman. Her eyes widened slightly at the picture of her Mother, but then it retained its natural size, there was a strange glint in her eyes before she looked at Inna and asked.

"Where did you say you found this?"

"In the hallway, Elian found it, I just snatched it from him." Inna naturally peeked at the painting before looking at Madeline who’s gaze had softened as she continued to stare at the picture of her Mother.

"She’s a beautiful woman." Inna said, "it’s quite unfortunate that you were separated from your loved ones. I can’t imagine having to lose my Mother at such a tender age of yours. I can’t even fathom that idea now."

"She looks much younger in this picture, she must have forgotten to take it when she left Whitebridge those years ago." Madeline muttered, taking in the youthful appearance of her Mother in the picture.

A faint smile graced Madeline’s lips, and she shook her head. "My Mother and I, our relationship was quite complicated since we had a lot of arguments even at my little age. She always told me I never acted my age, and that I was born to always disagree with the things she says. We had more disagreements and she always took the things I did seriously, I’m only starting to understand why."

Out of pure instinct, Madeline hugged the portrait to her chest, wishing she could go back to change all those times she spent arguing with her Mother. Blinking away the blurriness from her eyes, she smiled appreciatively at Inna.

"This means a lot, thank you."

"You’re welcome." She gave Madeline’s shoulder a sisterly pat before going on her knees to check the books on the shelf. "You wait and see, I’ll find that book you were searching for. I wouldn’t want to miss attending the choosing ceremony and seeing how things are done here."

"You’d be surprised."

"I’ve witnessed enough surprises for a day." Inna sighed before looking at Madeline. "That Osvaldo guy, he’s basically a green snake in green grass."

"What do you mean?"

"He looked so harmless when we first showed up here. Do you know he knows martial arts? Have you seen him display his magical powers?"

"Not yet." Madeline shook her head with a subtle frown, "but he is a white seer. You shouldn’t cause trouble in a land you aren’t familiar with cause they won’t hesitate to strike. Osvaldo was probably being protective, but he’s a good person. You’ll like him more when you get to spend time with him in person."

Inna shrugged before pausing a little, and then she looked at Madeline. "Soo... Elian asked me to be his date for tonight’s choosing ceremony."

"Really?!" Awed by the news, Madeline looked at her with open eyes, and Inna nodded.

"I was caught off guard myself." Rising to her feet, she bit her lower lip anxiously before looking at Madeline who was still half-stunned. "If Cassian finds out about this, he’ll murder Elian with his bare hands."

"What do you want me to do then?" Madeline blinked, already aware of how overprotective Cassian can be when it comes to his sister. The ones who would probably be after her heart in the future will have a lot to tend with.``

"Can you help me keep this a secret from him?" She asked, holding onto one of Madeline’s hands as she wheedled the young woman with her sweet tone.

"Me?"

"Yes!" She smiled, "Cassian will listen to you, and I.... just want to enjoy my evening without causing some sort of duel."

"Wait..." Madeline eyed Inna with unhidden curiosity. "Do you have feelings for Elian?"

"When did I say that?"

"Your actions say enough." Madeline chuckled at how flabbergasted Inna’s reaction turned out to be. "It’s fine if you don’t want to tell me yet, but I guess I can keep Cassian away for the meantime if that is what you want."

"Really?" Inna’s eyes brightened, "great! I’ll continue to search for the book now."

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"What is he doing?" Cassian whispered to Orson who was munching on a snack. They both stood close to the gate outside, watching Elian who was tending to a horse, and Orson whispered back.

"Don’t ask how I know, but I heard he’s taking someone as his date to the choosing ceremony. Whitebridge is fond of horses, so he’s probably planning on using a horse to attend with his..." Orson whistled in a low tone.

"Date?" Cassian’s brow furrowed. "He just came today, how can he have a date so suddenly? It’s already noon and everyone is basically getting prepared by now."

"You’d be surprised, my old friend. And to correct you on that note, he’s handsome enough to get a date of his choice." Orson whispered before folding up his sleeves, a mischievous glint flashing in his eyes. "Come on, let’s go look for trouble."

Dragging Cassian with him, they stopped a few feets from where Elian stood, and Orson whistled for his attention.

"What a fairy-tale, I would let people burn me to ashes and still not believe you’re capable of planning a romantic horse ride."

"It’s not a romantic horse ride, idiot." Elian answered straight-forwardly, barely turning around to look at the two peas in a pod.

"Theory says, if you’re taking a lady with you, it’s bound to get romantic." Cassian added, and when Elian turned to look at him, he received a mischievous wink from Cassian.

"Spill the name, who is brave enough to capture the heart of agent red."

"I have an idea, let’s give him a little show. We both know Elian is boring so he might need tips on how to woo a woman." Orson suggested, and Cassian couldn’t deny.

With pure irritation in his eyes, Elian watched the two of them as they cleared their throat, ready to begin their little show, and Orson pretended to be the damsel in distress as he hooked both his arms around Cassian’s waist.

"To ride on a horse is to fly without wings, for that, my lovely Mademoiselle, you must hold on tight to me." Cassian wrapped Orson’s hand even tighter around his waist, his voice dripping with fake passion that infuriated the usually calm Elian.

"I shall hold on even if my life doesn’t depend on it, Master Elian, you didn’t tell me you had such a manly build, it feels so strong!"

"My Lady, I shall...."

"You two are fucking annoying! Get out of my sight!" Unable to stand them making fun of him, he carried the bucket of water by his side and splashed it on the two young fellows who fled the scene, unable to hold their laughter as they watched Elian lose his cool.

"My goodness! He’s furious, that means, he is going on a real date!" Orson exclaimed with intrigue, looking at Cassian who was still struggling to hold back his laughter.

"Do not worry Elian, Orson and I shall be by your side as we watch you trot your way to love my friend." He pledged with a light fist to his chest.

"If I get my hands on you two!!"

"He’s mad! Run!"

Inna and Madeline who watched them from the window, unable to grasp what they were discussing outside, turned surprised when Elian chased both Orson and Cassian til they ran out through the gate, obviously annoyed about something.

"It never gets old." They said in unison.