The Baroness Misbehaves
Chapter 269: Procession Of Shame

Chapter 269: Procession Of Shame

"He probably disappeared when the light thingy passed through each one of us." Elian added, vaguely remembering how his heart was at the brink of leaving his chest when the powerful light passed right through him, and he came out fine. "Elijah had been a pure-blood, his transformation was permanent to say the least, he couldn’t turn human, so it was impossible to survive the barrier spell."

"I’m so sorry." Madeline wished there was more she could offer him for his loss, but all she could do was say sorry to him. She had been so down by Cassian’s absence she didn’t realize Elian had lost his twin to the barrier spell. Now that she thought about it, the barrier spell only seemed to have taken something away from them, the struggles and everything they had gone through to get to that stage, but in return, they lost souls that mattered more to them.

"Please do not blame yourself." Elian quickly assured her when he sensed her gloomy aura, "what happened was simply inevitable and beyond our control, so don’t impact unnecessary worries on yourself. What we should do now is make sure Abbot pays for his crimes, and it’ll be great if Cassian’s mother gets some justice too."

"Mhmmn, you’re right." Orson agreed with a simple nod. "She has received a lot of derogatory comments for being a mistress. No one knew about Juliana and her schemes, the hidden murder as well, but I don’t think she’ll have anything to worry about from now on. The bureau team already dug what they could on the man she killed, and Cas is the real heir of the Albrecht family, I just wish he was here to get the title and justice he deserves. Sigh... that idiot."

Elian, who noticed the young man was about to tear up, placed his hand behind Orson’s neck as he massaged it. Orson and Cassian were like six and nine, Siamese twins as they’d call it, and it was understanding for Orson to feel this way. Madeline could only hold back her tears, and she placed a hand to her flat stomach, wanting to feel her baby’s presence.

"How’s your wound now?" She asked Orson, and the young man shook his head with a tsk. "It’s healing, it stings once in a while but I’m alright."

"Want me to take care of you?" Elian joked in a flirtatious manner, giving him one of his earnest looks that made Orson cringe. "I know I have a face that can make you swoon, but I don’t do guys. Where’s Elian with the silent treatment? I think I miss that second idiot now." He pushed Elian aside as a way of telling him to keep his distance, whilst he laughed alongside Madeline.

The next day, King Alaric made the public announcement concerning Cassian and what had really happened to the citizens of Carmarthen. Abbot was placed on trial and was rightfully sentenced to death by beheading. Juliana was sentenced to life incarceration in another town, and despite her scheming attempt to maneuver her way out of this mess, the evidence and Abbot’s statement concerning his late Father had Juliana dropping to her knees in defeat. If there was one thing Abbot was capable of, he would hate to go down alone, so if he was going to have his life ruined, he would take down the woman that supported his cruel actions rather than straying him away from it.

In the fading light of the setting sun, the upper East quarters townsquare was alive with an eerie hush as the crowds awaited the commencement of a somber procession. A heavy ominous air seemed to press down upon the stone-paved street, mirroring the weight of the impending doom that awaited the once prideful duchess, Juliana.

Her once opulent attire, now tattered and disheveled, was a stark contrast to the beauty that once defined her. Thick, unkempt locks cascaded around her pale and gaunt face, now etched with the lines of cruelty and treachery.

As the chains rattled around her wrists and ankles, Juliana’s piercing eyes darted about the crowd, searching for a glimmer of hope that had long since abandoned her. The shadows under her eyes betrayed the sleepless nights she spent scheming and plotting, leading to her inevitable downfall. Yet, even in this dire moment, an air of arrogance clung to her demeanor, a stubborn defiance that refused to yield.

As the villagers whispered their discontent and judgments, two figures emerged from the edge of the gathering. Elaine, the first wife of the Duke and a woman of strength and compassion, stepped forward with an air of quiet determination. Her age had only deepened her beauty, and her regal presence commanded respect from the crowd. Beside her stood Madeline who stayed silent as Elaine approached the woman who had taken away everything from her.

Elaine’s gown, though not as ornate as Juliana’s once extravagant attire, held an elegance and grace that spoke of a noble character. Seeing the woman who once held no position in the upper East quarters, Juliana couldn’t describe the shame that filled her whole, and she looked away from Elaine.

"Are you here to rub in your victory? Must feel good to regain your honor as it should be. Isn’t that what you’ve come here to say?" Questioned Juliana, but Elaine smiled compassionately before shaking her head.

"No, I am not here to do any of what you are thinking." Elaine candidly stated as she let out a breath. "I am here to assure you of something, and that is Oliver. You won’t have to worry about him, or his future. I shall take care of him like my very own, and see to it that he progresses."

Hearing this, a flicker of surprise danced in the weary eyes of Juliana as she met the gaze of the woman before her. In that fleeting moment, emotions long suppressed began to surface, revealing a vulnerability that only few had ever seen.

"Are you saying this because–"

"I am not doing this for you." Elaine corrected as a matter-of-fact, "Oliver still has a bright future ahead of him, and I wouldn’t want his life to be discriminated against for your actions, Juliana."

A tear welled up in Juliana’s eyes upon listening to Elaine, but she quickly wiped it away, an act of defiance against the pain of her circumstances. She had three sons, and with two out of the picture, she couldn’t be anymore grateful that her Oliver’s life won’t be affected by her own horrible deeds.

The crowd murmured in hushed tones as the two women stood there, locked in an unspoken exchange that transcended their shared history. The weight of the past, the sins committed, and the bonds forged were all laid bare in that silent moment.

Elaine’s offer of kindness, amidst the retribution, provided a glimpse of humanity’s capacity for compassion and forgiveness. As the procession began to move, dragging Juliana away towards her grim fate, Madeline came to stand beside Elaine, feeling more than proud to have someone like her for a mother-in-law.

"Where’s Oliver right now?" Madeline asked Elaine who just smiled.

—--------------

"This is so cool!" Oliver expressed his surprise when Inna made him shoot at a bullseye using a fake gun, and Elian didn’t hide his impressed demeanor when the young human just missed the center of the target with one line.

"Are all the Albrecht family talented with guns?" He mused, glancing at Inna who was sharing a hi-five with Oliver.

"Should I tell you a secret?"

"The secret will depend on if it’s worth keeping." He studied the fake gun in his hand. "Okay tell me."

"I’ll tell you after you tell me how you were able to make such a good shot without assistance."

"Not technically good, but It’s quite simple actually." He adjusted his glasses, settling it properly at the rim of his nose before demonstrating. "As the bullet navigates this spiraling passage, the laws of physics come into play, granting it the exquisite gift of rotation. In doing so, the bullet attains a stability that defies the whims of chaos, a ballet of stability amid anarchy, do you understand?" He glanced at Inna and Elian who blinked without responding, whilst he continued regardless.

"As the bullet emerges, propelled by this spectacular choreography of mechanics, it embarks on its ballistic journey. A waltz with gravity ensues, gravity’s pull tugging the bullet gently, yet persistently, towards the Earth’s embrace." And he fired another shot, "there you have it, you know I think I’m going to further my studies on science and engineering."

"Did you understand a word he just said?" Elian, who had moved to stand beside Inna suddenly felt like a dullard in the presence of Oliver, and Inna couldn’t help but feel worse.

"Shouldn’t it be illegal to be this smart? He’s just thirteen!!"