The Baroness Misbehaves
Chapter 274: [Bonus - ]

Chapter 274: [Bonus Chapter]

That night, when the clock struck twelve, Inna’s birthday had been celebrated by everyone. Alaric’s wife had to retire early to bed since she had inevitable duties to fulfill in the morning, whilst she left everyone to themselves while her personal servant escorted her to her quarters. Amade and Oliver were also present at that time, and it was a special treat from Alaric since they had done so much for his Kingdom, thus, allowing the future Duke and his family to celebrate their accomplishments in his Palace wasn’t much of a big deal for him.

Cassian was more of his right-hand man, but also his trusted friend.

At the balcony that overlooks the celebration happening below, Inna stood at the balcony’s edge, her long dark-brownish hair cascading down her shoulders, whilst her fingers caressed the strings of her cello. She played a very low haunting melody, one fit for a night as peaceful as this, and the tune barely got past the balcony for others to savor the melody, but anyone who was lucky enough to pass at the time wouldn’t be able to stop themselves from being mesmerized by the sound.

Below, cheerful laughter could be heard everywhere, and Inna could see Orson explaining to Madeline how Cassian had reacted when he saw him at the village. The genuine laugh on Madeline’s bright face as she listened to Orson tease her husband also brought a smile to Inna’s lips. What birthday gift could be better than seeing her family all together and happy again?

"Beautiful night, isn’t it?" Elian’s refined velvety tone made Inna turn her head slightly to acknowledge his aristocratic presence. His warm green eyes were fixed on her as he began to approach her from the entrance where he stood, watching her for who knows how long he’s been standing there.

"Elian?"

He came to stand beside Inna, leaning his back against the edge as he looked at her pretty face. She remained seemingly unfazed by his presence, but Elian could tell from the slight blush creeping in that it was just a mask to hide her emotions beneath her calm exterior.

"What brings you here to the balcony?" She asked curtly, keeping her cello aside. But then her brown eyes instinctively lifted to meet his green eyes, and they narrowed suspiciously under his gaze. "If you’re here to annoy me then I will get Orson for you, he will lock you up for messing with a Duke’s sister, so think twice about your motive before you start."

Elian simply rolled his eyes before shoving his hand into the pocket of his long black coat as if searching for something. Inna’s judgemental gaze watched him clear his throat awkwardly, and then to her puzzlement, he brought out a small elegant crafted box, extending it for her to receive without looking at her.

"Here, for you." She heard him say, but Inna eyed the box with curiosity, refusing to take it since his motive still remained unclear to her.

"What’s this?"

"A gift from me to you." He answered, and upon noticing the way her brown eyes lit up in surprise, he could feel his heart drum. "I still have to offer you a gift on your birthday so you won’t label me heartless at the end of the day. You’re capable of doing the absurd."

"You got me a gift?" Inna wasn’t particularly sure why his gift had surprised her. Everyone else had given her a gift but she never anticipated the idea that Elian would give her one as well. After much consideration, Inna accepted his gift and didn’t hesitate to open it.

Inside the box, a stunning silver ring adorned with a deep, blood-red gemstone, reflected against the moonlight like a crimson star. The sight of the pretty ring had brought a smile to Inna’s lips, and Elian could feel the weight in his heart dissipate when her stiff lips cracked with the most prettiest smile he had ever seen her show.

"It’s beautiful!" She exclaimed softly, sounding genuinely surprised as she took out the ring and slid it into her ring finger without delay. Loving how pretty it looked on her delicate finger, she showed it to Elian who seemed to be lost in a mesmerizing trance she had caused.

"What do you think?"

Her eyes sparkled as she waited for Elian to give his own compliment, but the red-haired vampire kept his gaze fixed on the specific finger she had slid the ring into, whilst his lips curled slowly into a subtle smile.

"It’s beautiful." He complimented, "but can I ask you a question?"

"What is it?"

"You’re wearing my ring, does that make us engaged? Are we a couple now?"

"What?!" Inna’s eyelids snapped wide at the man who was smiling with visible mischief twinkling in his eyes. At first, his question didn’t make any sense till it occurred to her that he was implying on the finger where she had slid the ring. She had done it so subconsciously that she was just realizing what she had done, and her actions gave her a second-hand embarrassment.

"We’re not...I.... I just got excited over the gift." Inna defended, her face flushed prettily, and when she made an attempt to remove the ring from her finger, she gasped when Elian reached for her, his hand veiling her own dainty fingers in an attempt to stop her from removing the ring. When she looked up to meet his eyes, he grinned, revealing an extremely sharp fang that made her eyes widen in disbelief.

"Your fangs."

"Take it off and I will bite you." He challenged, causing Inna’s breath to hitch as his crimson eyes gouged right into hers. His sudden transformation had startled her to the point she backed away, but everything ceased when her back hit the wall with Elian trapping her there with no form of escape, and then he whispered, almost possessively.

"The ring stays on."

"You’re still–"

"The barrier spell wasn’t supposed to get rid of this side of me. My human form only alternates the spell." His fangs receded, and his green eyes returned. The dumbfounded look in her eyes hadn’t dismissed yet, but Inna recovered slowly when he held her hand that had the ring, and her pupils dilated when he kissed the top of her knuckle.

"Don’t deny, you want this too."

"But.... Aren’t you leaving?" Inna could feel her heart thump as the sudden proximity between them, and her question had Elian tilting his head sexily to the side as he hummed to himself.

"I’ll stay if you say yes to me."

"You are a terrible person." Her face turned red as a lobster as she managed to break the closeness between them, and Elian simply allowed her to get away with it as she tried to catch her breath. She moved to the edge of the balcony, taking deep breaths and trying to get her senses back on track.

"Is that a yes?"

"I can’t say." Inna finally turned around to look at him, pretending to ponder over it. "Well I can’t just accept cause you tell me to. You have to take me out on a proper date first, you have to be nice to me from now on too, you also have to show me just how much you’re interested in me, you have to spoil me, and then, I’ll give you my answer."

"Done." Elian accepted her cute condition without having to think about it. "How about we start by having our first date here?"

"What?"

"Excuse me, pardon my interruptions." Alaric, who had used his voice to announce his presence, immediately gained the attention of Elian and Inna whose gazes drifted to the entrance. Surprisingly, Cassian and Orson stood with Alaric, and Cassian’s eyes narrowed between his sister and Elian.

"What the hell are you two talking–"

"That is not important for now, uhm, Inna can you excuse us?" Orson, who had covered Cassian’s mouth with his palm to stop him from talking, spoke on behalf of Cassian whose suspicious eyes still lingered on his sister and Elian.

They shared a secret glance before Inna quietly excused herself from the balcony, and the three men watched her figure exit the corridor before returning their dazed looks at Elian who shrugged guiltily.

"You mean to tell me my sister has been...." He pointed a finger at Elian, "have you kissed her?"

Elian raised his hands in full surrender, well he does have plans of doing it anyway so why deny now? Orson’s gaze lingered on Elian for a couple more moments before reaching out his hand for him to receive a brotherly handshake.

"I like a man who knows good things. How did you conquer that ice Queen? Tell me everything!" Orson was all in for the gist till Alaric suddenly cleared his throat, and everyone regained themselves again.

Elian’s gaze drifted to Alaric who was staring back at him.

"Elian they say is your name, am I right?" He asked, and Elian lowered his head in a polite bow before responding.

"Yes."

"You’ve made several contributions that opted my Kingdom into the peaceful land that it is now." He declared earnestly. "Cas and Orson had made points where they couldn’t have succeeded without your help, so your reward has already been set in motion. You’re going to come back to the Palace and restore your name to its rightful title, older brother." Alaric’s impassive expression softened a bit, and he noticed the way Elian’s green eyes snapped wide in obvious disbelief.

"Pardon?"

"We....I had to tell him." Orson confessed with a guilty smile. "His Highness has been searching for you and Elijah for a long time. Since the Palace hasn’t forgotten you, why not come back and...."

"I told you I didn’t want it." Elian’s gaze darkened with a glint as he shot Orson a glare, silencing him, but Alaric spoke up instead.

"Your decision is understandable, I cannot question it, nor do I have the right to." He said, "Nothing can be done to repay the lost times when you suffered on your own, and Elijah, each one of us is sincerely sorry for what happened to him, but you shouldn’t deny us the chance to rectify everything. Come home again."

"We’ve thought about it, the three of us, and we’ve decided on it." Cassian added before arching an eyebrow at him. "Say no and I will marry my sister to another man."

"Good thing I’m still single."

"Shut the fuck up." Elian scowled at Orson who felt most intimidated. Chewing on his bottom lip, Elian remained deep in his thoughts, and when he glanced at the three men who waited for his approval, he turned away from them and let out a submissive sigh.

"I’ll do what you want."

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