The Baroness Misbehaves
Chapter 275: [Bonus - ]

Chapter 275: [Bonus Chapter]

Two months passed by quickly for Madeline, and things were starting to settle as they should be. Elian returned to the Palace after a massive grand welcoming was made to celebrate the lost Prince’s return, and Elian was able to see and speak with his sick Father one last time before his time on Earth eventually elapsed. The whole of Carmarthen mourned his death, but things were back to moving in the Palace a month after.

Cassian was eventually entitled with his rank as Duke of Carmarthen. He was also given a chance to pick as many soldiers he would like to train and was sure would assist him whenever there was an emergency crises. However, he didn’t get a chance to do that since all the soldiers he was introduced to were more than willing to lead by his rules and command.

Due to his rank as Duke, he had to spend quality time with his Father who willingly assisted him when he got confused in accomplishing a certain task, thus, bringing them together, and Richard was able to see a side of his son he had never seen before.

"You should come over sometimes, my home has no monsters." Cassian had said to his Father when he was done dismissing his army, and Richard seemed to hesitate at his son’s request.

"Won’t you come?" Cassian probed further, noticing his Father avert his gaze elsewhere.

"I shouldn’t." He said, almost apologetically. Cassian didn’t dwell on his Father’s remorseful state and simply shrugged.

"Mother doesn’t stay in the mansion often since she’s attending to my wife who is presently carrying my child, Oliver is busy with studies, and he comes over to spend time with Inna. I just want you to know that if you ever feel like coming, or if the mansion feels a little lonely, the doors to my home is opened for you." He made his intention clear, glancing at his Father who only nodded without saying anything else to it.

He couldn’t even if he wanted to, he didn’t have the mind to.

As for Madeline, nothing much happened except having to spend time with Cassian who was there to aid her in everything she did, and as promised, he showered her with all the love he could possibly give. Even getting out of bed would warrant some sort of scolding from her husband except it was time to perform her daily exercise as recommended by the midwives and Elaine.

It got to a point Madeline no longer cared if the labor pain would hurt, she just wanted the day to reach before she loses her mind.

And finally... the day of delivery no longer knocked on the door.

On the grand bed adorned with rich tapestries, Madeline laid on it, her face radiant yet marked with the intensity of childbirth. As the skilled midwives and healers surrounded her with their big bowl, a towel and other important necessities, what they were doing no longer mattered as Madeline’s tearful screams filled the room.

"You are doing a good job Duchess, one more push, we’re almost there." These were the only sounds her ears could perceive besides her screams.

What follows next was her attempt to push, which led to another scream as her head dropped back on the pillow. She was covered in sweat from all the energy she had used up, and one could visibly see the veins popping slightly at her forehead. The young Duchess sobbed to herself as she no longer had the strength to do what these women were telling her to they, they kept saying soon but when is this ’soon’ going to come????

The things she had uttered verbally when she couldn’t endure the pain, she could remember screaming something at the midwives but hardly knew the things she had said to them.

"Breathe, you’re doing fine Maddie." Elaine’s face appeared before her blurry gaze, and she clasped her Mother-in-law’s hand with her trembling fingers.

"Mother, this is too much."

"It will be over soon." Elaine stayed with her, trying to soothe the crying woman with a harmless smile. "Don’t you wish to see your baby? Deep breaths Maddie, you can do this, just breathe, don’t let yourself sleep."

"Cassian, I... I want my husband." Her weak hoarse voice managed to whisper to one of the midwives as her gaze moved. "I want to see my husband... get me my husband."

"Go, allow the Duke to enter." Elaine said to one of the midwives who nodded and quickly left to go get the Duke.

Cassian was waiting outside the door as he paced back and forth, his expression pale as he had no idea what to do. There was a mix of fear and desperation in his eyes, and he wanted to punch the wall. He wanted to apologize for making his wife go through this pain, and since he still had his Vampiric senses, he could hear screams from inside.

It only heightened his fears.

Orson’s concerned gaze followed the young man who looked like the ground should open up so he could enter it. He wasn’t the one going through labor but he appeared to be in more pain than the woman inside.

"She’ll be fine, Maddie’s a strong woman so you have nothing to worry about." Orson, who barely knew what words he could utter to assure his agitated best friend, tried to make him calm down, but Cassian didn’t seem to hear what his best friend had said as he kept pacing, waiting for the door to open.

Or should he go in instead?

He stopped pacing at the thought of this. What is he doing out here? He should be with the woman who was struggling to bear his child. He needed to be with her, he was desperate to stay by her side, so how can he be foolish to let her handle this all by herself??

"I’m going in." He said, almost as if his decision had been made.

"What?" Orson’s eyes widened when Cassian was already heading towards the door. He was about to knock when the door opened, revealing the midwife who said nothing and let him in.

By this time, Alistair and Inna had showed up. "Did we arrive late?"

Orson shook his head, and from the look of things, it was obvious Madeline was still undergoing labor.

Cassian, who had stepped inside where the unimaginable happened, could feel his body grow cold when he saw his wife in tears, weak and power drained. But mysteriously, the pain in her eyes lessened the moment she noticed his presence in the room.

"Cas." She reached out her hand for her husband to hold, and Cassian didn’t hesitate to reach her side, taking her hand in his as he stooped down so he could look at her face. He could see she was trying to seek strength in his presence, whilst he smiled reassuringly, hiding away his own fears as that wasn’t what she needed to see right now.

"Cas."

"I’m here with you, everything will be fine, okay? Did you hear? It’ll be over soon." He stroked her hair lightly, and Elaine had to step back to give the young Duke some space to talk with his wife. "You’re my brave Maddie, you’re doing fine, it will all be over before you know it, just keep looking at me, okay?"

He whispered softly, his voice resonating like a soothing melody amidst the clamor of anticipation. Madeline squeezed his hand to deal with her own pain, and she could feel his love for her and her unborn child emanating from his every being.

"You can do this, okay? Just tell me what you’d like to eat once this is over, do you want your favorite meal? Just tell me, I’ll make them myself, remember you said you liked my cooking."

"I’d... I’d like that." Madeline chuckled softly as he kept speaking to her, and listening to his voice was able to distract her mind from the pain.

"I’ll make everything, let’s get through this first."

Nodding her head as he kept petting to her, Madeline drew in strength from his encouraging words, and the prospect of bringing a new life to their world. She breathed deeply, riding the waves of contraction with determination, knowing the pain was a precursor to an unparalleled joy.

"We’re almost there, one more push My Lady, one more push." And with that, Madeline gave it her all as she pushed, her fingernails digging into the skin of Cassian’s knuckles but he didn’t react.

Time seemed to slow and rush as the hours of labor felt like an eternity, yet in a passing heartbeat. At the Pinnacle of both exhaustion and excitement, the moment arrived.

The cries of a newborn baby filled the chamber as Madeline’s head dropped back to the pillow. Even with the crying sound of a baby, Cassian continued to stare at his wife, wanting to confirm if she was alright, afraid of losing her to this, but he could feel the weight on his shoulder drop when her tired eyes fluttered open.

"Maddie." He had uttered her name with so many emotions attached to it, but all Madeline could give as response was a slight smile, and Cassian couldn’t stop himself from kissing her forehead.

"Thank you for staying alive." He whispered softly, their foreheads touching as he savored the moment that now felt like a new beginning to him.

Madeline’s exhaustion and pain seemed to melt away as she glimpsed at the baby that was gently cradled in one of the midwives arm. The baby was swaddled in soft linen, with tiny, delicate features that mirrored a combination of hers and Cassian.

"Congratulations, it’s a boy." The midwife announced with a hearty look. Elaine who couldn’t stop herself held out her hand to hold her grandchild in her arms.

"He is so adorable!"

Worn-out to the bed, Madeline’s eyes filled to the brim with fresh tears as she let out her hand for Elaine, wanting to hold her baby. Elaine helped her cradle the covered baby boy in her arms, and an overwhelming surge of love and awe palpitated in Madeline’s heart. She marveled at the beautiful creation she and her husband had brought into the world, a testament to their love and devotion.

Cassian’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears as he beheld his wife and their son, a sense of awe and profound happiness washing over him. Gently, he caressed the baby’s cheek, feeling an instant connection with the precious life they had co-created.

"Congratulations, you’re a Father now." Madeline’s eyes lit up as she met the gaze of Cassian. She wanted to hand their child to him so he could hold him, but Cassian simply placed his arm around her.

"We’ll hold him together." He said, and Madeline was unsure of whether to cry or laugh.

"Will you still make me the meal as promised?" Her question had sent everyone laughing as they hadn’t expected she was still thinking about the meal, and Cassian nodded.

"Yes, I’ll make them for you for a month." He promised, he was ready to do anything for her, for the woman who meant more than the world to him, and when her smile broadened, he dropped a peck on her lips before their gaze returned to their child who was now asleep.

"He’s perfect." Cassian murmured, his voice filled with wonderment and pride.

Madeline nodded her head as she smiled through her tears. "Like you?"

"Like a little rock." He returned her smile, "Alain, we’ll name him Alain."

"Sounds perfect." Leaning into her husband’s embrace, Madeline rested her head on his chest, whilst he dropped another kiss on her forehead.

****THE END****

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