30 Crossing The Line (1)

After their conversation had ended, a female servant dutifully brought their breakfast like the housekeeper had promised. Cassian didn't hear any further ruckus downstairs, which means Fredrick had done a good job covering up for them both.

It was surprising to see how loyal the workers here are when it came to Cassian. Madeline doubted in her heart that they'd behave this way to the rest of the family. It was difficult to say they weren't fond of the young Lord since they were more than ready to lend him a helping hand.

Madeline quickly had her bath and got changed into something casual for the day. She had a peaceful breakfast with Cassian while they spoke more on ways to help her deal with her trauma. 

She didn't mind that she missed last night's dinner while waiting for Cassian. This morning breakfast had covered up for last night, and while she explained to him the symptoms of her trauma, it felt like she was gradually lifting a heavy burden off her shoulders.

After breakfast, Cassian decided to wait while Fredrick gave the new lady a little tour around the mansion. After introducing her to the servants in the mansion, he quickly proceeded with the next step as they went down the stairs. He took his time in explaining every corner of the house to the amused Madeline.

"The rooms on the third floor are specifically meant for the Duke, the duchess and the respectable Lady Elaine. The second floor is where you stay with the young lord Cassian. By that I mean, the young Lords of the mansion and the young lady occupy the second floor. The first floor is for guests only."

Madeline paid close attention to every floor they came across as he took her down the stairs. The hallways never seem to have an ending, and Madeline was tempted to take off her shoes, finding it bothersome since she was inside the house.

Not only that, they were making her toes hurt.

"And this part of the mansion is off-limits to everyone." Fredrick came to a stop as they made it to the darker side of the mansion. Madeline could recognize this part since she ran into Inna here.

Feeling happy that Fredrick had brought up this side of the mansion to her, Madeline used it as an opportunity to kill her curiosity.

"Why is it off-limits?" Just like yesterday, every other place in the mansion was filled with lights, but this particular side of the mansion appeared dark even during daytime. She didn't need anyone to tell her this part of the house was restricted judging from the aura surrounding it, but she was curious to know why it was left deserted.

"That rule was made 20 years ago." Fredrick responded firmly. "I don't know what the reasons are in detail, but what I can tell you is that this part of the mansion was forbidden to enter after the visit from one of the Albrecht's closest relatives."

"A relative?" Madeline's brows furrowed slightly, and the butler responded with a nod of his head.

"Yes, I know nothing more than that. The Duke gave his orders, and so we all must abide by it. This way.." he quickly moved on to the next section of the mansion, as though he was intent on leaving the darker part of the mansion, and Madeline was left with no choice but to follow him.

"The servants quarters are at the back of the mansion. This is the Albrecht family's smallest library." He opened a door after taking Madeline to the hallway, and when she stepped in to view the library, her jaw nearly dropped open after noticing the huge size of the library.

"Did you say this is the 'smallest library??'' Madeline stared in disbelief. This library would be the size of two big bedrooms combined together, and yet he calls it small???

"The biggest is at the other corner of the hallway, and so is Lord Cassian's personal study room." Fredrick asserted to the dumbstruck Madeline who stepped out of the library. She had a lot of places to get familiar with in the mansion, and she didn't want to keep Cassian waiting for too long.

"Cassian's study room?"

"I'll personally take you there. Mrs Cassian you need to be quick on your heels, we still have many places to get familiar with in this mansion and it is a good thing you had breakfast before we started."

He walked ahead while letting her know that he was just showing her the most important places of the mansion, and Madeline quietly followed while listening to Fredrick who was being a professional at his duty. 

They came across a locked door and he tsked.

"The young lord is very private about the things in his study room. The lock he uses on this door would take a person years to find a correct replica. I'm assuming he kept the gifts in here, must be why he locked it so hard."

"Gifts?" Out of everything Fredrick had spewed from his mouth, that was the only thing Madeline's ears could grasp.

"You didn't know?" Fredrick facepalmed after realizing the mistake he just made. "It was a surprise from the young Lord, and it is obvious I've ruined it. When he shows you the gifts he got for you, please act surprised or else the young lord will haunt my dreams."

Madeline looked surprised after hearing what Frederick said to her. Cassian got her gifts??

"Okay let's move on to the next." Fredrick was always ahead no matter how hard Madeline tried to keep up. He showed her the places where Inna takes music lessons, and he summarized the rest of the young Lord's favorite rooms where they spend most of their time, and Madeline silently prayed she remembers it all.

Juliana, who stood at the top of the stairs, silently watched the young lady already blending and settling in with everyone in the mansion, and she couldn't hide her distaste for the lowly thing.

"Mother, who is that with the Butler?" Came the prim and proper voice of a lady who stood beside Juliana, questioningly watching the young baroness who smiled as the butler showed her around.

"She's Cas's new wife." Juliana didn't hide the disappointment in her tone, but that wasn't enough to make the elegant lady beside her conceal her shock and surprise.

"I heard about it on my way here. I really thought it was another meaningless rumor about Cassian. So it's true??"

       Stepping out of the mansion. The sky above was blue and cloudless. The weather was friendly, and that alone brought a smile to Madeline's lips. The Duke's mansion was incredibly beautiful, and the outside also had its magical touch as she took notice of the many flowers adorning the main door. 

Fredrick took her round the front garden, showing her the spot where Lady Elaine always comes to have her morning tea, or even a walk.

"If you want to steal some time with the Mistress, the early morning when she's in a good mood and is enjoying the cool weather is the best time." He hinted, knowing Madeline and the noble Lady would certainly have a lot to talk about.

Madeline nodded her head with a smile, and they were just about to head in when a carriage suddenly pulled over at the front gate of the mansion.

The gatekeeper was already up on his feet to go see who had chosen to pay the Duke a visit, only to be violently pushed aside, to Madeline and the butler's shock.

"What insolence!" Fredrick was visibly stunned by the unexpected act. He wanted to see the person who had the dared to cross the line by behaving rudely with a worker, not until a man in a black suit stood at the entrance of the gate.

Anger raged in his red-rimmed eyes as he spotted Madeline who had frozen at the sight of him.

"Gregory??" She took a step back when the raging man stepped in through the gate. Her heart sped and a look of fear contorted her expression as she slowly tried to make her way into the mansion

"You.." he pointed at Madeline who instantly stopped moving. "You're coming with me, we have a wedding to finish."

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