Chapter 172: Encounter In The Courtroom (1)
That night, Madeline had difficulty going to sleep as she laid flat on the bed, her midnight hair sprawled over the pillow in waves. Her blank gaze was fixed on the ceiling, recalling everything that had happened at the palace, and how it all centered around her, including Cassian getting hurt all because of her.
The images played in her head, like a nightmare she couldn’t stop visiting.
It still felt like some kind of dream, but the absence of someone beside her made her aware of the fact that it wasn’t a dream. Looking at the empty space at her left, Madeline placed her hand there, and it felt cold to the touch, the familiar warmth of someone missing, and she wished for his presence again.
Her heart ached, and she wondered what he must be going through all by himself.
Was his wound getting treated? Or is he being punished? Did she make a mistake by leaving him all alone?
Sitting up, Madeline made the decision to visit the palace first thing in the morning. She needed to speak with His Majesty, and make him understand that Cassian is still the Cassian he knew, and she would do her best to free him from this trouble, even if it means making any sort of deal with His Majesty, she was ready for it.
Unable to go back to sleep when her heart still felt troubled by Cas’s absence, Madeline got out of bed and chose to take a walk instead, at least something that would keep her mind swayed, and this was the best time to go out and receive the fresh air at the garden.
The next day, just like everyone had predicted, the news about Cassian becoming a creature of the night went rampant in the whole of the upper East quarters. Some of the news went as far as accusing Cassian for the disappearance of those missing people, and the shocking revelations had the people talking, most especially the house of the Duke.
Richard’s gaze scrutinized today’s news on the newspaper, and his expression went grim when his eyes fixed themselves on the headlines. Unlike Elaine who was worriedly pacing back and forth in front of his study room, Richard remained relatively calm as he closed the newspaper.