"Young Master, I think the carriage might need a bit of work." Says the Coachman as he squatted down to check the wheels. Frustratingly, the carriage saw no better time to break down but in the middle of the road, and at night too.
It appears one of the front wheels has lost the linchpin applied in holding it firmly to the axle, leading to the carriage's sudden breakdown, and the Coachman couldn't imagine a worse scenario than this.
At the back of the seat, a young man was seated inside the carriage, lazily tapping his fingers rhythmically on his seat as he leaned against the other side of the window, staring boringly at the Coachman who was busy getting rid of the dysfunctional wheel.
"Is it only the carriage that needs work?" He hummed, "I did advise you to check the wheels before we left the mansion earlier this morning, but I don't want to believe each of my Coachmen were born with chicken brains."
"Ah! No Lord Cassian." The Coachman's face instantly turned into one of panic as he met the amber-brown eyes of his young Lord.
He really planned on checking the wheels this morning, but the duchess called for his attention without warning. Knowing he couldn't refuse the duchess since his job would be on the line, he had to report to her immediately, and so he sent someone else to check on the carriage, who later informed him that everything in the carriage was settled.
'I'm going to kill James for putting me in this mess!' he vowed in his mind before gulping nervously and averting his gaze.
"I'll f_fix the carriage right away." He immediately went to work, knowing they shouldn't spend much time outside since it'll be 12am soon.
Cassian sank into his seat, closing his eyes for a few minutes to gather himself. He was tired and stressed from the activities he had to do today. His main plan for the whole of today was visiting the Marquees as early as dawn so he could get information about the deaths happening in his Town.
Three deaths were recorded in one night, and two bodies are currently missing.
He had everything planned out for today, but his mother suddenly handed him some stupid Masquerade ball invitation that he had to attend. His father made a promise to the viscount that he'd be there in his presence, and this was his mother's way of trying to make him impress his father.
The Marquees will be leaving tomorrow for the countryside, and tonight is the only chance he had to see them before they do. He doesn't have that amount of patience to wait for their return since more lives will be gone, and so he made it compulsory to see them before they leave tomorrow morning.
Adjusting his black masquerade mask properly on his face, he opened the carriage door and stepped out, wondering what was taking the Coachman so long to fix a mere carriage wheel.
When his black boots touched the earth, he stood at his full height, letting his eyes survey his surroundings. The outside of almost all the homes were lit with lamps and torches, and it was gravely quiet, except for the wind causing a creaking sound, and the sound of unhinged doors flapping with an unsteady creak.
From the looks of it, he didn't need anyone to tell him this part of Carmarthen belonged to the upper west quarters. Just staring at the place made him think of his mother, and he wondered if life for her was different when she lived in the upper west quarters.
Why was he even bothered?
"Lord Cassian." The Coachman called his name, already done fixing the carriage and standing to his feet. He bowed his head slightly at Cassian who gave him some attention, and he said.
"Lord Cassian, It appears someone is watching us." He informed. Since Lord Cassian came from a family with such high nobility, even mere commoners weren't allowed to steal a peek at him, and it was considered disrespectful in their society.
"So?" Cassian arched a brow, he saw no problem with it as long as whoever was staring wasn't getting in the way of something that concerned him.
"But_but it's inappropriate." Reminded the Coachman who was surprised his young Lord didn't know about any of this.
"Inappropriate?" What's inappropriate about a harmless stare? A bit interested to see who would go against such law, he turned around to look at the person who was brave enough to look his way, but never did he expect to meet the eyes of a pretty woman.
He noticed her eyes widened in alarm, like she never expected him to turn around, and she moved away from her window, except she didn't move too far cause he could still see her face with the aid of what appears to be her room light.
He suddenly whistled in an impressive tone, leaning against the carriage and staring right back at the woman who refused to look away, "she's beautiful."
"W_what??" The Coachman's expression dropped when he heard the unacceptable compliment that escaped from his Young Lord's mouth. His pupils dilated in awe, he nearly forgot he was nothing but a Coachman and was already thinking about sealing his master's lips with his palm.
"Your mother will not fancy the idea that you complimented a commoner, and your father's ear will bleed when he hears about this." The Coachman reminded him.
"Who will tell him?"
"Your parents always know." The Coachman really wondered if Cassian was really his father's son, or his mother's son. He's never hesitant on keeping them on edge.
"It's not a harmful compliment," he shrugged, turning away and facing his Coachman, "and let the lady look, besides, how will I end up married if my presence is ignored? You're a married man, at some point when you were my age, you were sure to steal glances before you married Gabriella, prove me wrong."
"Can we not have this conversation?"
"Is the carriage ready?" Cassian was more than willing to change the subject as he got into his carriage. It was obvious he said all he said to give the Coachman a heart attack.
The rules of the society clearly have nothing to do with him, he lives by his own rules and nothing can change that mindset of his. But he couldn't say the same for the lady who directly stared back.
She just broke one of the rules of meeting the gaze of someone in a higher rank. Wasn't she scared he could get her punished for it? But he liked her audacity, it was good to see someone who didn't accept the laws of Carmarthen, cause he found them stupid.
"On our way to the Marquees." The Coachman announced before continuing his journey.
Madeline silently watched the carriage ride off into the distance, silently wishing she had that freedom to get out of this sickening house. If she were to break the window, the noise would alert everyone.
But where will she run to once she escapes? Well, It didn't matter as long as she gets to escape from these evil peoples clutches.
Looking at the time on her clock, it was already 11:46pm, a sign it would be the next day, and the feeling sent a shudder piercing through her system when Gregor came into mind. By tomorrow midnight, she'll be married off to that Barbarian whom she got sold to.
"Uncle's leaving tomorrow morning," she suddenly reminded herself, he would be out to get the gifts, while Auriela would also be out to visit one of the Churches that will hold the wedding.
If they're away, then it'll be easier for her to break the glasses of the window and make a run for it. Far away from here and never turning back.
"Tomorrow morning, I'll be out of this cage."