Last Chance [Extra #2]

Part 23

Cassian didn't waste a moment and rushed to the grand foyer to see Ellie. He was beyond worried about her, as it was pouring heavily outside and he didn't receive any news on her arrival. The guards outside were there to notify the Duke about any carriages trying to enter the estate, and the fact that he received no such notification could mean only two things: either Ellie left the carriage before the guards could notify him, or she didn't come by carriage at all.

The second option was too terrifying to even imagine.

"Ellie!" he couldn't help but gasp at the sight before him. Ellie was completely soaked to the bone, her luscious hair sticking to her face and her dress nearly translucent from how wet it was. The maids fretted over her and tried to at least cover her so she wouldn't get cold, but it was fruitless effort. The water just pooled underneath her feet, the sheer amount of it shocking everyone around her.

At the sound of her nickname, Celosia flinched then turned to look at Cassian. She no longer liked the name 'Ellie' as it was given to her by Edgar. Maybe it was ridiculous to hold a grudge against him, as he had still done nothing wrong, but the thought that he was pretending the same way his parents were was genuinely upsetting and Celosia wanted nothing to do with him.

With a quiet sigh, Celosia finally addressed Cassian, however instead of greeting him with a curtsy like earlier, she only said, "If your proposal is still valid, then I accept it," then fainted from exhaustion.

"Ellie!" Cassian quickly caught her when she swayed on her feet then carefully picked her up and took her to one of the many guest bedrooms. He ordered the maids to prepare a warm bath and a change of clothes for the future Duchess then lay Celosia on the chesterfield by the fireplace in the bedroom, not caring about the expensive piece of furniture getting wet, and gently brushed her hair away from her face, muttering quietly questions he knew wouldn't be answered.

"What happened in those few short hours? Why are you like this?" he asked, taking in Ellie's appearance. She was absolutely soaked from the rain, the bottom of her dress and shoes were covered in mud, and her body was so cold he could hardly stop himself from flinching when he touched her. Did she walk here? What happened to her? Did something happen at the Heroux residence?

Considering the state Ellie was in, there was only one way to find out what had happened, so Cassian quietly called out for Joseph. The man showed up not even a minute later, gasping at the sight of the young lady on the chesterfield. What was she doing here?

"Your Grace," he bowed respectfully.

"Find out what happened after Ellie got home. She most likely came here on foot, so something serious must've happened. I want to know what."

"Right away, Your Grace," Joseph bowed again then left the room. He sent a messenger crow to the men watching the Count's house and asked for a detailed report.

It arrived two hours later. By that time, Ellie was already bathed and changed into one of Cassian's bathrobes. There were no other clothes available for the lady, as Cassian had disposed of all of his mother's dresses after her death, and he didn't want Ellie to wear servants' clothes.

Much to his dismay, Ellie didn't wake up during the time he waited for the report.

Knowing that the Duke was most likely by Miss Heroux's side, Joseph went straight to her room after receiving the message from his subordinates.

Cassian took the small piece of paper wordlessly, then angrily tossed it into the fireplace once he'd read the contents. What was that supposed to mean?! The Count and the Countess argued about Ellie being a fake and not their daughter and Ellie, hearing that, just left the house? Why would the Herouxes say that about their child? What was the meaning of them saying Ellie was dead when she was right there in front of his eyes, breathing and living?