Loving Madeline

Madeline's POV

It was a long ride from the port to our destination, but the sound of the horses' hooves made me feel so thrilled, and it feels like I am in a different era. I haven't seen a carriage in Archois, and now in Choraz, it seems natural because as I watched outside my window, I realized we were not the only one riding a carriage.

"Who are you?" I asked the moment we stopped in front of a high wooden gate, and then the carriage traversed along in a wide driveway where I could see beautiful flowers on both sides. And what made me more stunned was to behold a beautiful mansion ahead of us, and I could tell it was gigantic than the Divenson mansion, and I wondered who these people were.

"I already informed you, I am the Butler of your grandfather's mansion." He replied.

"Don't you have a name?" I asked again, and this time he smiled at me.

"Of course, I am Leonardo Steve. You can call me Leo if you want, and I am very pleased to meet you, Ms. Brownwood." He said, and I weakly smiled at him.

"It is nice to meet you, too." I replied.

"I know you have so many questions right now, but I am willing to answer anything you want to know, my dear." He said, and now that we were sitting across from each other, I realized he was older; maybe he was in his early sixties more or less.

"Yeah, I am so confused about everything. I thought it was Kaye who wanted to eradicate me, and it doesn't make any sense; the pictures and the documents Karen showed me were enough for me to think. It was Kaye who wanted me out from Archois city." I said.

"Yes, you are correct, my dear." He answered, and my eyes widened.

"And why am I here with you?" I asked

"I hired men to look for you even if your grandfather refuses to see you. Kaye's men should take you to your doom, but I gave them an offer they can't refuse to keep you safe. It was a little bit late when I knew your life was in danger because Kaye sold you to one of the wicked men in Neospoli Country, and I am just glad I have connections." He said, and I couldn't believe what he said, and I felt my goosebumps creeping my entire body. Kaye was evil.

"Are you telling me, you save me from being sold to some wicked person, yet you will also bring me to the mansion where the owner doesn't want to see me? Could you at least bring me back to my husband?" I asked, and I could see his face saddened.

"Relax, Madeline, I know Mr. Grant wants to see you; he is just hard-headed. I have been your grandpa's butler for so many years. I know everything about why your father left. And I can tell you all the details, Madeline, but not at this time." He declared.

"For now, I will tell you the highlights, your grandpa's ego was hurt when your father left, and he promised to disown your dad, and I think that is the reason why your father didn't use the Grant family name. He was the heir of Grant's businesses and all your grandfather's assets, but your dad chose to live a simple life, away from the pressure of the aristocrat family." He added.

"So, you are telling me my grandfather is rich?" I asked, and he beamed at me.

"The answer is yes, Madeline, your grandfather is the richest man in Neospoli country, and your great-grandparents built that enormous house for his family; your family has many properties all over Neospoli, but Mr. Grant chose to take his residence here in Choraz." He answered me.

"Your great-grandmother wanted to live in a castle; that is why his husband built that mansion which resembled a castle for his beloved wife." He added, and it feels like I am in my dream at the moment, and I couldn't believe my father had an unbelievable secret.

"How could he allow my father to be the driver of the Divenson family while he was living like a king?" I asked in disbelief, and I wondered why my grandfather didn't reach out to my dad.

"Frank was engaged to the woman your grandfather chose for him, but I know that was not the only reason he left." He answered me, and I still couldn't believe that my father came from an aristocratic family in Neospoli.

"My father grew up here?" I inquired.

"Of course, your father has beautiful childhood memories in this place." He said.

"Frank was the eldest, and since his sister married to another wealthy individual in another county, your grandfather is the only one who lives here, including the chateau's staff. No family member." He said, and I couldn't believe my father was so wealthy.

"I am not dreaming, right?" I asked, and he laughed.

"Of course not." He replied while I could see the amusement on his face.

"Why are we riding a carriage? And your bodyguards were riding luxurious cars.?" I asked him, and he grinned at me.

"I did it on purpose so that you will appreciate the beauty of Choraz." He said, and I couldn't stop my heart from pounding hard against my chest as we neared my grandfather's house.

"Did you plan the abduction of Lily?" I asked, and he shook his head.

"Of course not, for how many times I want to show my face to you, but your grandpa warned me, but when we learned you were pregnant, everything changed, and I could tell he was so excited to see you even if he doesn't show it, and your aunt would be so thrilled once she will learn you arrived safely here at Choraz He said.

"How about the children of my father from his legal wife?" I asked, and his face fell.

"I tried to look for them because it was your aunt's idea to look for your father's children because the Grant estate needed an heir. Unfortunately, you only have one sibling, and your sister died because of some illness after your father's death, and Frank's wife followed after her daughter because of too much depression." He said, and I couldn't stop feeling so sad knowing that I had a sister and didn't have a chance to meet and know her. I wish my grandpa had looked for them before something like that happened. It was such painful information.

"It only means one thing, Madeline, and you are the only heir of your grandfather because your aunt and her husband have no children." He said, and even if I am still hesitant to believe all this, I can't deny I am so excited to know my father's family. God gave me a chance to know my father's ancestry and allowed me to know my grandfather and my father's sister.

I can't deny there is a part of me that wanted to know my father's life. He may be a stranger to me, but he made sure I would marry the best man in the entire universe, and even if at first I loathed him for making a deal with Hunter Divenson, but now as I looked back, I realized my dad made sure I would have a better future even if I experienced hardships and pains loving my husband. I could say Hunter was all worth it.

"Can you at least allow me to talk with my husband now?" I asked, and he smiled.

"Madeline, you need to relax. I promised that you could talk with Hunter, but before that, you need to promise me that you will find time to get to know your grandfather. I am aware of how much you wanted to go home to your husband's estate. Still, I hope you will stay more days here in Choraz so that you have the chance to get to know Mr. Grant, he is a strict man, and I think that is one of the reasons your dad left, but I could tell beneath his authoritative demeanor, he has a soft heart." Mr. Steve declared.

"Of course, you save my life today, and I think giving you what you want is only fair," I replied, and his face fell.

"Are you not excited to meet your grandfather?" He asked, and I let out a soft sigh.

"I am sorry, Leo, but I suffered so much because of poverty, my dad abandoned my mom and me, and I don't know how to answer you right now because I find it so unfair knowing he is the richest man in this country, yet I was striving to work hard growing up to help my mom, and I lost my mother because I don't have the money to send her to the hospital. I know I can't blame my grandpa, but I wished he had helped my father when he needed financial support. I couldn't imagine he continued to live in luxury while his son and grandchildren were suffering." I said as I stared at his face.

"I am sorry to say this, but I am doing all this for you. As my way of saying thank you to you for saving my life, but don't worry, Leo, I am sure my husband will compensate you." I said, and he looked at me in the eyes intently.

"Maddie, I don't need money; your grandpa is a generous man, that is why most of the staff stay here in his estate even if he was authoritative. We love and respect him." He responded, and the horses halted, and I realized we had arrived at the mansion's entrance.

He helped me climb out of the carriage, and my eyes got so big as I looked at the splendor of my grandfather's house up close. It was magnificent, and I wondered why my father chose to leave this place and live like an ordinary man. But what I saw in front of me didn't help me lessen my longing to see Hunter, and I realized I missed him more. I felt so empty without my husband.

"When can I talk with my husband, Leonardo?" I asked again, and this time I couldn't hide my irritation anymore.

"Later after dinner, Madeline." He replied, and I can tell he is doing all this so that I will cooperate with him, and I felt guilty because I know I should be thankful to him because this is better than suffering under Kaye's men. I know dinner is long enough to wait, but I should remain patient. I waited for how many days when I was on the ship, and now I only needed to wait for hours, and then I could talk with my husband.. And I know it would be the longest hours of my entire life.