Chapter 112: It’s not my fault that I’m better than you
Cass, despite the situation, was feeling pretty good about himself right now. He was fully dressed, in Byron’s capable arms, with his hands laid gently in his lap and wrapped in linen wraps filled with herbs and other things that the Doctor had given him, and he could already hear the yelling.
He was excited. Any tiredness had disappeared as Sam walked beside him nervously, Byron’s heart was racing in his chest, and Sir Forsythe had a rather serious and severe expression on his face. The Doctor had their hood back on, which Cass knew had to be magical since you couldn’t tell that he had horns. At all. His head looked flat, like a human head.
Fuck, that was actually really cool. Cass was going to have to look into magical items soon, since he’d just been focusing on trying to survive, getting enough information to function, and starting to lay down the plans of cutting his ties with everyone in this mansion. Also, he had been trying to fuck over the current Duke Blackburn, since it was clear he hated Lord Blackburn, and basically Cass because of his actions.
Cass was sure it was actually just because he existed, but he didn’t know enough yet to know why the man hated him. Did he think that Lord Blackburn was gay? Or did he think that his Mother had been the wrong choice, and was still angry about it? It didn’t matter to Cass, since he was just tired that the man was giving Cass all the work, none of the title.
That was his bigger issue, outside of the whole homophobia thing.
That. That was another major reason why Cass didn’t like him.
"-efend him? What’s going on here? What am I not understanding here? He got so mad at us when we-" It was Lady Ava who was speaking, or who was yelling. Cass had expected it to be Lady Fiona, but he shouldn’t have counted her out. She was quite unhinged right now.
"Ava! Don’t you dare speak more on that." Lady Fiona scolded and Lady Ava let out a wail.
"Why is everyone getting mad at me? Isn’t this insane? In just a month all of you changed your minds! You wouldn’t even look at Cassian before this, but now you won’t leave him alone! He’s always taken a week off since we’ve known him, and he’s never cared about if it interferes with our work, or our plans! How many times have you cursed his name while in a dungeon because he said no?" For once, Cass could see where Lady Ava was coming from
He was sure her words were tainted with nefarious purposes, or selfish, but she was right. It was weird that they were suddenly so interested in him, and he agreed with her completely. Cass was doing his best to behave like Lord Blackburn, but at the same time, he had been a pretty flat character. It wasn’t until he was revealed as a villain that everything that he did got taken apart and while questioning his motives he gained more sympathy and more personality.
So Cass pretty much had free reign to act as he wanted, just as long as he was a little stiff, distant, and good at magic. He was trying his best, but they weren’t letting him. The men especially.
"It doesn’t matter to you, truly, what he did in that week? Or what happened to him during that week, does it?" Draken’s voice was a rumbling, growly threat. Cass snorted. Of course now he was trying to defend him, but he was sure that he was only doing it because he could hear them approaching. "Fair enough, Ava, since I didn’t care until I could experience what he was going through. I was selfish, and only cared about myself up until this point, but it isn’t wrong to correct your behaviour once you find out you were in the wrong. I see that is a lesson the temple fails to teach." Draken huffed, and Cass swore he heard Byron let out a choked laugh.
The Doctor before them began to shake, and Cass wondered if they were able to hear what Draken had said.
"The temple does teach compassion and understanding, and I think Ava needs another lesson in it." Vespertine’s voice dripped with anger, and Cass wanted to shout at him that he, too, needed to attend the lesson.
Draken voiced his words perfectly.
"Edgar, I do not think you should be one to speak on this, since you too lack the same. I am sure Cassian would agree with me, since I haven’t seen you around at all since you met him in town. What? Were your words to him as soon as we arrived not enough reason to seek him out and apologise?" Silence filled the air, and Cass took this as his time to arrive. He nodded to Sir Forsythe, who then pushed open the door and everyone but Draken and Vespertine turned to them, surprised to see them.
Lady Fiona’s face was flushed, and he couldn’t tell if it was in anger or embarrassment. Maybe a mixture of both. Lady Ava’s face was bright red, and Cass did know it was anger at the way her eyes were scrunched up, and the way she was holding herself like she was about to explode. Vespertine was nearby the girls, his arms crossed and his expression sour. He looked pissed, and Cass wondered who that anger was directed towards.
Draken was near the doors, the guards nearby but not doing a damn thing. Draken’s arms were crossed, and he was facing off with his wife, her lover, and her lover’s brother who also happened to be her other husband. Messy messy.
Everyone who looked at him, excluding Draken since he didn’t budge an inch, looked horrified when they looked at him. Cass would admit, this was probably out of character for Lord Blackburn. He was never one to try to appeal to the pity of others, never one to let it slip that he wasn’t well. He was strong, and behaved as such.
Cass? Cass had been cute as a kid. Cass had used that to every inch of his advantage, and had full intention to use the twink’s body he was in to make others feel like shit. Especially when he felt and looked like a corpse. Suck it, Lady Ava.
Vespertine looked ill at the sight of him, and Lady Fiona wasn’t any better. Lady Ava? She looked livid.
"I can’t believe this." She muttered, and Draken scoffed, while Lady Fiona turned to her, clearly upset.
"What is so hard to believe, Lady Ava? What’s wrong?" Cass asked, interested in hearing her answer. Lady Ava flinched at the sound of his voice, still hoarse from overuse and she shifted in her stance slightly, turning to face him.
"Cassian, what are you doing? Why are you like this?" Lady Ava demanded and Cass was honestly shocked at her behaviour. This was...wow. She hadn’t been this entitled before.
"Why am I like this? I’m injured? That’s why I’m like this." Lady Ava turned her attention to the hooded member among the group.
"And who is that? Some witch doctor?" Sir Forsythe stiffened, angry, but Cass laughed. Cass knew that was an insult from someone who believed in the gods like she did. Cass knew that they were real, but he didn’t really believe in them the same way that she did.
Draken clearly believed in them, but had an issue with the temple. It was quite interesting to find out more little things about everyone around them. Like how Lady Fiona was horrified by Lady Ava’s words, and so was Vespertine.
"Does it matter if they are? Who are you to say anything about it, Lady Ava?" Cass asked. She slammed her hand against her chest.
"I am the next saintess! Of course my words mean something!" Cass smirked, staring at her.
"And what are you when compared to a hero?" Lady Ava went white, as did Lady Fiona. Vespertine, who didn’t know what was going on, was glancing between everyone. Cass couldn’t see Draken’s expression since he still had his back to them.
"Y-You-"
"Tell me again, Lady Ava, how many gods have you spoken to personally?" Cass’ question only had Lady Ava turning even redder in the face. Vespertine was slowly piecing some puzzle pieces together, but it was clear he didn’t have the full picture yet. Lady Fiona looked ill.
"Cassian, please. I know that you are probably not feeling well, so-"
"How would you know? You haven’t come to inquire how I have been this whole time, even as I went over the time I normally secluded myself. You only came when you found out that Sir Forsythe had gone to fetch me a Doctor. Were you thinking I was doing something evil, Lady Fiona?" Her face hardened as she shook her head.
"No! I didn’t come for that reason, and I didn’t-you don’t want to see me right now, so why the hell would I come pester you?" Lady Fiona exploded, her anger and frustration boiling over. "Why would I do that when I fucked up so bad you don’t even want to be around us? I just wanted to give you some space, but in doing that it’s clear that I’ve offended you more." Lady Fiona grumbled, running her hands over her face. "I’m not used to this. I’ve never had a family before, and I just don’t know how to treat any of you properly."
"You start by apologising." Sam’s voice piped up, his gaze hard, his hands clasped behind his back. They were trembling, but he was standing up for Cass. "That’s what people who care about each other do when they mess up, Lady Fiona. They apologise, and mean it." Sam was doing a really good job, even as he glanced at Cass to make sure that he hadn’t overstepped.
Cass wished he could have given him a thumbs up, but given the state of his hands, that wasn’t possible.
"I agree with Sam. You apologise. So far, I haven’t really heard that from any of you, and now, I would like you all to leave. I need to rest." Cass said and Lady Fiona’s face twisted before she sighed and dropped her head. When she raised it again, a look of determination had entered her gaze, as well as resignation.
"I...I understand. I...May I come to check up on your condition tomorrow? Maybe in the afternoon?" She asked and Cass, feeling a bit generous, nodded. He also wanted to check on what had happened while he had been absent. Lady Fiona perked up when he said yes, and Vespertine stepped forward.
"May I do the same?" He asked and Cass’ expression darkened.
"No." Cass told him and Vespertine wilted immediately. His beautiful features twisted, his expression turning until he looked terribly sad. Cass wasn’t going to fall for it.
"You heard him. Leave." Draken ordered and Cass chuckled.
"That included you as well, Draken." Draken finally turned, looking at Cass with a shocked expression.
"But-! You need help to get to your den!" He protested, and Cass glanced towards Byron.
"You yourself have checked the competency of my people, Draken, so you would know better than everyone else that I am in good hands. Goodnight, everyone." Cass said and Byron, catching on, turned. "Oh, and leave the good Doctor alone, would you? They were of great help." Cass called over his shoulder as Sir Forsythe closed the main doors behind him, shutting out the rest.
"That was fun, wasn’t it?" Cass suggested to his two henchmen and Sam let out a breath.
"I was ready to fight, my Lord!" He told Cass passionately, and Cass laughed.
"Please, don’t. Though I do appreciate the thought, Sam."
"Yes. Please don’t get into fights, Sam." Byron confirmed, desperation in his tone. Sam cast a glance towards him, and Cass could feel the intensity. Cass felt like the third wheel.
"And are you going to stop me?" Alright you two, your Lord is right fucking here. Cool it for a minute, yeah?