Chapter 226: Leave the poor service workers alone
"Is that all?" The woman asked, looking over the small notepad she had pulled out and Sir Forsythe looked at Cass, before he turned back to her.
"Make sure that the food for the Lord is brought out individually. Our Lord has some rather serious food allergies, and we would like to make sure he doesn’t have an allergic reaction." Sir Forsythe told the woman and that seemed to drain her of some colour. She nodded, making a rather serious note on her page.
"We’ll be extra careful." She promised and Cass waved a dismissive hand.
"Worse case scenario, we do have some medication on hand to help me. You won’t kill me, so don’t worry about that." Cass joked, but the others didn’t find it very funny. Especially Sir Forsythe and Lucian who had both witnessed what ’not dying’ really meant. Cass just didn’t want a poor service worker to worry that a dukedom was going to come for her head if something happened.
It wasn’t her fucking fault he had demon blood in his veins. He wouldn’t sue her no matter what. Nor would he sue the business. Cass should be able to detect if something was hazardous to him, and if he slipped up, that was on him, not on them.
She nodded at Cass’ words, looking rather uncomfortable, before she left. Cass couldn’t recall if Sir Forsythe had ordered him a drink, but didn’t have to worry since Lucian got up and glanced at Cass.
"You want something to drink?" He asked and Cass nodded. "Alcoholic?" He confirmed and Cass could see how Sir Forsythe stiffened at the suggestion. It wasn’t like Cass was a child, he was just...an abomination. That didn’t mean he couldn’t drink alcohol. In fact, it kinda sounded like he should drink more alcohol.
"My Lord, maybe-" Sir Forsythe fell silent as Cass gave him a look. Ser Hune chuckled.
"The man just cleared a dungeon. Let him drink and have some fun, Forsythe. Don’t be too overprotective or he might not want to take you around anymore. I remember how sad you were when he wouldn’t take you as his main guard for a few months." Sir Forsythe’s ears turned pink as Ser Hune teased him.
Cass felt his lips tug up as he realised that it had impacted him that way. He had known that Lord Blackburn was kind of neglecting the other man, but he hadn’t known that Sir Forsythe had been talking to the others about it. It was...rather cute of him.
Too bad Sir Forsythe could be his father rather comfortably. He was just aging rather well.
"Ser Hune, now is not the time to-" Lucian’s hand coming down on Sir Forsythe’s head, ruffling his hair had the man quieting simply so he didn’t bite his own tongue off. Cass was rather surprised by the display since the two of them had been arguing the moment they caught each other’s eye in the hallway.
"That’s cute, young knight, but you should really let your Master do what he wants. Alcohol as far as I know hasn’t hurt him yet, and I’m here." Lucian told him, before swaggering off to the bar to get him and Cass a drink.
Cass took the moment while Sir Forsythe was gathering his wits about him after Lucian had so thoroughly embarrassed him to look around the inn. The way that the restaurant part was set up was rather simple. There were tables and chairs in the main part of the inn, inside of the building but it was meant to have an overflowing feeling. Practically spilling out onto the patio space.
Large wooden doors, like a garage, were at the ceiling of the main building, allowing for the feeling that this was all one shared space. Everything was clean, rather bright, and felt...nice. If it wasn’t for the fact that Cass was here, he was sure that everyone would be rather relaxed.
Cass chuckled to himself and Ser Hune glanced in his direction quizzically.
"It’s almost a shame I’m down here. I’m sure everyone would be much more relaxed if I took my meal in my room." Ser Hune’s eyes widened as she stared at him in shock before her eyes narrowed in anger.
"You have every right to eat here, just like the other guests. Did someone say that to you?" She asked, instantly upset and Cass chuckled.
"Who the hell would say that to me> Who would have the balls to even approach me? Especially with so many guards around me, and then Lucian? I’m sure he has a better reputation than I do, but even he is what most people would consider scary." Cass said even as he could see Lucian approach from his peripheral. Lucian had his hands full, and a frown on his face.
He came over, putting down several cups on the table and then pressed a hand down next to Cass, glaring at him from where he was standing above him.
"What was that about me being scary?" He asked and Cass chuckled. He turned his gaze upward, meeting the orange gaze that held no harshness to it.
"Well, what a great show you’re putting on to prove my point." Cass said in reply and Lucian put on a great act of pulling back, pushing his long hair out of his face and sighing. He made a big show of him sitting down, all eyes on him even as the chatter kept filling the air. Cass knew where everyone’s eyes were, as did Lucian.
Once he was sat down, he leaned in until his lips were brushing Cass’ ear.
"You have every right to sit here and enjoy yourself as the others, Cassian. Don’t let their stares get to you. Of course they are going to stare at you. You’re beautiful." Cass had to do his best to fight the blush that wanted to coat his cheeks. He glared at Lucian as he pulled away, a satisfied smile on his face.
He then pushed one of the mugs towards him, the beer sloshing around and sniffed.
"I’ve selected only the best beer for our dear Lord." He said and Cass stared at the alcohol before he sighed. Wasn’t what he would have selected, but he wasn’t going to be picky. Not when he could feel that it was safe.
Cass reached out, wrapping his hand around the mug and had every last one of the knights at the table watching him, as well as Lucian. When he raised the mug to his lips and took a sip, it felt like the whole table was holding it’s breath. When nothing happened, Sir Forsythe let out a breath that felt like it held a part of his soul.
"Thank goodness." He muttered quietly, but Cass could hear him, and probably Lucian as well. When Sir Sanders and Ser Hune chuckled, he realised they could all hear him, and that was the only downside for him as a human.
They continued the rest of the night easily, with Cass being brought a similar dish to the others but he had to be rather selective with what he could eat. Some items were safe, some were not, and he just gave out what he couldn’t eat to the others. Overall, it was a rather fun and enjoyable time and Cass found himself yawning once the dishes were clear.
Lucian, for his part, had been on rather good behaviour. He hadn’t been overly touchy, too in his face, or rude. He had been rather thoughtful, leaning in to speak to Cass when he wanted to ask him something, his lips always just brushing his ear in a way that made a slight shiver run down Cass’ spine. Their thighs softly brushing against each other under the table each time Lucian shifted, and he would lean around him if he wanted to speak to Ser Hune.
It was a rather strange interaction, but not one that he hated.
So when it came time for bed, Cass was tired, and ready to go to sleep. He didn’t even care that his cheeks were slightly flushed, his hair tousled, and his eyes warm with relaxation. Lucian was staring at him, his orange eyes full of something that Cass didn’t care to place, so he turned to the fairy sitting next to him.
"Are you feeling better now that we’re near some plant life?" He asked, and Ser Hune’s smile reached her eyes.
"I am, my Lord. Thank you for asking. Is it time for all of us to retire for the night? Did you want another drink?" She asked. Cass huffed. It was clear that she was the shit disturber of their group, when she was feeling well. Cass didn’t mind, waving a hand dismissively as he bent slightly, leaning more towards Lucian then he intended. He made contact with the other man’s chest, and Lucian’s arm came out, supporting him.
Cass looked back, meeting his gaze and Lucian’s expression softened.
"I think," Lucian began, "our dear Lord is too tired for anymore drinks out in public. I’m sure if he wanted to drink more, we can have a bottle brought upstairs with a few glasses." Cass stared at him for a long moment, before he smirked.
"What makes you think that you are anywhere involved with the consumption of another bottle?" Cass asked, knowing that he probably shouldn’t egg him on, especially since he had no intention of doing anything with the man, but this was fun. He liked the way that Lucian’s orange gaze lit up when Cass responded to his teasing, even if he had no intention of living up to any expectations the man had for him.
"Well, it’s not fun to drink alone, is it?" Lucian’s argument was sound, having nothing to do with him or Cass as people. Cass chuckled.
"Well, while that may be true, I have no intention of drinking anymore. I’m good for now, and look! No reactions, everyone, so leave the poor service staff alone." Cass told his knights, who he knew hadn’t dropped their guard at all while out eating and drinking with him.
Ser Hune grinned, unrepentant, while Sir Sanders gave barely any reaction. Sir Forsythe shifted slightly on the bench, before he sighed.
"Noted, my Lord. Shall we depart? What time do you need to be up and at the temple tomorrow?" He looked between Lucian and Cass, and Cass shrugged noncommittally.
"I have no idea. I assume Vespertine is going to send a carrier pigeon or something." Cass laughed at his own joke, while Lucian chuckled.
"More like he’ll send someone to get us, or I can run over quickly. I know what he smells like." Lucian commented casually, and it was a good thing that everyone at the table knew what he was or else there would have been stranger looks given.
Cass pushed off of Lucian, using his sturdy body to get up and Lucian stared up at him from where he was sitting. If Cass wanted to spur on the rumours fully, right now would be the perfect time to kiss him. They were almost at the same height while Lucian was sitting down, Cass just a little bit taller, and he could practically see the man begging him with his eyes to do it.
Instead, Cass reached out as if he was going to touch his face and instead pinched his bottom lip between his thumb and pointer finger, grinning when it was clear that Lucian was disappointed.
"Mmm. Let’s not say things like that out loud, hmm?" Cass suggested before heading towards the stairs, walking through the tables with a smile on his face. He ignored the looks he was getting, happy that they were actually looking at him. Let’s see what came from this interaction.