Cass let Fiona go shortly after that. Both of the heroes stepped out into the hallway and found Lady Ava, Edgar, and Lucian waiting for them.
Cass was a little startled to realise that all three of them were looking at Fiona and Cass in the same way. Like puppies waiting for their owners to come home from work.
He wasn’t sure if he liked that thought, even as his chest filled with an emotion he couldn’t place.
"Avie, let’s head to bed now, hmm?" Fiona said affectionately, reaching for the other girl. Lady Ava went without a second of hesitation to Fiona’s arms, tucking herself into the little nook that Fiona had made for her at her side. Fiona’s arm rested naturally on the other woman’s shoulder, her expression soft.
It was quite strange to see Fiona be so open about her love and affection for the other woman, but then again, there was not another soul in the hallway.
No Sam, Byron, servants or knights. Cass should have been worried, but then again, he had Lucian and Edgar here as well. Who in their right mind would dare to harm them right now? So, he watched the long-time couple show affection for each other openly and his chest ached.
"I’ll apologise once more for my carelessness when it came to the pregnancy rumour, Fiona." Cass spoke quietly into the soft atmosphere, knowing he was going to ruin it.
Fiona jerked, as did Lady Ava as both women looked at him. Cass really did feel remorseful for his actions. He had gotten so mad at them for doing things without his consent, and what had he done? The exact same thing. They had every right to be pissed at him.
Fiona, however, just smiled softly, so did Lady Ava.
"It’s alright, Cass. I forgive you. I know that it was the best you could think of at the moment, and I can’t exactly blame you for it. I realised after how much you were sweating, and I’ve explained it to Avie as well." Fiona said and Cass blinked. How much he had been sweating? Why did that have a role in this?
Then, Cass remembered the panic that had filled him as soon as he saw his grandfather’s face, the fear that had pumped through him.
Ah.
Fiona was having sympathy for him, thinking that he had acted rashly out of fear of his grandfather. Cass should correct her, tell her that he had been afraid, but that wouldn’t have affected his thought process, but decided against it. It benefitted him that she thought he had some fear for the man right now.
So, Cass let out a soft sigh and watched as Fiona’s gaze softened. Lady Ava even tucked herself against Fiona’s side, her expression softer as well.
"It’s okay, Cass. I apologise for lashing out the way that I did as well. It was just...quite a shock for me to even consider that Fiona could be pregnant by anyone else." Lady Ava said softly. Cass felt his eyes widen at the implication in her words. Fiona coughed.
"W-What?" Fiona squeaked out, and Lady Ava looked up at Fiona, Cass, and everyone else innocently.
"Well, we’re certainly trying, but nothing is happening. I just hate the idea of anyone else touching what’s mine." Lady Ava said sincerely. "You’re my God-given gift. The light I work towards and for. I would like to be the one who gets you pregnant, but we’re using protection." Lucian couldn’t control himself.
His laughter was the soundtrack to everyone else’s confusion and befuddlement.
"Uh, Avie? You did take basic sexual education, right?" It was Edgar, his voice a little higher than usual. Cass watched in fascination as Lady Ava nodded.
"Yes. Children are gifted to a couple once the gods decide that it is time for them to have one. Everything else is...safe. Until the gods decide it is time. I’ve been reciting my prayers for extra protection." This was the first time that Cass would ever think that Lady Ava was cute.
This was the only time.
What did she mean that the gods decided if they could have a child? They were trying but it wasn’t the right time? Cass did not envy Fiona having to explain this to her. Glancing at Fiona, she didn’t appear to look forward to this conversation either.
Cass could already hear the sobs in his mind.
"Uh, Avie, t-there’s a bit more to it than that." Fiona tried to start, but halted when Lady Ava gave her an uncomprehending look up at her. Fiona’s face flushed, and Cass turned to look at Edgar. The man looked horrified. Like he’d failed as a parent.
In a way, he kind of had. He was partially in charge of Lady Ava’s education. At least, that was the feeling that Cass got.
"Fiona, why don’t you save that conversation for the bedroom, hmm? Somewhere a bit more private?" Cass suggested, saving her and Fiona let out a relieved sigh as she glanced at Cass. Lady Ava just looked between everyone, including the bent in half, loudly laughing, Lucian.
"Did I say something wrong? Was my education lacking?" Lady Ava asked. "The gods never corrected me." She said, and Cass’ lips turned up slightly.
"They wouldn’t." He said, and watched as Lady Ava frowned.
"Why?" She asked. Fiona groaned, while Edgar still looked stricken. Cass chuckled.
"For this exact moment. Anyways, have a good night you two. I look forward to seeing the results of your conversation in the morning." Cass said, and watched as they all brightened.
"Are we having breakfast together tomorrow?" Lady Ava asked excitedly, brightening and even Edgar seemed to compose himself enough to look excited.
"I don’t see why not? I’m better now, we aren’t all in the slumps about a terrible situation, and we need to regroup. I meant to speak to you about Lord Ridgewood, so we’ll need to make some time for that tomorrow, Fiona." Cass said and she nodded.
"I too, would like to be a part of that conversation." Edgar spoke up and no one was surprised by that. Cass smirked.
"Of course you would." Cass commented, and watched as Edgar’s expression shifted slightly. He looked like he’d been caught. It was similar to the expression that Fiona had given him only a few moments before. "I have no problems with it. Fiona?" Cass turned to the women and Fiona shook her head.
"No problems with that. Right after breakfast?" She asked and they confirmed the details of their meeting before the five of them started to head towards the upper levels.
Cass wasn’t sure why he thought the two men would separate from him as soon as they got to the second floor like Lady Ava and Fiona did. He didn’t even stop to question them as they followed him up to the third floor, but he could feel how his pulse quickened and how his hand became a little less sturdy on the railing.
He’d had a hard time going down the stairs earlier, but had an easier time going up the stairs. He felt how the two men hovered around him, but neither offered to help him. He was glad for it.
He had a feeling that they knew if they stepped in without his consent, they weren’t staying with him in his room.
When they got to the landing of the third floor, he caught the voices of his aides.
"-believe you! Why did you think that was a good idea? Did you consider how I would feel?" Cass blinked, halting in his footsteps and raised a hand to halt the other two as well. Was that...Sam? Raising his voice?
Who was he raising his voice to? Cass could only think of one person, but he wanted to make sure.
"Sam, please. You should lower your voice. What if others hear you?" Byron sounded meek. Pathetic. Cass’ lips twitched. Well, that made perfect sense. The man loved Sam, he would do anything for him. Including rolling over and showing the man his stomach so he could gut him like a fish.
"Why should I care if others hear me? You’re the one who is always saying that you-you love me and want to be with me, but the moment I raise a valid concern it’s ’be quiet Sam. We don’t want others to hear’!" Whatever was going on, it was serious. If Sam, his rather self-conscious henchman wasn’t aware that his Master was within hearing distance, something serious was going on.
Cass’ eyes lit up as he locked in. There was no way he was missing a damn second of this.
He turned to the men on either side of them, giving them each a ’shut the fuck up’ look so that he could listen in on the drama of his two most trusted me. Lucian’s grin was silly as he met Cass’ gaze, and he raised a finger to lips. Edgar rolled his eyes, but remained silent as a small smile touched his lips.
Cass turned back to the drama. Cass was actually a little surprised that Sam wasn’t aware of the fact that he liked to listen in on drama. He should know better. They’d done it a few times together now.
"Sam, my love, I am not-I would never be ashamed of you being mine if that’s what you’re implying. Never. That’s not what I’m worried about. The lord might have already finished his meeting. I’m sure you don’t want others to hear us arguing." Byron was putting up a valiant fight, but it was clear Sam didn’t give a fuck.
"What part of ’we’re having this conversation as soon as we have a moment’ do you not understand? I would be more ashamed of our lord walking in on us in his room yelling at each other than in a hallway! You still aren’t answering my damn question, Byron. Why in the world were you working with that-that hussy behind my back? Hm? Is it because you knew I’d be upset?"
There was no part, in any universe, that Cass expected someone like Mr. Collins to be referred to as a hussy. Cass didn’t know if the man even knew the word. The fact that Sam thought he was was quite telling for the direction of their relationship.
Lucian had to hold back a laugh, and Cass was in the same boat.
"Mr. Collins does not have those kinds of thoughts about me." Byron protested and Cass heard Sam let out an indignant huff.
"Oh? Are you so sure? Are you blind? The man clearly looks at you like he wants to eat you up for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Do you think I, of all people, would not know what that look is like? I spend as much time as possible at our Lord’s side. I am intimately familiar with how people look at each other, Byron!" Cass could not believe he’d been brought into this conversation.
Cass’ cheeks flamed as Edgar and Lucian both slid him a knowing look. He needed to step in soon, otherwise things could get more embarrassing for Cass.