Chapter 86: For the kids?
"I’m just...am I hearing you right? You called us here to...get us to do reports on our businesses?" The taller woman asked, almost exasperated and Cass nodded, smiling.
"Yes, I did. I also called you here to reveal that I was your investor, but I consider the reports more important. The reason being is I want to be able to help you if I can by offering advice to help your businesses thrive." Cass told them. They all stared at him. "Did I say something wrong?" Cass asked and the fairy cleared his throat.
"Um, pardon me for saying so, my Lord, and I know you did say that you do this often, but this feels...personal? Why would you care this much? You could have had anyone tell us that you needed reports without revealing your identity to us." Cass supposed that was right. He couldn’t exactly argue with that logic.
"Well, I like this town, and I want to invest in it. I see how much potential it has, and I also want to make sure that the home that houses the most diverse group of mortals flourishes, and doesn’t get destroyed by bigots or others who think humans should reign supreme." It was not a lie.
It was also not the truth. Cass just wanted the town to advance for his own personal reasons, but they didn’t need to know that. They probably assumed that on some level, but they didn’t need to know that he himself planned to hide away in the town once this damn bond he had with Draken was gone.
Besides, he did mean what he said. He did want this town, which he knew was more diverse than the others, to flourish. It benefited everyone if it did so. The nobles who threw their nose up at others deeming them ’lesser’ were just a bunch of idiots who didn’t know how much those ’lesser’ than them improved their lives around them.
Cass was pretty sure that if Lady Blackburn hadn’t been rumoured to be involved with dark magic that she would have had rumours about her being a fairy instead, and his purist, homophobic grandfather probably had a field day when the former Duke Blackburn had brought her home.
"I am having a hard time believing that." The shorter woman said, and Cass shrugged.
"I didn’t say it for you to believe me. I just spoke the truth. Whatever you decide is up to you, but the facts remain facts. I have invested in your businesses, I have told you that I am more than happy to help you grow them more, and I am doing so because your money flows back into your community." He shrugged. "And not in toxic ways either." Cass stated and the trio stared at him. "Now, I am sure that this is a lot to take in, so I will give you some time to think about what I’ve said and you can send me a letter when you have made up your mind. I, unfortunately, have more meetings to attend to today." Cass told them with a smile and they nodded.
The two girls left rather quickly, but the fairy hung back for a moment.
"I heard from...Ser Hune that you helped out at the orphanage?" He asked out of earshot of the other two. Cass was surprised he brought it up, but he nodded.
"Yes, I did, and I plan to continue to do so. I don’t see why they were given so much, but also so little. I have asked the director to make sure that they all get an appropriate education, and give them a head start to life instead of whatever the hell they are getting right now." His eyes widened, before he swallowed.
"I...thank you. Most of the fairies who are orphaned get sent to that one, and as much as I try, I can only send so much money to them per month." Cass nodded.
"While I appreciate you thanking me, there is no need to do so. As someone who is working to protect the people, it is the very least I can do, especially if they lost their parents due to what we weren’t able to prevent. As a noble, it is the absolute least I can do." Cass told him. He knew that it probably wasn’t a normal stance to have, especially from the way that the man was looking at him, but he stood by it.
He had a fuckton of money, nothing to do with it, and there was a part of him that wanted to do something selfish for himself. For Cass. So, help some damn orphans. It also made him look good in the eyes of the public, and that was what he needed to do to redeem Lord Blackburn’s image.
"Ah, of course. A...noble’s duty. Is it...also a noble’s duty to save a child from a dire wolf?" He asked carefully and Cass felt his lip twitch.
"Well, children should be protected." Cass said, and he felt how Lord Blackburn shifted inside of him. It was slightly uncomfortable, like an animal shifting under a tight sheet, but he didn’t let it show on his face. Cass meant those words rather passionately, and it appeared that the other man could tell.
His expression softened, and he nodded.
"I agree. I know you said that you did not need thanks, but what you are doing, even if it is a noble’s duty, is very...wonderful. I usually stop by on weekends after I finish work. Hopefully, we run into each other sometimes." He glanced at Cass, a smile reaching his eyes before he left the study.
Cass practically collapsed once they were gone, his hands shaking.
Damn, the urge to touch them had been so damn strong. Maybe he should get a pet for the mansion or something. Would it take away the urge to pet them? He’d never had a pet before, but he’d always liked seeing others with animals when he would sit in the park.
"Sam?" Cass called and Sam came to life, joining him at his side in the middle of the room.
"Yes, my Lord?"
"When is the next meeting?" He asked and Sam hummed.
"I believe I gave you a break of an hour before the next meeting. It is with more of the merchants in town. What were you thinking, my Lord? Did you want to ask them to come in sooner?" Cass shook his head.
"No no, I was actually thinking of taking a small break to eat, but I was thinking I would do so outside." Sam’s eyes sparkled.
"Right away, my Lord! I will go grab you a few hand held items to eat, some tea, and I shall be back." Sam whipped out of the room quickly, and Cass chuckled as Byron knocked on the door before it closed, staring after Sam in confusion.
"My Lord, the first visitors have all left. Is there anything I can do for you in the meantime? Anything you want me to grab?" Byron asked, referring to his old tasks that he used to do.
"Hmm. I would like you to go check up on Sir Forsythe and see how he is faring. Make sure he is drinking plenty of water and that he has had some food. My orders." Cass said, and Byron smiled, nodding. He gave a bow towards Cass, his hand on the door still to hold it open.
"Of course my Lord. Anything I can do after that? I overheard that you were going to have a break outside? That sounds like a great plan." Cass nodded. It was amazing what a change Byron had after he’d ’grown up’. He felt more approachable, even if his eyes made Cass feel like he was going to swallow his soul.
Cass wondered if his plans to make him into some kind of a spymaster was going to work. Or, if he could foster this friendly personality more, he might be even better at it. He’d barely changed, so Cass would give him some more time. That, and he needed to get him a tutor. Cass had nearly forgotten the man couldn’t read. That would need to be fixed first before he could continue with his plans.
How he’d sent a man who couldn’t read to go collect books, and he had managed to do so, was a miracle. It also proved that Byron was capable of getting help without Cass interfering. That was a good point towards him.
"Hmm. Come find us after you are done that. We’re just going to be in the gardens outside of the study here, probably in the gazebo or the fountain." He nodded, before giving another bow and dashing away. Cass carefully touched his stomach, glancing down at his hand thoughtfully. "Now, should I bring one of those forbidden books with me on my break?" Cass pondered out loud, thoughtful, before with a brisk nod, he made his decision.
He wouldn’t bring one of the BL stories, but one of the romance ones. It was still illegal, but less so, since it was only illegal because it was about a demon finding love. If anyone ran into him and bothered him because of it, Cass wouldn’t mind. They would just get a firm lecture about fact and fiction, and Cass had a feeling he could do a rather thorough, drawn out lecture that would make any college professor proud.