CHAPTER 268: LUNCH AND A SHOW

Cass was glad that he didn’t need assistance down the flights of stairs. He could feel the both of them hovering behind him, ready and willing to catch him if he fell, but there was a deep satisfaction in the fact that he didn’t need to rely on them.

He did, however, need some direction in where Sir Forsythe had set up their food. With Lucian’s nose, he was able to pick it out, and led them to the smaller of the two dining rooms that Cass’ new home had. Sir Sanders was there at the door, calm, as if he expected them to show up at any time.

He nodded to the two men first before leveling a look at Cass. He was silent for a long moment, before he let out a soft sigh.

"I apologise, my Lord, for leaving your side last night. It was quite unprofessional of me." He said, bowing slightly and Cass was surprised that he apologised. He wondered if Ser Hune had encouraged him, but at the same time...Out of everyone, it didn’t hurt that much that Sir Sanders had done it.

Cass shrugged.

"It’s okay. I’m assuming you’re only apologising for your wife’s sake?" He joked partially, but Sir Sander’s shook his head.

"Despite any misgivings I have about you, my Lord, it was wrong for me to not do my job. My wife and her honour have nothing to do with my apology." He said firmly, and Cass was a little impressed.

"Ah. Well, thank you for your apology, Sir Sanders." Cass said, and could feel how the two men next to him were staring at him in disbelief. Like they couldn’t understand that Sir Sanders was forgiven so easily.

He was different from them. Sir Sanders hadn’t really dropped his concern about Cass. He was always watching him, always observing him while still serving him. Lucian and Edgar? They were trying to get into his pants. They were obviously going to be held to different standards.

Cass pushed open the door to the dining room finding a few maids moving about, setting up a table for everyone. They froze at the sight of Cass, clearly flustered at seeing him, but Cass waved a hand.

"Don’t mind me. I’m just checking." Cass said softly, and they nodded. They didn’t ask what he was checking.

Edgar and Lucian entered after him, and it was only a few minutes later that Sir Forsythe arrived, not panicked, but it was clear he had been in another part of the house and had rushed to arrive in the dining hall.

He scanned Cass, not like a head knight or guard would, but like a concerned older family member would. It was subtle, but it still made Cass stiffen slightly. He was sure that the man noticed, but he didn’t say anything, continuing to scan him before he nodded.

"You look okay, my Lord. I’m glad. The table is set, please come and have a seat. I was with Lady Fiona and Lady Ava, trying to convince her not to speak to any of your guests. Upon hearing that you were awake, she decided to come speak to you once you’ve had something to eat." Sir Forsythe said and Cass sighed.

"Just tell her to come now. If we delay it, she might go around talking to the idiots." Cass muttered, and Sir Forsythe nodded.

"I’ll have the maids send in the food then. I will go let the ladies know that they may join you." Sir Forsythe said, bowing slightly and retreating from the room. It was like him to be so hands on, but also...

"Do you think he’s avoiding me?" Cass asked softly to the two behind him. Lucian let out a chuckle.

"I’m sure he’s probably feeling guilty for yesterday. To have so much satisfaction within your hands, and then to find out that by doing so you failed the person you were trying to protect?" Lucian spoke as if he was speaking from experience, his expression kind as he watched after Sir Forsythe. "He’ll just need a bit of time. He’ll be back to being a stoic fool soon enough." Cass felt like for Sir Forsythe’s sake he should be upset, but he wasn’t.

He just nodded, and turned his attention to breakfast? Lunch? He wasn’t quite sure what time it was.

"Edgar, what time is it?" Cass asked, and Edgar, who Cass realised wasn’t wearing his hat. In fact, Edgar had been without his hat this whole time. It confused Cass, until he realised that the house, for the most part, had windows, but they were covered. They were older style windows, and they were also shadowed by the trees. As a vampire, he had more cover and this dining room? It was internal. No windows.

Edgar grinned.

"It’s just past noon, Cass. You slept in quite a bit, but you also earned it." Edgar told him warmly as maids came in to deliver the food that Sir Forsythe had gotten for him.

Cass didn’t really care about household customs, or what was proper, so he just sat down in a spot that was set with cutlery and didn’t wait for the others to do the same. He was hungry, ravenous suddenly, and his body was alerting him to what he could and couldn’t eat.

Cass just reached for what he wanted, not caring what anyone else thought as he did so. He could feel them watching him, the maids and men alike, but he didn’t care what they were thinking and just got to work.

He at least waited for the food to touch the plate before he put it into his mouth. He ignored the way that Lucian’s chuckle wrapped around him as he ate, and ignored the way that Edgar, who had sat down beside him, brushed some of the longer hairs out of his eyes so that he could see properly.

Cass had eaten what was the equivalent of a full plate of food by the time that Fiona and Lady Ava had arrived. They were shocked at the sight they were witnessing.

Cass, or Lord Blackburn, who had always been rather reserved, was shoving food into his mouth like he couldn’t stop himself. He was doing it calmly, while Edgar and Lucian watched on, happy grins on their faces, while the maids stood back against the walls, trying to be invisible.

"Cass?" It was Lady Fiona, who seemed cautious. Cass blinked a few times, halting his movements and chewing his food before he spoke.

"Yes, Fiona?" He asked and Fiona scanned him, his lighter clothes, the way his eyes were still a little puffy, and she sighed. She gave a soft smile.

"Nothing. I was just...worried. I’m glad you’re eating with such gusto. Have...they briefed you on what’s happening right now?" Fiona asked and Cass grabbed another piece of meat and shoved it into his mouth.

"Kinda. I’m assuming it’s a bunch of nobles?" Cass said and Fiona looked a little ill.

"Yes. And...Eddie and Ava’s father as well." Cass wasn’t surprised to hear that, while it was clear from Fiona’s voice that she was. Or at least, she was being careful.

"Ah. That’s much faster than I thought." Cass said calmly. "How long has he been waiting so far?" Cass asked and Fiona shifted awkwardly. Cass hadn’t even looked at Lady Ava yet, but he guessed that he should.

She looked pale, a shadow of her former self. Cass had no clue what made her look like that. There were a few options, but he didn’t want to worry himself with her at the moment. Her father, and the other nobles were more important right now. That, and the fact that a parade of people from the higher classes were coming in and out of his estate and not the estate next door.

He was sure his grandfather was burning inside to know what was going on, if he didn’t already.

"He’s been here since just before noon." Sir Forsythe answered, coming into the room and adjusting his uniform. He looked normal, calm, relaxed, but Cass could feel the fire coming off of him. He clearly didn’t think that he should go to him right away, but even if Cass wanted to show his lack of concern for them, there were some things that Cass had to uphold.

He was still a member of a Ducal family, a Duke himself, and it would be a slight that he wouldn’t recover from if he went to one of the lower nobles first.

So, Cass was just going to let them all wait for a little bit longer.

"Ah, so he can wait a little longer." Cass said casually and felt Edgar stiffen beside him. He slid his gaze to him, worried that he might have upset him, but it actually looked like Edgar was trying to hold back his laughter. Lady Ava didn’t look well, but she didn’t voice any concerns.

"If that is what you think is best, of course go with it. I just..." Fiona looked uncomfortable. "I’m just not sure what to do. I feel like I’m the reason that you’re in this situation." She muttered. She looked upset, uncomfortable and Cass couldn’t exactly say that she wasn’t right.

"While you are the main reason for all of this," Cass started and watched her flinch, "you’re more of a catalyst than anything else. Fiona, it’s not right the way that they were treating you, and honestly, as another hero, I’m not going to lie down and let these fucking entitled idiots get away with it." It was the first time Cass had said it out loud, so publicly, and he could tell that the maids who were listening in froze.

Two heroes? That was practically unheard of. Had maybe happened another time before. It also usually meant that the world was in some serious shit, but Cass didn’t really care. It wasn’t his world.

"They have made their bed, Fiona, and it’s time for them to lie in it. So what if you’re a kind-hearted person? I’m not, and they’ve been using not just you to get what they want. Now, they have to deal with the evil Lord Blackburn." Cass said, not even phased. Fiona frowned.

"You aren’t evil." She protested, force behind her words. Cass gave a chuckle.

"In another life, Fiona, that’s not the case." Cass didn’t lie. In another life that would be the case. Lord Blackburn did betray them and steal a weapon from them, and she had to kill him. Cass was desperately trying to avoid that ending.

Fiona didn’t look happy to hear Cass speak about himself that way. Nor did anyone else in the room.

"So, you’re going to see Father first?" Edgar asked, shifting the attention away from Cass’ villainous potential. Cass nodded.

"Yeah. There are some norms I have to uphold." He said begrudgingly, and Edgar sighed.

"Do you want me there with you? I know him the best." He was being considerate, but Cass wanted Edgar nowhere near his father. Especially after the man had been the reason that Edgar had come to them so beat up. It was either him or Lord Ridgewood, and Cass didn’t like either option.

Cass turned to Edgar, reaching out and touching the last little remnants of his injuries. Edgar’s eyes went wide, as did Fiona’s and Lady Ava’s.

"You are not stepping a foot near the man." Cass said without negotiation. "No father is supposed to treat a child like this." Edgar’s jaw dropped, shocked.

"I, uh, well-" Cass pulled his hand away and turned back to his food, not even allowing him to fumble through a response. He stabbed another piece of meat, greatly pleased that he could eat most of the food today.

"No. While I didn’t have parents, I knew how I was treated was wrong. This is not up for debate. I’m going with Sir Forsythe, and that’s it. He needs to underestimate me again." Cass said firmly, glancing around the room. "They all need to understand that I have held my tongue, but no more. I’m far more of a threat then they give me credit for." Cass’ words left no room for debate, and everyone shared a look. Upset, but also impressed. Lord Blackburn had changed for the better.