(BL) The Villain wants a Divorce!

Cass was in a bit of daze for the morning after he spoke to Lord Blackburn. He felt like he didn’t get to speak to him enough, but at the same time, he learned a lot. He didn’t get to ask him about magic, or about any of the plans he’d made. He was kicking himself about that, and also about the fact that he didn’t get a straight answer from him.

Lord Blackburn didn’t say yes or no to if it was okay for Cass to be in his body. All he said was that the ’gods’ made a good choice. Whatever the hell that meant. Cass knew it wasn’t an actual answer, and that alone told him that Lord Blackburn probably had some reservations about Cass being here, taking over.

Cass knew he shouldn’t be worrying about this as much as he was, especially as he knew that the next dungeon was going to be found in the next two weeks, but this was something dear to him. He hated the idea of losing control of his body, and yes he felt that the conversation had been positive in the end, he didn’t get a word telling him that what he was doing was okay.

He also hadn’t unlocked more memories yet. Those two things made him anxious.

Sam was a trooper. He dealt with Cass as he was a little vacant in the mind in the morning, helping him with the orders and directions that the Doctor left for his hands. Cass handled the other parts, not wanting Sam to have to touch him there. It was a little strange, but the salve was soothing, and he was free to get lost in his thoughts after that.

Cass had to eat, and Sam and Byron made sure he did so. Cass forced down the pills that were provided, took more of the godawful healing tonic, and then, with the help of Byron and Sam, made his way to his study.

He was able to walk a little bit today, but had to rely on the other two to do so. His legs were shaky, his muscles still weak and screaming from the overuse and tension. What the hell he’d been up to, who knows, but it had clearly put a strain on all of him.

Cass didn’t know why he was going to his study. It wasn’t as if he could work. His hands were wrapped so that they could heal properly, so he couldn’t hold a pen, nor could he feed himself. It was quite embarrassing to have Sam help him in that regard, while Sam seemed pleased to be able to help.

Cass also realised that he’d slept in quite a bit. It was already midday by the time that he made it to his study, and when he did, Sir Forsythe was waiting there for him. When Sir Forsythe saw him, a look of relief crossed his face.

”You look much better today, my Lord.” He greeted, and Cass chuckled. He had one arm wrapped around Sam’s, and another wrapped around Byron’s arm. They were practically holding him up, both men quite strong. Or, Lord Blackburn was light.

”Did I look terrible yesterday, Sir Forsythe?” Cass teased, his voice still hoarse and Sir Forsythe tried to wince in a noticeable way, but Cass knew. It was in his eyes. Cass took a moment to look over Sir Forsythe properly.

It didn’t look like he’d gotten into a fistfight or anything like that. It appeared to be more of an accidental injury. The bruising wasn’t focused in the eye, but instead appeared as if it had spread there. It also appeared that he was holding himself a little off, as if that whole side had been battered. He should have questioned both Draken and Sir Forsythe yesterday, but he’d been so exhausted that it hadn’t made any sense to do so.

”Well, you look better today, my Lord.” Sir Forsythe dodged answering and Cass laughed. They moved passed him, Sam and Byron helping him into his seat at his desk instead of leading him to the loveseat. He appreciated it.

”Sir Forsythe.” Cass said as he settled into his seat. It felt good to be back in it after a week without it. ”What happened while I was away?” Cass asked. ”And don’t lie. Your face alone tells me that something happened.” Sir Forsythe might have blushed at that, but he ducked his head, hiding it from Cass for a moment before he exhaled and raised his head.

”I am sure you can make some correct jumps in assumption, but Draken made the words he said at the orphanage, true.” Sir Forsythe was having a hard time saying it, using words that he normally wouldn’t and Cass just sat, staring at him as Sam worked on getting him tea behind him. ”He...tested my merit as a knight.” Sir Forsythe said. ”I...don’t think I passed.” He admitted, shame in his tone and face. Cass stared at the man, the same man who he had tested pretty much as soon as he woke up. He stared for long enough that Sir Forsythe grew anxious. ”My Lord?” He asked before Cass sighed.

”Let me ask you this. Who died and put him in control of the people I hire?” Cass asked, not really wanting to beat around the bush right now. Something clattered behind him from Sam’s direction, while Byron turned his head away from Cass. He knew the man was either smiling or laughing because Sir Forsythe seemed shocked.

”W-Well I-”

”I don’t care what that man does or doesn’t do for his own peace of mind, Sir Forsythe. Truly. He can test you and Byron and Sam all he wants. That doesn’t mean I approve of his actions, and I hope that you remember that. I don’t need his approval for you to exist. I didn’t hire you to appease him. I did it because I needed you, and that should be the only thing that matters to you.” Sir Forsythe hesitated, before he nodded. Cass narrowed his eyes. ”What? You clearly have something on your mind.” Cass said and Sir Forsythe sighed.

”It’s...your words are correct, my Lord. I just have some of my own personal grievances with what happened.” He admitted and Cass narrowed his gaze further.

”Did he say something else to you? Do I need to go call him to yell at him?” Cass asked, a surge of anger filling him and Sir Forsythe shook his head quickly.

”No, my Lord. It’s nothing like that! I just...” He sighed. ”I don’t want you to think less of me.” He muttered, but when Cass didn’t budge, Sir Forsythe begrudgingly admitted what he had been concealing. ”Lord Draken is a well-known sword wielder. I wanted to test myself, and it is quite the blow to not be able to even hold a candle to him.” He wouldn’t make eye contact with Cass as he said that.

Cass suddenly understood why he was being so weird about it. He was a knight, and so he had expected to be able to hold his ground against him. Too bad that Draken was an ancient being here just for the fun of it. There was no way Sir Forsythe was going to be able to hold his ground, especially as a normal human.

Cass knew that Lord Blackburn had probably felt the same way. He’d been a powerful mage in his own right, and then in strolled Draken, a fire mage, who could throw off any of Lord Blackburn’s spells like a duck with water. Cass had a feeling that was where the feelings that Lord Blackburn had for Draken began.

Now that Cass was so aware, and that they weren’t just something he assumed, he was going to have to be more careful around Draken. He wouldn’t be able to trust the feelings he was feeling. They would be influenced by Lord Blackburn.

Cass shivered as he remembered how Lord Blackburn had called him by his name, and his nickname. It had been...it had been nice to be reminded that he was still himself, and not in a negative way. It was also nice to be told that he wasn’t doing...a terrible job, he just didn’t get full consent to keep doing his ’job’.

That was fine. It had to be fine, at least for now. Maybe he’d get another visit with Lord Blackburn after the next hellish week? One could hope.

”Sir Forsythe, it’s okay to be disappointed in how you performed. Do you think I am unfamiliar with these emotions? I’ve faced off with him several times myself, and I’ve rarely felt like I truly held my own.” Sir Forsythe’s gaze widened.

”You, sir? But you always look so confident when you throw your spells at him.” Sir Forsythe said and Cass chuckled.

”Confidence is half of the battle, Sir Forsythe. But I too get frustrated and angry and upset. It’s okay to have those feelings, especially against him.” Cass’ lips twitched as he fought a smile. He couldn’t exactly call him a monster. It felt a little...mean, so he wasn’t going to do so. It wasn’t mean in the right way. ”So don’t be too hard on yourself. He’s a...different kind of beast, so we can’t hold ourselves in the same standard as we would him. The fact that you made it out of there with only half of your body bruised is a relatively good sign. The fact that he wanted to test you might also be a good sign, but I need to investigate that more.” Cass said and Sir Forsythe seemed to take his words well.

His expression was soft, contemplative and he gave a soft smile. His gaze was a little more self-assured, a little more relaxed as he nodded towards Cass.

”Thank you, my Lord. Your words have...put my mind to rest. I appreciate your consideration. Shall I brief you on the other things that I noticed in the mansion while you were...busy?” Sir Forsythe asked and Cass sat up in his chair as Sam came over. He dropped off his tea and Cass knew his eyes had to be glittering.

”Please do, Sir Forsythe.”