(BL) The Villain wants a Divorce!

”Ah, yes! I came over to apologise for not being able to find more tents. I didn’t realise that the group would need an individual tent for each member. I apologise. I should have considered that as an option.” Cass didn’t like how he said that. That felt like a dig of some kind, but Cass wasn’t sure exactly how.

Was he making a comment about how greedy they were being? Or was he making a dig at Lady Fiona because she was married to all but one person in the hero party? Yes, that was a rather strange situation, but at the same time, it helped Lady Fiona have a bit more weight to her name in the noble society.

There was a reason the Vespertine family was usually in charge of heroes that were declared by the gods. The nobles, from their actions already, weren’t charitable to most heroes who didn’t come from noble lineage. Hell, Lord Blackburn came from a noble lineage and that didn’t seem to matter when it came to how the others treated him.

Granted, there was a lot more to his story, but that didn’t change the fact that nobles were judgy, temperamental types of people. Cass just didn’t think that would also extend to the people of the temple, but maybe he should have thought that. After all, a noble family was in charge of how the temple was run, and it wasn’t as if Lady Ava’s behaviour came from nowhere.

Cass watched as Lady Fiona’s expression tightened, and she gave a light laugh.

”It’s alright, Priest Daniel. Cassian was prepared enough that he brought his own tent, so we were able to somehow manage. After all, the saint shouldn’t have to share a tent, now should she?” Cass was a little bit surprised by Lady Fiona’s response, but also a little proud. She had clearly surprised Priest Daniel with her response, but he quickly recovered.

”Oh! Of course! The saintess is someone who should be honoured and held in the highest regard. Thank you for your understanding, and I had no idea you were going to such lengths to keep her protected.” Priest Daniel gushed, but Cass noticed how he kept looking in Cass’ direction. Why the hell was he looking at Cass so much? It was unsettling.

Lady Ava looked uneasy with all the praise she was getting, and given what she had told Cass, it made sense. She didn’t feel like the saintess right now, and was in fact feeling like she didn’t meet the criteria to be a saintess. Add in Vespertine’s treatment of her, and his plan to send her back to the temple that she was likely not aware of, things were not looking good for Lady Ava right now.

”Yes. We take our treatment of our saintess quite seriously, as well as the treatment of our hero.” Lord Ridgewood stepped in, his expression flat, normal. He wasn’t as emotional as he had been yesterday night. Priest Daniel laughed nervously.

”Well, of course. We too, take the treatment of the hero quite seriously. Speaking of, we have prepared a rather modest feast for the hero party before they leave.” He smiled, but Cass could feel how the other man was looking at him. ”I am aware that Lord Blackburn rarely participates in the food provided from anyone, let alone from the temple. It would be a great honour for us priests if you would participate this time, my Lord.” He bowed, pressing a hand over his heart.

It was supposed to be a sincere gesture, but Cass couldn’t find any sincerity in it in the slightest. It was more creepy than anything else.

”While I thank you for your attempt, I unfortunately have developed some rather severe allergies over time. I have a strict diet that I must adhere to, and I don’t feel comfortable eating food that hasn’t been prepared by my aides.” The Priest seemed...pleased to hear those words come from Cass’ lips. He did not like that.

”A true tragedy. Are you sure I can’t convince you to change your mind?” The priest asked and it was Lucian who stepped in now. He huffed, his chest out as he stepped in front of Cass, blocking the view that the Priest had of him.

”He already said no. No one wants him sick before we have to go in. That would be a waste of time and stupid.” Lucian growled, cutting the conversation short. Cass was glad that Lucian had covered him so that he could laugh into his hand. ”Take the hint.” Lucian said, firmer, and Cass placed a hand on his bicep.

”It’s alright, Lucian.” Cass told him quietly, and that was the only thing that seemed to calm Lucian.

Lady Fiona stepped in again to smooth over the ruffled feathers, while Cass turned, it was not his problem anymore. He made eye contact with Sir Forsythe and nodded, and Sri Forsythe pushed past the priests and moved towards him. Sir Forsythe took the lead as they moved towards the tent that Cass and Lord Ridgewood shared. Sir Sanders remained outside as Cass and Sir Forsythe stepped into the tent.

”I can’t believe those fools.” Sir Forsythe muttered as soon as the tent was zipped up. ”Are they idiots? You’ve never even eaten at banquets hosted for the Blackburn family! Disgraceful. They clearly wanted you to be in a terrible condition so you couldn’t attend the dungeon raid with everyone else. Who knows what they had planned for you.” Sir Forsythe grumbled as he began to help Cass undress.

Cass chuckled at his guards’ anger.

”Or, they could have just wanted to embarrass me. They don’t know how serious my allergies are. How would they know since I keep my reactions so close to my chest? It’s fine, Sir Forsythe. I held my own, and Lucian planned to protect me. Let him, since there’s no skin off my back.” Cass said with a shrug, but Sir Forsythe’s jaw was tight.

He helped Cass undress, and helped him into his neck outfit. He explained each step, since Sir Forsythe wasn’t coming with them into the dungeon. Cass was going to have to do this himself, and ask for help when it came time to wrap his hands. That, or he could just go the length of the dungeon without doing so. He was sure the Doctor would understand.

Dungeons weren’t exactly normal conditions for medical care. He was just going to do his best.

Sir Forsythe finished dressing him, and then stood back. Staring at Cass. Cass was too busy adjusting his collar to notice right away, and when he did, Sir Forsythe swallowed.

”Be careful, my lord. I know you are capable and competent but I just...I want you to know that I do worry about you, and care about you deeply. Please take care of yourself, and...rely on Lord Draken if you need to. He’s...” Sri Forsythe made a face and Cass wasn’t sure if he looked pained or embarrassed. ”He’s fine. I don’t like how he oversteps, but it’s clear that whatever rock he’s overturned, he does have your wellbeing at the core of his actions. Use him if you need to. Hell, use all of them. Just stay safe.” Sir Forysthe said.

His words had Cass quite surprised. He didn’t think Sir Forsythe had ever said anything like this to Lord Blackburn, but from the forceful but quiet way he spoke, he had kept them inside for quite some time.

”It sounds like you’ve wanted to tell me this for a while.” Cass said quietly and watched as Sir Forsythe paled. He dropped down to his knee, ducking his head and crossing his arm across his chest. Unlike with the Priest Daniel who had done it before, Cass knew that Sir Forsythe was sincere.

”Forgive me my Lord, but I didn’t think you would take kindly to my concern before. You’ve...changed since your injury. For the better, I think, but I didn’t dislike you before. You just...you’ve softened.” Sir Forsythe’s words were like vomit, spilling out of his mouth. Cass could understand why he was nervous. Lord Blackburn before him would have lost his shit over a servant, not a guard, had overstepped like this.

Lord Blackburn had some pretty severe trust issues. Cass couldn’t blame him, but Cass was able to tell that Sir Forsythe wasn’t a terrible guy. He had a lot of affection for Lord Blackburn, and had cared for him when he’d been a damn demon before. Now that Cass was in control and was supposed to revitalize his image so that the end of the book didn’t happen, he seemed...far more concerned, honestly.

Or he just wasn’t hiding it anymore.

”I’ve softened?” Cass asked. Sir Forsythe flinched. Cass was honestly just teasing him. He knew that he had softened. There was no way that Cass of all people could yell at servants and hit them the same way that Lord Blackburn had. Not for silly things.

He was pretty sure that Lord Blackburn had hit Sam, and that felt like a rather serious crime. The fact that Sam showed so much interest in Cass still was a damn miracle.

”I shouldn’t have said it that way. I apologise. I-” Cass cut him off, laughing quietly.

”It’s okay, Sir Forsythe. I’m just teasing. I know I have changed, I just didn’t think you would bring it up.” Cass told him and Sir Forsythe relaxed. ”I’ll keep what you said in mind, but only that.” Cass told him and Sir Forsythe nodded, before he glanced up at Cass. His gaze was soft, warm.

”Thank you, my Lord. Now, shall I help you pack up? Are you planning to put everything into your side bag?” He asked, getting to his feet and Cass smiled widely.

”Yes. But, let’s wait till everyone is ready to leave.” Cass told him, a plan brewing in his mind. A way to put the anxious Sir Forsythe at ease, and to show off his new control over his powers.