Chapter 286: Is it so wrong to say what I think?

Words : 1986 Updated : Oct 7th, 2025

Chapter 286: Is it so wrong to say what I think? "Lucian, you can’t say things like that." Cass whispered, annoyed, his cheeks warm. Lucian’s gaze narrowed slightly and Cass could feel the man looking him over. Then, a slow, predatory smile crossed his face. "Why not? Am I not allowed to call sexy, sexy? Fiona, is it so wrong to call things out like this?" Cass glanced towards Fiona, wondering why Lucian had asked Fiona of all people. Was it because they were similar? He knew it was a little out of left field if he asked Edgar, but given how the two of them had been getting along recently, he was pretty sure that Lucian would have asked him. Cass watched as Fiona glanced between them, her own eyes a little wide in surprise before she smiled. She leaned back in her seat, reaching out and placing her hand on Lady Ava’s and gave it a squeeze. "Hmm, not necessarily, Lucy, but there is a time and place for it. You can’t blame Cass for being uncomfortable with how you’ve done it. Cass is a shy person, and doesn’t like obvious gestures like that. Which is probably hard for you because you’re like me. You want to be obvious with your affections." Fiona said with a smile, turning a soft look towards Lady Ava who blushed immediately. "Ava doesn’t like obvious gestures so you’ll have to adjust." Fiona suggested and Lucian nodded, his gaze serious as he listened to his wife speak. "Hmm. Interesting. I assume you get the urges out behind closed doors?" Lucian asked and Lady Ava ducked her head, her face flaming and Edgar coughed. "Lucy. That’s my sister." Edgar warned and Lucian turned and gave him a confused look. "Yeah, and?" He asked while Fiona grinned and laughed. "He’s probably not referring to what you’re thinking, Eddie. And to answer your question, yes, I do, Lucy. So much so that Ava gets annoyed and tells me to shut up." Fiona’s grin was a little on the wicked side as she looked at the woman next to her. Lady Ava had her hands covering her face, hiding. It was clear she was embarrassed by the whole conversation and Cass could completely understand. He was worried about when the conversation would turn back to harassing him. Cass was right to worry, since both Fiona and Lucian turned to look at him at that exact moment. Cass shivered, not liking that the way Fiona had just been looking at Lady Ava was now reflected in Lucian’s gaze, but when he looked at Cass. That was a bit too much for him, especially since they had been talking about Lord Ridgewood and all the shit he and Edgar had going on between them. "Our little sweet fairy is also quite shy. I think part of it is that he’s been hidden away. Hasn’t gone to many parties, and also hasn’t had the opportunity to do so." Lucian said, reaching out and giving Cass’ shoulder a squeeze. Cass flinched, fully expecting him to cup Cass’ cheek again, and was pleasantly surprised when the man didn’t do that. Lucian grinned, like he expected that kind of reaction from him. "When you say it like that," Cass started, his body tense, "it sounds like you’re insulting me." Lucian laughed. "I’m not. You could call me your strong dragon and I wouldn’t find it insulting." Lucian said and Cass glared at him. "What about an idiot dragon?" Cass asked sharply, and Lucian’s grin didn’t falter. "As long as you put ’my’ in front of it, I have no problems." He told Cass and Cass grumbled, grimacing at him. "No, thank you." He muttered, before turning to Edgar. "How long do you think someone like Lord Ridgewood will survive not living under his father’s thumb?" Cass asked and Edgar shifted in his seat looking uncomfortable. Cass knew it was going to be an uncomfortable conversation. He was basically asking how long Edgar himself would survive out from under his father’s thumb. Cass was a different story. He had his own money, thanks to Lord Blackburn, and other resources. He’d been prepared for this possibility for a long time, but Edgar? Cass wondered if the man had even considered it before. He had a feeling he might have, but unlike Lord Blackburn, he had resigned himself to his fate. Cass had a feeling that Lord Ridgewood had done the same. Cass could feel a bit of sympathy for the man. If you didn’t know you could fight, would you ever attempt to get away? If you thought that was all your life was meant to be, what you could achieve, would you ever struggle against it? Cass did wonder what Lord Blackburn had gone through to make him fight against everything he was going through. Beyond the obvious injustice he experienced, Cass was still wondering what was up with the final item to defeat the demon lord. What was about that damn stick/staff/wand thing that Lord Blackburn had wanted it? He still wasn’t telling him about his intentions. Because as far as Cass could tell, the man had a meticulous plan put into place to leave his grandfather’s side. Sure, Cass was adding to it, and speeding it up a bit, but he was doing okay. He would get out from under the Blackburn name. He could start his own empire and compete with his grandfather. He was sure on his merits alone he could rise up to Duke status. Fuck, he could buy the Duke status. It wasn’t for sale, but Lord Blackburn could have done it. He didn’t need to rely on these fuckers here. Truly. So why the fuck did he need to blow everything up and make himself the villain? What was Cass missing? Did it have something to do with his condition? But then, what was so important about it? He knew that Lord Blackburn had demonic blood, even if that alone was a fucked up situation, but how did a weapon that was supposed to defeat the demon king come into play with him? What was so special here? Cass felt like he could almost see the answer, could almost reach out and touch it, but he just couldn’t grasp the answer yet. It was so fucking annoying. "Hmm, depending on what kind of inn he went to...maybe a week? I didn’t ask how much money he had on him, and it honestly wasn’t something I was thinking about, Cass. Sorry." Edgar muttered, looking thoughtful. Cass shrugged. "Not your fault, you had more pressing questions to ask him." Cass said, his mind full of his own thoughts. Cass glanced around the table, at his practically clear plate, the way he was able to eat with everyone, and how none of the food prepared had set him off. He felt full, he felt satiated, and even though everyone was bothering him, he felt...good. He felt good. He wondered if Lord Blackburn had ever experienced this feeling before. If he had ever felt like he was actually participating in a room instead of just being on the outskirts. Cass’ chest ached dully, and Cass wasn’t sure if that was him or Lord Blackburn responding to his thoughts. His feelings. "Hmm, well, I’ll keep an ear out and see what the others say. No doubt news of what happened and where he is will make it around the city. Nobles are nosy, and they are all trying to curry favour with me. I wonder if they are going to try and cozy up to Lord Ridgewood, thinking that it will benefit them. I wonder if he’ll be honest about it." Cass vocalised out loud and Edgar gave a hard laugh. "I used to say that I could tell you that he’d be honest with them about his situation, but who knows? He might lie to keep himself clothed and fed." Edgar wasn’t kind, and Cass shrugged. He reached down, patting his stomach gently. "Well, I’m full, and I have a lot of letters I need to reject, so I’ll take my leave first. You all can stay here, doing whatever it is that you do." Cass said dismissively and Fiona snorted while Lucian leaned back to stare at Cass, his eyes sparkling. "Whatever it is that we do? You’re being too broad, Cass. Of course we’re going to stay here and talk about you. You can just say that." Lucian teased and Cass flushed. "Why would I think that? You’re all heroes in your own right in the capital city. Fiona and Lady Ava just came back from shopping. You could be planning to do something else after this." Cass said and Lucian shrugged dramatically. "Well, they might have other things that they want to do, but I certainly don’t. My wife is busy being a partner to someone else, and I’m busy trying to court my pretty bond partner into forming a more permanent bond with me." Lucian winked at Cass. "Is it working?" He asked and Cass schooled his face. Cass gave him the coldest, harshest look possible before he let out a chilly sigh. "No." He said before pushing his chair back loudly. Lucian tilted his head back and laughed. "Mm. He knows how to keep me on my toes." Lucian said with a grin. "Keep pushing, sweetheart. Make me work for it. I deserve it." Lucian’s eyes flickered, his pupils changing for just a split second and Cass flinched. He straightened his back, narrowing his gaze at Lucian before he swept his gaze to Edgar. Edgar’s eyes widened and he placed a hand on his chest like he was surprised to be included in Cass’ harsh gaze. "You deserve it?" Cass repeated and Lucian laughed. "I deserve to have to work for your affection. That’s what I meant." Lucian smiled. "After all, your skin is the prettiest colour I’ve ever seen. I have to earn the right to-" Cass’ hand slapped down on his mouth, exactly what Lucian wanted. Cass could feel the unrepentant grin underneath while Fiona laughed, then covered it with her mouth. "Lucy!" She chastised, but there wasn’t any true power behind it. "We just talked about how Cass is shy." She was so clearly on his side that it made Cass turn a frown in her direction. She dropped her gaze. "We should go, my Lord." Sir Forsythe said, moving closer to the table. Edgar pushed his chair back, getting to his feet. "I’ll come help. I can at the very least, write shitty, mean and formal letters to the idiots who bothered you today." Edgar shook his head as he looked at Lucian over Cass’ shoulder. "Someone’s in the dog house." Edgar muttered quickly and Lucian licked Cass’ hand. Cass yanked it away, wiping it on his clothes in disgust and Lucian sighed, putting his hands behind his back, showing off his thick, powerful arms. "I know. I’ll be a good guard dog and wait outside his room tonight." Lucian was aware of how mad he was making Cass and that only made Cass frown more. "At some point, you are going to push me in a way that is not going to get the result that you want." Cass warned quietly and Lucian looked at Cass, his expression complicated. So complicated that Cass was surprised he could make it. "I already have, and I’m working to fix it." Lucian said, before he grinned. "You should take your fancy guard dog away now. This one has to go for a walk." Cass wondered what Lucian meant by his words, but with a subtle nudge from Sir Forsythe, he turned to go finish the rest of the work he needed to get done for the day, putting Lucian’s words away to mull over later.

Chapter 286: Is it so wrong to say what I think?

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