Free Web NovelChapter 595: Plotting to cause a scene
Turns out, the maid who had thrown themselves at Gideon and Byron’s feet was the spy for a small level merchant. They tended to keep an eye on Cass in general because he tended to make investments in their competitors. Cass had no fucking clue who this were merchant was, but Edgar seemed to know them when they admitted their name.
The maid also clarified that they weren’t spying on anything personal, just investments and the like. They were terrified to die, and as much as the money was worth it, it wasn’t worth that much. Cass was glad that they had understood, while he could tell that a few people, Taniora specifically, was a little upset with how Cass had handled the situation. free𝑤ebnovel.com
She clearly had wanted Cass to show more leniency, more kindness. This was where their differences were clear. She hadn’t grown up with humans treating her poorly. Her lover had built her a beautiful resting place full of life and love, while the fairies; Cass included; had been subjected to human cruelty.
None of the fairies were upset with what Cass had done, nor were Edgar and Gideon. Sam had a glimmer in his eyes that told him that he didn’t think Cass had gone far enough, but Cass still took Taniora’s concerns into consideration. He wasn’t a monster, but he also knew the humans better than she did.
The others, the maids and helpers that had not been found out to be spies, came to Cass throughout that day and told him who had approached them to spy on him, but made it clear that they had turned it down. Several of them had broken down in tears and begged Cass to keep them on since this was the best job they had ever worked.
They weren’t opposed to signing a magic contract that would make it impossible for them to work anywhere else without Cass’ consent, but even Cass considered that a bit too far. Gideon was a completely different story, and while he was feeling a little regretful that he had made him sign a contract, the man had actively tried to kill him. These people were just fearful for their jobs.
What Cass did instead was provide them with bracelets or pins that helped against magic that could persuade them to agree to certain things. That was a precaution, and a warning all wrapped into one. If they slipped up and let anyone persuade them to spy on him they would end up like the others.
Food for the trees.
Cass was glad that by the end of that day, things had been cleared up with his staff and his aunt had sent a formal request to hang out through the royal family. It was cute that she had done something like that, when she had one of the best spies in the business. She had Byron.
Cass knew she was doing it more as a statement, and to allow Cass to put on his best show. Cass smiled. His Aunt certainly knew that something had changed about Cass, and she didn’t seem to mind it. She was embracing it, and even in her letter she drew some rather creative drawings or recreations of some trees pulling humanoids into the ground.
Cass had laughed at her recreations of the situation he’d just done, and he had no doubt that while she was probably the only person who would bring it up directly, she wasn’t the only one who knew something had happened. If she was saying things like this, he knew that either his grandfather had been watching, or someone else had.
His bet was on the man he shared a fence with and who was bitter about it. Sometimes, it was the more logical answer.
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Cass didn’t see anyone come asking about people until two days later. It took them that long to work up the courage to poke the bear, so to speak. Cass also thought it might have something to do with the fact that it was the first time he left the estate since his visit to the temple in the middle of the night, but he didn’t give that much weight. He didn’t think his estate was scary.
It was only scary to those who wanted to hurt him and the people he cared about.
Today, however, was more about making a commotion and maybe a few rumours at the same time when he met with his Aunt Alysora outside for the first time. Cass didn’t count when she came into the city for the ’first time’ since they had been putting on a show for everyone.
Sam was ready, as always, to dress Cass up. This time however, his Aunt had already sent over something that she wanted Cass and his entourage to wear. She’d called them his ’pretty lovers’ but Cass had refused to tell them that when they’d asked. Edgar in particular seemed to sniff out that something wasn’t quite right, but Cass wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction.
Thank goodness that Gideon was more agreeable.
The outfits were traditional fairy attire. That meant leather mixed with delicate lace and gossamer fabric with intricate leather leaves etched into the fabric. Beads, gems and other pretty things were incorporated into the outfit to make it feel ethereal but also practical once the shiny aspects of it were ignored.
Gideon was right to say that she’d given them all knight leathers and Cass was pleased that she had done so. He was also surprised that she’d managed to get their measurements. He had a sneaking feeling that Sam was involved, but he swore up and down that he hadn’t done anything. That meant she’d gone back to her old faithful. Byron.
Cass didn’t mind. After all, he did look good in the black leather outfit she’d had made for him. It was tight-fitting, but warm and comfortable at the same time. He knew that with time the leather would move with him, it was just a little too stiff for now. The shimmery fantasy aspect of it all just added an air of mystery to him.
The gems and sparkles for Cass were a mix of red and purple, surprisingly. Cass wasn’t aware of why she had included purple but he knew that he could just ask her.
Edgar and Gideon were in a similar outfit to Cass. She’d gone with lighter colours for Edgar, clearly noticing that the vampire tended to like lighter colours that complimented his paler features while Gideon wore whatever. His outfit was in between Cass and Edgar, the missing link between them.
His were brown. Simple, approachable, but somehow made him stand out with his red hair and green eyes. It was a very complimentary shade for him and somehow made him seem taller and more masculine when compared to the other men. Cass was a little annoyed by that thought, but he didn’t let it linger long.
Not when Gideon responded to Cass’ call in a heartbeat, his eyes brightening at just the privilege of having Cass call his name.
Cass blinked, a little surprised by the direction his brain went sometimes. It wasn’t like he was wrestling control back from Cassian, that wasn’t it, but it was more like Cassianisms would come out at the strangest times. Like then.
Cass never considered it a privilege to have him call someone else’s name, but Cassian did. He barely remembered people who weren’t useful to him in some way. Was it a defense mechanism? Yes. Cassian would probably acknowledge that, but that didn’t mean that it was him now.
Cass didn’t realise that he’d have to check himself as much as needed to. That he’d have to relearn behaviours all over again, but that was fine. If he was a little cocky sometimes he didn’t think it was a bad thing.
In Sam’s words, Cass was too humble. A little bit more of the son of a Duke wouldn’t hurt him.
So, the gang was dressed up, Sam and Byron also dressed up but more to match each other then the rest of the group, and they were off to hit the down. His Aunt Alysora had suggested some light shopping, whatever the hell that meant, so Cass suggested meeting at the tavern that Cass had stopped at instead of staying at the Blackburn estate.
She had agreed, and that was where Cass and the others were headed. It was also a great space to be approached by those who thought he would be ’weaker’ or ’caught off guard’ in a public space.
If anyone thought that, they clearly didn’t know Cass or Cassian well enough, and their spies had been shit at getting them information anyways. That would make Cass fee bad because that probably meant the spies shouldn’t have been eaten, but then again, they had taken money to spy on him in the first place. On top of their good salary.
Yeah, Cass didn’t feel as bad anymore.
The carriage felt heavy with excitement and anticipation. Sam was just excited to leave the house, as Cass felt everyone else was as well. It had been a while for them, outside of the ball. Leaving the house for sudden, scary reasons weren’t exactly the same as going on a shopping trip to bother general society. Especially as they were leaving back to their proper estate soon.
Cass was planning to show off how close Gideon, Edgar and Cass were. How truly close they were. He wasn’t going to sugarcoat it, and he didn’t give a fuck if he got disowned. His grandfather could try to start actual problems with him but they would have nowhere to go because of how powerful Cass was. That and he was going to be obviously aligning himself with the fairies.
They were a good shield, and his Aunt Alysora wanted to be that for him. For them. Especially since they were planning to throw a huge wedding for Byron and Sam. Cass grinned as he sat in the carriage near the window, Edgar beside him and Gideon on the other side.
Byron and Sam didn’t know this part, but today was partially to shop for them for the wedding. Cass was secretly planning to turn one of the wings for Ava and Fiona into their personal quarters. He was leaning more towards Ava because if the girls came back, they were not going to hide the truth from anyone.
They would be living together, so why not use parts of his own home for his own people?
Cass also planned to pick up a new mattress, or start having one made that would fit the four of them. With Fiona gone now, he could redo his rooms as much as he wanted. He had a few spaces that he had no use for, and there was a rather serious conversation that had to be had once Lucian got back from his shed.
What the fuck was the plan going forward? What were they? Cass had no fucking clue at this point, just that he was attracted to all of them and that they were still married to Fiona.
He needed to be included in one of these conversations that they had with each other, but without Cass. That way everyone would be on the same page, he just didn’t want to have it without Lucian.
Unlike their foolish asses, he would make sure everyone was included. frёeωebɳovel.com
Cass wasn’t aware that he was grinning and chuckling to himself in the carriage, but no one seemed to mind. In fact, they were rather happy that Cass was plotting. It was cute to see the newly freckled man behave like his old self, but with a Cass twist.
