Chapter 682: How dare he use my name?

Cass made sure that Edgar and Lucian had some designers to see for Edgar’s office design and renovation. That was also to help Lucian on his mission to get stronger, more sturdy furniture for their bedroom too.

Cass, of course, couldn’t go, but he made sure that Ember called the right people. They may or may not have been a company that Cassian had silently invested in and was making sure was doing well, but that was neither here nor there.

If it was spoken out loud how many people or companies that Cassian had invested in, it would probably take five minutes including where they lived. Cassian hadn’t been trying to better society with his choices, he had been trying to silently grow an empire of wealth without his grandfather knowing. He’d done a great job in everyone’s opinion, and after he’d gotten the King to turn to him instead of the Blackburn family, Cassian had been making money that would make someone else faint if they saw the numbers.

Cass nearly fainted when he saw the numbers after he’d been given permission to look at them properly from his bank.

It felt like ages since that happened.

Sir Forsythe seemed to be happy now that Lucian was back, and Cass had two maids helping him. Essentially they were replacing both Sam and Byron, even if they were completely different from the couple. Sir Forsythe didn’t flinch at the new room that was added, and nodded in agreement when Cass explained what it was. Not that the plaque out in the hallway left much to the imagination, but Cass liked to explain things to him.

He liked keeping Sir Forsythe in the loop.

There was something to validating Cass’ opinion that Edgar had been helping him enough to earn himself an office from a respected elder to the group that made Edgar blush like a bride. Cass realised he should have just called Sir Forsythe in and asked him what he thought of the issue after he had seen the reaction, but it was too late, and the outcome had been good for the boys, too.

Cass felt closer to them, and he hoped that it went both ways. He knew that Lucian did, because Lucian wasn’t quiet with his opinions. He made sure that Cass knew, but Edgar and Gideon were a little more reserved with their true opinions.

He didn’t think they didn’t feel closer to him. After all, he caught Gideon looking at him fondly when he didn’t think Cass had noticed, and Edgar had even held his hand while they were eating breakfast. He would just have to accept them as they were. It wasn’t like he was super vocal about his affections, Lucian was just loud in comparison to the rest of them.

Either way, Cass was glad that they were content now that they’d had their conversation, and that the morning and the following days went smoothly.

With Edgar and Lucian looking at furnishings and the like, they did have to have Cass’ opinion on a few things. So they would use Sage as their runner and she would go between the drawing room where they were meeting with the woodworker and his company and up to Cass’ office. It was cute, if not a little inconvenient, but it made things feel...sweet.

Cass tried not to smile too big whenever Sage would come up, a little out of breath, and offer him the note that Edgar had scrawled explaining the colour schemes and shades that he was liking, and how he was telling Lucian that Cass would not like odd shades for the bedframes and tables.

In the end, they went for a lighter colour palette for Edgar’s office with softer wood tones then Cass’. Lots of birch equivalent for his princely man, while they went for a darker stained wood for the tables and chairs and the bedframes.

Cass felt his eyes widen at the custom order for ten bedframes from Lucian’s side, but he didn’t tell him not to. He was glad that the woodworker was getting as much business as he was, but damn, ten? What the hell did Lucian think they were getting up to?

When they came back from the meeting with everything wrapped up including where to deliver and all the little things, neither of the men seemed fussed. Edgar wasn’t even slightly embarrassed, which Cass was glad for, but goodness. Edgar actually seemed rather giddy, a slight flush of excitement to his cheeks as he spoke of the decisions that he’d made after communicating with Cass and the woodworker.

Cass was happy for him, truly, and from the way that Lucian smiled at them both. He pulled both men in, kissing them on the forehead before he returned to finish the bathroom. It was a sweet moment that continued into the next few days. All of the men, outside of Lucian, were a little cautious and hesitant with each other. Feeling out the waters after the emotions had been expressed, but Cass only saw it as a positive.

What wasn’t a positive was how he was still filling out. He felt like he’d gone from no ass, just a set of sticks to rub together, to slowly having his own damn cushion when he sat down. Lucian had commented on it several times when they had been cuddling over the last few days. He loved that Cass was filling out, and Edgar, the man, had groped and fondled his ass like it was his own personal toy.

It was, but they didn’t need to know that for Cass’ sanity.

The sweet, blissful moment of domestic life came to a head when Cass received two letters.

One was completely unexpected, and the other was unexpected given how recently the other letter had arrived.

The first one that hit his desk was from an unlikely source. It was Christopher, Mr. Collins’ partner who was writing to Cass and asking him for his help. Cass was confused at first, but the more that he read the letter the more incensed he became.

Christopher and his company were facing the wrath of his grandfather. It was all because he was new wealth and dared to poke holes in the lifestyle that the others were living and dared to suggest that everyone deserved rights. Christopher was the one who was using Cass’ good name to twist the view of what the public considered ’normal’. The stories that he was posting hinted at a few things, mainly gay things, going on between Cass and the others.

He was completely right to do so, and he’d gotten Cass’ permission, but his grandfather was now trying to take this to court. Saying that he had slandered the Blackburn name, that Cass was in agreement with his sentiments, all of it just to ruin Christopher’s life and take every last penny from him.

As the second richest man in the kingdom. The damn monster.

Cass was fuming just reading the letter and was already on board to help Christopher by the first few lines. When he got to the end of the letter, he put it down and put his head in his hands.

"Fucking hell." Cass muttered, pulling Edgar’s attention towards him. He didn’t have any of the furniture yet so he was still working in the office with Cass.

"What’s wrong, Cass?" Edgar asked and Cass growled. He grabbed the letter and thrust it in his direction, glaring.

"Read it and you tell me what’s wrong." Cass growled. Edgar, interested, watched as Ember grabbed the two page letter and passed it over to Edgar. Cass realised after that Edgar hadn’t had many interactions with Christopher, but that didn’t mean that he was any less pissed as he continued to read the lines written.

"What in the world? How are the gods allowing this behaviour?" Edgar rasped, still reading and Cass gave a bitter laugh.

"Do you think my grandfather believes in the gods? Truly? He never took me to the temple and I feel that’s half of your answer. He doesn’t care about what the temple thinks, and honestly, I’m more pissed he’s using my fucking name." Cass growled. Edgar’s scowl matched the feeling that Cass could tell even Ember was feeling. She had no clue what they were talking about, but she wasn’t an unintelligent person.

She was a fairy, after all. She might not be Cass’ Aunt’s inner circle, but they had heard the war cry go out. They knew what the humans were up to.

"How dare he even say any of this? He’s ignored you for how long? And now he wants to use your name to ruin someone else’s life? Is he insane?" Edgar was just as angry for Cass’ sake and hearing him so angry made Cass feel warm inside. Supported.

"Agreed. He is insane for thinking that he could get away with this behaviour. He’s probably banking on the fact that I won’t want to cause a stir. At least, old Cassian wouldn’t. This Cassian? Fucking say I’m gay with your whole chest. Take us all to court, old man, see who wins." Cas growled. Ember coughed, covering up a snort, while Edgar, still angry, tried to fight a smile.

"Old man?" He repeated and Cass snarled, rolling his eyes.

"What else is he? An old, shitty man who is stuck in his old ways but it’s too late for that. He’s past his prime and honestly, he should have given me the title ages ago. He’s going to try to die as the Duke, and instead he’s going to die penniless with no honour to his name or legacy." Cass huffed, annoyed. "Fuck. I didn’t want to advance my plans again, but he’s making me really have to change everything just to cater to him." Edgar gave Cass a curious look.

"Advance your plans?" He asked and Cass gave a dismissive hand wave.

"Yeah. I was planning to push forward the right to marry same sex couples since that’s what Fiona asked of me and as angry as I am at her, that’s something that will benefit everyone. I was hoping to hold off on that incentive because I didn’t want Fiona and Ava to come back too soon, but this fucking man..." Cass got up, his anger getting to be too big for him to remain seated. He paced, hissing and spitting like a cat as he ranted about his grandfather.

Edgar watched, entranced by the man and his anger. He ended up passing Ember the letter again so she could put it on the desk for Cass. Cass didn’t even notice, which was why the second letter got put to the wayside. It was just as important, but the anger was too overwhelming for Cass to focus.

Cass was still fuming as a knock came at the door before Edgar beckoned them in. It was Gideon, who took one look at Cass pacing the floor before he turned to Edgar questioningly.

Edgar smiled, patting the seat next to him.

"Come in, Giddy. We have lots to plot." Edgar told him, which only made Gideon look more confused.

"Should I grab Lucy as well, then?" Gideon asked and Edgar brightened.

"Yes, thank you."