(BL) The Villain wants a Divorce!

Draken helped Cass drink a few more sips, Sam even coming to top up top up the cup so that he could drink more.

When the second round of knocking came, Cass was ready, with liquid in his stomach, his face a little warm, and Draken pleased that he was able to do what he accomplished without being kicked out. Cass really wanted to kick him out, but had a feeling it wouldn’t matter. Draken was too curious, and was likely to either ignore him, or beg to remain.

He could feel it when Byron entered first carrying a tray, followed by Sir Forsythe, his gaze and expression grim. A tall figure entered with them wearing a hood, and carrying a large leather bag, piquing Cass’ own interest. He wondered who this mystery person was, and didn’t have to wait long. As soon as the door was closed behind them, the new stranger pulled back their hood.

They had long, elaborate thin white horns that had been hidden by the hood. They looked as if they belonged to a deer. How had they been hidden? Cass could only assume magic since they were huge. Their features were sharper in nature, with large, almost inhuman brown eyes. Draken was on his feet in an instant.

”What have you brought?” He asked, his voice dangerous and Sir Forsythe glanced at Draken. Now that Sir Forsythe had fully looked towards him, Cass realised that one half of his face, the half he’d had turned away from him, was covered in bruises.

Cass tossed a hard glare towards Draken, not needing to ask any probing questions. The man had said he would test Sir Forsythe, and it appeared that he had. It was clear from his reaction that he found him at least satisfactory, but that didn’t mean that Cass agreed with his actions. Leaving the people who were supposed to be his allies in this mansion beat up and bruised kind of defeated the purpose of testing them.

”I have brought a Doctor as my Lord requested. Why that matters to you, Lord Draken, I am unsure of.” Sir Forsythe’s tone was cool, collected, and made Cass want to snort.

The Doctor seemed unbothered by Draken’s outburst, as if it happened all the time and turned their attention towards Cass. Cass couldn’t tell by the shape of their body if they were a man or a woman. Normally, if someone had those kinds of horns in nature, you would assume male, but Cass didn’t want to do that. It didn’t seem to...fit exactly.

The Doctor moved swiftly towards Cass, and Draken tensed. Cass didn’t know why, nor did he care. Sir Forsythe wouldn’t do something to hurt him as the next Duke, that much he knew, so he trusted him in that regard.

It was also the subtle, quiet way he looked at Cass with great concern that truly told him his feelings in more depth. He was a Knight after all, and he was sure that he took his emotional discipline just as seriously as his physical discipline.

”Byron, while the Lord is being looked at, you can place the food over here.” Sam’s quiet words could be heard in the air as Sir Forsythe and Draken stared at each other, and the Doctor approached Cass.

The Doctor frowned, glancing over his body, and put down the bag near the armrest.

”My Lord, this is quite the state.” The Doctor murmured. From their voice, Cass couldn’t tell their gender either. It wasn’t too high, nor too low. Only slightly confused, and more interested than anything else, Cass felt his lips turn up slightly.

”Is there anything you can do?” Cass asked and the Doctor frowned.

”I haven’t heard that the Duke’s family can’t use holy power before.” Was the reply that he got instead. The air froze, and Sir Forsythe’s gaze sharpened. It felt like the three men he had selected as his henchmen all tensed, while Draken who had no understanding, truly, of this time, just stared blankly.

Cass laughed heartily.

”I am a special case, for some reason. Wasn’t always this way, but here we are.” Cass said, attempting to shrug but his body barely listened to him. The Doctor’s frown only turned down more, and Cass swore that he saw a glint in their eyes.

”That’s...I am no expert on humans, so-”

”Our Lord is also a fairy.” Sam interjected quickly, and the Doctor chuckled.

”I am sure everyone here knows that Lord Blackburn has fairy blood, quite famous fairy blood at that.” The Doctor replied, their lips turning up slightly. ”Either way, I was just saying it was unfortunate since you have the next Saintess around. The fact that you are unable to get healing from her sounds rather inconvenient. Is she not trained in regular healing?” Cass said nothing. Draken said nothing.

Even Sam, who was notorious for criticising her, said nothing.

The Doctor turned to look at Sir Forsythe, the only person in the room that they might have known, and he sighed heavily.

”If I recall correctly, she once referred to doctors such as yourself as ’heretics and nonbelievers’.” The Doctor seemed quite shocked to hear that.

”Me? A heretic? Well, I would never.” The Doctor seemed quite shocked to hear that, while Cass tried to remember that moment. From the way Sir Forsythe was reacting, it was very likely that Cass wasn’t around when she said that. Lady Ava was...hmm, something didn’t seem quite right about her, and it appeared it had been going on for quite some time.

”I’ll have to discuss that with them.” Cass muttered to himself, so used to speaking out loud to himself over the week that he didn’t realise he’d slipped up and spoken out loud. Draken turned ot him, surprised that Cass had spoken.

”Who will you have to discuss that with?” He asked and Cass sucked in, realising he’d said his thoughts out loud. His face flushed in embarrassment and the Doctor chuckled.

”I-I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Cass muttered, flustered and Draken narrowed his gaze.

”I’m not an idiot, Cassian. I heard you speaking just now, as I’m sure everyone else has. I have good hearing. Who are you speaking to about Lady Ava? Fiona? Ridgewood? She’s not going to hear you, and neither is he.” Cass clenched his teeth, wishing he could move his damn body.

”I’ve been alone all week, alright? I just slipped up. It doesn’t concern you, Draken.” His expression darkened.

”Oh? What is that supposed to mean, Cassian? Is it some big secret that you can’t tell me? Or am I just not important enough to tell?” If Cass could speak on it, he would say that it was actually he was too important to tell him. As the silence continued, Cass finally spoke into the tense atmosphere.

”Draken, it’s a big secret.” Cass told him and Draken, who had been ready to yell at him about how he was important, froze. It was clear he thought that Cass wasn’t going to admit to shit, but Cass was tired, exhausted to his bones, really, and just didn’t feel like beating around the bush and getting into an argument with him.

Draken’s orange gaze widened, as did Sir Forsythe’s and Byron’s. Cass couldn’t see Sam’s face, but he was sure it was a mirror of Byron’s since the other dragon practically mimicked him. Draken’s mouth opened slightly, before he closed it and blinked several times.

”O-Oh. I didn’t expect you to admit that.” Draken said, dumbfounded and Cass closed his eyes, sighing.

”Draken, am I in any state to argue with you right now? No. So, I have a secret, and I am not telling you it. Suffer.” Draken’s jaw dropped at Cass’ words, while the Doctor started laughing.

”May I start the examination, my Lord?” They asked, and Cass nodded.

”Sam?” Cass called and Sam was there. He gently nudged Draken out of the way, glancing at him.

”Should...he remain, my Lord?” Sam asked quietly and Cass turned his gaze towards Draken. Draken had seemed quite shocked, stunned really from Cass’ words, but as soon as he felt Cass’ gaze on him, he stiffened. He hardened himself, crossing his arms. Cass’ lips pulled up slightly.

”Look at him, Sam. Do you think someone as stubborn as him is going anywhere without force or fear of his life?” Cass asked and Sam glanced behind him worriedly, taking in Draken’s glowering look, and sighed.

”Will he reveal what he sees to the others?” He asked Cass and Draken snorted behind him.

”I would only ever tell Fiona, but if you do not want me to give specifics, I can do that. I’ll just tell her that you hurt yourself, but you’re taking care of it.” Draken said, and Cass and Sam shared a look. It was clear that Sam wanted to chase him out, while Cass knew that there was no way to chase him out without seriously hurting his pride, and Cass just didn’t have that in him right now.

”Admitting that isn’t exactly comforting.” Cass told him and Draken grumbled.

”I am not keeping lies from my partners, especially about my partners. She doesn’t need to know specifics, and it isn’t as if the others don’t think you are well, Cassian. So just...show what you need to show and I will...keep your secret.” He said. Cass somehow had a hard time believing him, but sighed and turned to Sam.

”Just do it, Sam. I doubt anyone in the room will make fun of me.” Cass said and Sam clearly looked upset, but did as he was told. He reached for Cass’ clothes and began to undo the buttons. It was clear that Draken had planned to tease him, until he saw the dried blood. Then, he shut his mouth, but his jaw was tight.

Cass didn’t need the bond to go both ways to tell he was upset.