Chapter 182: Vespertine has some questions
It was shortly after Lucian had run off to start the fire, Lady Ava and Fiona were working on dinner for everyone else, and he’d been left with his own thoughts that Lord Ridgewood and Vespertine came back.
Vespertine’s face was still scrunched up, still sour, and when he looked towards Cass, he shook his head as if he had given up.
Lord Ridgewood’s expression hadn’t changed, but he made a pointed decision to avoid Cass. Cass was a little surprised by that, but Vespertine trudged towards him, not leaving him out of the loop this time.
"He won’t admit that he did anything wrong. I’m sorry. I tried everything but beating him since I know I can’t win in a fight. I told him to just avoid you if he can’t keep control of interest. Especially right now." Vespertine raised his hand, running it through his blonde locks.
He’d taken off his sun cover ever since they had entered the dungeon, but now that nightfall had truly fallen, he seemed more relieved. There had been a little line in between his eyebrows, a small tick of worry but it was gone now. In its place was pure, absolute anger and confusion.
"Gods above, why the hell is this group so fucked up?" Vespertine muttered quietly and Cass nearly choked on the cookie he’d been eating. He started coughing, and Vespertine grew concerned. He crouched down, gently patting Cass’ back as Cass tried his best not to choke.
Cass didn’t need to look around to know that Lucian was coming back at an alarming, inhuman speed.
"Cassian? What did you do, Edgar?" Lucian bellowed, pissed, and Vespertine sputtered.
"What did I-? I did nothing! He was eating just fine and then he started choking!" Vespertine said, stepping back because he didn’t want to get into a fight with Lucian. Cass finally managed to gather his breath through the cookie crumbs and felt embarrassed at their open hostility.
"Did you find what you needed, Lucian?" Cass asked and Lucian glanced at him.
"No. I didn’t." His voice was taut. He hadn’t softened in the slightest when speaking to Cass. Cass smiled.