Chapter 8 Mother

As soon as Casimir opened the door to his family home he was greeted by the feeling of fine Veinas leather flying past his face as he dodged. He brushed off his left shoulder as he picked up the book. It was a novel by Rowen Cullman. A well loved classic that as he looked inside the cover he realized was signed by Rowen himself. He held the book up in disapproval as he admonished the woman standing fifteen feet from him.

"Mother please. Next time you decide an object is a possible weapon, try not to pick one so valuable. This is a signed first edition." he lamented.

The woman in front of him gave an annoyed huff as her peach colored lips held an angry pout as she regarded him. Her arms were crossed as well. As though she truly needed to get the idea to him that she was utterly infuriated. She stood at an impressive six foot and two inches, though still shorter than Casimir. Her normally long platinum blonde curly hair was put in an elegant up style today. Her lovely dark orange eyes that usually radiated warmth, instead blazed with fury this evening. She was dressed in a white off shoulder gown adorned with light green flowers. Her heels were white with embroidered white doves on them. They seemed as though they were from the Saint Isles brand. Though he had yet to see these featured in their monthly catalogue. She was staring Casimir head on which normally of itself would be impressive if she was not his mother.

"Cas! I'm absolutely appalled with you. Not only do I hear that you crashed a strangers wedding, but you insult the sister of the host! Casimir Rayne Wilder, I raised my sons better than this!" She ranted.

A hand made it's way through his hair as he decided to take a seat on the sofa nearby. He used the whole length of it as he stretched his legs across it. He was exhausted. Today had been tiring, from waking up at three in the morning at Marcus's house to rushing to the Order's tower to sign off some urgent paperwork, and then to ditching his carriage in order to apologize to the Windsworth girl. And then even after that he had to venture into the slums of Corana to see Ciel about a matter. A drink making it's way into his hands wouldn't be opposed.

He leaned his head back on the couch, looking at his mother who was still on a rant. 

"Mother, I've already rectified that wrong. And she didn't even know what family I came from so I'm not too concerned." He informed her.

She stopped mid-rant to look at him, "Truly? You did?"

He waved his hand dismissively as he yawned, "Yes yes. I took her out on an apology lunch. She honestly had no clue who I was. Or that I was the head administrator of the Order of Magic. Quite surprising honestly. I've never met someone in high society so uninformed. I do wonder how she fairs at other social events if she's that out of touch."

His eyes were closed as he said this, his features relaxed now that he was home.

His mother was now seated beside him on the end of the sofa. Her ankles were crossed as she had her head resting in the palm of her hand tilted in a curious way.

"More importantly than that. You took a girl out? You? My son who's been more interested in the pleasure bars and his Order of Magic than the marriage interviews I set up for him?" A knowing smile formed on her face, "You're interested in her, aren't you? You have to be! You've never even taken your brothers out to lunch, much less a girl. Who is she? What family is she from? How old is she? Tall or short? Is she a blonde or brunette? I bet she's got pretty green eyes. Your brother Luke hinted to me that you tend to favor green eyed blondes or brunettes. Oh I'm so excited!! I always thought that I'd just have to secretly arrange-?"

She paused, his hand raised in the universal stop signal.

"Mother," Cas's head lifted off the couch, "It was simply an apology lunch. Nothing more. And besides that, she's only eighteen years old. There's a nine year age difference. That's practically robbing the cradle. I may have some depraved tendencies, but I'm not that immoral. Besides, I just met her for only the second time."

His head fell back onto the sofa as he grabbed one of the throw pillows off the floor. His mother had her left index finger placed on her chin as her head was tilted toward the ceiling in thought.

"Hmm while I'll admit courting an eighteen year old isn't ideal, if you guys married when she's twenty-one it wouldn't be too bad. Or at least no worse than what your father and I did haha. We had Luke when I was seventeen and your father was twenty. I didn't wanna wait until married after coming back from the war, so we did it the night before he left, I gave birth during those three years he was away, and we got married when I was twenty. It really wasn't that bad. I had a fun three year vacation being locked up at home with baby Luke and away from high society. And besides I knew Theo was gonna be the person I went through life with, so I didn't mind doing things out of order. Ah, those days were some of my best. Especially when we were younger and he would sneak me out of my parent's back garden for secret summer festival dates. And then as we got older they got more-"

A pillow smacked into the side the woman's head.

"Mother please! I don't need the details just like you don't need the details of my romps in the pleasure bars. " He insisted.

"Don't need the details of what?" 

Both Casimir and his mother looked over to one of the hallway entrances. A man of astonishing height stood in the entrance way. He had ear length loose light green curls that complimented his pale complexion and burnt orange eyes. Light freckles were smattered across the bridge of his nose and on top of his cheeks, which only furthered his sweet image. He was dressed in a brown vest with a long sleeved white shirt underneath and black pants. 

He walked over, standing behind the sofa the two were seated on.

"What were you two talking about?" He glanced at Cas's outfit, "And have you been raiding my closet? Those look strikingly similar to the blue trousers I lost last week." 

Casimir rolled his eyes as he covered them with his arm.

"We were talking about the events that led up to your conception, dear brother. And yes I did. My laundry hasn't returned to me yet. I'm suspicious one of the maids at the Order's tower has auctioned them off. So I borrowed yours this week. Shirts a little big though." He pulled at the shirt for emphasis. 

Luke sent their mother a questioning stare, "Why would that be of any importance? I thought we and high society had left that all behind in the past?"

Their mother gave a dismissive wave.

"Yes yes dear. We all have. However, it seems a young lady has finally captured your brother's attention. An eighteen year old. And Cas seems to think it'd cause a large scandal. But I was trying to explain how it couldn't possibly be a bigger scandal than the one your father and I created long ago." She explained happily.

A look of understanding passed over Luke as he glanced down at Casimir in sympathy.

"Ah, you're our mother's new target. She's trying to convince you to become a cradle robber to satisfy her desire to see all her son's married and grandchildren frolicking about. My condolences Casimir, though I am happy I'm not her current target. I only came to deliver your mail. It seems you've gotten an invitation of sorts. Best of luck!"

A letter was dropped into Casimir's lap as Luke swiftly turned around and power-walked through the hallway entrance, wanting to create as much distance between his mother and him as possible. 

The woman's head whipped around so quick it would have given anyone but her children whiplash. She was on her knees now gripping the back of the furniture as she shouted at her eldest. 

"Luke!! Just because I'm focusing on finding Casimir a partner doesn't mean I've forgotten about you! Being thirty-six and an adult doesn't mean you can keep running away and ignoring your mother! I will see you married before I'm in the ground!" She hollered at him. 

The thought that being thirty-six and an adult possibly does mean Luke can ignore their mother, but Cas wasn't going to voice that thought into existence. He had a taxing day and didn't think there was a need to add injury to it. 

She sat back down with a sigh as her back relaxed into the plush red upholstery.

"You boys are going to be the death of me. I swear it." She looked as drained as he felt, "Anyway, what family did you say your "acquaintance" was from? I didn't catch it?" She continued from earlier.

Her remaining son had a spent look on his face as he leaned his head further back on the sofa's arm. For some reason today would just not let him catch a break.

"That's because I didn't mother. And I don't see why it matters as we'll only ever be friends. And besides she's a baron's daughter. We are rather far apart in terms of social class." He disclosed.

Her brows were scrunched up with a frown as she sent him a look. He grumbled as he clutched the pillow she finally gave back. 

"But if you must know, her last name is Windsworth." Cas answered. 

His mother seemed lost in thought as she mumbled to herself. He was content to let her do so if it gave him a break in their conversation. She finally turned back to him after a couple minutes.

"Does she have multiple siblings? Like more than three besides her? Twins in the family? And does she have blue or brown hair?" She questioned.

Bewildered, and eyebrows slightly raised, he answered her.

"Yes, in fact. Have you heard of them?" 

She pounded her closed fist into her other hand with a gleeful face at figuring out the mystery.

"I knew I thought I'd heard that name before! Or at least something similar. A couple of the ladies at the tea party I went to last week were talking about them. The family's heir debuted at the annual debutante ball when he was sixteen, and he was supposedly suppose to debut with his twin. But he didn't. He ended up debuting with another wealthy merchant's daughter instead. At the ball people were questioning were the other twin was and both the heir and his parents told everyone that she was sick with some lung illness and would be debuting the following year. However she never did, or the year after that. When people would ask where she was they would name off some type of illness. And even before that it was said she barely attended any parties with the couple or other children as a child. Like once or twice a year. It was very strange and rumors started circulating that she had died or something. The ladies at tea were coming up with all sorts of theories, it was actually quite funny haha. But! If it's the same family then maybe your new "friend" is the mystery twin. Oh that would be so fun!" She clapped excitedly.

His frown told his mother of his doubt. She pouted at him again.

"Or it could not be and since I was only half paying attention at the tea party it could be some other family that she's from. You're such a spoil sport Cas." She complained.

Just as he was about to retort, a maid came from the opposite hall.

"Lady Victoria, we must leave now if we wish to meet Lord Wilder at the train station. According to the schedule he sent, his train should be leaving the capital by now." The maid voiced.

If happiness was a person, it would be his mother after hearing it was time to pick up her husband . She always looked younger than her fifty-three years of age thanks to good genetics. But the way her whole appearance changed anytime their father was mentioned was something even Casimir could admit was something to be envious of. She looked like a teenager as she practically jumped off the sofa and headed toward the maid.

"Lisa! Why didn't you tell me earlier? I don't wanna be late picking him up haha." She looked back at her son with a wave, "Well Cas sweetie, we'll have to talk some other time. I don't want to be late picking up Theo."

He waved without looking at her as he held up the envelope, "Have a safe trip mother. Safe travels." 

Lady Victoria and her maid disappeared down the hall discussing what to bring on the trip and if Lord Wilder would possibly be bringing back any souvenirs for everyone. 

A smile overcame him as he opened the letter. It was an invitation from Catalina's sister and her groom to their wedding. It seemed they were so happy to have Marcus and him at their engagement party that they were hoping they'd attend the wedding as well. 

Looks like he'd be seeing his new friend sooner than he thought.