Evan's smile was too kind. "Master, if I may suggest… the women's collection might have something more—accommodating."
Before Anore could protest, Evan returned with a pair of soft suede flats, the kind meant for noble ladies. They were light brown, with delicate laces meant to tie around slender ankles.
The room went quiet.
Anore's eye twitched. "You cannot be serious."
Eiden, pen poised over the page, murmured, "They do look comfortable."
Reluctantly, Anore slid his foot in.
It fit. Perfectly.
The lace-up straps wrapped around his ankle, securing them snugly. His lips pressed into a thin line, but the worst part, they actually looked good on him.
Evan clasped his hands together in satisfaction. "Ah, splendid. It suits you, young one.."
Anore wanted to die.
Eiden scribbled something in his notes, lips twitching with amusement. "Observation: Practical footwear solution found. Unexpected compatibility... rather charming, actually."
Anore looked at them both, deadpan. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
Eiden only smiled. "Terribly, I'm afraid..."
Eiden's gaze moved from the shoes back to the garments, fingers stopping at a folded blouse, cream in color, with a delicate laced front and soft, flowing sleeves. He plucked it from the shelf and held it up, his lips curving slightly.
"This one will do."
Evan's eyes glinted with amusement. "Master, that blouse is from the artisan batch, made for the slender silhouettes of court musicians."
"It's perfect.." Eiden replied smoothly. He turned to Anore. "It'll fit you."
Anore stared at the garment, then back at Eiden, disbelieving. "You do realize I'm not your doll to dress up?"
"You're right.." Eiden replied, entirely unbothered, "but you're still mine to care for."
As Evan prepared the chosen garments, Eiden closed his notebook and turned to Anore.
"Before you change.." Eiden said casually, "you'll bathe."
Anore stiffened, arms crossing instinctively over his chest. His eyes narrowed. "Is that an order?"
Eiden tilted his head, thoughtful. "Does it need to be?"
The question wasn't mocking. It was said as if bathing was as inevitable as sunrise, a simple fact. But that—that—was what made Anore's mind short-circuit. There was no leer in Eiden's eyes, no anticipation of undressing him, no looming threat of touch.
It was unnerving.
"I'll have a bath prepared in the west wing's private chambers..." Evan announced, already moving to summon a servant. "Young one, you'll find the water warm, and we have salves for bruises and scars if you require."
Anore almost snapped at the man for calling him young ome, but the word stuck in his throat. Instead, he said nothing, following
Evan and the servant down the hall, barefoot, his new laced shoes in hand.
—
The bathing chamber was large, but not lavish. There were no gold fittings or decorative fountains, just a large stone tub filled with steaming water, its surface gleaming in the soft light of wall lanterns.
It was simple and practical.
Anore stood there, eyeing it like a trap.
"Will you be needing assistance?" Evan asked politely, standing a respectful distance away.
Anore's fingers twitched.
"No. I'm fine.." he said sharply.
Evan only smiled. "As you wish. I'll leave the salves here. When you're done, the clothing will be out here.."
The door shut with a soft click, and Anore was left alone.
For a long moment, he didn't move. Then, with slow fingers, he undid the laces of his worn shirt, peeling it off his skin. His body was a canvas of purple bruises, red welts, and jagged scars that twisted across his back and sides.
He caught his reflection in the water's surface. To him he felt like he was looking at broken pieces of glass.
He hated it.
Sliding into the bath, the heat stung his raw skin, but he didn't flinch. He just sat there, submerged up to his shoulders, letting the silence fill him.
No commands. No prying hands. It was just him.
—
When he emerged,his head wrapped in a towel and dressed in the soft cream blouse and high-waisted trousers, his hair still damp against his neck, Eiden was waiting by the window.
Eiden's gaze swept over him, thoughtful but detached.
"Well look at you, even prettier than before. But we must do something about your hair."
Before Anore could retort, Eiden had already moved closer, reaching for the towel draped around Anore's head. His fingers were deft yet gentle as he gathered Anore's pale, damp strands, combing through them with surprising care.
"I'll help with your hair.."
Anore tensed. He was used to hands that groped, clawed, and tugged. But Eiden's touch felt… reverent.
"You don't have to pretend you enjoy this," Anore muttered, keeping his eyes stubbornly away from the mirror. "It's just hair."
Eiden hummed. "And yet, you carry it like a burden instead of wearing it like a crown."
His words made Anore scowl, but before he could speak, Eiden's fingers began weaving his hair, nimble and precise. He worked in silence, creating intricate braids that framed Anore's face, pulling the rest back into a coiled bun at the back of his head.
Soft flowers were pinned in, their tiny red petals a stark contrast against his blonde hair.
"Look up.." Eiden said, his hand lifting Anore's chin with gentle insistence, guiding his gaze toward the mirror.
Anore flinched, instinctively trying to look away, but Eiden didn't allow it. His tone was calm, but it left no room for argument. "Anore. Look."
Reluctantly, Anore's eyes met his reflection.
He didn't recognize the person staring back. The rough edges were still there—the scars, the thinness, the hollowness—but they were softened, framed by delicate braids and laces, as if for a brief moment, someone had tried to make him… whole.
"You are beautiful, Anore.." Eiden said quietly, his hand still cradling his chin. "Just like the rest of you."
Anore's throat tightened.
Eiden's gaze didn't waver as he continued, voice softer now, almost reverent. "I don't know what intention they had when they told you you were beautiful. Perhaps they said it as a curse, to bind you, to cage you. But to me, Anore, you are the rarest of rare. Your beauty knows no bounds, and it belongs to no one. Least of all them."
Anore's lip quivered, his hands curling into fists at his sides.
"I will protect you.." Eiden murmured, leaning close, his breath warm against Anore's ear, "so you can be yourself. Without fear."