A Room of Frozen Hearts
Mia was still in the doorway, her hand still on the handle of the trolley.
Cassidy was a step behind her, one step inside the room.
The two won were stilled.
Their mouths fell open, lips slack, as if the wind had been punched out of them. The aroma of tea and bread from the trolley blended with sothing much more potent — the dense, pungent sll of sweat, skin, roses, and sex. It lingered in the air like a storm that had yet to abate.
Within the house, Leon occupied the bed.
Unrepentant. Bare skin glinting softly under the morning sunlight, golden eyes shining, his lips curled in a smile so brilliant it sliced through the tight stillness. He slouched against the ornate headboard negligently, black hair spilling over the white pillow. He resembled nothing so much as a man trapped in scandal. He resembled a king sitting on a throne of heat and upheaval.
And standing guard around him...
Fifteen won.
Half-dressed, so, robes knotted awkwardly around them. Others, paused halfway, hair glued to the sweat on their necks, fingers holding gowns they had not yet tied. Red, silver, purple, green, black, brown — the entire bed had been filled with their colors, and now they were all frozen in shock, like statues.
Each of them had known — last night, Leon had told them about Mia. About how his touch had cured Cassidy. About the miracle that drew her closer to him. They had believed it. Accepted it. But believing was one thing.
Seeing Mia and Cassidy enter now, with their own eyes, while the sll of last night still clung to them — that was another.
The silence beca excruciating.
Leon smiled softly, the sound vibrating in his chest. "Hey, hey..." His golden eyes glinted with amusent. "What was it? Why is everybody staring like they’ve turned to stone?"
His teasing voice broke the silence. A few won blinked, so blushed more, others breathed out the held breaths.
Mia’s black eyes darted nervously, from Leon to the won and back again. Her cheeks flushed red, but her lips curled involuntarily. Cassidy felt warmth rise to her face as well, although her dark eyes lingered longer on Leon’s smooth chest, on the smug smile of his mouth.
Rias, half way through knotting her red robe, finally stirred. She tied the sash tightly before taking a step forward with an artificial cough, attempting to shift the mont. "That’s enough of that... gawking. Everyone, get dressed."
Her words shocked the others. They rushed hastily — silks knotted, hems hitched up, hair smoothed back by agitated fingers. Robes that had been knotted were secured, belts knotted too tightly in haste. In seconds, fifteen won were enveloped, though the disorder in their flushed faces gave away how ill-prepared they’d been.
Leon only smiled again, his lips curving further. "Better. But tell ." His gaze wandered over to the door. ".what are my two beauties doing here so early in the morning?"
His statent brought the focus back to Mia and Cassidy.
Mia swallowed, tightening her fingers montarily on the trolley before she made them let go. She stepped inside with a small, embarrassed smile, her cheeks flushed but her voice firm. "I... I brought breakfast for you."
Leon’s smile ward, his eyes softening. "You always think of ."
Cassidy trailed after, her eyes narrowing slightly, but the corners of her mouth twisted wryly. "Breakfast, huh? I highly doubt that food is what you require after spending the night like. this." Her eyes swept intentionally over the fifteen won. "I didn’t know you were such a playboy, Leon. Occupied with fifteen won while we slept next door."
The room beca tense. So won shifted uncomfortably, casting guilty glances at Cassidy.
But Leon rely laughed, unfazed. "Playboy, huh? Well, if you want to call it that, yes. But tell ..." His golden eyes sparkled, keen and amused. "...do you think you see tired?"
Rias sighed quietly at his brazenness. She stepped forward, crimson eyes eting Mia’s. "Mia, are you okay?"
Mia blinked in surprise, then bobbed her head hastily. Her lips ford a thin, faint smile. "Yes, I’m okay. But it seems you had quite a good ti. a lot of fun, Rias."
Rias smiled, her eyes sparkling with wickedness. "More than I anticipated, yes."
And with a graceful twirl, she bowed her head respectfully in the direction of Cassidy. "Lady Cassidy, good day. My na is Rias Moonwalker — friend to Mia, and. co-wife to Leon."
Cassidy blinked in polite greeting. Amazent flashed in her dark eyes, but then her lips smiled warmly. "Ah. And you’re Rias. Mia has spoken of you. Thank you, dear... for standing with her, for assisting her when I was unable."
Warmth circulated between them, easing the rough edges of tension.
Before Rias could speak, another voice rang out. "Lady Cassidy, I am Lira."
Silver hair shone as Lira advanced, her stance elegant, her lips tilted in a courteous smile.
Cassidy’s eyes went slightly wide as she absorbed her otherworldly loveliness. "Oh... so this is Lira." A laugh escaped her lips. "No wonder Leon is so smug."
Lira cocked her head in disbelief at the laugh, her icy-blue eyes darting to Rias. Rias, likewise, appeared puzzled. And then Cassidy’s eyes dropped — and both won caught her glance.
The dress Lira had on... was inside out.
Seams and ribbons reversed, the embroidered lotus flowers against her skin rather than outward-facing.
Cassidy laughed again, a kindly motherly laugh. "Don’t mind, dear. I understand you were in a rush."
The blood rushed from Lira’s face and was imdiately replaced by deep red. She stared down in horror, her hands grasping at her gown, but too late.
Behind her, stifled laughter rippled. Rias clapped a hand across her lips, crimson eyes dancing. Even Mia clamped her mouth shut, shoulders shuddering with pent-up giggles. The maids bobbed their heads, attempting to conceal their smiles, and Leon himself leaned back, golden eyes brimming with tricks.
"Lira..." he said teasingly. "That’s so kind of fashion statent."
Her glare snapped out at him at once, icy-blue and indignant, but the flush on her cheeks betrayed her sha. "Shut up."
Cassidy, graciously, deflected the mont. "Lira, thank you as well. As Rias, you’ve been looking out for my daughter when I wasn’t around. I appreciate it."
Lira stood up straight, still flushed, but was able to produce a gentle smile. "You don’t have to thank , Lady Cassidy. Mia is... my family too."
One by one, the others followed.
Aria, dignified as ever, moved forward and bowed subtly. "Lady Cassidy, I am Aria."
Nova wrapped her black hair behind her ear. "I am Nova."
Syra smiled and lifted a hand. "Syra."
Kyra bowed more respectfully. "Kyra."
Cynthia pressed her hand to her chest. "Cynthia."
The maids moved forward in unison: Fey, Rui, Mira, Lena, Mona — each bending their heads in turn.
Lastly, Lilyn and Chloe shifted. Lilyn, kindly and calm, bent a little. "Lady Cassidy." Chloe, her face flushed, just whispered quietly, "Good morning, Lady Cassidy."
The room quieted. Cassidy’s gaze shifted from face to face, her lips rising into a warm, motherly smile. "Thank you, all of you... for standing with my daughter."
By this ti, Leon had already gotten up from the bed. Golden eyes glead as he buckled a plain black robe around him, tying it loosely at the waist. He moved forward slowly, unaccompanied, his presence in the room as automatic as morning light.
When he ca to them, he smiled, golden eyes lingering over Mia, Cassidy, and all the rest.
"Very well," he said lightly. "Now that everyone’s finished greeting one another..." He cocked his head teasingly. "...why not greet as well?"
The silence dissolved into laughter — warm, exasperated, loving.
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