Jayden sat stiffly on the bench just outside the fitting room, back straight, arms crossed, and expression blank. At least on the outside.
Inside, she was in turmoil.
She hadn't spoken since the shopkeeper had whisked Cain away with all the giddy fervor of a wedding planner on a deadline. She hadn't needed to speak. Her silence was its own shield. She was calm. She was composed.
She was not, under any circumstances, a horny mutt.
Absolutely not.
The curtain rustled.
Her ears twitched under the spell-stitched hair tie, even if they didn't show. Reflex. Instinct. She forced herself not to turn her head.
Then Cain stepped out.
The first look was simple. A black long-sleeve shirt, fitted at the waist, with golden threading along the cuffs and collar. Practical. Regal. Just enough style to look expensive.
Jayden glanced up. Just to assess. That's all.
Her eye twitched.
It clung to him unfairly. Like it wanted to show off every line of that body. The way the fabric pulled just slightly at the shoulders and hung loose around the hips felt intentional. She hated it.
She turned away, scowling faintly.
That doesn't mean anything. It's just tailored well. A solid build in a nice shirt. Happens all the time. Perfectly normal.
She did not look again.
The curtain swished.
Look two.
A sleeveless high-neck vest over a soft gray tunic. A long black coat with silver buttons draped behind him, open in the front to show his figure. Cain rolled his shoulders once as he walked forward, testing the fit.
Jayden's eyes snapped to him before she could stop herself.
She cursed silently.
The second look felt intentional. Brooding, yet refined. Adventurer meets noble. The kind of outfit that said, Yes, I may have conquered a dungeon before breakfast, but I also read poetry in the garden.
This isn't fair. That coat has no business being that long. Or flowing like that. Who even moves like that casually? Her tail wanted to twitch. She made it stay still.
She forced herself to breathe.
Cain turned toward the mirror, absently flexing his arm as he adjusted the collar. Jayden narrowed her eyes and looked away again.
He doesn't even realize. That makes it worse. No man should look that good without trying.
She crossed her legs.
Then uncrossed them.
Ugh. No. Stop it. You met him last night. You are not some love-struck mutt wagging her tail over a handsome stray! Get a grip!
The curtain swished again.
Jayden froze.
This one was different.
Cain stepped out slowly, the air itself seeming to quiet around him. The shopkeeper followed behind like a proud artist unveiling a masterpiece.
He wore a long, dark coat, high-collared and etched with violet threading that shimmered faintly with every step. The coat clung to his shoulders and flared slightly at the hem, split just enough to give glimpses of the tight, leatherlike trousers beneath. His shirt was black, half-unbuttoned, revealing a glimpse of his perfect skin.
It was just too much.
Jayden's breath caught. Her heart hammered in her chest, betraying the calm mask she wore so well.
She stared. Unblinking. The image in the mirror was impossible to ignore.
Cain moved like a shadow in moonlight, effortless and darkly elegant. Every step he took seemed to command the room's attention without a word.
Her mind scrambled to process the sight, but all she could think was how utterly wrong it felt for him to look like this. Too polished. Too dangerous. Too alive in a way that set her nerves on fire.
She wanted to look away. To hide. To deny the sudden rush of something raw and unfamiliar swirling in her chest.
But her eyes were glued to him.
His gaze caught hers in the mirror, a slow, knowing smile curling at the edge of his lips.
Jayden's cheeks flushed hotter than she wanted to admit.
She swallowed hard, forcing her voice back into silence.
'I have standards. I'm not the kind of girl who would spread her legs for any hot, handsome white-haired pretty boy. Absolutely not.'
She clenched her fists in her lap, willing herself to believe it. She wasn't that kind of girl. She had standards. She had control.
Still, a small, stubborn thought nagged at her. If he proved himself strong. If he showed he wasn't just looks and charm. Maybe then… maybe she'd give him a chance to pursue her.
But only then.
The shopkeeper beamed behind him, clearly proud of the transformation. "That one suits you perfectly. What do you think?"
Cain glanced back at Jayden, still smiling softly.
For a moment, the world shrank to just the two of them and the quiet electricity crackling in the air.
Jayden finally tore her eyes away, focusing back on the floor.
"I… It's good," she said, voice low and rough.
Cain's smile deepened, but he said nothing more.
Cain gave one last look in the mirror, then nodded to the shopkeeper. "I'll take this one."
The shopkeeper's eyes sparkled with satisfaction. "Excellent choice, sir. It will suit you perfectly."
Cain turned back to Jayden briefly, a small smile still lingering on his lips. "Let's get this wrapped up."
The shopkeeper bustled around, gathering the coat and tunic carefully. Then Cain added without hesitation, "Also, I'll take a dozen of your regular shirts and pants, all in my size."
The shopkeeper blinked, surprised by the sudden large order. "A dozen, sir? That's quite a bit."
Cain's eyes flicked toward the shelves. "I'll need plenty. And the academy's uniform, too. One set for now."
The shopkeeper's eyebrows rose, but he recovered quickly. "Of course. I'll prepare everything."
Cain reached into the pocket of his old pants and pulled out a sleek card, tapping it on the counter. The shopkeeper took it, impressed by the effortless authority Cain carried even in a simple transaction.
Jayden watched quietly, still struggling to calm the chaotic rush inside her. Cain was no ordinary man, he was a prince she reminded herself. He promised to keep her secret and he made no show so far that he planned to expose her as of yet. For that alone, he deserved respect. If he proved his strength and honor, maybe she would let him earn something more.
But for now, she kept her guard firmly in place.