In Which Vera Wouldn't Lie

September 10, 1177

"Can you believe it? Six siblings before me and I got the best room in the castle." It was mostly true. It had been Raia's room when she'd still lived here, but Vera left that part out. "Not too hot in the summer, not too cold in the winter, just perfect for everything in between. Feels nice, doesn't it?"

Lucien flashed her a smile that was altogether too big for the cause, but she was used to that by now. He did tend to underestimate the elasticity of his own mouth. "I guess so. Uh... why are we here, though?"

"Oh." In truth... well, they could have done this anywhere, and it probably should have been up to Lucien's valet. But was it really so wrong, dragging a boy into her bedroom? Raia and Riona had both gotten away with much worse, after all. "Your new clothes are finally here." And hopefully no one's noticed that I've stolen them.

"...oh." He sounded a little disappointed--not that she blamed him, given that he couldn't even see the things. Still, he'd been traipsing around in his old rags for long enough. Surely he'd find the new garments more comfortable?

Then again, getting them had been quite the ordeal, seeing as he'd always been so fidgety whenever they'd tried measuring him. This set would be attempt number five.

"Mm-hmm." Vera ducked toward the dresser and pulled out the fresh outfit; Lucien tried to follow, but misjudged the angle and ended up near the other side of the foot-board instead. No matter. He could stand where he liked. "Here." She set the pile of clothing on the floor and stepped behind him. "Let me help you."

"Uh... all right..."

Mindful of any possible slips, she unhooked his belt and flung it to the side, then pulled the ratty surcoat over his head. The scratchy tunic followed, and then the old shirt beneath. He lowered removed his own hosen after she took off his boots; she wasn't sure what to make of that.

"Ready?"

He nodded.

"All right, then." The new hosen were bright blue and silky, a vast improvement on the old wool he'd been wearing before. Vera unfolded them and held them as Lucien stepped inside, his stance a little hesitant until she began to pull them higher--and a little moreso as his feet reached the toes and she let him take over from there. "I'll smooth out the wrinkles later if you like."

He didn't answer. He just fumbled with the ties until he had something that held while Vera studied his frame. He'd gained a little weight since he'd come to stay with her family but he was still so thin. She'd have to get some cake into him later, after she saw to it that his new clothes fit. "Hold out your arms?"

He did as he was told and let her feed him into the sleeves of two shirts: a barely-there white silk and a smoky cotton with blue and green plaid. She stepped around him and yanked the shirts over his head, then tugged at the bottom edge to straighten them. He stiffened as one of her hands brushed his ass by mistake. "Oh my God! Sorry!"

"Er... it's fine?"

Was it? Blushing, Vera reached for Lucien's tunic, a forest green with a rare frontal lace. The tailor must have been in an experimental mood. "Hold out your arms like you would for a coat?"

Lucien obliged. Vera dressed him one arm at a time, then started with the laces. Why did they have to begin in the groin area? After the ass incident, she strung the eyelets with a particular caution, sighing in relief as she finally bowed the lace at the top. "Comfortable?"

He nodded. She grabbed the last piece--his belt--as he fumbled into the boots on his own. It was just a black leather strap with a simple buckle, the sort that rested lightly on the hips, more for stylistic purposes than anything else, but she had to say it completed the look.

"There!" She stepped back and allowed herself to admire him. The layers added to his small frame--not much, but more than enough so far as Vera figured. The dark tunic was a stark contrast to his pale complexion but somehow it worked. And everything seemed to fit perfectly. The tailor had more than earned his wage. "Very handsome."

She'd sounded sincere, she was sure of it. And yet, his eyebrow twitched. "Are you lying?"

"What?" Vera blinked. Lucien was never so blunt. "No! Why would I lie to you?"

Despite not making a difference, he closed his eyes. "Because it's funny?

"At least... that's what the last person who got me new clothes thought."

"...oh." She thought she could fill in the blanks, or at least the ones that mattered. Still... "What happened?"

"One of the postulants at a monastery Remiel sought refuge at. He gave me something new to wear and told me it looked good. Everyone laughed, though. Do people laugh when you look good?"

"Uh... maybe they were laughing about something else?" He didn't look to believe her. She didn't believe herself either. "I'm sorry you had to go through that."

Lucien tried to smile. He didn't quite succeed, but she'd give it to him anyway. "Not like it was your fault."

"Mmm. Still." She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek. He always blushed when she did that, but if anything she liked the warmth on her lips. "You look great in this, I swear it."

"You're sure?"

"Very sure." Grinning--even if he'd never see--she took him by the hand and pulled him toward the door. "Let's go show Nora. She'll agree with me--I promise."

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