The dress in question lay spread across the bed like an open invitation to chaos.

Soft, pale lilac silk, threaded with silvery embroidery that shimmered like moonlight when the light hit just right. The bodice was delicate, the skirt full and flowing, the neckline modest—but it was still unmistakably a dress. Beautiful. Elegant. And currently the center of Nine Forton’s entire nervous breakdown.

“I—I don’t think this is a good idea,” he mumbled, clutching a pillow in front of him like a shield. “You, um, you really don’t have to do this. I look fine in the butler uniform. Right?”

The look he gave them was halfway between pleading and desperately flustered, pink already blooming high on his cheeks.

Nine watched as they grinned from where they knelt beside the bed, carefully laying out ribbons, a brush, and accessories.

He let out a tiny, strangled sound and hid half his face behind the pillow.

Still, when they held out their hand, palm up, Nine didn’t hesitate. He set the pillow down slowly, like he was surrendering to some powerful fate, and let them guide him in front of the mirror.

His reflection stared back at him like it didn’t believe what was happening either.

“This doesn’t feel right,” he murmured as they helped him step into the dress, careful fingers brushing his shoulders as they guided the straps over them. “I mean—I’ve never worn anything like this before. Not even when I was little. My family… wouldn’t have allowed it.”

His voice faltered for a moment.

They didn’t push. Just gently smoothed the dress over his waist, brushing stray strands of silvery-blue hair away from his eyes.

Nine blinked. In the mirror, his eyes flicked nervously over himself—his long hair tumbling past his shoulders, the way the fabric draped softly over his frame, the way his face had flushed such a deep shade of pink it nearly matched the ribbon they were tying around his waist.

“I look like…” He trailed off again.

He fidgeted. “Like someone you’d… take to a garden party. Or a ballroom. Or…” He glanced sideways, and his voice dropped to a whisper. “Like someone you'd want to dance with.”

They froze, then gave him a small, surprised smile.

He clamped both hands over his mouth instantly. “Forget I said that!! I—I didn’t mean it in a weird way—I just—!!”