Cassius turned toward her with proud satisfaction, spreading his arms slightly.
"It's the outfit the fathers wear for church services. What do you think, Maria? Do I look good?"
She stared, utterly captivated.
"You look...You look good. I mean, there's nothing wrong with it at all. But...why are you wearing something like this right now?"
"Well..." He shrugged, a teasing grin breaking through the solemn facade. "You changed your clothes, so I thought I should change mine too. Try something different for once and swap out roles for a day."
He looked down at himself.
"It feels strange—like it doesn't belong on me at all. But it's comfortable. I don't mind it."
"You look so handsome, Young Master!" One of the clerks called out, unable to contain herself. "So charming! If you started attending church, I would go every single day!"
Cassius laughed, waving off the compliment.
But Maria was staring at him with a different kind of appreciation.
