Chapter 333 - Dressed up like a doll

Chapter 333: Chapter 333 - Dressed up like a doll

By sunset, the first day of the hunt officially came to an end, with Ryan firmly in the lead. The massive bear had pushed his score well beyond most of the other hunters, much to Eric’s delight and, judging by the Crown Prince’s expression, considerably less to his.

Eric had already decided that if Ryan continued performing like this, gambling might become his new favorite hobby. He could sit around eating grapes while his husband did all the hard work and then collect the money afterward. It was practically the perfect arrangement.

That evening, a banquet was arranged in the largest imperial pavilion to celebrate the first day’s results.

Most of the wives chose not to attend, but the princes, generals, officials and hunters were expected to gather for dinner.

Eric had just finished bathing when a servant delivered the clothes Ryan had specifically prepared for him.

He stood beside the bed with his damp hair loose down his back, staring suspiciously at the elaborate collection of fabric spread before him.

There were far too many pieces.

The innermost robe was a pale ivory, followed by a deep red outer robe embroidered with delicate gold thread along the sleeves and hem. A dark belt decorated with jade sat beside it, along with several smaller ornaments and an elaborate golden hairpiece. It was undeniably beautiful, but Eric had absolutely no idea how all of it was supposed to fit together.

Usually servants dressed him, which meant he had never bothered learning where half the hidden ties went. Unfortunately, he’d dismissed everyone after his bath because he hadn’t wanted five people hovering around while he washed.

Eric picked up the red robe and turned it around twice.

"How difficult can this be?"

Ten minutes later, he stood before the bronze mirror and discovered the answer.

Very.

One side of his inner robe hung lower than the other. The collar looked suspiciously wrong, the red outer robe kept slipping from one shoulder, and the belt currently around his waist had somehow made the entire situation worse.

Eric stared at his reflection for several seconds before nodding.

"Looks fine."

The door opened behind him.

Ryan stepped inside.

He had already washed and changed out of his hunting clothes. The blood that had covered him earlier was gone, and his long hair had been tied neatly behind his head. His dark formal robes were considerably simpler than Eric’s, embroidered subtly along the collar and sleeves, but somehow that only made him look more imposing.

Ryan took one look at Eric and stopped.

His gaze slowly traveled from the crooked collar to the badly tied belt before returning to Eric’s face.

Eric immediately narrowed his eyes. "Don’t."

"I didn’t say anything."

"Your face did."

Ryan’s mouth twitched as he came closer. He inspected the clothing for another moment before reaching toward Eric’s collar. "Your inner robe is backward."

Eric looked down at himself.

That actually explained quite a lot.

"I was experimenting."

"Take it off."

Eric’s eyebrows rose instantly. "Very direct tonight, husband."

Ryan’s hand paused at his belt, and Eric grinned when he caught the faint change in his expression. After spending half the afternoon getting flustered whenever Ryan looked at him, it was satisfying to finally turn the situation around.

Unfortunately, his victory lasted only until Ryan stepped directly in front of him and began undoing the belt himself.

Eric’s smile faded slightly.

Ryan worked through the knot Eric had somehow managed to create, his fingers brushing against Eric’s waist as he loosened it. Once the belt came free, the badly arranged outer robe relaxed immediately, slipping open enough to expose more of the pale inner layer beneath.

Ryan’s gaze dropped.

It lasted only a moment, but Eric noticed.

His pulse gave an annoying little jump.

Ryan removed the belt and placed it aside before carefully untying the outer robe. When the heavy red fabric began sliding from Eric’s shoulders, Ryan caught it before it reached the floor and folded it neatly across the bed.

Eric was left standing in the thin ivory layer beneath.

"Arms," Ryan said.

Eric lifted them without arguing, which in itself should have concerned him.

Ryan moved behind him and pulled the incorrectly worn robe from his shoulders. The fabric slipped slowly down Eric’s arms, leaving the back of his neck exposed. A strand of damp hair had become trapped beneath the collar, and Ryan gently freed it, his fingertips brushing the sensitive skin at Eric’s nape.

Eric inhaled sharply.

Ryan stopped immediately. "Did I hurt you?"

"No."

Thankfully, his voice sounded normal.

Ryan continued as though nothing had happened, but Eric became painfully aware of how close the man was standing. He could feel the warmth of Ryan’s body behind him, and looking into the bronze mirror only made matters worse. Those large hands that had drawn a war bow and dragged a bear through the forest only hours earlier were now carefully arranging silk over his body.

Ryan picked up the properly arranged inner robe and held it open. "Turn around."

Eric obeyed.

Ryan slipped the robe around him, settling the fabric over his shoulders before bringing the two sides together across his chest. His expression remained focused as he adjusted the collar, but his knuckles brushed Eric’s skin several times while smoothing it into place.

Eric swallowed.

Ryan’s gaze immediately lifted.

Their eyes met.

Neither moved for a moment.

"What?" Eric asked.

"Nothing."

"Then stop looking at me like that."

"Like what?"

Eric opened his mouth, but there was no good answer to that.

Ryan was simply looking at him. The problem was that lately even that seemed enough to make Eric’s body betray him.

He glanced away, suddenly aware of how little space remained between them. Ryan smelled faintly of soap after his bath, and standing this close brought back the memory of being pulled firmly against his chest earlier that afternoon. Eric’s eyes drifted toward Ryan’s mouth before he caught himself and immediately looked elsewhere.

Ryan noticed.

Of course the bastard noticed.

There was the faintest hint of amusement in his eyes when he reached for the red outer robe.

Eric decided he hated him.

A little.

Ryan moved behind him again and draped the heavier robe over Eric’s shoulders. The fabric fell beautifully once it was positioned correctly, but Ryan took his time smoothing it down before reaching around Eric to bring the front together. His arms enclosed Eric from behind, and for a few seconds his chest rested lightly against Eric’s back.

Eric’s breathing slowed.

He stared at their reflection.

There was something ridiculously intimate about being dressed like this. Perhaps it was simply because he had become too aware of Ryan lately, but every touch seemed different now. Ryan reached for the belt and wrapped it around Eric’s waist, his hands meeting at the front before pulling it snug.

Eric’s stomach tightened instinctively.

"Too tight?" Ryan asked quietly.

"No."

Ryan adjusted the belt until it sat properly, then attached the jade ornament at Eric’s side. His fingers brushed along Eric’s hip while fastening it, lingering just long enough that Eric began wondering whether the slow pace was intentional.

He turned abruptly.

Ryan had been standing so close that the movement left them nearly chest to chest.

Eric looked up at him suspiciously. "Are you enjoying this?"

"Dressing you?"

"Taking your sweet time doing it."

Ryan held his gaze. "I wanted to do it properly."

"You’re very dedicated."

"You are my wife."

That answer should not have affected Eric as much as it did.

Ryan said it so naturally now. Not as a reminder of their political marriage or a joke thrown back at Eric, but simply as though being Eric’s husband had become something he had accepted completely.

Eric’s teasing smile weakened.

Ryan reached up and moved a damp strand of hair away from his face. His fingers passed lightly over Eric’s temple before slipping into his hair, and for a moment Eric forgot whatever smart remark he’d been preparing.

Ryan leaned closer.

Eric’s heart immediately began pounding.

Their faces were only inches apart. Ryan’s gaze dropped briefly toward his mouth, and Eric remained perfectly still, almost certain that this time the man was actually going to kiss him.

Instead, Ryan reached past his shoulder and picked up the golden hairpiece from the table.

Eric blinked.

"Oh."

Ryan’s lips curved.

Eric narrowed his eyes. "You did that on purpose."

"I don’t know what you mean."

"You absolutely know what I mean."

Ryan moved behind him again, clearly hiding his amusement as he gathered Eric’s hair. Eric glared at him through the mirror.

"You’re becoming annoying."

"I learned from my wife."

Eric considered arguing, then decided that particular accusation was unfortunately fair.

Ryan carefully arranged his hair and secured the golden ornament in place. When he finished, his hands settled on Eric’s shoulders while he looked at their reflection together.

Eric had to admit Ryan had done an impressive job.

The deep red robe fitted neatly around his waist before falling in elegant layers, while the gold embroidery caught the candlelight whenever he moved. The color made his skin look lighter and brought out the warmth in his eyes, while the ornament in his dark hair completed the entire thing without making him look excessively decorated.

Eric tilted his chin and admired himself.

"Damn. I’m beautiful."

Ryan laughed softly behind him.

Eric glanced at him through the mirror. "What? You disagree?"

"No."

Ryan’s hands remained on his shoulders, and when he spoke again, the amusement had faded from his voice.

"I think you’re beautiful."

Eric went quiet.

For once, there was nothing playful in Ryan’s expression. He simply looked at him through the mirror with an openness that made Eric’s chest tighten far more effectively than all the deliberate touching had.

Heat crept slowly up Eric’s neck.

He quickly reached for his fan.

"Well. Obviously."

Ryan smiled, and Eric immediately headed toward the door before the man could notice just how red his ears had become.

"Come on. We’re going to be late."

Ryan followed him, and Eric made it several steps before his dignity recovered enough for him to glance back.

A wicked thought immediately came to mind.

"You know," Eric said casually, "if you want to undress me later, you’ve now learned exactly where every knot is."

Ryan stopped walking.

Eric caught the expression on his face and grinned.

There.

Much better.

He turned and continued toward the banquet with considerably more confidence in his step.

At least the natural order of things had finally been restored.