Chapter 608: This Is Mutiny!

Before them was utter, organized chaos.

Dozens of racks were crammed with dresses of every color and style.

Sisters and maids hurried back and forth, helping one another into gowns, adjusting ribbons, fastening corsets, tying bows.

Others applied makeup, brushed hair, or fetched new shoes and the air smelled of perfume, fabric, and excitement.

And admist the hustle and bustle, Cassius was unmistakably the center of it all.

He stood in the middle of the room, sleeves rolled up, a pin cushion strapped to his wrist, a small needle case hanging from his belt, and a patient smile on his face as woman after woman surrounded him, each calling for his help in a flurry of dresses, ribbons, and hems.

A maid hurried over first, clutching the side of her gown nervously.

"Young Master, the seam tore here—just a little—but it’s right before I have to walk!"

Cassius didn’t even hesitate.

"Hold still."

He said, reaching into the leather satchel tied at his hip and pulling out a small needle and thread. His fingers moved quickly, looping, tying, and stitching within seconds.

"There." He murmured, biting off the end of the thread. "No one will even notice."

The maid looked down at her now flawless gown, her cheeks flushing.

"Th-Thank you, Young Master!" She squeaked before darting away.

No sooner had he finished that than a sister turned her back to him, tugging nervously at the laces of her gown.

"Lord Cassius, I think the back is too loose..."

Cassius chuckled.

"You’re right, it’s sliding off your shoulder. Stand straight."

He reached out, fingers moving swiftly, tightening the silk ribbons, pulling the corset into shape without the slightest hint of impropriety.

Every motion was methodical and respectful—he didn’t graze skin or linger—just tied, adjusted, and stepped back.

"There. Better?"

The sister turned, looking delighted. "Perfect! Thank you!"

Cassius gave her a half-smile. "Don’t thank me yet—you still have to walk without tripping."

She laughed, rushing off toward the stage.

Before he could even rest, another of Joy’s sisters approached, holding up a particularly complicated gown with so many thin straps and ties that it looked more like a puzzle than a dress.

"Young Master Cassius, how does this even go on? I swear this design defies logic!"

Cassius gave a soft chuckle, taking the dress from her hands.

"It’s simpler than it looks. Turn around."

He began threading the straps one by one, tying them in the correct loops, all while making sure not to brush against her skin. His manner was firm yet graceful, so completely focused on the task that the sister could only blink in surprise at his skill.

"There." Cassius said finally, stepping back and inspecting his work. "You see? It’s not divine logic. Just patience."

She glanced over her shoulder, astonished to see the gown fitting perfectly. Her lips parted in wonder before she whispered. "It’s...beautiful."

Then, flustered, she bowed and hurried off to the stage as well.

Meanwhile, Aqua had been standing with Maria and Joy near the entrance, staring in pure disbelief at her brother.

"Wow..." She murmured, her jaw slack. "I can’t believe I’m actually saying this, but my brother...is even more feminine than me."

Maria chuckled softly, folding her hands in amusement.

"Honestly, I must agree. I’ve done my fair share of sewing and mending, but the way he handles those fabrics, that precision—it’s on another level entirely."

Aqua leaned toward her, whispering conspiratorially.

"You think maybe he was a tailor in his past life?"

Maria smirked. "If he was, he must have been the best in the world."

And Cassius, who had just finished adjusting another hemline, finally turned toward them, an amused glint in his eyes as he noticed the little group watching him.

"Well, well." He drawled lightly, brushing his hands off. "You finally decided to come back."

His eyes twinkled mischievously.

"Honestly, I wasn’t sure you would. I half-expected Joy to declare this some kind of heretical den and drag you all away."

Aqua immediately let go of Joy’s arm and bounded over, looping her hands around Cassius’s.

"Of course we came back!" She said brightly. "My brother’s holding a show! And as his favorite sister, it’s my solemn duty to show up and look fabulous."

She grinned up at him.

"And maybe get some free clothes while I’m at it."

Cassius laughed softly, patting her head. "In that case, I have something prepared just for you."

He reached to the side and picked up a folded gown—a beautiful, shimmering blue dress, laced with delicate patterns of silvery stars.

Tiny gemstones reflected the light like fragments of the night sky.

"This one’s yours." He said, unfolding it. "See these constellations? I noticed how most of your ornaments and accessories have star motifs, so I worked them into the design."

He pointed lightly across the patterns.

"Here, the Hydra constellation. and this one’s Felipa. Each one stitched with silver and crystal dust. What do you think?"

Aqua’s eyes sparkled like a child’s.

"Cassius..."

She breathed, taking the dress gently from his hands.

"I love it...I-I love it so much!"

She held it close to her chest, twirling slightly as though already wearing it.

"I knew anything you made would be good, but this...this is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen!"

Cassius smiled softly. "I’m glad you like it."

As Aqua gushed over her dress, Cassius turned toward Maria.

Before she could even react, he took her hand gently, earning a startled gasp from Joy, whose expression immediately darkened.

"Now, as for you, Maria..." He said, leading her to another rack. "Yours is here."

Maria’s eyes shimmered when he pulled out a pink dress—elegant, yet clearly form-fitting, designed to highlight her shape without being scandalous.

"Oh my...Cassius, this is beautiful." Maria gasped softly.

Cassius chuckled. "Originally." He admitted with a slightly embarrassed grin. "I was going to make it a little more revealing, I thought the neckline should show off your, ah, natural elegance."

Maria blushed furiously. "C-Cassius!"

"But." He went on casually. "I realized you’re still a Sister of the Church, so I made it tight-fitting instead—no exposed skin, but it’ll still accentuate your figure perfectly."

That was when Joy stepped forward, scowling fiercely.

"Absolutely not! There’s no way my mother is wearing that! It’s indecent, even worse than something revealing! That kind of fit will just—"

She cut herself off, cheeks reddening.

"—draw attention!"

Maria, however, suddenly shoved her aside, surprising everyone.

"I’ll wear it!" She declared fiercely.

Joy gawked. "Mother!"

Maria ignored her, turning to Cassius with an affectionate smile.

"Thank you, Cassius. Truly. I’ve received many gifts in my life, but this...this feels special. No one’s ever made something just for me before."

She touched the fabric reverently.

"I don’t even know how to repay you."

"You don’t have to repay me." Cassius chuckled, brushing it off. "Just seeing you wear it will be more than enough."

That single line was enough to make Maria blush deeply and quickly retreat, holding the dress like it was sacred.

Cassius then ignored Joy’s glare and turned his attention to Carmela.

He walked up to her, holding a crimson-red gown in his hands—rich and frilled, almost childishly elaborate with lace trim and puffed sleeves.

Carmela stared at it blankly.

"That looks like a...baby dress. It’s full of frills. You can’t be serious."

Cassius smirked. "That’s exactly the point."

Her brows furrowed. "What?"

"You always wear dark tones, simple armor, cloaks. Everything about you says stoic and untouchable—too mature, too composed. So I made something completely opposite. Bright, vivid, lively."

He lifted the dress, its crimson fabric glowing under the lanterns.

"This will show everyone a side of you they’ve never seen. And believe me, that contrast will make you look even more captivating."

Carmela blinked at him, utterly lost for words.

"I— that’s ridiculous. There’s no way I’m wearing—"

"You’re wearing it."

Cassius said with a grin, placing the dress into her arms before she could protest further.

"I made it for you, and I don’t waste fabric."

After forcing the red gown into Carmela’s arms, Cassius thenturned his head toward Joy with a knowing look.

"And as for you, Joy, I—"

"Stop."

Joy raised her hand sharply, her expression cold and resolute.

"Just stop right there. Whatever you’re about to say, it’s absolutely useless. I am not wearing any clothes you give me."

She said, her tone carrying an iron conviction as she then gestured towards the robe she was wearing.

"These are the robes blessed by the Church, by the Goddess herself, and they are the only garments worthy of me. Nothing else will touch my body, and it is absolutely forbidden."

Her chin was lifted, her eyes blazing with that unmistakable divine stubbornness.

Cassius just stood there for a moment, then gave a soft laugh, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Sure, sure. Whatever you say, Lady Saintess. I wouldn’t dare defy divine law."

He paused, and the smirk returned.

"But before you condemn my sinful creation, at least look at the dress I made for you."

He snapped his fingers.

Immediately, one of the maids wheeled over a mannequin from behind the racks—and the moment it came into view, every head in the room turned.

Even Joy froze.

It was a wedding gown.

A breathtakingly beautiful white gown, the fabric shimmering softly like moonlight.

The upper half was delicately embroidered with silver vines and faint golden accents, and a translucent veil cascaded down from the top, trimmed with tiny, hand-stitched roses and soft petals that almost glowed in the lamplight.

The room fell silent for several heartbeats.

Even the sisters of the church, women who had sworn off marriage stared in open awe.

The maids eyes sparkled with envy, and several quietly whispered, "It’s so beautiful..." under their breath.

Cassius let the moment linger before speaking, his tone gentler now.

"After talking with your sisters." He began. "I realized you always choose white for your robes—unlike the others, who wear black. It’s the color you love, isn’t it? Purity, divinity...peace."

He smiled faintly.

"So I thought, what’s the most beautiful white garment a woman could ever wear?"

He gestured toward the gown.

"It was obvious—a wedding dress. It’s pure, elegant, timeless. The one that makes any woman radiant while wearing it."

He then gave a sheepish smile and added,

"I’ll admit, I made this one last minute—after finishing the others, I couldn’t resist the idea. So, it’s probably not perfect, but I still tried my best."

Aqua, who had been quiet until then, suddenly threw her hands up.

"N-Not perfect? Cassius, what are you even talking about?!"

She exclaimed, marching right up to the gown.

"This is the most stunning thing I’ve ever seen in my life!"

She turned to him with wide eyes.

"If you sold this in the capital, people would fight each other just to touch the fabric!"

"Something this beautiful should be in a museum, not on someone’s body!"

Maria’s lips parted slightly as she gazed at the gown.

"I thought my dress was lovely." She whispered. "But this..."

She bit her finger unconsciously, eyes glistening.

"I’m actually jealous of my own daughter."

Even Carmela, who usually maintained her calm stoicism, couldn’t help but stare in silent awe.

She said nothing, but her fingers itched with the faintest, guilty urge to reach out and touch it.

But Joy, arms crossed, looked entirely unimpressed.

"If anyone wants it..." She said coolly. "...they can wear it themselves. I have no interest in being paraded around like some bride."

She turned sharply—only to freeze as she found herself staring at a wall of her own sisters blocking the exit.

When she spun back around, she realized the rest of the maids and sisters had circled behind her.

In the blink of an eye, she was surrounded.

Her eyes narrowed dangerously. "...What is this?"

Aqua crossed her arms, grinning like a cat before she shouted,

"Get her, girls!"

"Wait—"

Before Joy could even finish, the sisters lunged.

"Wha—?! Hey! What are you—?!"

Joy struggled as several women grabbed her arms and shoulders, trying to hold her steady.

"This is mutiny! Do you hear me?! MUTINY!"

"Nothing of the sort."

Came Maria’s calm voice from the front. She stepped forward, looking both amused and determined.

"This is a mother wanting to see her daughter wear a new dress for once in her life."

"Mother, no!" Joy protested, flustered and red-faced. "Don’t you dare—!"

"I’ve been seeing you wear that same robe for years." Maria said firmly, ignoring her. "It’s time for a change, Joy."

"Absolutely not!" Joy snapped, her feet kicking slightly as she was held down. "You can’t make me wear that—!"

"Oh, but we can." Aqua said mischievously, holding up the gown. "Sorry, Joy, but there’s no way around it."

"What—wait! Don’t you da—HEY!"

The sisters descended on her all at once, laughing and chattering as they tried to pull off her white robe. Joy’s outraged yells filled the room.

"This is sacrilege! You’re all going to regret this!"

"Hold her steady!" Someone called.

"Stop pulling, that’s holy fabric!" Joy shouted, kicking helplessly. "I swear by the Goddess, I’ll—!"

Before the situation could escalate, Isabelle stepped forward, grabbing Cassius by the arm.

"Alright, that’s enough for you." She said, tugging him toward the door.

Cassius blinked. "Wait, what? Why? I spent hours on that gown! At least let me watch her try it on!"

Isabelle tugged him toward the exit. "Not a chance. You’re not seeing a single glimpse of that, Young Master."

"Come on." Cassius complained, his grin turning devilish. "After all that effort? That’s cruel."

Isabelle smiled up at him, her voice dropping to a low, teasing murmur.

"Oh, I know it’s cruel. Completely unfair."

She leaned in closer, her lips brushing his ear. "

But if you really want to watch someone change..." Her eyes gleamed with hidden allure. "...you can watch me and half way through we can have some fun together."

Cassius’s expression instantly shifted—from disappointment to that familiar, dangerous grin.

"...You should’ve started with that."

He said smoothly, wrapping an arm around her waist as she laughed and led him to an area behind the stage.

Moments later, as the sisters continued forcing Joy into her gown amid her loud protests —

"Unhand me! This is betrayal of the highest degree! Heads will roll!"

—faint moaning noises began to echo from the far side of the backstage area, where Cassius and Isabelle had disappeared.

Some of the women glanced that way, faces flushing.

"...Do you hear that?" One sister whispered.

"Just ignore it."

One maid said as she adjusted her dress.

"It’s always like this. Young Master can never keep it in his pants and is probably destroying Isabelle and someone else he caught along the way."

And so, amid laughter, protests, and a few suspicious sounds from behind the curtains, preparations for the grand finale of Cassius’s fashion show continued—

—with one reluctant Saintess about to become the unwilling star of the night.