Walking into the room, Cass felt his chest tighten. The bedroom was as warm and inviting as the rest of the manor; large windows on the western wall would provide a beautiful view of the sunset, thick white curtains showing glimmers of silver embroidery in the moonlight. The walls were painted a soft off-white, bringing out the red tones in the sturdy wooden furniture. Plush chairs in soft red velvet were placed in front of a fireplace, over a lush brown carpet. Cass stepped forward slowly, his gaze shifting to the bed for a moment- it was clearly meant for only one person, and it gave him a small comfort as he stared at the white sheets piled with thick warm-toned blankets. 

“The bathroom is through there,” Kallum pointed to a door against the far wall. “The controls on the wall will mist the windows so nobody can see you from outside. Raeille ordered clothing to be delivered for you- wear anything you’d like.”

Cass stood frozen, overwhelmed. “This is… really mine?” He turned enough to see Kallum, his hand tightly fisted around the fabric of his cloak. 

Kallum blinked at him, before giving Cass a warm smile. “Yes, so long as you wish to stay here.” He stepped back, his hand on the door as he said, “I’ll leave you now. If you need anything-”

“You’re leaving?” 

The shocked question made Kallum’s gaze narrow slightly, Cass’s growing confusion setting him on edge. “I’m certainly not going to watch you bathe.”

Cass’s mouth opened- and closed over his protest. He didn’t want to tell this man that he hadn’t bathed alone in years, since he’d shattered a mirror and taken the jagged shards to his arms in desperation for release. There had always been a guard on the other side of the curtain, even though the bathroom he was allowed to use was carefully devoid of anything he could use to harm himself.

“Will you be okay on your own?” Kallum questioned softly, his resolve to give the young man privacy wavering as he saw how lost he looked.

Swallowing, Cass nodded, giving the servant a strained smile. “I can manage this much,” he murmured, turning away to trudge to the bathroom. Hearing the door click closed behind Kallum, he couldn’t help looking over his shoulder- expecting to find the man still there, watching with sharp eyes. 

Finding himself alone, he closed his eyes against the ache in his chest; this, at least, was familiar. Quickly moving to the bathroom, he found the bank of windows extended to the connecting room; during the day, it would be awash with natural light. Cass found the panel Kallum had spoken of, sliding his fingers over the screen, and watched with wide eyes as the windows fogged before his eyes.

Shaking his head, Cass tried to restrain his awe; Emrys had given him luxuries, he couldn’t allow himself to be impressed. Not by the frosted glass door of the showers, or being able to see himself in a mirror for the first time in years- something he didn’t want to see for long. He couldn’t allow himself to be swayed by bottles of colorful shampoos and soap, or the pleasantly warm water that washed away the ash and scent of smoke.