METAMORPHOSIS - PART 8 (Patreon)

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Part 8: The Gilded Cage

The punishment for Quan Law was quickly decided. Simpler than imagined. He was sent back to his bedroom, but everything that had helped him get through the long, dull days in the mansion—like the laptop and the books—had been cleared away completely. The bedroom now held only Quan Law with a bed, a wardrobe filled with hundreds of the most feminine outfits, a large mirror, a vanity table, and a tightly locked door.

The large mirror was reflecting his image in the pale white dress, with soft black hair cascading over his shoulders. A perfect woman. A Thalia Lee even more perfect than the original. There was not a single trace left to suggest he was ever Quan Law. He sat before the mirror, looking at himself. He wondered, who was “himself” now? He no longer recognized who he was.

The punishment remained true to Haze Thomas’s style. No violence, no chains, no handcuffs, yet the pressure it exerted was even greater, for the only thing Quan Law had now was time, and the only way for him to get through the dull moments was to reach for the vanity table and the dresses in the wardrobe. In other words, he would become even more feminine.

For an entire week since that day, Haze Thomas did not appear before Quan Law again. The three daily meals were brought by the servants at times when Quan Law wasn’t paying attention. A week without human contact. This was no longer mere imprisonment—it was domestication. Just leaving him alone was enough; loneliness would come on its own and gnaw at him. When the loneliness reached its peak, he was horrified to realize that he was craving to see Haze Thomas.

A month of “solitary confinement” was long enough to drive Quan Law nearly insane. That was why, the very moment the bedroom door opened, Quan Law rushed toward it. Before Haze Thomas could even close the door behind him, Quan Law had already thrown himself into his arms. In the large mirror, the reflection of a beautiful wife leaning against her handsome husband appeared like a perfect couple.

“You made a mistake, you know that, don’t you?” Haze Thomas leaned down and whispered into Quan Law’s ear. Haze Thomas was a whole head taller than Quan Law.

Quan Law only nodded his small head, unable to speak. A month without conversation seemed to have made him forget how to talk.

“But I will forgive you!”

Quan Law held his breath. Haze Thomas’s hand glided over Quan Law’s neck, down to the slender shoulder that the dresses had softened more and more with each passing day.

“… This time, and the last time too!”

Haze Thomas looked at Quan Law in the mirror, his gaze deep and unreadable. Of course, Quan Law was also looking into the mirror and caught Haze Thomas’s eyes immediately. Quan Law understood perfectly well what Haze Thomas meant by “the last time.” It was the money Thalia Lee had stolen. Quan Law wanted badly to explain that he had never done such a thing, but he couldn’t.

“As long as you stay obedient, just like the first days when I saw you again!”

Quan Law could feel every nerve in his body tightening, as if they were about to snap. But he had no way to resist. He didn’t have the strength—and he didn’t dare.

Haze Thomas was the same as ever—never crossing the line, never kissing Quan Law. The only thing he did was press his face into the top of Quan Law’s head and give it a gentle kiss. Unexpectedly, unlike the revulsion he had felt before, this time Quan Law was startled to realize that “that part” of him was hardening. He felt secretly relieved that the dress was loose enough to keep it from showing.

That night, Quan Law once again returned to the arms of Haze Thomas after a month. He didn’t know why, but he no longer resisted. A month without human touch had been enough to wear down his spirit.

⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆

The next morning, Quan Law opened his eyes. Last night was perhaps the deepest sleep he’d had since arriving here. When his eyes adjusted to everything around him, he was startled to realize he was alone again, forgetting that Haze Thomas always woke up before him. For a brief moment, Quan Law feared that Haze Thomas intended to lock him up alone once more.

Quan Law remained tense until he noticed something unusual. On the vanity table lay a brand-new evening gown, neatly arranged. Beside it was a new pair of high heels. A handwritten note rested just beneath the dress: “Today, you will accompany me to a business party. Prepare yourself well.” There was no name signed, but it wasn’t necessary.

Quan Law’s first feeling was a sigh of relief rather than the frustration or discomfort he might have felt before. Haze Thomas still needed him! That meant he wouldn’t be locked away alone again—at least, not if he performed well tonight. By now, the instinct of a woman had seeped deep into Quan Law’s blood. He didn’t need to try too hard to be beautiful; he already was, to the point of stirring envy. After all, he was an uncanny replica of a famous businesswoman known as the rose of the corporate world. Still, he wanted to prepare himself well.

He couldn’t let Haze Thomas down…

⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆

At six in the evening, Quan Law stood before the mirror. He had turned on every light in the room, flooding it with brightness. The light reflected off the soft silk that clung to his body. The wine-red gown hugged every contour, accentuating a figure he never thought he would possess. The glossy black high heels lifted his frame, making each step he took light yet full of restraint.

His long hair had been carefully brushed, the ends softly curled, cascading over his shoulders. His face was meticulously made up—deep red lips, sharp eyes, flawless pale skin without a single blemish. A perfect woman. No one could have ever guessed that this had once been a man.

The door swung open. A maid stepped inside, showing no surprise at how radiant her mistress looked.

“The master is waiting for you in the main hall.”

Quan Law nodded, lifted the hem of his gown, and walked down the long hallway, step by step. He no longer needed to concentrate to keep his balance. He no longer hesitated when walking in high heels. He no longer felt unfamiliar with the silk fabric clinging to his body, or the petite women’s undergarments beneath. He no longer startled at the sight of his own long hair reflected in the glass. He had fully adapted.

In the grand hall, Haze Thomas stood there in a perfectly tailored black suit. He looked at Quan Law, his eyes showing clear satisfaction. “You look beautiful.” A simple compliment, yet enough to make Quan Law feel glad that all his preparation hadn’t been in vain.

⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆

The party took place in another mansion. The guests had already gathered—partners, businessmen, figures of power lurking in the shadows. Quan Law smiled gently, gracefully linking arms with Haze Thomas as they entered the banquet hall.

A middle-aged man approached, raising his glass, his gaze appraising. “Miss Lee… or rather, I suppose I should now call you Miss Thomas. It’s been a long time! I was quite surprised when your cosmetics company suddenly withdrew from the market.”

Quan Law offered a gentle smile, took a glass of wine from the tray of a passing server, and lightly clinked it with the middle-aged man’s. “Yes, ever since the accident, I didn’t think I had it in me to continue in the business world.” He had decided to mention the “accident” early on, so those around them would understand why Thalia Lee had suddenly become so gentle and obedient.

Quan Law’s polite small talk with the middle-aged man didn’t go unnoticed by Haze Thomas, who stood quietly by his side. It wasn’t overt, but for a fleeting moment, something in his expression betrayed a flicker of irritation. However, just as quickly, he regained his usual cold composure—so swiftly, in fact, that Quan Law didn’t catch the subtle shift in his demeanor.

Haze Thomas naturally had business to attend to at the party. He had to temporarily leave Quan Law to speak with his partners. During this time, Quan Law was free to wander around. Yet even when he hid himself in the most obscure corners, Quan Law couldn’t shake the feeling that Haze Thomas was watching him.

Just then, a young man suddenly appeared out of nowhere and approached Quan Law.

PART 9 >>