The Knight's Mysterious Maid-Chapter 240: Envy (4)

"You don’t need to try not to be seen with me. What could they possibly say about the two of us being together as women? Well, aside from being secret lovers maybe," Siena said as she wouldn’t put it past anyone to think it. "There have been a few incidents of women being together. Hiding in rooms to have a moment with each other."

"Wouldn’t it be best to stop acting like giving into your sexual desires is the worst thing in the world since this kingdom is full of secret places for people to indulge in those same desires? There are so many people who talk badly about being as intimate as you want, but then they are in the red light districts almost every night," said Annalise.

She knew from the days before she started working in the manor that she would see nobles walking proudly in the day and then see them trying to hide their faces at night. It was thanks to rooms in the red light district being cheap to rent that she could witness this.

"In White Town, there are nobles or other wealthy families who invite men and women to sleep with each other. Couples being with other couples. It is known by many that is what they are doing, but it is not talked about out loud. One of the ladies taking part in it once tried to scold me for staring at a town guard," Siena said, remembering almost being shamed.

Annalise turned to Siena. "And what did you do? Please do not say you listened to her and took your eyes away from the man. Especially if the man was handsome."

"He was really handsome and I did not. I made mention of the man she is rumoured to sleep with each time she attends the parties. I even mentioned what his children might think. Her face turned red and she huffed as she walked away. You would think it would end there, but she complained to my mother about me being rude. I thought making others have to look at the boring brown dress she wore was rude," Siena chuckled.

"You are more fun than I would have thought. I think this ball would become exciting if lovers would start kissing in the middle of a dance and shock the room. I will search for the best spot to witness the crowd being upset. Or what if an affair were to be exposed-"

"The ball will be exciting if you listen as you walk. There are so many secrets being told now that everyone is in one big room. So much will be said about how someone got to be with their partner. A man shows up with a new lady by his side when his marriage has not yet come to an end. I am like you to enjoy the drama and turmoil," Siena whispered as they entered the ballroom.

Annalise liked the sound of that, but she wanted something more dramatic to make the entire ball stop and look in the direction of the drama. It might help to make the Callahans go home early.

"I think you are part of what is being said tonight. More than me. Lady Everett will speak on behalf to tell them who I am, but many won’t know who you are unless they speak to the Callahans. They know not to approach Rafael asking about you and River looks to be protective of his wife," Siena said, watching how River was like a guard to Beatrice who was lost in her own world.

"So, in other words, I need to do something dramatic to put this ball to a stop. What if I were to kiss you right now?" Annalise joked.

Siena blushed, failing to find the right words to answer Annalise.

Annalise chuckled and touched Siena’s hand to calm her mind. "I was merely joking. Though you look seriously flushed like you were considering it. Your reaction will make them think there is something between us."

Siena cleared her throat and said, "I didn’t expect you to make such an offer. Are you?"

"When there is a handsome man smitten with me? No. I’m afraid you are too late in trying to claim me," Annalise said, tapping Siena’s hand to show pity.

"I am happy to ruin your thoughts that if I were to think of ladies that way, you would not be my first pick. There is my maid Kayla. Rafael is coming," Siena said, smoothing out her dress out of instinct. She put her hands to the side after noticing that she was doing too much next to Annalise.

Rafael was puzzled to see Annalise and Siena together, but he was relieved Annalise came inside and didn’t find herself in danger. He didn’t know how, but Annalise could end up in the worst possible danger just from standing outside.

As far as Rafael knew the two had no reason to talk since they didn’t know each other. The woman he brought to the ball and the woman he kissed not long ago were standing next to each other acting like friends. He didn’t have an issue with that, but he did worry about Annalise being close to Siena because of Travis.

Rafael didn’t trust Siena yet because his family had been tricked in the past by people sent by Travis. For now, he was keeping her close to get the information he needed, and a friendship with Annalise might get her to open up more.

"I will leave the two of you," Annalise said, excusing herself since Rafael and Siena failed to make the first move.

The two of them together were quickly gaining attention again and Annalise wanted no part of it. For the moment, she truly believed Siena did not like Rafael, but with a handsome man in front of you, you were bound to blush and forget about everything you said.

Even if Siena were to change her mind and attempt to kiss Rafael again, Annalise was not worried. She only needed to trust Rafael.

Annalise left the two quickly before either one could ask her to stay. It would look like she could not get no one to show interest in her and the two of them were keeping her close out of pity. Now that Rafael and Siena were together again, she could go back to finding somewhere to hide until the ball came to an end.

"Would you like to dance-"

"No thank you," Annalise replied, walking by the first man bold enough to approach her.

Wasn’t the fact she was rushing to get away from the crowd enough of a sign to tell anyone she did not want to dance? Or maybe the frown she wore as she walked around people getting in her path, wanting to speak about the Callahans. They acted like the Callahans were not present to go and ask Beatrice what they wanted to know.

If she could, Annalise would like to flip the next person standing before her. It worked to knock some sense into Rafael. Why shouldn’t it work for anyone else even if they were to be old?

Annalise muttered curses under her breath as she tried to get out of the crowd and to a dark corner.

"Annalise!"

Annalise sighed in relief, happy to hear Beatrice’s voice. She would use River as a shield since he had kept people from Beatrice from the moment they arrived until now.

"Where are you in a hurry to?" Beatrice asked, approaching Annalise to fix her hair which was out of place. "Were you outside? Your hair is already out of place."

"I stepped out into the garden for a moment," Annalise replied.

"I hear the garden is lovely. I already got two dances out of River and that is all he is offering for the night so you can stick by me as my new partner," Beatrice said, hooking her arm with Annalise’s. She didn’t want Annalise to feel alone since she was without a partner tonight.

"I will see to it you have fun as long as you stay with me. I hope you have not forgotten that you owe me a dance."