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.