The Knight's Mysterious Maid-Chapter 232: Dresses, drama, and tears (2)

Annalise dreaded attending the ball now that she was with Beatrice and River. Some of the people attending the ball were still outside, getting out of their carriages, and greeting each other as they walked inside.

Annalise wished the ball was at Wendy’s home so there wouldn’t be too many people around.

Instead of Wendy’s home, the ball was held at a large estate belonging to a relative of Wendy’s husband. It was far from being small and quiet like Annalise thought it would be since Rafael was attending. She didn’t place him as someone who wanted to attend something so grand.

Beatrice walked with River while Annalise walked behind them with the knights. As much as she wanted to stick by Beatrice and River, Annalise did not want to ruin their time together. As soon as they got inside, Annalise had a feeling Beatrice would want to dance with River.

Annalise planned to blend in with the walls like she wasn’t there the moment Beatrice and River left her alone. She only needed to figure out how to get out of Logan’s sight since he was here leading the knights to look out for danger. The knights wore their armour to show off who they were. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

"Do not think of running away, Annalise. Don’t look so surprised. I am Rafael’s mother so I had to deal with the look he had while he plotted his way out of many balls. You are going to have fun tonight if you ignore all the eyes on you," Beatrice offered advice.

Annalise found that hard to do since everyone outside had turned their attention to them. The Callahans seemed to be well-known wherever they went. Beatrice was used to it so she walked looking at only her husband and River was quiet as usual.

"The ball will last for hours. You should hope Wendy doesn’t ask them to stay so you will be here until the very end," Logan said, adding to Annalise’s horror.

"Do not make me regret not finding a way to get rid of you," Annalise replied, pushing his face from being so close to her. "Why are you enjoying this when you will have to be on the lookout for danger all night? Did you forget why this will be torture for you too?"

"I am used to it unlike you and I won’t need to be standing guard all night. If a lady approaches me for a dance, I will not tell her no. Rafael will be too busy with the woman he is with tonight to see that I am dancing. The knights are relieved to see him with a woman again. Maybe he will go easy on us with training when we return to the manor," said Logan.

"Wonderful," Annalise muttered, picking up her pace to get away from Logan.

"Is this how I looked when I was jealous to see the two of you together? I might not be as cute as you-"

"I am not jealous!" Annalise exclaimed, poking Logan in his side to hurt him. She was reminded of the fact he was wearing armour after she poked him. "Go find someone else to bother."

"You have no idea how happy I am that you are being jealous of him bringing another woman here. After having the two of us fawning over you, it’s time you feel how I felt. If you need a shoulder to cry on when it gets too painful to see him with another-"

"I will go to one of the men eyeing me right now," Annalise interjected.

"You continue to wound me," Logan said, touching his chest. "I’ll be lingering around, keeping an eye on you to make sure no bad men approaches you. When someone comes to you to ask if you want to dance and you aren’t interested, just give me a look and I will come over there pretending I was to whisk you away from danger."

"That is maybe the smartest thing I have ever heard you say. Deal," Annalise said, shaking hands with Logan. He was a joy to be around as a friend than as someone who had a crush on her. "Now leave me alone since I must keep my attention on Beatrice."

Logan slowed down to be with the other knights while Annalise went back to being near Beatrice. She would gladly leave Beatrice’s side to find a drink and pretend to be lost so she could hide somewhere for a few hours.

As River and Beatrice entered the ball, their names were announced and now there was more attention on them. Annalise didn’t see the need for names to be announced so loudly when the other guests were going to see River and Beatrice at some point. How was anyone able to sneak in when the man at the door was calling out names?

Annalise didn’t realise it, but she stared him down as she walked by behind Beatrice, and made him shift his shirt which felt too tight.

"It is a good thing we didn’t come in with Rafael so we wouldn’t be crowded by young ladies and we have time to find a good spot to ourselves. Annalise," Beatrice said, turning around to find Annalise wearing the same look as Rafael did when he attended other balls. It was the same look of not wanting to be here that River wore now. "You are not working tonight so feel free to do as you want."

Annalise was happy to hear this since it meant she could make a run for the garden to spend the night there.

"Except for leaving and hiding somewhere."

Annalise’s happiness disappeared. Beatrice was starting to remind her of her mother who had a skill of predicting her actions. Beatrice and her mother should never be in the same space together or she wouldn’t be able to breathe without being scolded for how she did it.

Annalise did appreciate the fact that instead of going straight to mingling with the other guests who did a poor job of hiding they wanted to speak with Beatrice since she wouldn’t be in town long, Beatrice found somewhere to have a moment alone.

Annalise tried not to listen to too much of Beatrice trying to convince River to have more than two dances with her and then trying to motivate him into speaking instead of standing quietly by her side.

Annalise looked down at her shoes which she did like and blocked out what was happening around her. There was a lot of chatter, but she heard nothing since she used her skill of making her mind go blank.

"I’m surprised he got here so fast. Annalise," Beatrice said, tapping Annalise to get her attention. "Rafael is here. You may want to prepare yourself to be asked questions about him when he comes over and others know you are close to him. They will all be dying to know who the young woman is on his arm and question, me, River, or you about it."

Annalise looked at the entrance of the ballroom where many heads were turned to get a glimpse of Rafael. Were there no other young bachelors in this town that the attention should go to? Why did Rafael always have to be the centre of attention? Annalise saw a few handsome men who deserved to have heads turning to look their way.

Siena stood next to Rafael, her arm hooked with his as they entered the ball. The comments about them being a good-looking couple started to fill the room and made their way to where Annalise stood.