Gerline's nervous as she gets ready for the dinner herself, fluttering about as if she's a schoolgirl meeting her first crush. It's strange to see. At least I'm not the only one wearing skimpy clothing. She asks if we have clothes to share with her—it seems that I wear her clothes and she wears mine, which is a weird custom, but I'm learning there's a lot of weird in this land. Most of mine are tunics and men’s clothing, which aren't appropriate for a concubine, so I give her one of Yulenna's gowns and hope she doesn't ask too many questions. (I also hope Yulenna doesn't notice.) Lady Gerline seems satisfied when she puts on the gown and it's completely see-through. She fusses with her hair, then applies a pigment to her nipples so they stand out under the gown's sheer fabric.
I avert my eyes and do my best not to stare. When in Rome, I remind myself. When in Rome. I adjust the deep vee of my gown, and I'm glad it covers as much as it does. Sure, one wrong move and I'm going to be tits out, but the girls are covered at least. The slit in the dress is a little worrisome—instead of going up one leg, it goes straight up the middle, following the part of my thighs, and goes practically to my waist. It's like they gave me an overcoat and forgot to give me the garment that goes underneath.
Other than the breezy clothes, so far these people have been nice and welcoming. Just because I had a bad experience at Tadekha's citadel doesn't mean this place is going to turn into an orgy. Maybe the men like eye candy while they eat.
The serving woman pulls my hair into a tight knot atop my head and shows me a series of pots that contain makeup. It's not the usual foundation-highlighter-powder-blush-etc. routine that I'm used to. There's a pot of color for lips (or, ahem, nipples), several pots of darker powders that must be eye shadows, and a carved stick that applies the darker stuff to lashes. I use it all sparingly, because I don't want to look like a clown, but I also don't want to insult my hostesses. When I've got the barest hints of color on my face, I get beaming looks of approval from the women, and then we sit and wait for dinner.
Lady Gerline shifts and adjusts her clothing over and over again, clearly nervous. It's not a bad nervous, though, but one of excitement. She keeps looking at the door with a smile and giggles to herself now and then.
"Newlywed?" I ask, smiling.
She just tilts her head and gives me a curious look. "Lord Secuban and I have been wedded since I was twelve."
Well. A lover, then. My smile turns over-bright and I hope fervently dinner starts soon.
Eventually, a manservant comes to retrieve us and Lady Gerline is all giggles once more, smoothing her borrowed dress and fussing with her hair. Admittedly, she looks great. She's about my age if not a few years older, with thick dark hair. She's got fantastic tits that are outlined to magnificence in the sheer dress. A purple girdle cinches her waist to a ridiculous, exaggerated amount and she looks impressive even to my unknowledgeable eyes. Whoever she's meeting at dinner is sure to be pleased.
The manservant gestures that we should follow him, and I give my gown one last tug and then hold the bodice closed with one hand and the skirts closed with the other as I follow Lady Gerline to the hallway. I'm not surprised that Kerren falls into step behind me, with Markos and Vitar staying behind to guard Yulenna. Poor Kerren—his cheeks are bright red and his gaze is stiffly ahead, as if boobies will turn him to stone if he so much as looks in our busty, busty direction. We head down a long flight of stone stairs and then down another hall. I can hear a low murmur of voices as we approach the banquet, and a nervous flutter starts in my stomach.
I wonder what Aron'll think of my dress. It's been a while since I looked pretty and the last time…
Damn it. Someday I'm going to stop thinking of Tadeka's citadel. Someday.
49
The doors to the banquet hall are opened and I'm surprised to see that everyone jumps to their feet, gazing in our direction. Everyone except Aron, of course. He remains seated in his throne