Jenna couldn't believe it was the same man she had saved a few days ago, that was standing in front of her. Though she knew he had always been good-looking, he wasn't as he was this night.
"A-nne..." she muttered, tucking her hair behind her ear. "Archie really made the clothes nice," Jenna said the only thing she could come up with.
Mabel and Harriet held each other, blushing at the sight of the man before them.
"I wish Anne would be the one to hand the pin to me," Mabel gushed, using her hair to hide her face.
Beth, who had just recovered from being ignored, ran over. It was by a whisker that she didn't trip over her dress.
"Anne!" she waved at him breathlessly, "I- I was waving over there." She pointed.
Rhane turned and gave her a small bow before returning his attention to Jenna, his eyes roaming all over her body before settling on her plump lips.
"Beth, you do look really good tonight," Jenna complimented with a smile. "I do hope you find the right man."
Beth rolled her eyes, "And you shouldn't have dressed to expose your body knowing that you aren't here for a hairpin. Sometimes I wonder if you're really avoiding these men or just begging them to ogle to be a victim later."
Jenna frowned, feeling offended by the young girl's provoking words. "Am I naked? Aren't I fully clad? They can't keep their nasty thoughts to themselves and act right. Did I lay my breast bare and ask them to touch? So why, for them to increase, must I decrease?"
Rhane's lips curled, but he didn't smile, his hazel eyes slowly shifted from his lady to the other young woman that spoke.
"I- I was just saying," Beth stuttered, seeing that Jenna wasn't acting meek.
Jenna smirked, "I won't be a part of a team that feeds these men's ego. As long as what I do is fine by me."
"Don't you think you're being too harsh, Jenna?" Beth sighed, touching her chest. "I was only teasing you, but it seems you're taking it a little too serious. Do you harbour any hate for me?"
This time, a few persons around turned, and they gave Jenna a judging look.
"Is she now hating on Beth? The jealousy and impudence, after leaving her marriage." They whispered.
Jenna opened her mouth to talk, but Beth ran to her side, grabbing Jenna's hand.
"No need, Jenna, it was only a misunderstanding. I'm sorry if my words offended you so much. You know how much I look up to you as an elder sister." The girl rubbed her head on Jenna's shoulder.
Feeling so many eyes on her and not ready for any drama, Jenna nodded and patted the girl on the back.
"It's fine," she muttered, giving a fast smile.
Beth moved back, holding her dress. She cleared her throat. "Anne... do you have anyone you wish to give a hairpin tonight?"
Rhane and Jenna made eye contact; Jenna quickly shifted her gaze.
"Well, just in case you do, remember what I told you last night." She patted Rhane's hand and smiled. Before Beth left, she turned to Jenna.
"Wish me luck, big sister. Who knows? I might be coming to your house often." She giggled, holding up her dress. She ran out from there.
Mabel scowled, "I don't really like her, that one." She shook her head.
"Is it just me, or does she look at Anne in some type of way?" Harriet added, holding her waist.
Jenna pressed her lips, she smacked her tongue and turned. "That's enough. We are not here for other people. Tonight is you," she fixed Mabel's hair and smiled.
"You should go out there and make friends before they take all eligible men," Jenna did the same for Harriet, making sure her girls were ready.
"I'll be right here if you need something." She shooed them to go join other girls to have fun.
"Bye, my lady." Harriet and Mabel waved with a bow, running in through the crowd to play around and meet young men who could be potential husbands.
Jenna stood by the corner watching them, a smile on her lips. Despite having this part of her life stolen from her, she was still happy to always witness it. Her father had married her off before her first Maiden Festival. She didn't have a man woo her properly with hairpin and dances. So watching it gave Jenna a little peace.
It wasn't for her, the shows the men were putting on, but she would imagine it was for her and blush when a man acted so sweet.
Rhane watched Jenna from the corner of his eyes. He smiled when she smiled without even knowing the reason for it.
"Is he really going to spit out fire- oh heavens! He did! Look, Anne, look!" Jenna pointed excitedly, clapping like a child when a man spat out fire.
She turned to Rhane and smiled. "If you get your memory back... you might have to do something to woo a woman... that's if you're not married."
Jenna turned her attention back to the crowd, then asked, "If you'll woo a woman, what will be the first thing to do?"
"Make sure she knows she's safe beside me," Rhane replied.
Jenna's heart skipped, and she turned around immediately, "T-hat's new... you won't dance or sing for her? Other men do it for their maidens."
"Is that what master wants? What other men do?" Rhane's voice, a warm baritone, his eyes intently on Jenna.
Jenna pushed her hair behind her ear, "Why do you ask me?" she chuckled nervously. "It's not for me... I'm not the lady you're wooing."
Jenna looked away when she spoke, her heartbeat was increasing, and she didn't even know why. It was just a normal conversation—why was she stuttering and feeling shy? Jenna asked herself. She couldn't keep up with the intense way he stared at her. It made Jenna remember that day inside the bathroom.
As both of them stood there in a silence that only existed for them while others had fun, Rhane had his eyes looking down at Jenna, while Jenna looked away shyly, fiddling with her hair.
"What does master want?" Rhane asked again. This time, Jenna turned, gave him a quick glance before looking away.
"It's not like it's your problem, it doesn't matter what I want. You should have your own choice."
Rhane nodded, "My choice is master, and everything she wants."
Jenna bit her lips, her face flushed, "Anne, that's—"
"Rhane Hendrick."
Rhane turned, and so did Jenna, since she remembered the last name.
Archie held the belt forward, "I made the belt perfectly."
Jenna blinked, her eyes moving from Rhane to Archie. "Is your name Rhane? Not Anne?"