"So that's who you sent the letter and money to...hmph. Never told me you had a lover."
While she hoped he did not catch her mention of the boy she used to live close to before moving to Castillo de la Muerte, she knew his hearing was far superior to that of a normal man. Anise's body almost immediately tensed when he mentioned Derrek, but her eyes widened in shock when he referred to him as her lover, "I-It.... It was never like that... He was always asking me, but I never acknowledged him..." She explained, feeling incredibly nervous. His annoyed attitude made her aware that he was not pleased, but she wasn't sure why he was so irritated. It wasn't like she begged him to save her... She only wanted to send him money to better his life. She didn't see a reason why he would have to suffer in poverty. It wasn't like she needed her own pay.. She would never leave the castle. Anise was well aware that she would die there. She accepted that, but she wanted to make a difference in someone's life, and Derrek was the only human alive that treated her decently. Considering his growing attitude, she tried to explain everything a bit better. She wasn't sure why talking about Derrek put him in a bad mood, but she had to make it clear that they were never lovers, that was an embarrassing misunderstanding she couldn't let continue, "I wasn't aware that you'd want to know about my past... Well.. He was really mean to me when we were children so I always acted like I hated him, even the day I was forced to come here, I completely ignored him..." Anise stated softly plucking leaves from her hair. She ran her slender, pale fingers through the ebony locks, making sure that nothing was left inside of them.
"Stupid git isn't doing a good job trying to find you. What kind of man doesn't go looking for his woman if she goes missing?"
"Find me..? I'm not foolish enough to think anyone can rescue me. I'm glad he never got a radical idea like that either.. he'd surely be dead. He's married now. Managed to raise his station, or so I've heard at least. His woman..? I-I never have been his!" She responded, smiling warmly, showing just how happy she was for her friend back home. Though Bishop calling her Derrek's woman immediately brought on a nervous feeling in her stomach. She wasn't entirely sure why she was so quick to deny Derrek, but she felt obligated to explain that there was never anything between them besides Derrek's numerous failed attempts to court her. Anise didn't expect him to come looking for her, he'd be killed for sure, "As I said, we were only childhood friends." She replied with a small sigh of her own. She never could imagine marrying Derrek, not even now. He was just... Far too bright and happy, there was no way she could have been with someone like that. She only would have brought him down with her worries and concerns, "I-I don't have a lover! I-I've never even kissed anyone before!" She stated with her hands up in front of her chest defensively, frantically denying his assumptions. Besides, what would it even matter? She had a duty to the castle and she would never be able to raise a family. She gave up such dreams a long time ago. It took her a moment to realize what she had just confessed in her flustered state, but Anise's entire face practically steamed from the heat of her blush when she caught on to what she accidentally revealed to him. H-How could I admit something so embarrassing!? She screamed at herself mentally, her heart pounding loud and nervously in her chest as she fretted.
"Do I honestly look like I give a damn?"
Anise stated for a moment, before shaking her head no. She knew what kind of lord that Bishop was, but she knew it would only anger Reiji and the plethora of rich and entitled women that believed it was their God given right to dance with Bishop. She was a simple maid, cut up and bruised. She was like some stray tabby cat in the eyes of everyone else, something dirty to be thrown out else it might sicken those whom he forces to gaze upon it, "It's just... Won't it hurt your family's reputation..? Isn't a lord meant to dance with the duchesses and ladies first and foremost...?" Anise was extremely flattered that he wanted to dance with her, but she did not want to see the family fighting anymore. There was enough chaos without her involvement.
"Besides, if it's gonna bother you that much, a quick trip to the powder room will take care of wiping off any dirt or whatever. And just let your hair down naturally, it's fine as it is. And if you must, just borrow some shoes from your obsessive friend, who I'm sure is also anxious to see you."
As he spoke of cleaning herself up, Anise gazed upon her hands, biting her bottom lip as she saw the scratches and the blood. Her feet and legs were even worse. All she could think about was the vampires in the ballroom. Wouldn't they smell her wounds? It immediately made her shiver, unable to accept that some strange vampire in the crowd of people might try to feed from her as Reiji had done. She did not want to risk exposing the Santiago family's secret, "Isn't it dangerous...? I'm still bleeding and there are... I do not wish to stir the guests..." The mere thought of someone she didn't know sinking their fangs into her throat made her turn pale, and made her stomach wrench in an agonizing and sickening manner. She choked on her words, completely frightened of the unknown vampires. She wasn't entirely at ease even when Bishop fed from her, but anyone else left her absolutely sick. However, Anise was quickly torn from her worries when she felt her entire face returning to it's cherry red shade as his face grew closer to her own. Anise's entire body shrank into itself in a shy response, appearing as small and non-threatening as possible. She wasn't sure what he was trying to do, but it definitely received the desired response.
"Why, are you trying to say I can't have a dance with the partner of my choice on Valentines day of all things?"
The sensation of her heart thumping kept Anise painfully aware that this was actually happening, her heart practically leaping from her chest at his words. He was so close and she wasn't sure what to say, "I... I never said anything like that... I haven't danced with a partner before..." She gazed to the ground, shuffling her bare feet along the grass as she tried to compose herself. The cool breeze soothed the pain she felt from the deeper cuts she had on the bottom of her feet, thorns having torn and demolished the skin there. However moving made the stinging much worse, so she dared not pry herself out of Bishop's hold, both out of respect for his status and to avoid the pain she was doing her best to conceal. She didn't want to worry him any further, but also she didn't want him to know just how much effort she had put into her escape. She didn't even know she could run that fast until now, "I'm sure I can walk now mi'lord..." she stated in a soft and flustered tone, suggesting it more than anything. The last thing she wanted was to be the source of controversy.