People held deep prejudices against Sorcerers.
As a Sorcerer, Annan felt he was suffering from that prejudice.
Especially when Francois poked his head out from under the covers. Annan could almost feel the mockery behind that Crow Mask.
He told the Centurion to wait in the study, then had his "guests" leave in the order they had arrived.
Fortunately, the later arrivals knew nothing about the earlier ones, and the Countess had no idea the Bedroom was full of people.
"I underestimated you, sweetheart," Lady Fine Wine said meaningfully as she stepped onto the balcony.
"You all just happened to come over at the same time..."
That was all Annan could say. After Lady Fine Wine left, he called into the empty Bedroom, "Della?"
No answer. Della had already slipped away.
With the Bedroom trouble settled, Annan asked the Head Maid to prepare some drinks and went to the study.
"So this is what a private gathering of Sorcerers looks like?"
The Centurion was browsing the bookshelves. Annan had brought all these books from Pinglin Town.
"We were just discussing a few things."
"On the balcony, in the wardrobe, under the bed, and in the bed?"
"They were enjoying the view from the balcony, accidentally fell into the wardrobe, cleaned the dust under the bed, and... went to sleep in the wrong room." An excuse could be absurd, but he needed one.
"It's all right," the Centurion said, sounding reassuring. "At least you haven't branched out into other races."
"Are all Street Sweepers like you?"
"Some are like you, too."
Annan sat down on the sofa and looked at the amused Centurion. "Did you come all this way tonight just to mock me?"
"Getting straight to business might have made you suspect my motives, but since you asked..." Her voice