Kindunophilia (Love of Danger) Patrician Series #1

IV: At the Bathhouse

IV: At the Bathhouse

My heart was throbbing, hands were cold even the climate highly disagree about it. Chased by a pair of unknown eyes while Madame's image scolding me, had given shivers in my spine.

I walked hastily. Fortuitously, Mr. Martin appeared from the main entrance, restlessly.

"Where have you been Mademoiselle? Madame seemed irritated."

"I almost lost the way, Mr. Martin."

"Hurry up, Mademoiselle," He hasted his head which urged me to walk fast. He lent his hand, gallantly; assisting me throughout the pavement steps. My heels were high and I felt my feet were aching.

Wearing heels more than two inch considered a burdened on me. It was one of the things I disapproved being a woman in the stiff-necked-upper-class world. Why did we need to wear such stiletto if we could just wear something comfortable?

There were loafers and monk shoes. It might be uniquely stylish. Mayhap, Au courant.

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We had just been on the right time, when Madame stood in front of the Cloakroom. She deposited her hat and I had told the cloakroom receptionist to take good care of the basket.

Madame befuddled by the presence of the container and she lifted her brow in disgust. " What's with that cheap, scraggly basket?"

"It's from the grape vendor, Madame." The cloakroom clerk stared at us in confusion. She had maybe wondered about what type of kinship I had with Madame, if it is motherly or a slavery or professional kind of relationship.

Madame glared at the women. She was entirely perplexed by the look that Madame had given her. Instead of flaring the receptionist, she paid an amount of few Aureus to look for our belongings. " Take care of our things, slave, it's expensive than your petty life.." She said scornfully.

I had the complete disfavor of calling Plebeians a 'slave'. It was an epithet insult and pleasantly not appealing to hear. It reminded them how low their rank in the society and Patricians were superior to them.

Is it the wealth of the Patricians had?

I gave the women a one-moment gaze of apology. She responded a weak and tolerant smile. We headed inside the large, rectangular spacious building.

We followed the two women who had ushered the way. Madame walked like a famous villain. It had flamboyantly caught some attention. Even in ladies who were chatting, reading books and playing dice tilted their heads and glanced our way and some stared at me briefly.

" Mr. Martin, I am thinking women in public service. Women going in public baths every day, chatting & laughing for nonsense gossips and topics were defined of triviality. What an Idleness for women." Madame Sylvia began in her austere disapproval.

Madame Sylvia had been hoping for a change in women's right to interfere in politics. Have the right to vote for their elected officers, the privilege to attend political forum and became part of active role in politics, rather than learning the art of weaving and cleaning the household chores.

Patricians women ought to learn history, philosophy, and science.

Although women allowed to engage and make their own businesses for several decades. Yet, they were still parts in the society that were women deprived of. That might was the main reason why Madame loathed seeing a woman who were insensible in the society.

I remembered she said, 'Women should be strong, independent, and clever than waiting for their husband to come home from work. Prepared his bath and dinner.'