The position of a courtesan within a household has never been well-defined. While some of us go on to marry our masters and others are given recognised status as "kept women", perhaps living in a separate townhouse, many of us inhabit a grey area somewhere among the other household staff.
At Leeway Manor, I was given my own room within the servants' quarters. The other staff eyed me suspiciously as the butler, Mister Ambrose, showed me to it. Mister Ambrose was deep into middle age and slightly overweight, with a kind face and the professional demeanour necessary to run a small household.
"I'm afraid there has been quite a bit of talk in the lead-up to your arrival," he explained. "Trained courtesans are not something one comes by often in this part of the empire. Don't be too put off if the others gawk or stare."
"Of course," I replied. "My only duty is to serve my master."
"So, this is Philip's cocksucker?" a voice asked.
It seemed that Mister Ambrose had been right about the staff's interest. Three other staff members were standing just outside of my door. A fourth was down the hall, but she was obviously listening.
"Now, Elliot," Mister Ambrose said, "no need to speak about the young lady like that."
Elliot was a man in his twenties with broad shoulders, likely a labourer of some sort. Possibly the gardener.
"It seems this man is right," I said. "One of my chief duties to Mister Leeway is performing oral sex. I was purchased specifically for that purpose."
Mister Ambrose blushed. The other two waiting staff members, both young women, whispered between each other. They were attractive, and I wondered if one or both had been performing my duties in an informal capacity before I arrived.
"If you ever need to practice for the man upstairs, come find me," Elliot said with a wink.
"Of course, sir," I replied politely, knowing I would not.
I was asked to eat dinner with the familyβboth my master and his fatherβthat night. The way Philip avoiding looking at or speaking to me said it had not been his idea.
"How are you finding things so far, Luna?" Charles Leeway, Philip's father asked.
Luna was a name that had been chosen for me by Philip mere hours before, and I was still getting used to the sound of it.
"Everything is splendid, sir," I replied. "I am pleased to serve Master Philip."
No matter my own personal feeling, I had been trained by the Imperial Academy of Courtesans to give positive answers to such public questions without exception.
After dinner, Philip returned to his bedroom. I followed, assuming my talents would be required, but was told in no uncertain terms that they would not. As such, I returned to my own room.