If Things Were Different

Chapter 11

Suki dangled helplessly in the air. She didn't struggle against her bonds because she had no intention of falling onto the floor. "I'm getting closer to answers," she thought. "Cherisa, why?" The deposed princess patiently waited for Nataleigh to return to her.

Footsteps. Suki found herself in an awkward position. She couldn't quite see who it was, fully expecting Nataleigh to come down the stairs. Looking up, it wasn't Nataleigh, but Cherisa.

"MMMPH!" Suki said.

Cherisa watched the dangling woman for a moment before she finally spoke, "I'm not stupid, Suki. I know that's you. Why did you come back?"

"MMMPH!" Suki shouted.

"It doesn't matter. I'm leaving today. I can't be seen with you," Cherisa replied, as she turned to walk back. "If they find out that you're alive -" She cut herself off.

"MMMMPH!" Suki shouted. "Wait, I need answers!"

"Don't follow after me," Cherisa warned. "Stay away from all of this." She sighed. "You're too innocent for the twisted game of politics."

"MMMMPH!" Suki shouted as Cherisa slowly left. "What do you mean? Cherisa, why did you betray me?"

Nataleigh finally came downstairs with a plate of eggs and bacon. She lowered the crank, and Suki slowly began to descend. "It would appear that your conduct has displeased Queen Cherisa. She has asked me to dismiss you from the service of the Manor," Nataleigh noted. "But you agreed to stay in service until Risette's business was concluded. And we haven't concluded our business." She shook her head. "Agnes was not performing her duties this morning. So you'll be doing twice the work today."

"MMMPH!" whined Suki.

"Don't start that," Nataleigh commanded. "The Queen may not like her maids restrained, but the rest of the manor isn't the same way." She took Suki's gag out, throwing the soaked stockings to the side.

"T-thank you, Mistress," Suki replied, eager to avoid any further punishment from the dominating maid. Nataleigh began to spoonfeed her prisoner.

"What I will have you do today is change the sheets on the bedding," Nataleigh explained as Suki munched on her breakfast. "Lady Irene has specifically requested that we don't change hers."

"Why is that, Mistress?" Suki asked between bites.

"What is requested by our superiors is not our place," Nataleigh explained. "We are merely to fulfill their requests as best as possible. Once that is done, find your employer for me. I want to see her fabrics, but she hasn't been seen at the manor for nearly two days. And if you find Agnes, I'll lessen your punishment to only one more night down here."

"Yes, Mistress," Suki replied. Nataleigh took a cloth and wiped her face.

"Now, let's get you started," Nataleigh said. She skillfully untied Suki.

"Thank you, Mistress," Suki replied obediently.

"I knew you'd learn quickly," Nataleigh smiled. "Now get going before you get a flogging." Suki quickly hurried out of the dungeon.

Nataleigh very quickly cleaned up the dungeon, taking time to wash, dry, and polish the ring gag. She scrubbed the floors and polished the chains. The ropes were neatly coiled. Nataleigh smiled. She loved being in charge, but there were still many maid duties that she enjoyed. "Ah. I haven't been able to do that since Queen Cherisa put me in charge," she said, wiping her brow. "Too bad that redhead isn't here to give this place a little color." Her face went red as she began to imagine all the ties and knots she would put the thief in.

"Having fun down here?" Nataleigh spun around to see Henry behind her.

Nataleigh smiled. "Maybe a little bit," she said coyly. "If you want to join me, I still have room for a prisoner." She winked.

Henry shook his head. "I find no pleasure in these games of yours," he replied. "I was taught to do things the old-fashioned way. You'll find that it's quite refreshing."

"If I have time after administering Su's punishment," Nataleigh purred, "then we can have fun the old fashioned way." She touched Henry's mustached face, and feigned a kiss before putting her finger between their lips. "I'll owe you a kiss when we're done."

"I will eagerly await your call," Henry smiled. His face twisted into a business face. "It doesn't appear that anyone has seen head or tail of Agnes this morning."

"Uncharacteristic of Agnes," Nataleigh mused. "I broke her laziness in her first week." She smiled as she remembered Agnes' punishment. "It took two days of being chained to the dinner table."

"Miss Risette does not seem the type to merely abandon her companion," Henry added. "She has not been at meals for two days. That wretched male kidnapper escaped from his guards. Do you believe he might have attempted to cart her off?"

"It's possible," Nataleigh replied, "but there are plenty of other women in the house that would be worth a far higher ransom than a simple merchantwoman."

"The last time anyone saw Miss Risette, she was seen heading to Lady Irene's chambers," Henry noted. "Perhaps we should ask her next."

Nataleigh grinned. "Perhaps we could interrogate her by inviting her down here," Nataleigh said deviously. "She'd enjoy another trip down here."

Henry rolled his eyes. "Perhaps I should leave the interrogation to you, and I will consult with the cooks."

"I'll make you a deal," Nataleigh offered. "If you find Risette before I do, we'll have fun the old-fashioned way. If you don't, you'll be my prisoner here for the night."

"That seems like you'll be getting a fun time either way," Henry noted.

Nataleigh grinned. "Exactly. It just depends on how much fun you get to have."

"You have yourself a wager, Nataleigh," Henry replied. The pair shook hands, then departed their separate ways.

Meanwhile, Irene was currently inducting her newest prisoner. As opposed to Risette, Agnes wore black rabbit ears and a white dress. Risette could see a black cotton tail attached to Agnes' behind.

Agnes was in the same situation Risette had been in the day prior, except it was a little more extreme. Due to Agnes' relentless struggling, Irene had placed Agnes in a black leather hood before she dressed Agnes in her harness and bit gag. Because of her struggling, Agnes was treated to a long, cruel flogging from Irene. As Agnes was currently on her back, Risette could see a little underneath the skimpy white dress, and saw that Agnes' buttocks were redder than a tomato.

"MMMMPH!" squealed Agnes as Irene chained her up similarly to Risette, forcing her to crawl on her hands and knees. Risette calmly began to eat the newly refilled plate of carrots while Irene returned Agnes to her back.

"Heel," Irene commanded, pulling at Agnes' chain. Agnes didn't move. Irene smacked the ground with her riding crop. Agnes whimpered and then reluctantly obeyed.

Risette's plate was clean, but she was still hungry. As Irene continued to lead her pet around the room. "Mistress Irene," she said, "May I have some more carrots please?"

"Someone's greedy," Irene noted. She smacked Risette's rump with her riding crop. But then she began to smile. "Do you hear that, Agnes? Each time you misbehave," Irene said, "I will take one of your carrots and give it to Risette. If you have no carrots left, you don't get to eat."

"MMMPH!" Agnes whimpered.

"But if you're a good girl, you won't have that problem," Irene said gently. "Beg!" she commanded.

Agnes whimpered weakly.

"You'll get the hang of things soon," Irene encouraged. "Beg!"

"MMMPH!" Agnes whimpered again.

"That wasn't as good," Irene chided. She took off Agnes' hood. Agnes' face was flushed with a combination of fear, anger, and embarrassment. Irene held out a carrot to Risette, who eagerly bounded over to get it. Irene petted Risette's head. "Show Agnes how it's done, girl. Beg!"

Risette whined loudly, and was rewarded with a carrot and a head-pat from Irene. "See Agnes? It's really simple."

"MMMPH!" Agnes whined as Risette munched away on her carrot.

"Let's try this again," Irene said. "Beg!" Agnes quickly whined just like Risette had.

"Good girl!" Irene encouraged. "That's one carrot you get to keep." Risette whined and attempted to jump for the carrot.