If Things Were Different

Chapter 15

Suki and Nataleigh returned from the dungeon both visibly happier and more relaxed. The pair made their way to Risette's room and knocked. Risette opened the door. "Are you both finished already? I thought you two would be having your fun all night."

"Well, I ran out of ideas," Suki admitted shyly.

"Not all punishments are night-long endeavors," Nataleigh purred. She smiled maliciously. "Some of them are weeks long." She straightened up, returning to the serious maid. "I have been trying for two days to see your wares," she said. "We have a new maid that is going to need a new dress."

"Su, could you help me demonstrate the fabrics?" Risette asked.

"Risette, it is not proper to ask a princess to do a servant's work," Nataleigh noted.

"I'm just Su here," Suki replied. "I'm not a princess anymore." She helped Risette gather the boxes of fabric and pull them out.

Nataleigh paced and felt around the fabrics. "Hmm," she said finally. "These are very high quality. Where do you get them from?"

"Some things are imported from Belsaba Harbor," Risette explained, "Mostly I buy them to make my own clothes out of, but sometimes there are seamstresses and tailors that want to use it."

"You are both a clever businesswoman and an excellent seamstress," Nataleigh replied, motioning to Risette's clothes. "If you are willing to, I would commission you to make the dress for our newest maid."

Risette nodded. "I can take the measurements," she replied, "and I can do the fitting when I finish the dress."

"Would you be able to do the fitting now?" Nataleigh asked. "I'd like to get her in uniform as soon as possible."

"I can do that," Risette replied. She began to dig into her boxes for her sewing tools. Suki helped her. Meanwhile Nataleigh left the room. She returned dragging an unhappy Irene behind her.

"Here she is," Nataleigh declared. "It's time for your fitting, Irene."

"MMMPH!" Irene squealed.

"Su, do you mind helping me keep her arms held so Risette can do her work?" Nataleigh asked.

"Sure," Suki volunteered.

Risette sighed. "Of course it's this stuff again," she muttered.

Suki and Nataleigh kept Irene's arms held so that Risette could measure her. They frequently kept changing positions, much to their prisoner's chagrin.

"She's undisciplined," Nataleigh explained, "but after a few months, she'll learn."

"MMMPH!" Irene squealed, shaking her head vehemently.

"I. . . see," Risette replied awkwardly. She jotted down the measurements. "I think that's all we need."

"I hope you had fun in the Dining Hall," Nataleigh teased. "Because we'll be taking you back to the dungeon. Your bonds are a little imperfect. I think a crotch rope will do the trick."

"MMMPH!" Irene protested.

"I'll be back to negotiate payment in a moment. Irene and I have some business to take care of," Nataleigh replied as she led her struggling captive back out.

"I feel sorry for her," Risette sighed. "She deserves it, but I still feel bad."

"She kidnapped you," Suki replied, "She's only getting what she gave you."

"I know," Risette replied, "that's why I feel bad for her."

"As someone who's spent time with Nataleigh for the last two days, she'll make it fun for her. At least some of it," Suki replied.

"There's something I wanted to talk to you about," Risette mentioned. "I met a girl named Carol while I was captive. She made me promise that she could tie me up for a while if she helped me escape."

"I met Carol," Suki grinned. "I made Nataleigh release her from the dungeon. She was wanting to help you earlier, so I repaid the favor."

"Well," Risette added shyly. "She scares me a little bit. Could you, maybe, make sure she doesn't go too far?"

"Of course," Suki replied. "Carol's a nice girl; I'm sure that she'll be gentle, but if it makes you feel better, I'll watch her while she plays with you."

"Thank you, Su," Risette replied. She furrowed her brow. "Irene mentioned that she had ordered a bunnygirl, but she never arrived. I wonder - was that supposed to be you?"

"I don't know," Suki replied. "I just know that they put me in that outfit and locked me in the crate."

"I'm just thinking this through," Risette said as she stroked her chin. "My order might have gotten mixed up. Your crate was marked farming supplies. We should go back to the Supply Shop and ask some questions."

"I'd love to, but if they're in with the Kidnapping Guild, we'd be messing with a very well-connected guild," Suki replied. "If you haven't noticed, if the guards aren't bought, they're ill-equipped and trained. We'd be on our own. I'd rather not end up back in that crate."

"I understand your concern, Su, but we have to shut all this down somehow," Risette replied. With conviction, she added, "It's what Esther would have wanted."

Suki nodded grimly. "You're right. It's part of my duty," she replied. "Even if I'm not a princess anymore, I still have a duty to uphold. Let's prepare for battle."

"Henry would be proud of you," Risette replied. Suki blushed. "And so am I," she added.

Nataleigh returned, and haggled with Risette about the costs for the outfit for some time, before leaving Suki and Risette to rest. Morning came, and they were treated to a very large celebratory breakfast from Mollie, and served by a shackled and gagged Agnes. Irene was unhappily suspended from the ceiling.

After breakfast, Nataleigh encouraged Agnes to carry Risette and Suki's things to the carriage, where Henry waited to take them back to Huston Village.

"Goodbye ladies! I'll see you soon," Nataleigh said. Suki gave her a hug. Nataleigh whispered, "I'll look forward to seeing you in the dungeon no matter which side of the ropes you're on."

"You too, Nataleigh," Suki replied. "Thank you so much!"

"Say goodbye, Agnes," Nataleigh said as she broke the embrace with Suki. She swatted Agnes on the bottom.

"MMMPH!" Agnes shouted.

"We're always polite to our guests," Nataleigh growled. "Unless you want a crotch rope to match Irene's."

"MMMPH!" Agnes squealed.

"Don't worry," Nataleigh replied. "I haven't forgotten about that flogging you get today."

"MMMPH!" Agnes said. Henry rolled his eyes.

"Are you ladies ready to depart?" he asked. "Henry, you have been so helpful to us! How can we help you?" asked Suki.

"All in a day's work milady," Henry replied.

"I thanked Nataleigh for her help here, now what can I do for you?" Suki asked. Henry smiled. "There is one thing. Nataleigh and I made a bet. I promised her that if she beat me to Risette, I would stay in her dungeon for a night. If I beat her to Risette, she would spend the night with me," he explained. "Now, at the moment, we were both unable to win the bet."

"No! You can't do that, Henry! We both lost the bet!" Nataleigh exclaimed. "I did more of the work than you! If anything, you should stay downstairs for the night."

Risette whispered to Suki, "I think they like each other. It'll be fine no matter which option you choose."

Both servants turned to Suki. Suki thought for a moment. "Nataleigh, Henry did do a lot. You jumped to conclusions. If you hadn't tied Carol and myself up, you would have learned the same thing that Henry did."

"I understand," Nataleigh replied. She sounded defeated. She walked over to Henry. "Anything in particular you prefer me to wear?" she asked flirtatiously.

"Whatever you wish to wear," Henry replied. He grinned.

Nataleigh smiled. "Oh, I have an idea," she teased. She climbed up into the wagon cab and kissed him. "But I'll have to leave it as a surprise."

Henry smiled as the pair rubbed their noses together. "Nataleigh, not here," he whispered.

"If I don't get to keep you down there, you'll be embarrassed somehow," Nataleigh replied. She began to aggressively attack his lips with her own. Henry reluctantly began to take part in the act.

"Let's wait inside the carriage," Risette suggested. "Give them a few minutes alone."

"Nataleigh looks really happy," Suki replied, "You were right. They both really do like each other."

"Sometimes, you have to give a little push," Risette explained.