In the Service of a Madman

by Safetyfar

The story follows Tule, a Kirlia who inherits the responsibility of serving Baron Marcus Van Braun as his sole maid. She grapples with her duties, interpreting signals and hints from her master while cleaning the Baron's grand but dusty manor. Rated M for explicit content, suggestive themes, and mild violence. WIP initial draft, might restructure later once the story is completed.

3. Chapter 3

Chapter 3:

Tule sat in the ornate carriage, her slender form pressed uncomfortably close to the man who had just purchased her. The cold leather seats offered no solace as they traveled through the obsidian night, the rhythmic clatter of hooves on cobblestone the only sound that dared break the silence. Her gaze remained fixed outside the window, but her thoughts were a turbulent storm within.

The journey continued through the depths of the night, the hours passing in silence until the first pale hues of dawn began to streak across the horizon. The world outside the carriage window transformed from an inky abyss to the promise of a new day, where secrets and betrayal could not be so easily concealed.

The carriage came to a halt in a bustling neighboring city, where the early morning light revealed a new set of buildings, streets, and life unknown to Tule. Her owner, expression stoic and eyes devoid of empathy, led her out of the carriage and into a crowded marketplace. He wasted no time in finding a potential buyer, a stern-looking man who seemed to scrutinize Tule with unwavering intensity.

"One silver and fifty copper," the original owner stated, his voice matter-of-fact. Tule was now nothing more than a commodity, her value reduced to mere coins.

The stern man nodded, the transaction swift and brutal. Tule was no longer his possession; she had been passed on like an object, a piece of property, and there was no recourse.

She was ushered away into a dimly lit room, its air heavy with a mixture of fear and despair. Approximately two dozen other female humanoid Pokémon were confined within, their shackles a constant reminder of their helplessness. The room was filled with tears, sobs, and the occasional futile attempt to escape, but mostly it was an atmosphere of defeat.

Tule, having witnessed the heartless nature of the world, had lost her trust in others. She retreated into herself, avoiding eye contact with her fellow captives, and wrapped her emerald hair around her like a protective cocoon. She could not afford to let anyone in, to expose her vulnerability once more.

Why they had all been brought to this grim place was a mystery. The air was thick with anxiety, the oppressive unknown hanging over them like a dark cloud. Their questions remained unanswered, their fates uncertain.

As the minutes passed, a hush fell over the room, the sobbing gradually subsiding as the occupants began to realize the futility of their despair. Just as the silence threatened to become unbearable, the door creaked open, and a tall, stern-looking Hatterene named Lyla entered the room. Her presence commanded immediate attention, and her voice cut through the stillness like a blade.

"Sit," she instructed, her tone leaving no room for disobedience. The eyes of the captive Pokémon turned toward her, their collective gaze filled with trepidation and curiosity. Tule obeyed, her heart heavy with the realization that this new chapter of her life had only just begun, and the path ahead was fraught with uncertainty and danger.