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.

7. Chapter 7

Chapter 7:

Tule awoke in her bunk to the sound of Lyla's measured footsteps approaching. The room was still cloaked in darkness, and the soft breathing of her fellow students told her that most were still lost in the realm of dreams. But their dreams would have to wait, for Lyla had other plans.

The Hatterene entered the bunkroom with a commanding presence, and her voice cut through the silence. "Rise and prepare for the day," she ordered. "Today, you will all be taking care of the grounds of the Master's estate."

The students, roused from their sleep, obeyed, understanding that there was no room for protest in their new lives. They washed their faces, dressed in their uniforms, and filed out of the bunkroom, their steps heavy with the weight of their servitude.

As with the meal times the previous day, they were all brought to the kitchen as Lyla set about preparing Brodrick's breakfast. The familiar routine played out as they observed in silence, each movement deliberate and precise. The atmosphere in the kitchen was tense, an unspoken understanding of their roles weighing upon them.

As Brodrick entered the dining area to enjoy his meal, he offered a few words to Lyla. "I have matters to attend to today," he informed her. "I will be leaving the estate in your care."

Lyla's response was immediate and respectful. "Of course, my Master. I will ensure everything is in order during your absence."

With the meal concluded, Lyla ordered her students to accompany her to see Master Brodrick off in his carriage. The morning air was cool, and the manor's grand courtyard sprawled before them, its immaculate gardens and fountains glistening in the soft light of dawn.

Brodrick departed in his finely adorned carriage, and Lyla stood at attention, her students beside her. Only after he had left did she allow them to return to the kitchen to prepare their own meals.

In the kitchen, Lyla observed as they worked, her eyes scanning for any mistake, no matter how small. The pressure to meet her high standards was unrelenting, and she made her expectations clear with every correction and command.

Once their meals were prepared, Lyla sampled each dish, her palate as discerning as ever. She allowed them to eat only if their efforts met her exacting standards. It was a harsh reminder that their existence was defined by obedience and servitude.

After their meal, Lyla led her students back to their cleaning duties, which included tending to the vast estate's well-kept grounds. They worked under her watchful gaze, their every movement a testament to their training. The gardens were meticulously cared for, the fountains pristine, and the pathways clear of debris.

As the day wore on, Tule and her fellow students moved throughout the grounds, their servitude unwavering. They had adapted to their new lives, their individuality sacrificed for the greater purpose of their servitude.

And so, the hours passed, each task a reminder of their place in the world, and the ever-watchful eye of their stern instructor. The sun cast long shadows across the estate, a stark contrast to the lives they had left behind. They were no longer individuals, but a collective unit, bound by their shared fate and their shared servitude.