Council of Six

Susan was overjoyed. She now had control over Marcie and would soon get control over Gina. Of course, this whole thing could be a trick. This was why Susan wanted them to meet on the rooftop so she could command them to do something no one faking this obedience curse would do.

And if it was a trap, Susan could always jump off the rooftop herself. She'd die but it would be preferable any more humiliation. Marel hadn't been particularly cruel but Susan felt she hated her after Marcie led her to believe she made the curse up.

Every moment with her had become stressful, Susan fearing something bad Marel would do to her.

--

Marcie was in deep shit now. Susan had complete control over her. The good news was that she only had to follow Susan's commands. The bad news was that Susan's commands prevented her from seeking any way to rebel or even exploit loopholes.

And because of her last command, Marcie was now falling in love with Susan. She had never felt that way about Susan before, she just saw her as a lackey who stepped outta line but now she was smitten with her.

It had been two weeks since Marcie declared herself Empress. By now the restructuring of Royal Magnificent into Imperium Marcium was finally completed. Marcie got rid of the position of Hand. It served her well enough, but it also showed me its tremendous weakness.

A number 2 in an organisation is a danger for the person in charge. Instead she put a council of six Ministers below her to answer to no one, but her:

Minister of defense Rina

Minister of internal affairs Lindsey

Minister of the imperial household Cutie

Minister of economics Marel

Minister of foreign affairs Vanessa

Minister of education Lauren

Marcie wasn't completely satisfied with that arrangement. Cutie was only on here as a sort of ceremonial role and to have at least one guy on the council. She personally would have preferred Ben, but good luck getting him on the council without Rina going absolute apeshit.

Lauren was a purely political move. Once everything has settled down she would have ample chance to replace her. Marcie chose the next person to administer Gina's punishment; Lindsey. Lindsey felt that Marcie had gone soft on Gina and Marcie realising she wanted the girl broken completely.

She was dealing with a psychopath. Afterwards, Marel spoke to Marcie in private.

"Its about Susan, I'm worried about her" she said.

"I saw her at the library, reading a book about curses" said Marcie.

"That thing she said Gina was under to make her obey you? I thought she had lied about that. Don't tell me she actually believes it was real"

Marcie wasn't too worried about Marel finding out Susan didn't betray her.

"The thing I wanted to talk to you about was this scar I found on her"

"A scar?"

"Yes, she said she did to punish herself" said Marel, "do you think I went too far with her"

"Listen, Marel, its not your fault. Susan clearly has issues we didn't know about" said Marcie, "I think I might have pushed her further than I thought"

Dammit, Marcie only wanted to teach Susan a lesson. She didn't want her to hurt herself.