The little hedonist

“How are you holding on so long!” Samantha said.

I raised my hand to show the golden ring on my index finger. “You really should mind your surroundings sister. A scarf would have hidden the chain better too.”

“Wait, you knew?” she asked. “But… that, oh wait. Don’t tell me.”

She reached for the chain. “Don’t you dare!” I shouted.

Her hand was struggling but still moving. Not there yet it would seem. “Lena! Come help me,” she whimpered out.

I didn’t say a word, I just stared at Lena. She paused when I did.

“Lena, now? What are you waiting for?” Samantha asked.

“Yes Lena, what is wrong? Help my sister, how about holding her hands behind her back,” I said. “Oh, don’t get in front of her. You don’t wanna get blasted with this magic.”

She grabbed Samantha’s elbows from behind. “What are you doing? You work for me damnit!”

“Oh sister,” I said as looked up to her. “Kneel.”

Her legs began shaking. “N….no,” she whimpered. “When… but how?”

I laughed. “I guess your brain is rather focused right now. Hard to process? Think sister. Who told you about my package? Who told you I was bad at cards? Who picked up the package?”

“But why…” she asked. “It doesn’t make sense. If you… I don’t…”

“Winning has some nice benefits yes, but to beat you with it is… tricky. You’d have your guard up the moment I tried. And your will isn’t that weak. Plus, the befinefits to the loser, well I guess you wouldn’t actually know about that. Given that the rules you read were fabricated. Let me explain for you dear sister. When you win a battle of wills, the loser becomes nearly a **** for a day. But lose the battle, and become a **** for a week. So you see, I am so glad dear sister, you decided to play with me.”

“You… won’t-”

And like snapping my fingers, her pressure was gone. Her eyes turned glassy. “Hello sister. Feeling cooperative?”

“Yes,” she said with no emotion.

“That is no good, pretend to be normal with you say it.”

“Course I am fine, geez,” she said as she looked away.

“Good, I don’t want anyone learning you are under my control without permission. Hmm. So you are stealing from the family, right?” I asked.

“So you figured that out did you?” she asked putting on that act.

I nearly began laughing seeing her trying to be honest while acting normal. It was a hard combination for her.

“Well, did you know mother is being a thief as well?” I asked. “Have any evidence?”

“Yeah, it is the only way she hasn’t thrown me out, and why she lets me take so much off the top. I know more than just her theft.”

I smiled. “Show me.”

She peeled back a floorboard to show me her secret stash. Oh wow! This was incredible! Bribes! Dirty deals. Wow Mother. Some of these went back to around the time before I got enslaved. To think I once thought she was actually an upstanding noble. How naive I had been back then. I just couldn’t hold back my laugh as I fell back in the chair looking at all this.

“I take it back sister, you actually did a pretty good job,” I said as I fingered through it. The evidence stopped at about five years ago, but this stuff was way too serious for a mere five years to be enough time. But I see now why Samantha was not as skilled anymore. She grew complacent because she thought she was the true head, managing mother and Lydia with this **** material. So naive.

A knock came at the door. Lena answered it to find Helina there. “Sorry to disturb you, but Marianne has arrived.”

I cracked my neck. “Samantha, reward Lena sexually for the time being. I have a meeting.”

Lena yelped as Samantha turned her gaze on her, but I left the room before it continued. Lena did good work. She should enjoy my sister.

Marianne was in her cooking outfit, I suppose her daily normal. Mother was reading today, and since I didn’t mention this to her, she had no reason to care about a commoner guest. Lydia knew what I was up to. In that regard, I felt like I had already won. I had the **** material, even if mother came out. She wouldn’t dare lay a finger on me. Though I would rather not play the card that simplistically.

“Hello Sister,” I said.

“Mistress,” she said as she covered her mouth with her hand. “Oh, the ring. I had somewhat forgotten-”

I grabbed her hand. “Let us go somewhere private, I have missed you dearly.”

She blushed but didn’t resist. It was hard for her to resist. The ring had made her see me as the Lady of the Light. A title more important than nobles to use from the castle. Helina joined us. Once inside my room, I sat her down on the bed and began unbuttoning her blouse. Her face turned even more red.

“I thought I was coming here to teach cooking?” she asked.

“Excuses. Who cares. Now that you are-”

“Sister Celeste,” Helina said, her body shaking from the rings effect.

“Hmm?” I said as I tilted my head.

“You should tell her about Samantha and what has been going on with Lena,” she said.

“Oh, none of that is important. It can wait until-”

“Mistress?” she asked, her breath heavy. “Has something happened?”

“It has, but it is all part of my plan, everything is fine. Right now, Helina don’t you want to enjoy this milk?”

Helina shook her head. “I mean, of course I do. And with that ring, resisting you is even harder, but. This isn’t what you told me the sisterhood is like! It isn’t just hurting people and hedonism! Sister Marianne understands better than me! If she agrees! Fine, but I imagine Master wouldn’t want us hiding things!”

My hands froze. I looked at the golden band. A gift from Rosemary before the castle fell, so I could regain what I lost. And now… was I misusing it? I asked Helina to keep me straight but I so quickly disregarded her? A small part of me was screaming to ignore her, but I could feel a presence on my shoulder. Master? I wanted to turn and look, some small part of me wishing he was back. But I knew the truth. He had died. But please, even if just a memory. Guide me.

“Helina, my little attendant is right. Trust my little chef. Don’t worry my little maid. You can still fix this. I have faith.”

Tears streamed down my face.

“Mistress. What does she mean by Sister Marianne? What has happened. Please, explain,” she tried to demand but the effect of the ring had bent it to more like a request.

Master is gone. I guess its time to decide. Who am I? The evil hedonist noble Celeste, or, his little maid?