Research

Helina brought up two plates of food. I took a bite and smiled. Seemed Martha had no issues applying my recipe. Or at least good enough that I doubt Mother would find anything bad about it.

“So, what is the plan, Lady… Sister Celeste,” Helina asked.

Hmm. My thighs twitched. I was still horny, but it was much too early to bathe. “I would like to see Lydia’s office again. She is doing the work at least, I would like to check it.”

She nodded, as she took a bite of her plate. “Is there a particular reason?”

“Just a feeling. Lydia ia acting to shyly to be doing her role as head of house properly. Mother is clearly doing things. But if she is doing something to harm Lydia or if anyone else is, that is a concern. Plus, Sister Helina, we must be disciplined, if we do not, then how would we know when we find something good?” I asked.

She just blushed and looked away. I smiled and crept closer to her and pressed the side of my face against her chin before squeezing her breast. She yelped back pulled away.

“I’m sorry,”she said bowing.

I closed my eyes, and pushed out my breasts. “Go ahead,” I said. “I want you to see something.”

With my eyes closed, I didn’t know whan…. There she is… dang my little attendant. Not as shy on that side. I moved closer and embraced her touch. “See?”

“Huh?” she asked.

“Well, I didn’t back away. Not a trait I had before Master,” I said. I leaned close to her, my breath teasing her neck. “You don’t have the advantage I did. But, our bodies belong to Master. We keep them well, and we don’t let them keep silly things like impulses that could go against Master.”

She straightened up and closed her eyes. “I am ready.”

I smiled and touched her breast and flicked her nipple, she flicnhed, but didn’t pull away. An improvement if nothing else. Even Rosemary with the full effect of the charm didn’t pull away right away So it would be unreasonable to fault my little attendant.

I stood up. “We can relax with each other more later. For now, it is time to work. We must take control of this home, or at the very least, understand its current place within the kingdom if we are to build our sisterhood.”

“Yes, Sister Celeste,” she said.

I smiled and we went to the office, it was empty. Sister did have some papers spread out. I’d fault her but, it is probably better for us that she is a bit clumsy. Not to mention, it is fair to say that we probably don’t need to fear the staff or any other family. We weren’t that high up for nobles, and I would be shocked if Lydia changed any of that.

Hmm. I moved the picture on the wall, yep. Still a safe here. I checked the combination and it unlocked. Really? No updates in twelve years? Disappointing. I looked a the mechanism, this particular safe was built with a trap. Yep, still there. Inside was some gold, and a few jewels. Nothing that important.

“So much,” Helina said.

I giggled. “Peanuts, not worth robbing,” I said. “Just checking things. While I would prefer to clean together, for now, I would like to see what you manage when you really try.”

She nodded and grabbed some cleaning supplies as I began going through the documents. Hmm. Lydia at least has good penmanship. Hmm. Yeah, as expected, Mother seems to be influencing her choices. Not that the alliances she is building are exactly bad. But Lydia can’t fight the battles like Mother or I could. Oh, what is this. Oh Mother, really?

I copied down some information from this page. The banking information didn’t add up. Mother was the most likely cause, but why would she sabotage the family’s accounting if Lydia was being a good puppet? Hmm. More information is needed. It isn’t that much money, but Lydia clearly hasn’t figured out what is going on. Probably why she has been so busy lately.

Plus, with her pregnancy, I didn’t want her to face any more issues.

Lydia and Mother came in. Breath, I am doing nothing wrong. Can’t look that way.

“Celeste?” Mother asked. “It is improper to come in here without your sister’s permission. You know that.”

Lets see sister. If you want or don’t want my help. I titled my head. “Of course I asked her Mother. She asked me to look over the books for her. Or, did I misunderstand?”

Lydia’s eyes went wide but she calmed herself before Mother looked. “Yes Mother. I thought helping her with proper noble work may help her.”

“Hmm, why didn’t you tell me?” she asked.

“Mother,” I said smiling and standing up. “You are retired are you not? Do you wish for us to continue to relay on you? And idol hands are the toys of the wicked are they not? Or would you rather I spend my time with the maids?”

She sighed. “Fine, fine. But I do know Lydia had been struggling. Did you fid anything then?”

“I was just getting a general look. But I will let you know,” I said. “How about we do some knitting?”

“Knitting?” she asked.

“Embroidery! I simply misspoke. I haven’t practiced in well, over a decade. If I am to embroidery a proper marriage gift, I should be practicing.”

She took a deep breathe. “Finally something practical.”

“Come now, Helina, fetch tea for us,” I said.