Mia shivered as a gust of wintery air washed over her, ruffling her nightgown. The flagstones were cold against her bare feet. She stood, as instructed, in the bare stone corridor that led to the palace dungeons.
She heard the heavy wooden door that had admitted the cold wind slam shut. At the end of the corridor, the Beastkin servant that kept the dungeon records looked up from her ledger and gave Mia a sympathetic glance. Approaching footsteps echoed and the girl returned to her work.
Mia turned her head to watch the stairs, though she knew who was approaching. It was well known, and a source of some scandal, that princess Liana disciplined her servants personally. Sure enough the princess came into view, stepping down the stairs with her usual leisurely pace. She was flanked, as always, by her bodyguard Anya and her beastkin attendant Lucy. Princess Liana was not tall, and her frame was slight, but there was an imposing manner to her that could cow even the hulking menfolk of her mother's icy homeland. Mia's heart fluttered, as it always did, at the sight of the pale, beautiful, princess with her striking red hair.
The trio appraoched Mia and stopped. Silence followed. Mia felt her heart beating fast as Liana turned and slowly looked her up and down, a slight smile on her perfect face.
Mia had loved Liana from the first time she had seen her. The princess was ever the source of gossip among the place staff. It was whispered that she had no eyes for the many princes and lords who coveted her hand, and Liana for her part was happy enough to confirm the rumors, laughing at the scandalised talk. Other whispers spoke of the enjoyment she took from punishing her servants, though it was also said that she was a fair, even a kind, mistress. Certainly she was never so cruel as the palace overseer. For many the most damning of the rumors was her fair treatment of the subservient and oft despised beastkin. The gossip was as sweet music to Mia, even the parts that her fellow servants thought sinister. She was glad to hear that one so powerful could share her fondness for her own gender, and the thought of punishment at the lithe princess' hands touched upon her deepest fantasies. She had been assigned to Lianas staff a few months ago, cleaning her chambers and washing her clothes.
Since then she had often asked her fellow maids about the rumors, and heard accounts of Lianas discipline. Mia was a diligent and well behaved servant, never requiring correction, but the tales of her less perfect fellows entered her dreams. She thought longingly of Liana, thought of bending down to receive punishment at her hands.
It had taken weeks to build up the courage to knock the vase to the floor. She might never have found that courage had she not heard the princess remark on the ugliness of the thing and lament that her father would be offended to see it, a gift from a powerful ally, removed. She had admitted her apparent careless mistake to Liana's attendant Lucy. It was the same Lucy who broke the moment of silence in the cold stone corridor.
"This is Mia M'lady."
Mia, lost for a moment in recollections, started at the sound of the attendant voice. Liana chuckled, and then assumed a serious expression as she spoke. "That vase was worth more than you will earn in several years." The princess's tone was severe, but there seemed to be no real anger in it as she continued. "I cannot have my maids destroying such treasures and so you will be taught a lesson."
Mia did her best to look ashamed as Liana scolded her. "It was a hideous vase, but my father valued it. You should count yourself lucky I am dealing with this Mia, the king would have you flogged and branded as a common vandal for such a thing were he to hear you went unpunished." The princess paused, and looked Mia over once again "It would be a shame to see scars on such a pretty one as you."
Mia had begun to shake as the reality of the risk she had taken sunk in, it was true that the king was wrothful, and there was nothing appealing in the ministrations of the overseers whip and iron. Lianas last comment cleared these thoughts from her head though, replacing them with a fuzzy warmth at the compliment. She had to stop herself from grinning.
The bodyguard, Anya, ordered Mia to follow, and she was led down the corridor, past the servant girl at her desk. After descending another flight of smooth stone stairs they stopped. The attendant, Lucy, stepped up to the wall where she pressed upon a small stone. With a shimmer of magic a section of wall transformed into a door of iron, engraved with runes. Liana stepped forward and opened the door. Mia was momentarily too amazed to move for magic was no common sight, even in the palace. The other maids had not told her about this miraculous door. Lucy guided her through with a firm hand. Beyond was darkness, it seemed the light did not pass through the opening. Behind her, Mia heard the door close, then someone clicked their fingers and light filled the chamber.
Mia gasped. The room was of the same bare stone as the corridor, but around the walls were engraved runes. Chains ending in shackles hung from each wall, and from a bar that crossed the ceiling. In the centre of the room was a wooden table, with leather cuffs mounted upon it.
"You are impressed by my new room?" asked Liana "It was once used to imprison mages, but it was forgotten. Lucy sniffed it out and I had it refitted." Mia turned to look at the princess, who stood next to a rack on the wall behind her, from which hung an array of leather straps, wooden paddles, canes and other things Mia could not name. "Well, are you impressed?"
Mia struggled for an answer, she was impressed. She felt like her fantasies had come to life, and faced with the reality she was dumbstruck, terrified that she would not react as a maid awaiting punishment should. After a moment of head spinning confusion she managed to mumble breathlessly "Yes ma'am". A curious look crossed Lianas face, and Mia was afraid she had caught on that she was not properly intimidated by the prospect of her punishment, but Liana assumed her serious expression once again.
"What you broke was of great value, and were I not merciful you would be screaming under the overseers lash. Though you will spared that, I will see that you are properly punished. Now, remove your gown." Mia felt her cheeks burn as the Princess ordered her to undress. He heart pounded as she reached down, gripped her nightgown and lifted it off over her head. She stood now in her cotton undergarments, suddenly awkward and unsure what to do with the gown. Lucy stepped forward and took it from her. Liana gave Mia another long look then reached up, unclasped her cloak and handed it to Lucy, who had placed the gown on top of a small cupboard and now stood beside her mistress. The bodyguard Anya had remained outside. Beneath the cloak Liana wore a fine white button up blouse. She reached up and undid the top button. Mia, head spinning at the sight, wondered if she might faint and her cheeks burned with new heat. Seeing her blush, Liana gave Mia another curious glance.
