Chapter 10: Facing the Consequences
Leo grunted as the heavy belt landed on her rear with a loud sound, adding yet another mark to dozens covering both of her buttocks. Despite the countess' whole ass and lower back being completely red already, Araman's firm hand continued to issue hard, painful hits, swinging at full force each time. Nevertheless, Eleonora of Kir'ador endured like a champion, not crying, pleading, or screaming in pain. She simply stood there, bent forward with her legs spread wide and her butt high up, taking the fair punishment.
Such methods weren't uncommon in Sanflaria, especially for females. Since they felt pain more sharply than men and didn't have access to clothing that could protect them, Sanflarians believed that the best way for them to deal with pain was to be taught how to endure it. And it often meant practicing to face it until it's not an issue for them anymore. A lot of practicing.
However, today's beating wasn't meant to harden Leo's pain tolerance since she already had that nailed down thanks to her rowdy youth. Instead, its purpose was to teach her a lesson. Mainly, not to sit at bars until she's puking and staggering and not let random Earthians rope her into danger just because she felt horny.
It wasn't easy. Besides the pain, she also felt immense shame. Not only was she getting spanked like a bratty kid by a lower-ranking noble, but it was also happening right in the hotel's spacious, well-lit lobby with all of the guests gawking at her like she was a BDSM actress!
Yet, it all made sense to Leo, and the only person she was mad at was herself. In Kir'ador, it was a tradition to inflict some punishments on nobles in public so that they could proudly endure them and show their subjects that they could honestly admit to their mistakes.
Araman also had a full right to punish Leo since he was leading their delegation and simply carried out her father's will. And, after all, Leo did let herself get carried away yesterday. The beating, the hangover, and the lingering sense of doubt in local men were all the consequences of her own actions.
"I thought Sanflarian punishments should reflect the crime," Arnold stared from a nearby chair in disbelief.
"Oh, but this one does!" Lala said cheerfully, and the Sanflarian near her translated with a similar demeanor, "Lord Araman was told that spanking can be, um, a good way to prevent a woman from drinking in taverns since she won't be able to sit there after it happens. And, well, her pussy will ache too much for her to fondly recall the reckless affair she might've had the day before!"
"You people seem oddly happy about it."
"Oh, of course I'm not happy about my lady and bestie being in pain!" Lala pouted, then a smile appeared on her lips again. "But I'm glad she's taking it so well. It means she'll endure that punishment with honor and come out a stronger person! Wowie, Lady Eleonora, you go!"
Arnold shook his head. He had already begun to forget that Sanflarians were an entirely different culture, but this scene quickly returned him to reality. Meanwhile, Leo's suffering was coming to an end, though by her expression it was hard to tell whether she hated it or actually found enjoyment in the pain.
In fact, it was a bit of both: while this beating made both pairs of her cheeks red, she preferred to see it as a challenge that could help her grow, and that made her accept each strike with dignity. Even gratitude that some could call masochistic. A gasp still escaped her mouth at the last strike, when Baron Araman aimed right at her vulva and hit it at full force from below, nearly making the naked girl jump.
"And that one is for not listening to my suggestion," he said, recalling the moment where he offered to question Roy from the beginning.
When he was finally done, a bright smile appeared on Leo's face, and she carefully rubbed her backside with a heavy breath.
"Thank you, dear baron," the blonde said and kissed the belt with love in her eyes.
If during the beating someone from the random guests and passersby could speculate that Leo actually liked what was happening, this ending served as concrete proof. Some people in the lobby shook their heads, others smiled along with the brave countess.
"An honor, my lady," he replied with a bow.
Their next stop was lunch since Leo slept over the breakfast in her terrible hangover and got quite hungry. She couldn't sit down due to obvious reasons, so the nearby patrons were treated to yet another beautiful sight: while Arnold and the rest of the delegation were eating like normal, Leo just leaned to the table with her legs spread and her red, sore backside in the perfect view of the entire dining area. Despite this, the blonde still followed Sanflarian table manners perfectly, which made everyone around her crack up due to sheer absurdity of the situation.
Everyone except for Araman, who was lost in his troublesome thoughts.
"Anything wrong, dear baron?" Leo asked, making sure to keep her tits from falling into her plate.
"If you'll allow me to voice my own opinion, we need to be more careful from now on." He said somberly, "your decisions are not wrong, my lady, but they are quite rash and can create further issues down the line."
"Oh, I get it. You've already made your point!" the countess smiled and shook her spanked butt.
"I don't just mean your last encounter."
