Service for the Mistress
"Alright. Interesting. Give it a try."
When I offered to give her a massage, Viviana let out a soft snort of laughter and sat down on the bed. I rested both hands on her shoulders and smiled.
"Your clothes look heavy, Mistress. Let me lighten them for you."
"..."
Viviana said nothing, but I took the silence as tacit consent. One by one I undid the buttons of her outer layer and slipped the heavy coat from her shoulders. Once the thick coat was gone, only a thin white shirt remained. Stripping that as well would have been too embarrassing, so I merely loosened the top few buttons enough to ease the stuffiness.
"Now I'll have you lie down."
"...Huh."
Her voice held a faint note of incredulity. Yet she yielded to my feeble strength without resistance and lay down on the bed.
I looked for a moment at Viviana lying quietly there. The figure revealed beneath the thin white shirt was beautiful enough to draw an involuntary sigh of admiration.
Not quite on Mother's level, but still a full bosom that no man could help glancing at least once, a slender waist, and perfectly balanced hips.
There was a reason this game had been so popular. Viviana was a character packed with every desire of someone who truly understood what looked good—attractive to men and women, young and old alike.
If I had still been a man, keeping a clear head in this situation might have been difficult.
But I was a woman now. The male instincts that lingered in me still found Viviana an appealing woman, yet I had no interest strong enough to cross the wall of homosexuality and come out the other side.
Besides, I had never particularly liked homosexuality itself.
To me, Viviana was... well...
Not a complete stranger, not quite a friend either...
Still, she was the benefactor who had saved me, so... a wealthy acquaintance, maybe?
In that case, a little service like this was something I could offer freely.
Viviana lay face-down on the bed with her eyes closed, perfectly still. I closed the window, lit a single candle, and created a soft, muted atmosphere.
Slowly I drew the curtains, then approached the bed where Viviana rested with her eyes shut.
"Mistress, you've worked hard today."
I whispered in a low voice as I moved toward her waist. Whether she was truly exhausted from the long day or simply refused to show it, Viviana gave no reaction.
I began gently at her waist, drawing slow circles with my palms to ease the muscles there.
"Here... you're quite knotted up."
Her skin was surprisingly soft. It was almost miraculous that such a slender body could produce that monstrous strength.
I found the hard spots hidden beneath the smooth skin and pressed firmly. Viviana's body trembled slightly, but she showed no sign of discomfort.
"Now I'll work on your shoulders."
This time I traveled up along her back and pressed my fingertips into her narrow shoulders. Using my thumbs, I dug deep to release the tension in the muscles.
"Does it hurt?"
"..."
I asked in a near-whisper right beside her ear, but received no answer. That silence itself felt like a clear reply.
Viviana was the type to state outright when she disliked something. So this must mean she was satisfied.
I giggled inwardly and shifted my hands to the nape of her neck. With delicate fingertips I pressed slowly along the back of her neck, lightly teasing through her hair.
Next I reached for her legs. Starting at the calves and working slowly up to the thighs, I stimulated the muscles with my fingertips.
"Mistress, you're knotted here as well."
I whispered while gently pressing into her thighs. Still no reply.
Finally I took her hand. One by one I caressed each finger, softly kneading the palm and the back of her hand. Then I interlaced our fingers tightly once before slowly rising.
"You've worked hard."
I whispered softly against her ear. Only then did Viviana's tightly closed eyelids lift, revealing her violet eyes.
"...You."
My body flinched at her quiet voice, but she did not seem angry, so I could relax.
"Yes? Was it uncomfortable?"
"...No."
Viviana answered flatly and sat up. Whether the massage had worked or not, the sharp edge of her expression seemed a little softer.
"How was it? Did it feel good?"
"...Decent."
Liar. You were thoroughly satisfied.
Still, for Viviana to say even that much was high praise. Apparently even she could not deny my massage skills.
I wore a satisfied smile and held out my hand. Viviana tilted her head with a puzzled look, as if she had not grasped the meaning behind the gesture.
"You have to give me a reward, don't you?"
"...A reward?"
"Yes. The contract said you would give me a reward whenever you were satisfied, remember?"
"..."
"I'd prefer gold coins over delicious sweets, or even a modest jewel would be fine."
"..."
"Honestly, anything of value would do, so about that reward—"
Smack—
"Hik?!"
A sharp sting bloomed on my forehead and I toppled backward onto the bed. Viviana stared down at me for a long moment with cold eyes.
"This level of service doesn't even come close."
"...Eh."
"But I was satisfied, so I'll give you a reward."
Viviana glanced around, then took a length of silk draped over the sofa and bound my wrists with it. She secured the other end firmly to the bedpost and looked pleased with herself.
"I originally planned to use handcuffs, but this should be more comfortable."
"...This is the reward?"
Was I supposed to be grateful that she had used soft silk instead of handcuffs? There was abuse of power, and then there was this.
"I'll be going to rest now, so wait quietly. If you need anything, ring the bell."
"W-wait a moment. You'll have to untie me when I need the bathroom, right?"
"A servant will untie you and bind you again afterward. If I receive a report that you undid the knot yourself, there will be punishment. Keep that in mind."
"..."
"Until I return, wait quietly."
Viviana completely ignored the hostility in my gaze and left the room. She did not reappear until the deep night had ended.
I learned the next day that the place I had been bound was not even Viviana's room. Looking at the size of the bed and the luxurious furnishings, I had naturally assumed it was her private space—but every room in this mansion was decorated this way.
...With this much money, she couldn't spare a few jewels?
Surprisingly stingy.
"Hwaaam..."
In the early morning, with birds already chirping, I rubbed my sleepy eyes and let out a deep yawn.
Today marked the second day of my confinement.
It was seven in the morning—still a little early for breakfast. Yet it was also too late to fall back asleep, so after a brief hesitation I picked up the golden bell Viviana had left behind.
One ring for a meal,
two rings for the bathroom,
three rings for a bath,
and four rings to summon Viviana—was that right?
I swung my wrist and rang the bell twice. Given the early hour I could not be sure anyone was standing by, but contrary to my expectations the door opened and a composed beauty with long black hair appeared.
Of the three attendants I had greeted yesterday, she was the one I liked best. I offered her a harmless smile and greeted her.
"Good morning, Iris. Lovely day, isn't it?"
No answer came. Iris simply stood there, gazing at me with unwavering black eyes. I tried speaking a few more times, but she remained thoroughly silent.
I lowered my head with slightly drooping, mournful eyes and projected a pitiful air.
"Ah... I'm not supposed to talk to you, am I? I was just lonely being alone, so I tried speaking. If I was rude, I'm sorry..."
Even my dejected voice failed to move her. Iris continued to watch me with the same calm, unshaken eyes.
This won't be easy.
Normally a sad act like that would produce at least a flicker of reaction, but Viviana must have given strict orders.
Well, I could take it slowly.
I lifted the bell again and rang it twice more. Iris approached and untied the silk binding my arms.
Without a word she turned and walked toward the door. The way she waited there made it clear I was to follow in silence.
"Yes."
I smiled once more and went to her. Sticking close behind her, I walked side by side down the mansion corridor.
"Wow... Iris, your hair smells wonderful... When we're allowed to talk, please tell me what incense you use."
This was only the first step.
Surely there would be one or two people in this place who would give me affection.
Of course, by affection I meant money.