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The idea was, frankly, preposterous. Inconceivable. Akiha had no idea where Kohaku had even gotten it from. It was ludicrous to even imagine them doing something like that. And for Kohaku to be the one suggesting it… If it had been anyone else, maybe even Hisui, Akiha would have fired them on the spot.
Perhaps it was exactly because Kohaku knew that she was beyond such punishments that she said it.
No, scratch that. It was exactly because she knew she was beyond reproach.
“What’s wrong, Miss Akiha? Are you not fond of the idea?”
Akiha wanted to snarl at her. But she held herself back. She already knew the animosity Kohaku held towards her. Even for such an absurd request, it wouldn’t be good to rebuke her so aggressively.
“Kohaku, why do you think I would let you tie me up? Is this some kind of fetish for you?”
With her ever-present smile, Kohaku replied, “Yes!” She giggled. “But really, it’s the least you could do for me, right? I mean, after all the hardship I’ve been through… You put me through so much… Even if you’re not as cruel as your father, it’s only right for me to get some payback here and there, right? So let me tie you up. I’ll even untie you after.”
“You had better untie me after.” After the words spilled out of Akiha’s mouth, she caught herself. “I mean, how dare you even suggest such a thing to me. I won’t be involved in your fetishes. Find someone else for that.”
Kohaku did her best attempt at a pout. It was shoddy, caught on the corners of her smile. “How cruel of you. I guess this is what I should have expected. After all, cruelty runs in this family, doesn’t it? You’ve inherited many things from your father. This is just another one.”
Akiha almost hissed at that. She knew what Kohaku was trying to do to her. Get her angry so that she might lash out. Then, once Akiha had lashed out, use that as an excuse to guilt her further. A horrible way to do this.
It didn’t help that, despite knowing well and truly that she was being guilted, Akiha was still feeling bad. She knew she mistreated Kohaku. She felt bad about it every day of her life. She considered it a necessary evil, but from Kohaku’s perspective, it wouldn’t seem so necessary. It would be just another cruelty in a life of cruelties…
Akiha shook her head. No. She wouldn’t let this get to her. She wouldn’t let Kohaku talk her into becoming an object in her fetishes. She should have some of the other maids give Kohaku a stern talking to and have that be the end of the matter. Or, if Akiha wanted to be nice, offer another one of the maids in her place, so that Kohaku could still have her fun.
But she knew that wouldn’t be enough. It wasn’t as thought Kohaku wanted to tie someone up in abstract. Akiha understood that what the maid wanted was to tie up her mistress in particular. To tie up the person responsible for the ongoing miseries in her life. It would be a form of punishment and payback.
Maybe Akiha did deserve some kind of punishment for what she did to Kohaku. Maybe this was…
No, nonsense. It was a necessary evil and that was it. No punishment necessary.
“Kohaku, I’m willing to do a lot to make your life more comfortable, as a reward for what you do for this family. But don’t you think this is a step too far?”
“No.”
Akiha’s shoulders fell. Was Kohaku really going to insist on this? And was she really going to let it happen?
Maybe it wouldn’t be that bad. Maybe it would even feel good. It would be hard to say unless she went through with it.
Kohaku was devious, wasn’t she? All she had to do was offer the idea and she had set Akiha into a flustered flurry.
“I already have ropes, just so you know. Special ones, suited for human skin. I went with red, so that it can resemble your hair when you hurt me.”
Or like Kohaku’s own hair, Akiha thought. But if Kohaku had said that, it wouldn’t hurt Akiha so much.
What if she said yes to this? What would happen next? Would it be a one-time thing? Or would Kohaku expect it from Akiha regularly. Akiha regularly drank her blood, after all, so it would only be fair.
And where would they do it? In the sitting room? Anyone could come in there, meaning that Akiha might be exposed for everyone to see. Or would they be sheltered away in her bedroom? Perhaps even in the basement…
Kohaku was devious. She was truly evil for making Akiha think all these things.
“What do you expect of me, then? To simply tie me up? Why should I say yes?”
“I’m sure you would get a lot out of it, too. Wouldn’t you? Doesn’t it sound nice?”
“Even if it does, why should I accept this demand? I’m above you, am I not?”
“You are, but that’s exactly why you should do this. To make up for everything you’ve done. That’s all I ask.”
If that’s all she was asking… Akiha growled a little under her breath without realizing it.
“So, what do you think?” Kohaku giggled. “Can I tie you up? Will that be okay?”
She spoke like it would be that easy. But Akiha knew that it would mean having to debase herself before her maid. But then, Kohaku wasn’t just a maid. If there was anyone she would debase herself before, it would be Kohaku. After all, Kohaku already knew every aspect of Akiha there was to know. How much worse could it get?
What if Akiha enjoyed it?
What if she enjoyed it?
What if Kohaku tied Akiha up and Akiha wanted her to do it again?
Could she live with that?
No amount of psychological torture could have been worse than what Kohaku was putting Akiha through by asking that question.
“I… Maybe. Maybe I could be okay with that.”
“Hm? Maybe? That’s not a very conclusive answer, is it? Can you give me a yes or no?”
“Fine, okay.”
“That’s not a yes or no.” Kohaku’s smile mocked Akiha.
Akiha sighed. “Fine. Yes, I will let you tie me up. But only to make up for what my father did to you.”
“And what you continue to do, right?”
Akiha began grinding her teeth just a little. “Yes. That too.”
“Great!” Kohaku clapped, clearly quite happy to have dragged this out of Akiha. “I’ll come by your room tonight. I’ll bring my ropes and everything!”
Akiha wasn’t sure if she was feeling more dread or anticipation.