The sun was setting, casting an orange hue across the academy grounds. As students began returning to their dorms, Choka was still unconscious where she had fainted earlier in the day. After Leo and Rin's chaotic chase, no one had thought to check on her, leaving her in an embarrassing heap on the ground.
Eventually, some of Mary's other subordinates found her and carried her back to their dorm. Word of Choka's fight—and humiliating defeat—had already spread, and now she had to face Mary herself.
Choka knelt on the tatami mat, her head bowed low, her heart pounding in her chest. In front of her sat Mary Kikakujou, the idol she had sworn to follow and protect. Choka had never felt so ashamed. She had promised herself she would uphold Mary's honor, but instead, she had lost to Leo in front of the entire academy.
"Worthless," Mary's voice cut through the tense silence like a knife.
Choka flinched. She couldn't bear to look up at Mary, knowing full well the disappointment she must see in her eyes.
"I... I'm sorry, Mary-sama," Choka whispered, her voice trembling. "I failed... I fought Leo, and... I lost. I brought shame upon your name."
There was no response for a long moment, just the soft sound of Mary sipping her tea. Choka remained kneeling, every second feeling like an eternity.
"You let your emotions get the best of you," Mary said finally, her tone cold and unforgiving. "A true warrior controls their feelings, especially when fighting for someone they admire."
Choka clenched her fists, her head still lowered. "I wanted to make you proud... I thought I could defeat him and restore your honor."
Mary set her cup down with a soft clink. "You underestimated him. That's unforgivable. I cannot tolerate failure, Choka. But more than that... I cannot tolerate disobedience."
Choka's breath hitched. Disobedience? What did she mean?
"You challenged Leo without my permission," Mary continued, her voice laced with irritation. "And then you attacked him again, even after your loss. You acted recklessly, and because of that, you embarrassed both yourself and me."
Choka opened her mouth to apologize again, but the words stuck in her throat. She had no excuse for her behavior. Everything Mary said was true. She had let her pride and anger take control, and now she was paying the price.
Mary rose from her seat, walking slowly toward Choka, her gaze sharp and unyielding. Choka braced herself for the worst, fully expecting to be dismissed from Mary's service or banished from her side. But Mary had something else in mind.
"You deserve to be punished, Choka," Mary said, her voice calm but firm. "And you will be. Come with me."
Choka followed Mary silently through the dorm, her heart heavy with dread. She had always been devoted to Mary, willing to do anything to please her. But now, she had failed her in the worst way possible.
They arrived at Mary's private bath, a luxurious, traditional room with steaming hot water and scented oils. Choka's eyes widened in confusion. A bath? What was going on?
"Undress," Mary ordered, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Choka hesitated for a brief moment before doing as she was told, her heart racing. Once she was undressed, Mary led her to the corner of the room, where a set of ropes had been prepared.
"Tie her up," Mary instructed one of her subordinates who had been standing by.
The subordinate did as she was told, securing Choka's arms and legs so that she was unable to move. Choka was left sitting in the corner, tied up and helpless, while Mary approached the bath.
"You will not touch me. You will not assist me," Mary said, stepping into the water gracefully. "Your punishment is to watch... and do nothing."
Choka's eyes widened in horror. This was worse than she had imagined. For someone as devoted to Mary as she was, not being able to help her, not being able to serve her in any way, was a torture all its own.
"Mary-sama... please..." Choka whispered, her voice filled with despair.
But Mary ignored her, lowering herself into the water with a satisfied sigh. The room was filled with the sound of gentle splashing as Mary relaxed, seemingly indifferent to Choka's torment.
Choka's heart pounded painfully in her chest. Watching Mary bathe, knowing she couldn't do anything, was the worst kind of punishment. She wanted so badly to assist her, to prove her worth again, but the ropes held her in place, a constant reminder of her failure.
"I'm sorry..." Choka whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of the water. "I'll never disobey you again, Mary-sama. Please forgive me..."
But Mary remained silent, her eyes closed as she soaked in the warm water, her expression calm and serene.
Time seemed to stretch endlessly for Choka. Every moment felt like an eternity as she sat helpless in the corner, unable to do anything but watch. Her body ached from the ropes, but the pain in her heart was far worse. She had failed Mary, and now she was paying the price.
Finally, after what felt like hours, Mary spoke again.
"Do you understand why you're being punished?" she asked, her voice soft but commanding.
"Yes, Mary-sama," Choka replied quickly. "I was reckless... and I disobeyed you. I... I acted on my own pride, and I failed."
Mary opened her eyes, looking at Choka with a mixture of disappointment and something else—perhaps a hint of pity.
"You are one of my subordinates, Choka," Mary said slowly, rising from the bath. "And I take responsibility for my subordinates. But no one hurts Leo without consequence. You will never act against him again, is that clear?"
Choka nodded vigorously. "Yes, Mary-sama. I promise, I will never go against him again."
Mary stepped out of the bath, wrapping herself in a towel as she approached Choka. She knelt down, her face just inches from Choka's, her eyes cold and calculating.
"And Leo... I will have my revenge for what happened between us," Mary whispered, her voice filled with a quiet, dangerous determination. "No one makes a fool of me."
Choka shivered at the intensity of Mary's words, but she knew better than to say anything. All she could do was nod weakly, her heart pounding with both fear and admiration for the woman before her.
As Mary stood and walked away, Choka remained in the corner, still tied up, her mind swirling with a mixture of emotions. She had failed, been punished, and now Mary was plotting something even greater.
But Choka would do whatever it took to regain Mary's favor. No matter what.
A/N:
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