Agatha awoke, stretching her spine from the seat which she was still stuck to. Well, not physically, so to speak. She just didn’t want to fail whatever test it was that the Mistress was setting this up for.

The maid who’d found her – a lovely girl by the name of Ashley – had passed the pen to her, only for the pair to discover it was empty; just a decorative antique just like the desk itself.

Not really having any ability to leave the office, Agatha asked if Ashley could go get the Mistress for her, only to be told that she was not to be disturbed.

Seeing this, Agatha was presented with a choice. Either she could stand up from her chair and walk out of the office, leave this mansion, and never think about this place again. She hadn’t been able to sign the NDA so they couldn’t really have any authority over her either. That being said … she couldn’t really go back. She had made a huge deal about travelling here from overseas to pursue her career, and now going back was not just an admission of failure but a necessity to start all over again. At least she’d get to see her friends and polycule. Then again, that was only if she could get the money for a plane ticket.

She needed this job; as fucked up as it was. Not only would it promise immediate start and a total coverage of her previous accommodation, but free room and board as long as she worked there, allowing her to finally make any degree of savings. From the sense she got from the luxury of the mansion, the highly disciplined nature of the maids and staff, and the extremely overbearing and high protocol nature of the Mistress of the house being one of the explicitly dominant ladies who lived here; it all felt like minor infractions would result in some pretty harsh punishments.

Then again, that had been something she'd longed for.

She chided herself. This wasn't one of her fantasies, she would be getting paid if she was accepted. This was a job. She would exist to do as she was told and stay as far in the background as possible until she was needed. And a lot of this job appeared to be following rules to the letter, and she’d been given a very direct order. Sure it was weird and she was likely going to see some truly deranged sexual behaviour, but she’d been to enough sex clubs and saunas, and been on the internet long enough that it likely wouldn’t be anything she hadn’t seen before.

So she asked Ashley if she could please bring her a blanket.

Kind soul that she was, Ashley agreed but also brought a clean toothbrush and glass of water. Agatha, now slightly more awake and not sleeping entirely uncomfortably in this cushioned wooden chair, grabbed the toothbrush and glass, seeing that it must have been refilled at some point during the night.

Cleaning her teeth and rolling her shoulders, Agatha wondered for a moment what was keeping that woman. Though even if she didn’t get the job this would be a great anecdote to talk about at parties; “that one time she fell asleep at a job interview for a slave mansion.”

It was as she brushed her teeth, strong tapping footsteps echoed down the hall before the office door swung open, revealing a slightly surprised Mistress.

Agatha swallowed the water she had been washing her mouth with before she spoke, 'Good morning Ma'am.’

‘You’re still here,’ she observed.

'You told me not to get up.’

‘Ah. I see,' the woman said, her expression equal parts smirk and mild confusion, 'Did you at least sign the NDA?’

‘Uh, no Ma'am. I didn’t have a pen.’

The Mistress pinched the bridge of her nose in exasperation, ‘Of course. My apologies, as you might have been able to tell I was somewhat … distressed, at our new ward’s arrival,’ she then looked back up at Agatha, ‘And no, you may not ask about them.’

‘Yes Ma’am,' Agatha nodded, 'I just um … I just hope I passed your test?'

'Test?'

Agatha's expression turned more to embarrassment, 'The um. Being told not to get up and then leaving for the um, the whole night. Was that not a test?'

There was a look that briefly crossed the Mistress' face. Agatha felt as if it could only be emphasised as A Look. Her eyes showed some degree of pity, but the curve of her smirk indicated her mind had other, more malicious thoughts. Whatever they were, she kept them to herself.

'Well, while it was certainly not intentional, your behaviour has shown me that you have some qualities I might find useful.'

The Mistress strode around to the other side of the desk, sitting down and pulling open a drawer before placing a capped fountain pen in front of Agatha.

‘Now. Where were we?’

‘I believe Miss was about to ask about any obligations?’ Agatha ventured.

‘Ah yes. Thank you Agatha.’

She sat up a little straighter, unable to hide her contented smile on her face.

‘Now,’ she continued, ‘Do you have any obligations, either professional or personal, which may interfere with your service to us?’

‘No.’ Agatha said, though raised her hand before voicing her afterthought.

‘Your possessions will be moved out from your apartment upon your admittance to our service,’ the Mistress said, predicting what her question would be, ‘Additionally you will be working under a six month contract which we may renew or terminate at our discretion, and you may choose not to renew your contract with us at the end of each period. You will also have a one month trial period after which you will be provided a performance evaluation.’

Agatha’s eyes quietly widened. Was … was she in? Did she get the job?

‘You will also be living in personal quarters provided within the servant’s wing of the mansion. This will be your own personal space which you may furnish as you wish, as well as requisition additional furniture or decor within reason.’

That sure sounded like it.

‘Now. Do you understand that the contract you will sign is a legally binding agreement which specifies you are never to discuss with anyone outside of the mansion the events you may witness or participate in while under our employ, and there will be serious legal ramifications if you do so?’ the Mistress leaned forwards to emphasise the point, ‘I urge you to consider this very carefully, miss Avery.’

Agatha gulped and nodded, ‘Yes.’

The Mistress relaxed back into her chair, ‘Good. Good. Now normally I let my wife ask this question at this stage of the interview, as she’s far more of a “people person” than I am. But as you seem to be at least emotionally honest when first prompted with a question like this, I feel somewhat more comfortable asking,’ she looked sharply at Agatha, ‘Why do you want to work for us?’

Agatha was somehow struck, not immediately sure how to answer.

‘The work is something I’m familiar with. And with my needs cared for by this position, I should be able to focus on my writing and explore more of my hobbies. I moved here from Australia because, well, it feels stupid to say out loud. But I wanted to prove a point. I thought I had found a place for myself but after effectively getting dumped for corporate profit I lost control of … well, everything. But I still want to prove to myself and to the people around me that I'm not a failure. That the path I chose for myself, the decisions I made, that they mattered. That I wasn’t just being blown around by the whims of circumstance.’

The Mistress’ expression was neutral. Not unimpressed or impassive. But she was listening. And that sparked something in Agatha’s chest.

‘Very well,’ she said, taking the signed contract from Agatha’s side of the desk, ‘In that case, I do believe I have good news for you, miss Avery.’

‘Th-thank you Ma’am!’ Agatha exclaimed, absolutely elated.

‘Hm? I haven’t even told you what it is yet, silly girl. Though your eagerness is noted,’ she chuckled, causing Agatha to fold her hands in her lap and blush lightly, ‘But your presumptions are correct. I believe you may have what it takes to serve as our home secretary.’

Agatha couldn’t help but grin, even through her embarrassment. She was in! She did it!

‘You will begin tomorrow. For today you may acclimate to your new environment and take some time to familiarise yourself with the layout of the mansion as well as your workspace in the lobby. We may also later call for you to be measured for your new uniform. While your current attire may be suitable for most offices,’ she glanced down at Agatha’s boots, ‘I have my own expectations about the state of dress for the servants of my house. Am I understood?’

‘Yes Ma’am.’

‘Good. One of the maids will show you to your room. Dismissed.’

Agatha gave an appreciative bow as she stood, folding and placing the blanket over the back of the chair before leaving the room, quietly closing the door behind her.

Not even a few steps away was that same maid who’d stumbled upon her the other night. Neat shoulder-length blonde hair in a bob cut, with a button nose and soulful brown eyes.

‘Good morning miss Avery, I will escort you to your room now.’

It was something of a surprise to hear her speak so formally, but Agatha gave a nod as the pair began walking.

As soon as the two were out of earshot of the office, Ashley gave a mischievous look to Agatha.

‘Welcome to the sex cult.’

‘Hey, I knew what I was signing up for,’ Agatha said, trying to convince herself as much as the maid next to her.

Ashley gave a laugh, ‘Oh, sweet thing. You say that now.’

Agatha gulped nervously.

‘Though in all honesty, it’s not that bad,’ Ashley continued, ‘Most days are just normal working days. Maids do the cleaning, cooks do the cooking, and you’re going to be stuck behind a desk trying your best not to look bored as hell all day.’

‘Yeah I was kinda wondering about that actually. I know this is a really big place and all, but I’ve never met anyone who needed a receptionist for their house,’ Agatha wondered aloud, ‘People don’t come here that often, do they?’

‘Sometimes. The Mistresses have worked out some kinda new deal with most of their slaves, bought them new apartments and everything, so they can come and go pretty often,’ Ashley shrugged, ‘But mostly it’s a convenience for them. Also I’m pretty sure Mistress literally doesn’t know how to let go of her work, so having a receptionist might be an emotional support thing.’

‘Huh. That somehow makes way too much sense,’ Agatha muttered.

The pair chatted a little more, until eventually they arrived at a section of the manor lined with doors, each with a placard with an inscribed name. They walked until arriving at a room currently without a placard.

‘This will be your room. Since your interview didn’t conclude until this morning we haven’t had the chance to fully prepare it yet, but it’s still furnished,’ Ashley explained.

Agatha opened the door to see her room was astonishing. It was about as large as an entire studio apartment, and even beyond that there was an adjoining bathroom. The bed was enormous, so much bigger than the singles she’d owned her entire life, the mattress still wrapped in plastic. Had they seriously bought this all for her?

The bathroom was just as decadent as the main room. Separate shower and bath, a toilet and sink, already filled with numerous luxurious looking toiletries. She would need her own things of course, but this all looked incredible.

‘There is also a notepad within the desk which you’ll be able to make requests on,’ Ashley said as she indicated to the drawers of a heavy walnut desk.

‘Oh, thanks,’ Agatha said, ‘Uh, right now I might need to take a shower, if that’s alright.’

Ashley gave a good natured scoff, ‘Hey, that’s fine. You don’t need permission to go to the bathroom,’ she said, turning to leave but looking back over her shoulder with a wicked smile, ‘Yet.’

The maid gave a wave over her shoulder as she left, closing the door behind her. Agatha let out a long exhale, running hands through her hair before some of her fingers got stuck in a large knot. Shaking it out and untangling it, she decided she really needed that shower now. Then again, she had the entire day to herself. A bath might be exactly what she needed right now.

Filling the tub with hot water, she scrounged around the cupboards and found a small box of mineral crystals and bubble bath. Dumping in a hearty measure of both, she undressed as the bath filled with a swell of mineral and flowery scents.

She dipped a hand in through the thick layer of bubbles that formed, feeling out the temperature until it was absolutely perfect. Submerging herself in the tub, she felt the warmth wash through her, total relaxation entering her mind.

Well, maybe not total relaxation. But she knew how to fix that.

Raising one of her hands out of the bath, taking a moment to admire the delicate bubbles which clung to her skin, she positioned her hand next to her ear and, with a deep breath, snapped her fingers.

'Sleep.'

Agatha's arm fell back into the bath with a splash, her brain falling into a soft practised trance. She'd let herself float like this for a little while. She'd earned it after all.

Agatha felt herself breaking out of her reverie as there was a knock at her door. Rubbing her eyes, she wondered how much time she’d let pass. Hopefully she hadn’t totally fallen asleep.

‘One moment!’ she called, pulling herself out of the now quite cool tub and wrapping herself in an extremely luxuriant towel.

Drying herself off as best she could before covering herself with the towel, she moved back to the front door to her room and opened it a crack, to be greeted by the intense stare of her Mistress.

‘Your belongings have arrived,’ she said through the door, ignoring Agatha’s surprise, ‘I should expect you to get dressed so you may receive them. After which, we will need to take your measurements for your uniform.’

‘Of course Ma’am, right away!’ Agatha exclaimed, hurrying to retrieve her clothes as her Mistress shut the door.

Checking her phone, Agatha was surprised to see that three whole hours had passed. They must have worked quickly if they were able to get everything out of her apartment in such a short time! She didn’t even remember giving them her keys. But then she realised that the valet, Frederick, must still have had them.

Throwing on her sweater vest, she hopped back to her bed as she pulled on her socks and boots, quickly tying and tucking the laces before exiting the front door, only to be greeted by the man who had first greeted her at the manor, setting down a cardboard box likely filled with her belongings.

‘Ah, miss Avery. Good to see you again,’ he smiled with warmth.

‘Oh thank you! It’s Frederick, right?’

He nodded in affirmation, ‘The one and only. So you’ll be joining the PA staff?’

‘Yeah, starting tomorrow!’ she grinned.

Frederick couldn’t help but laugh, ‘Well you’re certainly not lacking enthusiasm, I’ll give you that. Hopefully that will serve you well.’

‘Ah well … thanks.’

‘So Agatha, have you been given the walk-around yet? I’ll be happy to show you all the important places.’

‘Yeah, that sounds good. Though it might be best to set up everything in my room first. Besides, Miss mentioned that I need to have my measurements taken so I probably shouldn’t roam too far.’

Frederick raised an eyebrow, ‘Miss? Hm. Usually people call her Mistress.’

‘Well … I guess I don’t feel, sort of, “allowed” to use that title?’ Agatha said hesitantly, ‘I dunno, it feels too personal to call her that. Sort of like I haven’t earned the right to yet.’

Frederick gave another warm chuckle, ‘You’re a funny one, Agatha. I suppose I’ll see you around soon then. This should be the last of your things.’

‘Sure, thanks. I’ll see you around,’ Agatha smiled as Frederick departed.

Setting about pulling everything into her room, Agatha set up her computer tower and screen first thing. It was another of her important possessions, especially for her writing.

The rest of her things weren’t too difficult to pack away. Clothes and toiletries, including her collection of shaving supplies, razors, and even the straight razor with a wicked Spanish point she was still yet to learn how to use. Even since her transition she’d been shaving with proper wetshaving supplies rather than standard cartridge razors and canned foam. Once she had gotten over the initial difficulty adjustment, it was a better shave than anything she’d had before.

Putting away the last of her things, Agatha heard another knock at the door. Opening it up again she saw it was the short mousey maid.

‘Hi, I’m Beatrice. Though most call be Bea off duty,’ she said with a smile, ‘Just letting you know Mistress is ready to have the tailor take your measurements.’

‘Sure thing, thanks Bea.’

Agatha closed the door behind them and Beatrice led her to another room, in which both the Mistress and a small man which reminded Agatha of a particularly well dressed egg, with round glasses and a perfectly waxed moustache.

‘About time,’ the Mistress chided, ‘I do not like to be kept waiting, miss Avery. Especially not for my assistants. You will do well to remember that.’

Agatha tried to swallow her nervousness, ‘Yes Ma’am.’

‘Good. You’re lucky our tailor was already here to dress another of our new staff members.’

As the tailor began his work, the Mistress took some note of Agatha’s own appearance. Agatha never thought of herself as particularly pretty before she transitioned, though that did change somewhat after meeting a lot of wonderful people. Still, she wasn’t the most impressive. Long brown hair which fell naturally into ringlets between her shoulder blades when down, a somewhat triangular nose and high cheekbones speckled with freckles, and clear grey-blue eyes with long, luxurious eyelashes. Though it seemed that Mistress had found something objectionable on the side of her face.

‘How long have you had this blackhead on the side of your nose?’

Agatha cringed internally, ‘Uh, since high school Ma’am. I’ve tried a lot of things to get rid of it but nothing seems to work.’

‘Hm. It seems I will have to schedule an appointment with our dermatologist then,’ she said, inspecting the rest of her body, ‘We may also need to give you a skincare regime and perhaps a haircut. How much do you exercise?’

‘Um … I don’t, Ma’am.’

‘Then we will work it into your daily schedule. I expect all of my servants to be kept in good physical condition,’ she said with finality, ‘Do you have any other requests?’

‘Uh … well, if you’d insist,’ Agatha nervously ventured, ‘I’d been hoping to do some voice training, as it was never something I could afford time for.’

She gave a curt nod, ‘Noted. Hopefully some vocal coaching will also curb that stuttering of yours.’

Agatha looked down, a little embarrassed before the tailor’s measuring tape pushed her chin up as her neck was measured.

‘Urp! Yes Ma’am.’

The next few hours were a long line of instructions, expectations, appointments, and explanations. Finally after speaking with the onsite doctor about her hormones and medications for ADHD and anxiety, Agatha was given a chance to relax in her room. She was going to have a very long day tomorrow morning.

But before even that, she had a lot of reading to do for the expected etiquette for the mansion, as well as how she was meant to carry herself within her role.

The most important thing seemed to be how she would engage with the Mistresses of the house. Specifically what caught her attention was referring to the Mistress’ wife as “your Majesty” or “Highness.” It got her thinking. About herself, a little bit.

Specifically, that little box she kept at the back of her mind.

Agatha got up from her desk, where she had been reading her instruction booklet. Sorting through some of the things she had yet to unpack, she retrieved a hat box from among her things and softly prised the lid off. Lying within a mass of soft tissue paper was a mask of moulded black leather, claw-like extensions tipped with light silver colour rising like a crown as its front plunged down into a sharp beak to obscure the lower half of her face. Wide eyeholes allowed her to show expression in her eyes, which she had intended to decorate with intricate and sinister eye makeup.

Pulling the mask up and over her face, the crown combed through her hair as it settled. It fit well, the cool leather sitting against her face comfortably. She had bought this expensive mask for a good reason; to try and conjure forth her own force of indomitable will, her own sinister Sorceress; that which she called the Queen.

Alas, even with the self-hypnosis Agatha practised, it was a delicate state to be in.

The Queen looked around the room imperiously, spine straight and shoulders back. This was her domain. Her realm. This would be where she built her power to take over … to rule …

Agatha groaned and begrudgingly took the mask off her face. She regretted buying this expensive show piece for some silly and selfish make-believe. She was being so stupid.