Hecate’s Demands and Iordera’s Dilemma

Hecate remained silent, taking a leisurely sip of her tea, her gaze returning to Iordera.

“You’ve put a lot of effort into your outfit today, haven’t you? Specially prepared?”

Iordera touched the slightly tight white-collar mini-skirt, feeling acutely embarrassed. “I’m looking for a job, so I wanted to look a bit more formal… Anyway, your new look is quite good too.”

“Of course,” Hecate replied with a serious expression, “it was, after all, for our meeting.”

‘That’s really not necessary.’

“Still, you’re right; this is someone else’s territory, and it wouldn’t do to cause a scene.” Hecate’s eyes lingered on her, particularly on her slender waist.

Iordera’s lips trembled slightly.

‘By your tone, it sounds as though you intend to cause quite a stir.’

“However, as my subordinate, shouldn’t you typically follow my instructions?” Hecate continued, sipping her tea serenely. “Of course, you may try to escape, but should I catch you again, I won’t concern myself with ‘appearances’ any longer.”

Iordera’s delicate frame stiffened, and she hastily shook her head. “I wouldn’t dare, no, I won’t run.”

‘You’ve tracked me all the way here; where else in this vast world could I possibly flee?’

“Excellent, my dear, I do appreciate obedient children,” Hecate declared. “You may leave now, but be back before dark. Tonight, you’ll accompany me somewhere.”

Iordera paused, startled by the last sentence. “Tonight?”

‘Where could two people possibly go at night? To some blissful paradise?’

“If you are unwilling to leave, then don’t,” Hecate said.

Iordera quickly swallowed her questions, turning on her heel and fleeing.

****

Leaving the library, then the academy, Iordera found her spirits incredibly heavy as she rode the monorail home.

Before coming, everyone had assured her that Saroyan’s security was unparalleled, that the Witch would never dare set foot here. Yet, not only had the Witch arrived, but she was even building a house on the rooftop of Saroyan’s most iconic building.

‘Perhaps she’d even be building little people up there next.’

“They claimed it was the safest place in the world, what utter bullshit (TL Note: A common internet slang term, short for ‘chī jī ba’, meaning ‘eat chicken d*ck’, used to express extreme contempt or disdain)!”

It was afternoon when she arrived home, still several hours before nightfall. The two maids sat idly on the sofa, glancing up as Iordera entered.

“Miss, your complexion looks dreadful,” Nina observed with concern. “It’s like, it’s like…”

Yuna finished, “Like your entire family just died.”

Iordera offered a cold smile. “Thank you for your concern. You are my family.”

‘…’

This time, their mistress had won the round; unable to devise a retort, the maids simply rose to prepare dinner.

Eating dinner so early today, no one had much appetite. Sitting at the dining table, Iordera, after much deliberation, recounted the day’s events to them.

“Wait a moment, Miss,” Nina interjected, having grasped the crucial point. “Are you saying the Witch is here too?”

“Indeed.”

No sooner had the words left her lips than the two maids sprang from their seats, frantically gathering their belongings.

Iordera watched them, bewildered. “What are you two doing?”

“Packing our valuables to make a run for it,” Nina replied amidst her hasty movements.

“No, even if she’s looking for trouble, it’s only with me,” Iordera said, growing more perplexed. “Why are you two so agitated?”

Yuna explained, “The Witch is only bothering you now because she finds enough amusement in you. In other words, if you don’t keep her sufficiently entertained, Miss, she might just direct her anger elsewhere.”

“Yes, yes,” Nina chimed in, echoing her sentiment. “It’s common knowledge that the Witch is notoriously fickle.”

Iordera’s lips twitched. “So, you’re implying it’s my fault for not ‘serving’ the Witch well enough, and thus implicating you?”

“Precisely.”

“What else would it be?”

‘Then I am truly sorry for you all.’

“Stop packing; if Saroyan can’t protect me, where could we possibly run?” Iordera sighed helplessly. “Let’s rather focus on how to protect ourselves.”

The two maids paused their frantic activity, and upon closer thought, conceded her point.

However, the mistress and her servants’ lines of thought diverged significantly: Iordera pondered how to tread carefully, avoid provoking Hecate’s wrath, and escape being summarily dispatched by a mere flick of her finger.

‘The Witch hadn’t even trimmed her nails yet!’

The maids, on the other hand, were strategizing how to ensure their mistress pleased the Witch, thus preventing any collateral anger from falling upon their household.

And so, after Iordera announced she would be accompanying the Witch that evening—

“You ought to change your attire,” Nina declared first. “That outfit simply won’t do.”

“Indeed, for daytime, it certainly has a seductive uniform effect,” Yuna commented, speaking with apparent authority. “But it’s quite unsuitable for evening. For tonight, you should wear something loose and comfortable.”

Iordera felt an odd disquiet about their words, yet upon reflection, she conceded there was some merit to their logic.

It was true; the “city lady” outfit restricted movement, the skirt was too tight, and the white shirt’s cuffs weren’t loose enough.

“Then find me something else to wear.”

Subsequently, Nina presented her with a flimsy nightgown. “Miss, this one is perfect.”

Iordera’s brow furrowed, finally realizing the implications. “This is what you meant by ‘suitable for evening wear’?”

“Yes, see?” Nina tugged at the open neckline and the short hem, “How wonderfully loose it is.”

‘I don’t think ‘loose’ was meant to imply ‘easy to remove’…’

As for the lower body attire Yuna had prepared, it was even more outrageous: a single, tiny pair of white panties.

“Pure cotton, soft to the touch,” Yuna stated sincerely. “A very classic style.”

“No matter how classic, it cannot be worn as trousers!”

Iordera finally understood: these two maids were practically eager for her to be [censored] by the Witch.

And the process had to be utterly pleasurable.

“I don’t need your help; I’ll find something to change into myself.”

Ultimately, she settled on a rather loose T-shirt and soft-textured shorts.

The two maids, however, continued to offer their commentary from the sidelines:

“While it’s rather everyday, the loose fit means the hem covers the shorts, leaving her bare legs exposed, making it seem as if she’s wearing nothing below.”

“Yes, between the loose neckline, her fair skin and collarbones are subtly revealed, and beneath the hem, a pair of delicate, pale long legs appear, like a petite, adorable girlfriend nestled in one’s arms in the morning—simply wonderful.”

Iordera, for her part, felt the outfit was perfect for physical activity, offering freedom for any combination of movements. Should the need arise, it would be ideal for high-speed running, climbing, and scaling walls.

The two maids, conversely, believed the ensemble to be both innocent and alluring, a timeless classic that the Witch would undoubtedly savor.

Both parties were pleased, as if a world where no one was harmed was about to materialize.

“I’m off. Don’t wait up for me tonight.”

Hecate had requested her presence before dark, and now, as evening approached, the sun hovered hesitantly on the mountainside, neither fully set nor fully visible.

With over an hour until complete darkness, surely arriving now wouldn’t count as being late.

Familiar with the route, Iordera boarded the monorail and found a corner seat, closing her eyes to rest. This was her third ride today, a remarkably high frequency.

After all, since it was free, there was no reason not to take advantage of it.