Setting her jaw resolutely, she met Miss Gallovan's crow-like eyes. "May I have the strapping please, ma'am?" As she said the words, she felt shivers race up her spine, almost as if they brought her pleasure.

A similar feeling seemed to have occurred in the Head Maid, whose pale skin almost shimmered with glee as she dragged over an unused table. She moved the furniture to the middle of the room, making sure it was in a spot where everyone could watch if they desired to. "Of course. What I want you to do, Lily, is bend yourself over this table. You will receive this strapping from me in front of the rest of the staff, so they know what to expect if they disobey in a similar fashion. You will do and say exactly what I tell you to. Do you understand?"

Lily blinked back a fresh wave of tears, swallowing the shame that burned her throat. She knew this was a small price to pay compared to never returning to the manor, but the thought of being punished in front of her friends and fellow servants humiliated her. "Yes, ma'am. I will do and say whatever you ask of me."

Lily was employed at Sailwood Manor for nearly half a year when she made her first mistake. The manor was known for its fair treatment of staff, and she needed the job to support her family back home in their small, impoverished village. Angry with herself for jeopardizing such an opportunity and fearing the worst, she tried to hide her blunder. When the Head Maid, Miss Gallovan, discovered this deception, the older woman was more than happy to give the misbehaving maid a sound punishment.

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