After a short sleep she was woken up and dressed. Half an hour later Lisette opened the door and led her into the main hall. Passing one of the large mirrors she caught a glimpse of herself and stood as if rooted to the floor. A total transformation had taken place and she hardly recognized herself. She was wearing a body clinging lavender coloured silk dress. Her hair was wavy and her make-up had been done to a degree of perfection she had never been able to reach herself. And she was wearing some fabulous old jewellery that glittered in the dimmed lights. Added to the alluring image in the mirror was the seductive feeling of wearing exceptionally sensual undergarments, very sheer seamed stockings and beautiful (but very high heeled) pumps. It excited her and overwhelmed all other feelings. For the first time she fully understood what the expression 'dressed to kill' meant...
She was led into a small dining room, lit by subdued lights and candles, where dinner was laid for two. The count rose from his chair when she entered and seated her comfortably at the table. When he sat down their knees touched and she hastily sat upright. The count smiled and took a bottle of Veuve Cliquot Brut from a champagne cooler. He poured two glasses and said:
'Allow me to compliment you on your appearance. You look very beautiful!'
'Thank you!' she said, blushing.
'What is your first name?' he asked her
'Paula...' she answered.
'Then, Paula, I drink to a pleasant evening!' he said while he held his glass in her direction.
She took a sip from her glass and looked questioningly at the Count. He smiled and said 'I can see by the look at your face that you desperately want to know why you're here. Am I right?'
She shrugged her shoulders and just nodded 'yes' without answering.
In a quick movement the Count bent across the table and slapped her face. He said sharply:
'Paula, if I ask you a question you will answer with 'Yes, monsieur le Comte' or 'no, monsieur le Comte!'
With a flushed face she said 'Y...yes...monsieur le Comte...'
'Good, now relax and enjoy your dinner. Afterwards I will explain all.'
After a light but excellent dinner the Count took her by her arm and they walked out of the dining room, past the staircase and into the central part of the building. They entered a large room that, again, was furnished in the Louis XV style with period furniture and decorations. This room, she noticed with some surprise, was made lively by bouquets of fresh flowers artfully placed around. And as she looked around she suddenly gasped and stood as if riveted to the floor, staring at the far end of the room.
In the exact centre of the wall hung an almost life size painting....
Of her!
An invisible force seemed to draw her towards the painting. She hesitatingly came closer and closer, until she almost could touch it. Gazing in total astonishment she could hardly believe her eyes. The face, the hair, the posture, the expression; they were all an incredible likeness. Only the 17th century court dress was different. She felt as if a twin sister in period clothes was smiling at her from the picture frame, inviting her to step through a hidden door into an unknown past....
The Count said 'do you recognize her?'
She just nodded, still fascinated by the incredible likeness of the picture.
'This is la Comtesse de Symiade, our local legend.'
He took a deep breath and said 'for many centuries the countess of Symiade has been a mythical personality in this area. She watches over the girls and women that live here. She teaches them the virtues of obedience and subservience.
Looking at Paula he continued: 'The countess herself has to set an example of obedience and submissiveness in a yearly ritual attended by all girls that reach the age of maturity.'
He paused and let out a sigh, then continued: 'Late last year the previous countess of Symiade has been killed in a plane crash in the Alps. The council of elders has commissioned me to find a replacement.'
We have searched all over Europe and you have been chosen to fulfil this task. You will be the next Comtesse de Symiade. Forget all you ever were before.'
Her eyes bulged with surprise and a chill of fright spread through her body. She wanted to shout 'NO, NO!' but the words did not come. She shook her head emphatically and stammered: 'No, I can't ...I have other things to do ...I...I...People will miss me and there will be a search...I have to go back home...'
He smiled sardonically. 'When we investigated you, we found that you have told your friends and family that, once your exhibition was over, you would tour continental Europe, looking for a better place to live as an artist. You might even buy a house somewhere if the price was right. In any case you are not expected to be back soon...'
She sputtered: 'But I don't want this ...I'm an artist.. I have other interests!'
His eyes narrowed and he lowered his voice as he said: 'My dear, we've found out more about you than you think. Under that veneer of good manners and artistry you are a very erotic person who is essentially submissive and likes a bit of pain.'
She started to sweat and stammered 'No...no...I refuse...'
His voice hardened as he said 'Be careful. If you definitely refuse we will be forced to take drastic measures!'
She whispered 'What do you mean...?'
'Have you ever heard about an 'Oubliette?'
'No...'
'It is a small, conical shaped cell dug out under the deepest cellars. During the 17th century Cardinal de Richelieu used them to dispose of his political enemies, those he could not have publicly killed. They were chained to the wall of the oubliette and the entrance was bricked over'.
He paused for a moment.
Then he continued in a harsh voice 'you know too much already. There are two of those 'Oubliettes' left in this building. If you refuse we'll have to put you into one of them'.
Unable to speak, she looked at him with wide, frightened eyes as he added
'Nobody will ever find you...'
He led her out of the room and when he handed her over to Lisette he almost whispered
'It's up to you'.
A blackbird started a melodious song in a tree close to the window. It was answered by another blackbird further away. Smaller birds chirped and twittered and the day was about to begin.
She opened her eyes and looked at the unfamiliar surroundings.
'Which hotel is this?'...
Sleepily she tried to figure out why she had booked into a hotel with a room so grand...and she slowly sat up.
'Where am I?'...
Looking around, the first thing she saw was the beautiful, lavender coloured dress, neatly hanging from a wardrobe door. Suddenly everything came back: the frightening talk with the Count; the walk back to her room and that awful maid undressing her and locking a leather collar around her neck, chaining her to the bed. She had stretched out on the wide, comfortable bed with sheets smelling of lavender and sunlight. And despite the turmoil of her thoughts, she had almost immediately fallen int a deep sleep.
Suddenly, and with an icy clarity, the Count's awful last words came back in her mind: '...You know too much already. There are still two of those 'Oubliettes' left in this building...'
Sweating and trembling with fear she could only think of one thing.
'How can I escape?'
Her eye fell upon her shoulder bag carelessly tossed onto a chair and a thought flashed through her head. She swung her legs out of the bed and walked as far as the chain to her collar let her get to the chair but the bag was still beyond her reach. Disappointed she sat down on the floor, looking at the bag. Impulsively she stretched herself flat on her back and squirmed forward until the chain was taut again. She stretched her leg as far as she could and her toes just touched the bag. Grunting she hooked her foot behind it and with a quick move let it topple towards her onto the floor. She swiped it up and scuttled quickly back into bed.
Looking inside she gave out a sigh of relief. The contents had been tossed around by the tumble off the chair but nothing was broken. They obviously had gone over the contents but had apparently missed the two small compartments inside where she kept things, 'just in case'. Things like an extra comb, some extra lipstick, a couple of condoms... and a small Swiss army knife.
Her fingers trembled when she opened the knife's largest blade. Testing it with her thumb she noticed it was still very sharp. Then she started sawing carefully at her leather collar.
A few minutes later she threw the hated collar on the bed and tiptoed quietly to the window. Careful not to make a sound she shoved the heavy curtain aside. It was very early in the morning. The glare of the sun was still hidden behind the mountain ridge on the other side of the valley. Deep purple shadows covered the chateau. On the far side of the deserted courtyard were some buildings that looked like they had been stables in the old days. Now they seemed to be in use as tool-sheds and garages. She incuriously looked at the few visible cars and she froze.
Her own car was neatly parked between them!
She gasped 'Oh my God! My car, it's here!'
They must have brought it over from Aix!
If I only can reach it I can escape!'
She was suddenly all business and briskly turned away from the window.
Clothes, she must have normal clothes and not this opera-night stuff she had been wearing last night. Hurriedly she went through the wardrobe and a cabinet full of expensive, very beautiful dresses. But the only suitable clothing she found was a heavy, cream colored silk blouse and a long, plum colored skirt.
Next: shoes! Another hurried search yielded nothing but high heeled pumps in various sizes and colors. Desperate, she grabbed a fitting pair of five inch heeled brown pumps and, clutching them in her hand, tiptoed to the door. It was locked, of course! Inwardly she cursed that bitch of a maid with her infernal key chain around her waist. Disappointed she went back to the window where she tried the catches.
To her surprise they opened easily.
A wonderfully fresh stream of free air caressed her face She breathed deeply and as she looked out of the window she thought 'OK, so far, so good. Now what comes next?'...
To her left she noticed a narrow ledge running along the façade. It was about a foot wide and led to the corner of the building, a few yards away. And at that corner was an ivy covered rain pipe...
She looped het bag around her shoulder and tucked the shoes into her waistband. Then, after summoning up all her courage, she stepped out onto the ledge. With her arms spread wide and pressing her body against the already warm stones of the wall she shuffled slowly along, taking care not to look down. Her fingers finally touched the ivy clad rain pipe and she grabbed it with a sigh of relief. Slowly and carefully, she climbed down the creaking and swaying ivy searching with her feet for support. When she was almost down, her naked feet slipped off the ivy and her fingers lost their grip. She fell down a few feet and landed heavily on the gravel where she lay panting for a few seconds.
Soon she caught her breath again and she looked around. The courtyard was quiet and there was nobody in sight. But she somehow had the feeling she was being watched and quickly scuttled out of sight into the bushes.
For several minutes she waited breathlessly, but nothing happened. Reluctantly, she put on the totally unsuitable shoes and made her way to the garage. She kept to the grassy edge of the path and did not dare to walk fast on the unfamiliar six inch heeled pumps. Once she was inside the garage she hurried towards the door of her car and, almost mad with relief, tried to open it.
It was locked.
Tears of frustration came into her eyes as she frantically pulled at the locked door. After a few tries she gave up and looked around. She noticed some sort of office cubbyhole in a corner, with a desk, lockers and shelves.
'Perhaps they keep the keys in there, somewhere?'
The stiletto heels of her pumps rattled on the concrete floor as she hurried over to the little office. It smelt of stale cigarette smoke and oil. Where should she look? After a moment's hesitation she opened the topmost drawer of the desk.
And there were her car keys, neatly stacked on top of her license and insurance papers.
With an immense feeling of relief she reached into the drawer.
But just when her fingers touched the keys there was a sudden, shuffling movement behind her. Before she could look around a strong arm circled around her neck and a hand grabbed her right wrist. She let out a frightened shriek as her arm was turned painfully behind her back. Looking down she saw that both the arm and hand were encased in black, shining latex and she cried out in fright again.
Her invisible assailant hauled her bodily out of the confined space of the office. As they stumbled into the courtyard, she saw Lisette hurrying towards her and behind her came the Count, walking at a rapid but measured pace.
Her heart sank in despair and she started to cry bitterly.
Her escape had failed...
With a quick movement Lisette cuffed Paula's hands behind her back and only then the black latex arms released her from their grip. She turned around and gave another frightened cry.
Behind her stood a...man? Or was it?
It had to be a man, to judge by his build and the very visible bulge in his crotch. He was dressed in a tight fitting black latex corset from which jutted sizeable breasts, the nipples pierced with large rings. His head was completely bald but his face seemed to be made up with mascara, rouge and lipstick. Large, copper coloured earrings hung from his small ears. A heavy leather collar was locked around his neck. His hands and arms were covered by shoulder length latex gloves, hooked by garters to the collar. His latex thigh-highs were also held up by gleaming garters. He wore spike-heeled ankle boots. And he had leather cuffs around his wrists and ankles.
She had never seen such a weird sight in her life.
The Count stopped in front of her.
He gestured towards the latex clad figure with his left hand and said
'Allow me to introduce you to our Lou-Lou!'
The latex-clad travestite grinned and took a step in her direction. She tried to move away but Lisette's grip at her cuffs held her firmly in place.
'We call him Lou-Lou, short for Louis / Louise. You see, Louis was Lisette's half-brother. One day she came home unexpectedly and found him, dressed in her clothes and completely made up as a woman, masturbating in front of a mirror. The Countess interrogated him and it turned out that he had been a lifelong closet travestite.'
Lou-Lou bowed his head as the Count continued.
'She warned him to either stop this behaviour, confess to be a travestite and dress permanently as a woman or go away. He agreed to stop it. But some months later he was caught again, dressed up as a travestite and trying to seduce a very young boy. The Countess told him he had had his chance and spoilt it by his behaviour. She sentenced him to remain half man, half women forever. His body hair has been removed, permanent make up has been applied and he has been given breast implants. The ear and nipple rings are of the permanent kind. He cannot remove them'.
'Lou-Lou is now the servant and guardian of all women in the chateau' said the Count while he motioned Lou-Lou to come forward. He moved Lou-Lou's latex slip aside. A gleaming steel tube showed. 'To make sure we control his urges he has been put into a chastity belt. This ensures he cannot masturbate. And an erection in this thing is very painful'.
She sputtered 'But...but...'
The Count smiled at the unspoken question. 'And Lisette makes sure that every now and then he is allowed to get his relief. She takes off his Latex outfit and allows him to shower or bathe. Afterwards he may dress up as a whore and masturbate in front of a mirror...'
The count looked earnestly at her. 'So you see my dear lady, we have very severe and effective punishments for people who disobey the rules of Symiade! And speaking of punishment, since you have tried to leave us without permission, we have to decide on your punishment too!'
With that he turned around and said 'Lisette and Lou-Lou, take her to the punishment chamber!'
They took her down a narrow staircase and into an arched basement corridor, where their footsteps rang loud on the tiled floor. For a moment they halted while Lisette unlocked an old oaken door. Then down another staircase they went and this time it ended on narrow tiled path, flanked by a sandy bottom.
It was pitch dark down here. The beam of a flashlight carried by the Count revealed curved masonry arches. He lowered the beam and followed the tiles until it shone at a half opened door. He said quietly: 'There's the punishment room. But before we enter it I want to show you something else. It will help you make up your mind...'
She was taken a few yards down the sandy floor. The little group stopped just short of two dark holes that suddenly yawned at their feet. The holes were about three feet across, their dusty hinged covers standing open.
The Count said 'Come closer, Paula, and have a look at the Oubliette waiting for you...'
Lou-Lou gripped her more tightly as he shoved her forward towards the edge of the hole. She looked down in terror. The beam of the flashlight revealed high walls curving down to a brick floor. The beam of the flashlight revealed the dull gleam of rusty steel rings bolted into the walls and off a short chain with a steel collar dangling from one of them...
'You are lucky' said the Count. 'We have no rats here; and no flooding. We first will throw down some straw for you to lie on. Then we will take you down and lock that collar around your neck. Then you will be given a final choice. If you refuse again, we will close the trapdoor and cement bricks over it...'
Cold sweat stood on her face and she felt faint. She suddenly realized it was no idle threat...
In a mindless panic she sputtered 'No...no...please don't! Please...'
'Take her to the punishment chamber!'
Lisette flipped a light switch as they entered and it revealed a wide, circular shaped cell with rough planks for a floor. The walls were adorned with various canes, whips, cords and other BDSM implements.
'Undress her!' commanded the Count and a few moments later she was standing completely naked.
'The boots!' commanded the Count.
Lou-Lou held her in a tight grip again while Lisette quickly put a pair of ballet boots with 8 inch heels on Paula's feet. When they released her she stood tottering on the impossibly high heels, with only the squared off toes to steady her.
'This is punishment number one' said the count. 'You are not used to wearing very high heels. So you will wear these boots until I decide you can take them off!'
Then he said to Lisette: 'Number Two!'
Lisette and Lou-Lou forced her arms into a single glove behind her back. After buckling up the straps very tightly they shoved Paula into the middle of the cell where they fitted a polished steel collar around her neck. It was attached to a chain that came down from a pulley in the ceiling. They fitted a spreader bar between her ankles and pushed a gag into her mouth. Then, when everything was completed, Lisette hooked the end of the single glove to another chain coming down from the ceiling.
Smirking, Lisette hauled it up until Paula's arms were hoisted almost horizontal behind her back, forcing her to bend over. Afraid of toppling over, she stood balancing on the tips of the demeaning ballet boots. Saliva drooled around the ball gag and dripped onto the floor, where it mingled with the tears of humiliation that streamed down her face.
The Count walked over to her, wielding a thin flexible cane.
He stood in front of her and said sternly 'You will never try to run away again! Is that understood?'
She did not react.
His arm swept up and the thin, flexible cane swept down, striking her across her naked buttocks. The stinging lash made her yell but only a moan escaped from her gagged mouth. She frantically tried to move her body away but in vain. Trapped and tied, she could not escape another lash, followed by another and another. Her moans rang around the punishment cell until the Count finally stopped caning her
When he said: Do you now understand? You will never try to run away again?' she nodded assent, while tears of humiliation and pain streamed from her eyes.
'Because you refused to answer me for such a long time, your punishment will be extended by six more strokes' said the Count.
Expertly he lashed the thin cane across the glowing red welts that crossed her buttocks, waiting a few moments between each stroke to ensure she would have to endure the maximum amount of pain.
After the last stroke she hung sobbing and weeping in her chains.
'We'll leave you now to contemplate what you have done and to make up your mind!' said the Count and he walked out of the punishment cell with a measured thread.
Giggling, Lisette grabbed the clothes from the floor and switched off the lights as she left the cell, slamming the door shut behind her.
Paula was left standing in total darkness, inescapably tied and gagged and absolutely helpless as the ominous sound of bolts being shoved home reverberated round the basement.