In the heart of New York City, four high-achieving young men are expelled from their prestigious school and transferred to Lady Harmonia's Academy for Distinguished Young Women. Under Queen Bee Liliana's watchful eye--and the guidance of her three c...
As the group lingered in the common room, catching their breath after the morning's grueling etiquette training, Liliana stepped forward, her voice cutting through the low murmur of conversation. "This afternoon," she began, her eyes gleaming with a kind of dangerous excitement, "we're going to take your training to the next level. We're going to see how well you can carry yourselves in public."
The boys exchanged uneasy glances. They already knew Liliana had something in store for them, but hearing her say it sent a ripple of apprehension through the group.
"I've arranged for us to visit The Pierre," Liliana continued, her tone light but commanding. "They serve a lovely high tea in the afternoon, and it will give you all a chance to practice what Madame Duval has been teaching you in a real-world setting."
Nate's heart skipped a beat. He'd heard of The Pierre—it was one of the most luxurious hotels in the city, famous for its afternoon teas. The idea of going there, dressed like they were now, made his stomach twist with both excitement and nerves.
Liliana led the group out of the common room and down the corridor, her heels clicking softly on the polished floors. The tension in the air was thick, a quiet apprehension settling over Jace, Tyler, and Ethan as they followed her. Nate, despite the small freedom he'd been granted, still felt a pang of unease. Whatever awaited them in their rooms wasn't going to be easy. Liliana had made that much clear.
As they neared their rooms, Liliana stopped in front of the first door—Tyler's. Hanging from a delicate brass hook on the door was the outfit she had described earlier, in all its ruffled, bow-adorned glory. The bright pink tulle skirt practically glowed in the hallway's soft lighting, and the tight satin corset shimmered with a satin sheen that screamed attention.
"Thalia," Liliana said with a knowing smile, gesturing toward the door. "Your outfit awaits."
Tyler let out a quiet groan but nodded, accepting his fate as he opened the door and took the outfit down. He gave it a quick, appraising look, then sighed. "Can't wait," he muttered under his breath, shooting Nate a playful but resigned look as he stepped into his room to change.
Next, they arrived at Ethan's door. Nate could feel Ethan's anxiety spiking as they approached. Hanging on his door was an outfit similar to Tyler's—another puffed, frilly dress, but in a soft, baby blue. The pastel color made the whole ensemble look almost saccharine, as if designed to emphasize innocence in the most exaggerated way. A lace bow hung neatly next to the dress, ready to be placed atop his head.
Liliana smiled sweetly at Ethan, though the glint in her eyes betrayed her enjoyment of the situation. "Something delicate and charming for you, Ethan," she said. "I'm sure you'll embody grace by the time we arrive at tea."
Ethan's face flushed a deep crimson as he stared at the dress, clearly horrified at the thought of wearing it. "I don't...," he began, but one look at Liliana's raised eyebrow stopped him from saying more. He swallowed hard and took the dress down from the hook. "Okay."
With that, Ethan disappeared into his room to change, leaving Nate, Jace, and Liliana standing in the hallway.
Finally, they arrived at Jace's door. Nate noticed the flicker of tension in Jace's posture, the way his shoulders squared as if preparing for battle. Hanging from his door was an outfit that mirrored Tyler's and Ethan's in style but was just as over-the-top. The dress was a deep red, vibrant and striking, with layers of ruffles and a tight bodice that would emphasize every curve Liliana wanted him to show. Beside it, a glittering red bow that matched the dress perfectly, as if designed to be the finishing touch on a humiliating ensemble.
Liliana's eyes gleamed as she gestured toward the outfit. "Jacqueline," she said, her voice smooth and teasing. "Your turn. I hope you're ready to make quite the impression."
Jace's jaw tightened, but he kept his expression neutral. He didn't trust himself to speak, knowing that any protest would only make things worse. He took the dress down from the hook, the weight of the fabric heavy in his hands, and disappeared into his room without a word.
Nate watched as the door closed behind Jace, feeling a knot of unease tighten in his stomach. Even though he wasn't the one in Punishment 1, he could feel the strain this was putting on all of them. Liliana's control over the situation was absolute, and the way she toyed with each of them left no room for resistance. She was pushing them further and further, testing the limits of their patience and composure.
"Now, Natalia," Liliana said, turning her attention to Nate with a smile that was surprisingly warm. "Since you've done so well, you have the freedom to choose your own look for tea. But remember, I expect you to look flawless."
Nate nodded, grateful for the small reprieve. "Thank you," he murmured, opening his door and stepping inside.
As he entered his room, the feeling of being given control over his appearance, even for just a moment, lifted his spirits slightly. He walked over to the closet, fingers trailing over the soft fabrics he had meticulously picked out just days before. He could still hear Liliana's voice in his head, reminding him to be poised, elegant, and graceful.
After a few moments of deliberation, Nate pulled out a soft lavender dress—simple yet chic, with a fitted bodice and flowing skirt that reached just above his knees. It was feminine without being overwhelming, and it complemented his complexion beautifully. As he stood in front of the mirror, carefully slipping the dress over his body, he couldn't help but feel a small sense of satisfaction. This was a choice he had made. He had control over this, even if everything else felt like it was slipping away.
Once dressed, Nate began working through his makeup routine, taking care with every step—light foundation, a hint of blush, and a soft lavender eyeshadow that matched his dress perfectly. He tied his hair back in a loose, delicate bun, leaving a few strands to frame his face.
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With a final glance in the mirror, Nate gathered his composure and stepped out into the hallway, ready to face the next test Liliana had prepared for them.
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at least natalia is cute,,,punishment 1 has to have a punishment at some point, right?
