Intermission#

When Mara said, “Love is shown through the discipline that shapes us into our true selves,” Sonia’s thoughts drifted back to her early days with Henry. She remembered how his guidance had helped her become the person she wanted to be. She had given herself to him completely, and he had fully embraced her in return. Sonia smiled under her veil, recalling how the chastity belt no longer stayed locked once they fully embraced their unequal relationship. As Mara had once said, “A ward silently enjoys what her guardian offers.”

As the chaos subsided, Philippe checked outside. When it seemed safe, they cautiously returned to the foyer where they met with Henry. As quickly as her chained legs allowed, Sonia glided over to him and leaned into his embrace. The only evidence of the disturbance was broken glass, as Directeur Perroux addressed the guests, assuring them that everything was under control and the show would go on.

Mara processed the events, realizing how quickly Philippe and Henry had prioritized their wards’ safety. She felt a deep sense of gratitude and admiration for Philippe’s protective instincts. Glancing at Sonia, who seemed equally affected, their eyes met, sharing a mutual sense of relief and thankfulness for their guardians’ quick actions.

“Are you alright, Sonia?” Henry asked gently.

Sonia curtsied and answered, “Yes, Sir. Thank you for protecting us.”

Philippe reassured Mara, and they all returned to their seats. As the second act began, Mara leaned closer to Philippe, feeling an even deeper connection. She was his ward, and he was her guardian—her anchor in a world of uncertainty.

Meanwhile, on stage, Blondchen began to reject Osmin’s rude advances in her aria “Durch Zärtlichkeit und Schmeicheln.” Mara smiled behind her mask, thinking, “If Blondchen only knew…”

After the finale, Philippe secured a private VIP box at the Carré d’Or. He ordered red wine and Turkish delight for Henry, Sonia, and himself, while the women, securely locked to their seats, were unchained. As they were being served, Sonia noticed something unusual. The waitress, named-tagged as Janice on her uniform, wore a discreet “S” pin pinned to her dress. Sonia knew what that meant—Janice was really a man, an abusive guardian serving a year and a day–a Shadow year, hence the S–as a ward to learn proper restraint and gain a new perspective.

Sonia discreetly signed to Mara. Did Mara notice the pin? Before Mara could respond, Henry caught sight of Sonia’s gossiping. His expression hardened. This was the second time he caught Sonia signing about other wards corrections behind his back. He did not know why she was obsessed with that, but he could certainly oblige once they were back at home.

“Sonia,” Henry said firmly, in a low but clear voice, “stop that. I thought I had made myself clear. Gossiping about corrections is unacceptable. Corrections are private matters, meant to guide and help you grow. Once they’re done, they are not spoken of again, especially not in public. For all practical purposes, Janice is a ward, and she is subject to exactly the same expectations and standards as any other ward.”

Sonia immediately lowered her gaze and signed with full formality. This one apologizes, Sir. Thank you for keeping her aligned.

Henry nodded, his expression softening slightly. “See that you remember this, Sonia. We will discuss it further at home.” Sonia turned her attention to the Turkish delight and the wine, wondering what, exactly, that “discussion” at home would involve. Meanwhile, Janice returned with a feed bag for Mara, which Philippe attached to her feed port himself.

The conversation between the men turned to the Freeborn attack, leaving the women to themselves.

“It seems too convenient that this attack happened just as the new Swiss banking transparency laws are coming into effect,” Philippe remarked. “These laws will expose many hidden fortunes in previously anonymous Swiss accounts and vaults, subjecting them to proper wealth taxes. The timing is suspicious.”

Henry nodded but offered a different perspective. “I see your point, Philippe, but we must consider all possibilities. It’s possible that Chinese-sponsored terror groups could be fueling these masked attacks. They have their own reasons for destabilizing the region, especially with their increasing influence in global affairs.”

Sonia wisely remained silent. She was cautious, understanding the delicate balance of their roles, and refrained from interrupting her already upset guardian. Besides, her knowledge of the true origin of the LASS-VASH-2024 was secret and maybe not even relevant in their men’s discussion.

The men debated various motivations behind the attack, and eventually, it was time to leave. The men re-secured their wards and led them to the waiting limousine.

At home, Mara thanked Philippe for the wonderful evening and the opera. She signed with genuine gratitude. Thank you, Sir. It was a wonderful experience.

Philippe smiled, pleased, and helped her prepare for the night, locking her to the bed in her usual attire. Mara felt a sense of peace and safety as Philippe ensured every detail was just right. As she lay down, feeling the familiar constraints of her night setup, she felt happy and protected. With a contented sigh, she closed her eyes and drifted into a deep, restful sleep.