Chapter 4: A Fateful Decision

I start with the paperwork from Serena’s dance academy. Fortunately the documents are in English. There’s a lot to take in and I decide to skim read the documents first, and then read them in more detail afterwards. The offer of a place is straightforward. As Serena said, I get twelve months of intensive tuition in the dance styles of my choice, dormitory accommodation and meals. Private accommodation is available at an additional cost. The academy is located in the countryside not far from Lyon in France. Tuition is conducted in French, which could be a problem. I achieved a reasonable grade in school French, but I suspect my ability to understand and speak French will be woefully inadequate. But Serena didn’t ask about my language skills, so I presume she doesn’t see it as an insurmountable problem.

Days off from tuition seems to be non-existent. However, part of the training includes giving performances for which I will be paid. That will at least provide me with an income to pay for any extras not covered in the tuition fees. The academy rules of behaviour are stricter than anything I’ve previously experienced, but they aren’t too onerous.

I move onto the paperwork from Heidi’s foundation. It confirms what Heidi told me. The foundation will pay the academy for my tuition fees and I receive the living expenses allowance in advance each quarter. There are penalties should I withdraw, or if I’m expelled, from the academy. In exchange for the foundation’s support, I must agree to a six month indenture to one of the von Herrschaft’s various enterprises on completion of my training. The whole arrangement is a marvellous opportunity. The indenture requirements are the only issue I’m uncomfortable about, and I will need to think about it overnight. I console myself with the thought that Bea and Sophia seemed to be content with their association with Heidi and the foundation. At least I’m not expected to spend my leave serving Heidi like a slave, but that may be due to the fact that I won’t be getting any leave during my training.

I’m well into my third drink and fourth reading of the paperwork when Bea arrives unexpectedly. Her short dress is just about decent, and she’s back to wearing the chain-link necklace again. I’m not sure why she has come looking for me, and that she has found me so easily.

“Hi, Becca,” says Bea with a friendly wave.

“Hi, Bea. What are you doing here?”

“The Baroness thought you might have questions about her offer. I don’t know much about Miss Serena’s academy, but I can help answer anything you want to know about the foundation.”

“Hmm. The business about being indentured for six months once my training is complete worries me a bit,” I reply.

“Just a bit?!? Commitments like often send applicants running for the hills. It needs a special kind of courage to push ahead with the deal. As you may have already guessed, this morning’s tour was more than a look at Rimini’s sights. When you met the Baroness last night, she thought you might be the sort of person the foundation can help. My mission today was to confirm that impression.”

“And what sort of person does the foundation seek to help?” I ask.

“People like you and me. I’m naturally submissive by nature. You are too if you are open enough to admit it. Until I met the Baroness, I had to hide my personality behind a false shield of normality. Now I can spend time surrendering to my innermost desires without feeling shame. Last night you didn’t run away when it was obvious that you were in the presence of a dominatrix and a pair of her slaves. Far from it, you seemed to be wishing that you were one of us. Now you have the opportunity.”

I’ve never labelled myself as a submissive, although I know I’m not dominant by nature. This holiday was planned by Georgina and Fiona between them. I simply followed their lead. The daily routine of shops, beach, clubbing and sleep is what pleases them rather than me. The most radical thing I’ve done all holiday is to take this morning’s tour with Bea, and my dance performance at the villa tonight. Now I must consider the consequences of my rash behaviour. I could decline the offer and return to my existing dead-end life, or I could take a huge gamble and see where it takes me.

“What does the von Herrschaft Foundation gain from all this?” I ask.

“The Baroness and her kin are born and bred dominants, and have been for generations. In ancient times they had real slaves and serfs to satisfy their desires. These days they need to be more subtle and the relationship consensual ... at least on the surface.”

“You are implying there is a darker side to the relationship,” I observe.