Chapter 10: The Maids’ Malevolence

After Claudette’s degrading ordeal beneath the gilded chair, Menace dismissed her with a cruel, taunting laugh. She watched as the former queen crawled away, her spirit shattered, and her dignity further eroded. Claudette’s humiliation seemed endless, and Menace reveled in every moment of it.

As Claudette retreated to her spartan chamber, her mind was a whirlwind of shame and despair. She had once been the proud and valiant Thunderclap Queen, a symbol of strength and leadership. Now, she was a mere shadow of her former self, a plaything for the sadistic whims of Menace and her allies.

Claudette’s chamber was a stark contrast to the opulence of Menace’s palace. It held nothing but a simple cot and a small washbasin. The room’s only window was barred, a constant reminder of her captivity.

As she sank onto the cot, Claudette couldn’t hold back the tears that flowed freely. She felt utterly defeated, her spirit crushed by the unrelenting torment she endured. The weight of her humiliation bore down on her like a suffocating blanket.

Unbeknownst to Claudette, the palace held more tormentors in the form of Menace’s loyal maids. These women, who had willingly joined Menace’s service, reveled in the degradation of the former queen. They were eager to play their part in Claudette’s humiliation.

The maids, clad in revealing uniforms, gathered outside Claudette’s chamber. Their eyes glittered with malicious anticipation as they plotted their next torment.

One of them, a tall and haughty woman named Isolde, spoke with a wicked grin. “It’s time, ladies. Our dear former queen is in need of our ‘assistance.’”

The other maids giggled, their mirth filled with cruelty. They understood the sadistic pleasure they derived from tormenting Claudette.

As they entered Claudette’s chamber, she looked up with weary eyes, her cheeks still stained with tears. The maids exchanged knowing glances, savoring the sight of her broken spirit.

Isolde stepped forward, her tone dripping with mock sympathy. “Oh, dear Claudette, we heard about your little encounter with Menace. How ... enlightening it must have been.”

Claudette’s jaw tightened, but she remained silent. She had learned that defiance only led to more torment.

The maids circled around her, their presence oppressive. They tittered and whispered, their words filled with thinly veiled mockery.

“Look at her, still thinking she’s a queen.”

“Such a pitiful sight, crawling on the floor.”

“I wonder how low she’ll sink next.”

Isolde’s cruel smile widened. “Well, Claudette, it seems you’re in need of a good bath. A queen should always be clean, after all.”

With that, the maids set to work, filling the washbasin with cold water. Claudette watched in silent dread as they approached her, their hands filled with sponges and soap.