Violin music played through the otherwise quiet halls of the manor, where Fredericka von Blau, otherwise known as the supervillainess the Azure Baroness, was having her evening practice. As in all things, she was perfectly skilled at this - her servants told her so, so it must have been true. The violin practice was one of her daily rituals, a peaceful retreat from the constant stress of villainy.

Which was why when the door creaked open and interrupted her, she was a little annoyed. The sudden creak had surprised her a little and ended her current song in a deafening discordant note, and she sighed. “Jeremiah,” she said to the butler who’d opened the door, as she carefully put her violin away and turned to face him, “If this is not important, there will be a punishment.” Actually, there probably would be one anyway. He knew that she was not to be disturbed while she was having her evening practice.

The butler seemed unfazed, bowing politely. “I shall accept whatever punishment my mistress deems fit. There was a message for you. From one… Clara Klaus?”

“And what, pray tell, could possibly be in a message from my nemesis that I’d care to hear?” The Azure Baroness contemplated what Jeremiah’s punishment would be. Maybe make him a maid. She could use a cute, doting fangirl to listen to her violin. “The Scarlet Sentinel is of no interest to me.”

“Well, that is just the thing, my lady.” Jeremiah said. “In her letter, she claimed she had rechristened herself as the ‘crimson countess’, and wished to invite you to a dinner as a fellow woman of class and status.”

Fredericka raised an eyebrow. “Oh? And what’s that about, then?” That was… intriguing. Miss Klaus had always spurned her birthright before. Had she seen the way things ought to be at last?

“Of course, I promptly did some research. Indeed, the Crimson Countess is on Hero Association files as a supervillainess much like yourself. She’s staked a claim on much of the Western side of the city, and has been rather successful at repelling both heroes seeking to detain her and villains aiming to take her territory. I believe she is genuine.”

“Hmmm…” The baroness stroked her chin, thinking. “I see. Excellent. I take it that this proposed dinner is tonight?”

“It is.” Jeremiah said. “I suspected you would wish to attend, and have prepared your clothes and had one of the others bring the limousine to the front.”

“Good work as usual, Jeremiah. However, you did still interrupt my practice. That will require a punishment. We’ll both go once it is given.”

“Of course, mistress.”

----------

As the sun set on the city, the limousine pulled into the driveway of the Crimson Countess’ manor. A maid got out of the driver’s seat and hurriedly opened the passenger door, offering a hand to the occupant.

Fredericka took the maid’s hand and allowed herself to be helped out. “Thank you, Jesamine. Come. We will not keep our hostess waiting.”

The two were greeted at the door by one of the Countess’ maids, who promptly guided them towards the dining room. As they walked, the Azure Baroness took the time to admire the mansion; it was nearly as opulent as her own, and she was quite sure that was a recent change. The hall they went down was lined with portraits of the Crimson Countess’ ancestors, ending with a life sized painting of Clara right beside the dining hall’s entrance. While the other portraits were quite old, that painting was brand new, depicting the newly made supervillainess in an extravagant red dress - if it weren’t for the name under the painting, Fredericka would never have been able to connect the noblewoman depicted to the tomboyish disappointment of a lady that Clara had once been.

The maid opened the door, and the Azure Baroness and her own maid strode in. The extravagant dining hall was, although she’d never admit it, even fancier than Fredericka’s own - a fireplace on the side of carved and engraved stone, stained glass windows, golden chandeliers and candelabras, along with rich oaken walls and flooring. It almost made Fredericka stop to admire it.

And the woman at the head of the table, flanked by a butler and a maid, was no exception - Clara Klaus looked like she’d walked out of the painting outside, her face caked in a tasteful amount of makeup, her red gown perfectly complimenting her hair, done up in long red ringlets. She was bedecked in enough golden, ruby-encrusted jewelry to buy a small house. And above all was her demeanor. The Azure Baroness had met Clara, as the Scarlet Sentinel, more than once - and she’d never had the sheer aura of haughty elegance that she had now. The Azure Baroness absolutely adored it - it was like a queen had walked right out of a medieval castle. “Welcome, Lady Blau, to my manor.” The Crimson Countess said, her voice as haughty as her expression. “Please, make yourself comfortable; dinner will be brought out shortly. I am positively delighted that you accepted my invitation.”

“I just had to see it for myself,” Fredericka replied, “The oh so high and mighty Scarlet Sentinel, finally accepting her place in the world.” she took a seat near the front of the table, having Jesamine pull out the seat for her.

“What a foolish girl I used to be,” the Countess agreed, “But I’ve learned the proper order of things. My lovely Head Maid was so insistent in her devotion, that I couldn’t help but realize that I was always meant to be served, rather than to serve others.”

“Quite intelligent, for a servant.” Azure Baroness agreed. “Most seem to be under the impression they have value beyond that of their service, until you correct them. And even then, often you have to make some adjustments after that. Right, Jesamine?”

“As always, mistress.” the maid said dutifully.

“Oh, that is the truth isn’t it? I recalled my staff after my Head Maid helped me learn the order of things, and they had the audacity to not immediately submit. I put them in their places, of course.”

As the two noblewomen chatted on, the Head Maid left her mistress’ side. She returned shortly after through the kitchen door, with a cart piled high with food and wine. The Azure Baroness sized her up - she didn’t seem like anything special for a maid, at first glance. But she seemed the perfect maid. Most times, she was quiet, fading into the background and not drawing her attention to herself - and more importantly, not drawing attention from her mistress. When she was noticeable, she was always perfectly focused on her mistress, predicting her desires and responding perfectly to any questions or orders.

As the Head Maid laid the first course before her mistress and the guest, the Azure Baroness returned her attention to the Countess. “The lands I saw on the ride to the manor were quite nice, I must say. How quaint, to allow your lessers to think they have power.” As they'd rode through the neighborhood, they'd noticed several lesser aristocrats bossing around their own staff - rather different from the running of the Azure Baroness' lands.

“Even the greatest noble cannot be everywhere at once.” The Countess said. “My subjects have the authority to act, but they have no true power and they know it. Their only power lies in foreseeing my wishes and acting to make them reality before I must do so myself.”

“If that’s how you see it,” the Azure Baroness said, waving away the explanation, “Then you must need some lessons. I control all my territory directly, and I do so well.”

“I’m certain.” The Countess said.

“Yes. I think I could offer you those lessons,” Fredericka took a sip of her wine, noting it’s excellent taste and impact. “I’ve held my power much longer than you have. I think you would make for a fine student…” The Countess smiled as Fredericka talked on and on. As she spoke, though, she found herself repeating points, losing focus. Maybe it was the alcohol? That seemed like it would make sense…

“There is some sense in what you say,” The Crimson Countess said after some time. “You do have some experience. You are quite effective in your own territory. Potentially, I might even learn some things.”

“That’s… that’s right…” Fredericka managed. Why was it so hard to think…? Everything was so fuzzy. Except for the Crimson Countess, and her voice. The taste of the wine was thick in her throat - was it drugged or something? Or did it have a spell on it?

“But you think too small. You’re content to rule what domains you hold. I won’t be satisfied until the city has submitted to my stewardship.” The Crimson Countess said. “We may yet work together. But these lands have room only for one ruler.” The Azure Baroness couldn’t think of anything anymore. It was too hard. All she could do was listen, hanging onto every word. “However… while I have no need of a partner, I may yet desire a consort...”

The words echoed in the Baroness’ head. She couldn’t be a ruler. But she could be a consort. A lover. She wanted that. She wanted that desperately. She was so focused on the beautiful, incandescent, impossibly attractive Crimson Countess that she didn’t notice the Head Maid behind her, discreetly transforming Jesamine into a maid identical to the one who had greeted them at the door. Of course, she wouldn’t care if she did - her servants were her love’s servants, and she and her Head Maid could do with them as they pleased. “Yes… yes, please… let me love you…” Fredericka said as if in a dream.

“Oh? Is that what you want?” the Countess said, a smug smirk on her face, “Then please. Tell me why I should allow it.”

“I’ve learned my place in life…” Fredericka gasped. “My place isn’t above you. It’s beneath you. It’s clinging to you arm, whispering sweet nothings.”

“That’s better. But please, continue.” The Countess waved for the Head Maid and the new lesser maid to leave, and they did. Clara and Fredericka were now alone in the room.

“Please, make me yours…” the former Azure Baroness gasped, as she fell from her chair and onto her knees. “I am worthless without you. Your thoughts are my thoughts. Your will is my will.” As she spoke, the magic took root; her words of submission and pledge of loyalty let the Crimson Countess mold her to her whims. The Azure Baroness had entered in a deep blue ballgown, but that was changing. The frills and poof slimmed down as the hemline raised itself from the ground to barely below her hips. The color started to shift, the blue giving way to purple, and showing no sign of stopping there.

“Nearly there, my dear. Just a little more.” Clara smiled, watching her once nemesis lose herself in submission. She understood the woman much better now, of course. But as she’d said - there couldn’t be two at the top.

“I give my title, my lands, to my love… I’m no longer the Azure Baroness. I’m whatever my lover desires of me.” The clothing continued to change; it had turned into a tight evening gown now, with a nice fur coat on top of it. It showed off the former Baroness’ body well, clinging to her curves - and showing exactly who she belonged to, as it shifted in shade to a bright red, and then kept on going to pink.

The Crimson Countess stood and walked over to the woman laying prostrate before her. “You may stand. I accept your devotion and loyalty,” Clara said, “And I accept you as my new consort. Your gifts have earned you a title to replace your old… instead of the Azure Baroness, you are now my Pink Paramour~”

The newly rechristened Pink Paramour leapt to her feet. “Thank you, love! Mistress! I am yours… please, use me as you please, make me yours…”

Clara smiled, as she took her newest consort by the hand. The night would be spent with wild debauchery. The morning after, she’d visit the former Baroness’ territory. With the Pink Paramour clinging to her arm and espousing her love and submission, it would be simple to annex it into her own lands. She’d have by far the most influence of any villain in the city - and a new lover in the bargain. For now, though, that new lover would be what took her attention...