Gemma has no family left and no other prospects. She accepts the position at the academy knowing the headmistress demands strict obedience in return for shelter and belonging. Odette offers the structure that steadies her even as it exposes her hunger.

Odette calls her to the oak-paneled study every evening to review the ledgers. Each error is settled with strokes from the riding crop across the desk until Gemma counts every stroke aloud. The sessions grow longer and more intimate with each passing week as the headmistress claims more of her.

Gemma could walk away from the arrangement. She returns to the desk instead.

Odette rises from her seat, riding crop in hand.