Chapter 19 — First Place

Elara squirmed in her seat, the crinkle of her soiled diaper loud in her ears despite the chatter filling the common room of House Ruby. Her cheeks burned with humiliation as she tried to sink lower into the cushioned chair, hoping to disappear from the prying eyes around her. The other first years sat rigid and silent, their own discomfort mirroring hers, while the older students’ cheers echoed off the stone walls.

The house leader’s smirk widened as she paced at the front, her sharp gaze sweeping over the group before settling on the younger students. “Come now, little ones, don’t look so glum,” she said, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. “The House Cup is your chance to shine. Or, well, waddle, in some cases.” A few snickers rippled through the room, and Elara felt her stomach twist tighter.

She clutched the armrests, trying to ignore the damp heaviness between her legs. The rune on her tummy pulsed faintly, nudging at her mind to accept this—all of this. Her eyes darted to the chalkboard as the lead tapped it with a long, manicured finger, listing off the top contenders. Quinn’s name in second place made Elara’s chest tighten further.

“And in sixth place… our little Elara,” the lead announced, drawing out her name with a teasing lilt.

The room seemed to close in as whispers and stifled giggles broke out among the older students. Elara didn’t dare turn around, but she could feel Mommy’s stare burning into her from somewhere behind.

“Not quite there yet, are we?” the lead mused aloud, tilting her head as she looked directly at Elara. “But don’t worry, pet. There’s still time to climb those ranks. Isn’t that right, caregivers?”

A murmur of agreement came from the back of the room where the caregivers sat. Elara’s heart thudded painfully. Part of her dreaded making it into the top four; competing in front of everyone for the House Cup sounded like a nightmare wrapped in shame. But another part—the part influenced by those damn runes—whispered that failing would be worse. Failing meant disappointing Mommy.

“Caregivers, make sure your charges are ready,” the lead continued, clapping her hands sharply again. “We’ve got four slots per house this year, and I expect Ruby to dominate. Understood?”

“Yes, ma’am,” came a chorus of voices, including Mommy’s low, firm tone that sent a shiver down Elara’s spine.

As the meeting dispersed into smaller conversations, Elara stayed rooted to her seat, dreading the inevitable. She heard soft footsteps approaching from behind before a familiar hand rested on her shoulder, firm but not unkind.

“Sixth place,” Mommy said quietly, her voice carrying a dangerous edge beneath its calm surface. “I thought we’d been working harder than that.”

Elara swallowed hard, keeping her eyes on her lap. “I—I’m trying,” she stammered, barely above a whisper.

“Trying isn’t enough,” Mommy replied, leaning down so her lips were near Elara’s ear. “You know what’s at stake. You felt how everyone looked at you just now. Do you want to stay down there, letting others outshine you? Letting Quinn outshine you?”

Elara flinched at the mention of Quinn’s name, shaking her head quickly. “No… I don’t.”

“Then you know what we need to do,” Mommy said, straightening up but keeping her hand on Elara’s shoulder. Her grip tightened briefly. “We’re going back to basics tonight. No arguments. You’ll learn to embrace every little step until you’re exactly where I want you, right up there with the best.”

Elara’s breath hitched as she nodded weakly, feeling the weight of expectation settle over her like a blanket she couldn’t shake off. She didn’t need to ask what “basics” meant; she already knew it would involve more of those degrading exercises designed to strip away any lingering resistance.

“Come on,” Mummy said, tugging lightly on her shoulder. “Let’s get you cleaned up first. Can’t have my girl looking like a mess while we train you to be perfect.” Her tone softened just enough to make Elara’s heart ache with a confusing mix of dread and longing for approval.

As they left the common room together, passing by clusters of students who threw curious or amused glances their way, Elara couldn’t help but wonder if climbing that leaderboard was worth what it would cost her—or if failing might somehow be even worse under Mommy’s unrelenting gaze.

The dorm room door clicked shut behind them as Mommy led her inside, the faint hum of the House Ruby common room fading into a distant murmur. The small, dimly lit space was a stark contrast to the lively chaos outside.

Without a word, Mommy scooped Elara up under her arms, lifting her effortlessly despite Elara’s half-hearted squirm of protest. Her grip was firm, almost rough, as she placed Elara down onto the padded surface of the changing table. The crinkle of the soiled diaper beneath her was deafening in the quiet room, and Elara felt her face heat up, her body instinctively shifting to escape the discomfort and the weight of Mommy’s disappointment.

“Stop moving,” Mommy snapped, her voice cutting through the silence as she grabbed Elara’s ankles and hoisted her legs up with one hand.

Before Elara could process it, Mommy’s other hand came down hard against her backside—once, twice, three times in quick succession. The sharp sting made Elara yelp, her body jerking with each strike.

“Stay still,” Mommy ordered again, her tone leaving no room for argument as she lowered Elara’s legs back onto the table.

Elara whimpered softly, biting her lip to keep from making more noise as tears pricked at her eyes. She forced herself to lie still, her hands gripping the edges of the table while Mommy’s hostility hung heavy between them. With no-nonsense movements, Mommy peeled open the tabs of the soiled diaper, the sound echoing in the quiet room as cool air hit Elara’s skin. She flinched at the exposure but didn’t dare move as Mommy grabbed a wipe from the stack nearby and began cleaning her with brisk strokes.

“What is the House Cup anyway?” Elara asked nervously, her voice small as she tried to distract herself from the humiliating position she was in.

Mommy paused mid-wipe, her hand stilling between Elara’s legs as her sharp gaze fixed on her. For a moment, there was only silence, then she spoke. “It’s a competition between the houses to see who has the most well-adapted babies.”

Elara’s cheeks burned hotter at the word ‘babies,’ her hands gesturing awkwardly toward her midsection as Mommy resumed wiping, her touch firm but not gentle. “Adapted… like…” She couldn’t finish the sentence, embarrassment choking her words.

Mommy smirked, catching her meaning instantly. “Exactly like that,” she said with a nod. “The Cup is about showing who’s taken to the rules and expectations of this school the best. Who’s learned their place. And you, my little star, are going to be number one.” She finished cleaning, tossing the used wipe aside before reaching for a fresh diaper from under the table. She unfolded it with practiced ease, sliding it beneath Elara before sprinkling powder over her skin, the scent filling the air.

“What… do you get for first place?” she asked, curiosity overriding her nerves for just a moment.

Mommy grinned, her expression turning sly as she picked up a pacifier from below the table, twirling it briefly between her fingers. “That’s for me to know and for you to find out,” she said, leaning closer until her face was inches from Elara’s. “Because you will be getting that place.” Without waiting for a response, she pressed the pacifier firmly into Elara’s mouth, pushing past any resistance until it settled between her lips.

Elara sighed through her nose but accepted it, knowing full well that arguing wasn’t an option. The rubber felt foreign yet familiar against her tongue, silencing any further questions for now. But then… something shifted. A sudden heat bloomed across her tummy where the rune on her rested, prickling along her skin like static electricity. Her eyes widened slightly as she realized what was happening—Mommy was altering it.

Mommy’s fingers traced lightly over the rune, her touch deliberate as she murmured something under her breath that sounded like an incantation. The heat intensified for a moment before settling into a dull warmth that seemed to seep into Elara’s very core. It wasn’t painful, but it was invasive—like something inside her was being rewritten.

“There we go,” Mummy said softly, pulling back to admire her work with a satisfied nod. “Just needed a little adjustment to help you focus. To help you be exactly what I need for this competition.”

Elara tried to speak around the pacifier, but only managed muffled sounds; her brows furrowed in confusion and unease. What had been changed? How much deeper would this control go? She could feel the rune’s influence already nudging at her thoughts—urging compliance even more strongly than before—but now there was something new layered beneath it. Something that made her stomach flutter with both dread and anticipation.

“Shh,” Mummy hushed her gently but firmly, taping up the fresh diaper snugly around her hips before lifting her off the table. “No more questions tonight. We’ve got work to do if you’re going to climb those ranks by tomorrow’s update.” She said, stripping Elara of her school uniform and leaving her in only her fresh diaper.

She guided Elora toward the crib without another word, setting her inside.

Elara lay in the crib, the soft bars looming over her as the dim light shadows across the room. The faint scent of baby powder lingered in the air, mixing with the musty smell of the dormitory. Her school uniform lay discarded in a neat pile on the chair where Mommy had left it.

A plush stuffed bear was pressed into her arms, its worn fur brushing against her bare skin as Mommy adjusted it beside her, tucking Elara in. She stood over the crib, her silhouette tall and imposing, fingers drumming rhythmically along the wooden rail.

“What will I do with you…” she mused aloud, her voice low and tinged with frustration. She shook her head slowly, her eyes narrowing as they studied Elara’s face. “I thought we were making such great progress.”

Elara squirmed under that gaze, her cheeks heating up as she clutched the bear tighter. The weight of disappointment in those words made her stomach twist, but before she could mumble an apology or even shift away, Mommy’s expression hardened. She lifted a hand, and with a subtle flick of her fingers, the blanket draped over Elara seemed to come alive. It moved on its own, slithering and coiling like a serpent. Elara yelped in surprise as it tightened around her body, wrapping snugly over her chest, pinning her arms to her sides, and binding her legs together. The fabric swaddling, immobilizing her with surprising strength, trapping her with the stuffed bear pressed awkwardly against her side.

“Much better,” Mommy teased, her grin wide and predatory as she leaned over the rail, her voice dripping with amusement.

Elara’s face burned hotter, her futile wiggling only making the blanket constrict more firmly. The sensation of being so utterly restrained sent a confusing rush through her—humiliation mixed with something she couldn’t quite name, excitement?

“Sleep well, my baby girl,” Mommy drawled, her tone mockingly sweet as she straightened up. She gave the rail one last tap with her fingertips, then turned on her heel, her footsteps fading as she left the room without another glance. The door clicked shut behind her, leaving Elara alone in the suffocating quiet.

Bound tightly in the enchanted blanket, Elara could barely move beyond small twitches of her fingers and toes. Her breathing came shallow and quick, each inhale pressing her chest against the unyielding fabric. The diaper felt bulkier now, its presence impossible to ignore under the confinement, while the bear’s button eyes seemed to stare at her mockingly from its spot beside her head. Her mind raced—part of her wanted to scream or fight against this helplessness, but another part, nudged by the warmth of the rune still tingling on her abdomen, urged surrender. It whispered for her to accept this, to let go.

The dim light from the hallway seeped under the door, casting long shadows across the room. Her heart thudded in her chest, the pacifier still pressed firmly between her lips, muffling any sound she might make. The silence was heavy until it was broken by the soft patter of footsteps approaching.

She glanced over as much as her restrained position allowed and saw Quinn being carried into the room by her Daddy. His broad frame filled the doorway as he held Quinn effortlessly, her legs dangling over his arm. He laid her down on the changing table with a practiced ease. Quinn’s face flushed with visible mortification as he stripped off her school uniform, peeling away the blouse and skirt to leave her bare except for the diaper. His hands moved quickly, unfastening the tabs and wiping her clean with brisk efficiency before sliding a fresh diaper beneath her and securing it snugly.

Finished, he scooped Quinn back up into his arms, one hand supporting her padded bottom as he turned and caught sight of Elara in the crib. A slow smirk spread across his face, his eyes glinting with amusement. “I bet you could use some company,” he mused aloud, stepping over to the crib. He lowered Quinn down beside Elara, settling her onto the thin mattress. “Why don’t you cuddle your baby sister?” he said to Quinn, ruffling her hair with a rough but playful touch. “I’m sure she could use it.”

With that, he turned and strode out of the room, shutting the door behind him with a soft click. The light flicked off, plunging the room into near darkness save for a sliver of moonlight creeping through the small window.

Quinn let out a long sigh, one arm crossing over her bare chest. She glanced down at Elara, whose face—due to their positioning—was uncomfortably close to Quinn’s diapered crotch. The heat of embarrassment radiated from both of them.

“How are you doing?” Quinn asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper in the dark.

Elara tried to shrug, but the tight blanket made it impossible. She turned her head slightly, looking away from Quinn’s proximity, feeling the flush creep up her neck.

“Yeah… I can imagine,” Quinn murmured with a hint of sympathy. She shifted carefully, lying down beside Elara on the narrow crib mattress.

Her arm reached out hesitantly at first, then more confidently as she pulled Elara close, spooning her from behind. The warmth of Quinn’s bare skin against Elara’s felt oddly comforting despite everything. Elara relaxed into it, letting herself be held, nuzzling slightly into the closeness as they lay together in the shadowed stillness.

They stayed quiet for a while, the only sound being their soft breathing, which mingled in the confined space. Then Quinn’s voice broke through again, low and tinged with shame. “I’m sorry…” she whispered. Elara tilted her head slightly, unsure of what she meant until Quinn continued. “The rune’s making me feel odd…” Her tone carried deep embarrassment. “I… damn it, you nursing that pacifier is really hot with this rune, and I want nothing more than to replace it with my tit and praise you while you nurse… then coax you into wetting yourself.”

Elara’s face burned fiercely at the confession, a deep blush spreading across her cheeks even in the darkness. She felt Quinn’s embrace tighten around her, pulling her even closer as if afraid of letting go after such raw honesty.

“Does that make me a horrible person?” Quinn asked quietly, vulnerability lacing every word.

Elara shook her head as best she could within the confines of the blanket. The gesture was small but firm, she didn’t judge Quinn for this. Not when they were both trapped under the same manipulative magic.

Quinn let out a relieved breath, some tension easing from her hold. “Thanks… I know it’s not me… It’s them. But it’s impossible to tell where their influence ends and my own thoughts begin.” She paused, then added with an amused smirk, Elara could hear more than see. “But I do know one thing.” Leaning in, she pressed a soft kiss to Elara’s cheek. “You are cute.”

Elara let out a muffled giggle around the pacifier. She nuzzled closer into Quinn’s warmth, finding solace in their shared predicament. The weight of everything—the runes, the competition, the humiliation—seemed just a little lighter with someone else who understood.

Together, they drifted off to sleep. The darkness cocooned them, offering at least temporary respite from whatever challenges awaited when morning came.