The Ruby Of Femininity Ch. 02

But he's... a man. Isabelle should know better, really. And more... servile.

But I try to stay open-minded. I've had my epiphany, but that doesn't make it hers. I can just sit here, chill, and enjoy this time with them.

My gaze lingers on each member of the family in turn, studying them closely. Some of it is just everyday curiosity; after all, it's been a while since I've seen Emily and Liam, and they've grown up so much. They're adults now, which makes me feel old. I'm younger than Isabelle, but not by that much, Jesus.

But part of my analysis is driven by something else. Something... insidious.

It's the same seed I felt earlier, in the lobby. Best to keep it buried.

"Vivian, I hope you know that you can always talk to me," Isabelle says softly, her tone delicate yet probing. "The changes you're going through... they're pretty radical. I just want to make sure you're okay, that this is truly what you want."

I have to stifle a laugh at the irony of it all. Here I am, the Ruby of Femininity proudly displayed on my chest, a symbol of my total surrender to my rightful place as a meek, submissive wife - and dear, sweet Isabelle is worried about my well-being.

She should be worried about hers. Aunt Adelaide's Ruby, and Howard too, have given me clarity of purpose, coherence of will. They've given me simplicity, certainty, security. She's the one who's still lost at sea.

But she means well, so I keep the private joke to myself, and respond with a graceful smile.

"I appreciate your concern, Isabelle," I reply, my voice warm and sincere. "But I assure you, I've never been happier. So, Emily!" I say with a warm smile, turning towards Isabelle's eldest daughter to divert the conversation away from my life choicec. "Your mother tells me you're quite the rising star in your university's athletic program. What sport are you focusing on these days?"

Emily grins, her eyes lighting up with passion. "I'm on the track team! It's a lot of hard work."

That's going to give her amazing legs for men to look at, I think to myself. Not that it matters. She's quite openly a lesbian. What a waste.

I can't help but wonder... would she be happier if she embraced her true feminine nature? If she learned to submit to a strong man who could guide and protect her. Surely that's the case for all women.

"And what about you, Liam?"

Liam smiles bashfully, a hint of color rising in his cheeks. "Engineering," he says, before shoving more roast chicken into his mouth.

Not as talkative as his sister, then. He takes after his father. To anyone who doesn't know his kind and loving self, Thomas looks like the capable, strong, silent type. They both could use to be more assertive, frankly. And Isabelle really should support Thomas more.

He's a bit like Howard. The kind of man who deserves a meek, obedient wife. A woman who would be content to stay at home, caring for the family, supporting her husband. A woman like... me.

By themselves, my hands go to the ruby. It's just my imagination, but now that I know what it's for... I sometimes think I can feel it radiating energy. Heat. Change.

Truth.

I watch Isabelle's eyes. The motion of my fingers has caught her gaze, and now, she's staring at the necklace as if she's seeing it for the first time.

She knows, I think for a second, but that's obviously not the case. It's just a primitive shudder, an instinctual pulse from my lizard brain. The ruby seems to warm under my touch.

Is it... working on her? On everyone at the table?

I frown. I didn't bring it here with the explicit intention to influence anybody. Howard and I agreed that there wasn't really any real risk. The necklace was in our presence for quite some time before we started truly changing, and it took even longer for us to realise it was the source. A couple hours of exposure aren't going to straighten up Isabelle.

But.

There's a reason the conversation turned so serious when I suggested bringing it. There's a reason that I feel this seed of an alluring idea, at the back of my mind. At least part of me is... is...

Picturing Isabelle on her knees before Thomas, those pretty lips stretched around his cock as he fucks her face. I imagine her doing just what I've done today, resigning, accepting her confinement to an environment more suited to her feminine talents - this lovely home. No more long hours at the office, no more worries about mentoring young women starting their careers. Just...

Domesticity.

I shake my head, dispersing the intrusive thoughts. Focus, Vivian. I'm here to reassure Isabelle, not... not whatever my subconscious was just conjuring up.

"That ruby necklace is stunning, Vivian," Isabelle remarks, her gaze still lingering on the glinting stone at my throat. "Is it new? I don't think I've seen you wear it before."

I smile, my fingers absently toying with the pendant. "It's a family heirloom, actually. Passed down through generations of Montgomery women. My great-aunt Adelaide left it to me in her will."

Isabelle nods, a hint of understanding in her eyes. "That's lovely. It must be very special to you."

"It is," I agree softly. More than you know, I add silently.

The ruby seems to pulse with warmth against my skin, as if responding to my thoughts. I wonder, not for the first time, about the extent of its power.

I wonder how long it would take for the ruby to change Isabelle's family the way it has changed Howard and me.

I glance around the table again, taking in the Whitaker family. They're all so... content. Happy in their roles, their dynamics. And yet, a part of me can't help but think how much better it could be. How much more fulfilled they would be if they just embraced their true natures.

If Isabelle submitted to Thomas' authority, learned her proper place...

If Emily let go of her misguided lesbian delusions and accepted a strong man's guidance...

If Liam asserted himself more... he has a girlfriend, I seem to recall Isabelle telling me, a long-distance relationship. He should force her to come here crawling. He should make her quit university. Claim her as his breeder pet.

I take a deep breath, trying to center myself. It makes me a little uneasy, this train of thought, fascinating as it is. I could never betray Isabelle's trust like that. She's my friend. She's invited me here because she's worried for me.

To purposely manipulate her using the ruby's power would be a terrible betrayal.

What if...?

The question echoes in my mind like an ominous gong.

What if I just... experimented? Just a little bit? What's the harm in that? It's not like I'm going to do anything drastic. I just want a brief glimpse into what could be.

I need to find an excuse to spend more time around Isabelle, to be close to her. To... observe. Yes, that's it. Just observation. I'm not doing anything wrong. It's just... curiosity.

An idea forms in my mind, and I decide to go with it. Isabelle clearly sees herself as some kind of mother hen, a protector above all. That's the lever I should pull.

Clearing my throat, I address her, trying to sound casual.

"Isabelle, I was thinking," I begin, my voice carefully neutral. "This, your lovely company, it's really good for me. I think you're right, I've just gone through a big change and I shouldn't downplay it."

Isabelle sits a little straighter, paying rapt attention to my words.

"I hate to ask..." I say, artfully averting my eyes to feign embarrassment. "But I could really use a friend to lean on. Do you think it would be okay if we made this a semi-regular thing? I come over sometimes, so we can chat, maybe cook something together?"

I unleash my most innocent smile, echoing her words back at her.

"Just to touch base."

Isabelle's eyes soften, her expression warm with affection and concern. "Oh Vivian, of course! Of course, you're welcome anytime. It'll be so much fun having you around more often!"

I feel a thrill of excitement, a strange, sinister feeling bubbling up inside me. "Great," I say, trying to keep my voice steady. "It'll be so cool!"

As the dinner conversation flows around me, my mind drifts. Because it would be so cool to see the ruby start to affect her, the way it did me. Gently introduce the concepts of wifely obedience, domestic bliss, proper feminine deference to the husband's authority.

It would, indeed, be so cool to see her will slowly eroded, until she's kneeling at Thomas' feet, perhaps under this very table, safely tucked away out of sight... performing duties that don't require any kind of social interaction, because all she needs to do is use her mouth for what it was made for...

Meekness would suit her so much.

God. Surreptitiously, I press my thighs together, seeking delicious friction.

Maybe this is not just a little experiment I have in mind, after all. Maybe I really do want to do this, friendship or not. And if that's really what I want, well...

There's only one logical thing left to do.

"Hey, Isabelle, by the way! You were asking me about this earlier," I say, unfastening the ruby from my throat. "What do you think of this necklace?"

TO BE CONTINUED

AUTHOR'S NOTE: More chapters of THE RUBY OF FEMININITY are already available on my Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/alectashadow
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