I, the slave boy, awaken with the most potent seed!!

Matilda's mind raced, trying to make sense of this sudden outburst. Her voice trembled as she spoke, "What is this sudden change and anger towards me all about? Do you miss your family? Do you want to return to Astoria?" Her eyes searched Mara's face desperately. "Or is it something else? Money?

I've never been late with your payment, so what is the matter?"

Mara turned to look at Matilda and then let out another laughter. Her laugh was so biitter as it cut through the tense air between them. "None of those things mean anything to me. Money or whatever you thought it was." Her eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint in them. "Earlier this morning, you thought you were so wise, sending me to the market just so you could have time alone with Zafron."

The words hung in the air, heavy with implication. All along she thought it was something else, something bad that may have happened to her at the market. Now, Matilda's apprehension suddenly fell away, now replaced by a flicker of amusement. Her lips curved into a small, knowing smile.

"So this is it?" Matilda asked, her voice tinged with disbelief. "A budding affection for Zafron is what's pulling your hair out?"

Mara's cheeks flushed, but her gaze remained steady. Matilda, emboldened by this revelation, straightened her posture. Her voice took on a challenging tone. "What business is it of yours to talk about my personal life?"

Mara stared back, defiance blazing in her eyes. "Anything involving Zafron involves me too."

The words hung between them, a gauntlet thrown. Mara continued, her voice rising with each word. "By the gods, you had a home with Blackthorn and abandoned it to be with Zafron, a slaveboy you bought to meet your twisted needs." She leaned in closer, her breath hot on Matilda's face. "You don't love Zafron like I do. To you, he's an object, but I love him wholly, even from the very first day."

Matilda's eyes widened, shock and anger warring on her face. "You know nothing about love," she spat back. "Zafron is the reason I left my life back home, left everything behind to be with him." Her voice softened, a hint of vulnerability creeping in. "I'd do anything for Zafron."

Mara's lips curled into a smile, cold and challenging. "And I too would do anything for him."

Both women stared at each other, chests heaving from their heated exchange. The air between them crackled with tension, neither willing to back down.

Matilda was the first to break the silence. "You're just a child," she said, her voice low and dangerous. "You don't understand the complexities of adult relationships. What you feel for Zafron is nothing more than a schoolgirl crush."

Mara's eyes flashed with anger. "I'm not a child," she hissed. "I'm a woman grown, capable of deep and true love. Something you wouldn't understand, given how you acquired Zafron."

Matilda flinched as if struck. "You have no idea what you're talking about. My relationship with Zafron is built on mutual respect and love."

"Respect?" Mara scoffed. "How can there be respect when you bought him like cattle?"

The words hung in the air, sharp and cutting. Matilda's face paled, then flushed with anger. "I saved him," she said through gritted teeth. "I gave him a better life."

"You gave him a gilded cage," Mara retorted. "Just like mine."

For a moment, silence reigned. Both women glared at each other, years of unspoken tension finally bubbling to the surface.

Matilda took a deep breath, visibly trying to regain her composure. "This discussion is over," she said, her voice cold. "You will remember your place, Mara. I am your mistress, and you will show me the respect I deserve."

Mara's laugh was hollow. "Respect is earned, not demanded," she said. "And you, Mistress, have lost mine."

Mara's eyes blazed with a fierce determination as she took a step away from Matilda. Her voice was low, almost a whisper, but sharp enough to cut through the tension-filled air. Her eyes locked on Matilda like a shark that had honed in on a prey. This Mara was different, scary different.

"You know, I understand now," Mara said, her words deliberate and measured. "You see me as competition. That's why you sent me to the market today with not enough Thalen to ride back home. You wanted me lost, wandering, struggling. That's why I had to walk all the way back."

Matilda's eyes widened slightly, a flicker of guilt passing across her face before she schooled her features back into neutrality. The girl was right and she knew. Earlier that day while riding back from meeting Malachi Vex, she cooked up the plan. Knowing Mara and knowing her trust in Matilda's judgment, she knew that Mara would never suspect her plan was to delay her for as much as possible.

During all their commutes where she settled the driver, Mara was always busy trying to do something else, like get the luggages and even when Mara paid attention when the mistress was paying, she never knew the exact amount a trip costs because the mistress regularly tipped people and not bother collecting her change.

Using this knowledge to her advantage, she knew she could get Mara to be out of the house long enough to do what she wanted to do with Zafron. While it was cruel, she felt it was necessary.

Mara continued, her voice gaining strength. "But I forgive you for that. We're both desperate to have Zafron, aren't we? We're more alike than you'd care to admit."

She paused, letting the words sink in before delivering her next statement. "But let me make one thing clear, Matilda. While in Astoria, under the Blackthorn mansion, you were my mistress. But here?" Mara's eyes glinted dangerously. "Here, you are not."

Matilda opened her mouth to speak, but Mara held up a hand, silencing her. "Don't misunderstand me. I'll still serve, aid in the house, make sure life is comfortable. But not for you." A soft smile played on her lips. "For my sweet, precious Zafron."

The two women stood facing each other, the air between them charged with unspoken challenges and barely contained emotions. Matilda's face was a mask of conflicting feelings – anger, respect, and a hint of fear. Mara was slowly stepping up, taking her chance by the horn. But of course it was expected. It was only soon before the little bird grew wings anyways and learned to fly.

Mara was taking off right in front of her.