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

But Matilda was the matron of this flock, she wouldn't be outdone by someone she took under her wings. Finally, Matilda spoke, her voice equally low and controlled. "In as much as I feel betrayed, Mara, I respect one thing – the love that Zafron has for both of us." She let out a small, bitter laugh. There was more bitterness in her laughter than the joke in it.

"We can deny it all day long, but Zafron cares about us equally."

Mara's eyebrows rose slightly, surprised by this admission. It was something she herself knew. Zafron was stuck between either of them and wouldn't pick one. At the same time neither of them were willing to give him up for the other.

Matilda continued, her words carefully chosen. "With that said, I won't try to force or change anything. You may remain under my roof, as long as Zafron's interest in you remains." Her eyes hardened. That seemed quite counterintuitive. Aiding Mara to get closer to Zafron, surely that was not the smartest thing to do. But Matilda had her reasons.

"But the moment Zafron begins to show any hint of moving on from you, I will show you the curb."

She took a deep breath, her next words seemingly difficult to say. "For now, I won't do anything to hurt Zafron, which means, making sure you are safe and sound. It wouldn't make sense to you of course. The sacrifice that I'm willing to undergo just to make sure he is happy. Because, you may not know, but he does everything to make me....HAPPY," Matilda said the last part with a suggestive tone.

Already Mara accepted that she couldn't stop that from occuring. So it didn't hurt that much hearing or confirming her suspicions. They stood looking at each other without a word said.

The silence that followed was heavy with the weight of their shared understanding. Both women knew that this arrangement was fragile, balanced on the affections of the man they both loved.

Mara stepped even closer to Matilda, her eyes locked on the taller woman's. Despite the height difference, there was no mistaking the challenge in Mara's gaze. "May the best woman emerge from this as the winner," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Her next words were filled with fierce determination. "But Matilda, you best believe, I will do anything to make sure Zafron sees only me and me alone."

To Mara's surprise, Matilda's lips curled into a small smile. She winked, a gesture so unexpected it momentarily threw Mara off balance. "It's a welcomed challenge," Matilda replied, her voice equally soft but laced with steel.

The two women stood there, mere inches apart, each assessing the other. The tension could easily be felt if one was in the room, a silent battle of wills raging between them. Neither was willing to back down, both ready to fight for Zafron's affections with every weapon at their disposal.

Mara was the first to break the standoff, taking a small step back. "I suppose we have an understanding then," she said, her voice regaining some of its normal tone.

Matilda nodded, her posture relaxing slightly. "It seems we do." She said this raising her head high above Mara, she had to reset back to the noble standards after coming out of what she felt was no less dirtier than a pigsty.

For a moment, an almost companionable silence fell between them. They were adversaries, yes, but there was also a newfound respect. They had seen each other's true faces, laid bare their deepest desires and fears.

"You know," Matilda said, breaking the silence, "in another life, we might have been really good friends. You go for what you want, I do the same,"

Mara couldn't help but let out a small, surprised laugh. "Perhaps," she conceded. "But in this life, we're rivals."

Matilda's eyes glinted with something that might have been amusement. "Indeed we are. And make no mistake, Mara, I won't make it easy for you."

"Would be an insult if you did. I wouldn't expect anything less," Mara replied, a hint of a challenge in her voice.

As they both stood there, the sound of footsteps on the stairs broke through their intense exchange. Both women turned to see Zafron ascending, concern etched on his handsome features.

"Is everything alright?" he asked, his eyes darting between Matilda and Mara. "I heard raised voices."

Matilda was the first to respond, her voice smooth and controlled. "Everything's fine, Zafron. Mara and I were just having a... discussion. You know, women matters?"

Mara nodded in agreement, her face a mask of innocence. "Nothing to worry about," she added, offering Zafron a warm smile.

Zafron looked unconvinced, his brow furrowed as he studied both women. "Are you sure? You both seem... tense."

"Perfectly sure," Matilda said, reaching out to pat Zafron's arm reassuringly. "Why don't you go back downstairs? I'll be down in a moment to join you. I just remembered there's this funny thing I need to tell you," she said with a small laughter.

Mara stepped forward, her hand brushing against Zafron's other arm. "And I'll bring some tea for us all in a little while," she offered, her voice sweet while eyeing Matilda.

Zafron's gaze lingered on each of them for a moment longer before he nodded slowly. "If you're certain..." he said, still sounding doubtful. But he turned and made his way back down the stairs, leaving Matilda and Mara alone once more.

'I do not understand women. Weren't they arguing moments ago?' Zafron shook his head as he descended down the stairs.

'And Mara, wasn't she red like the sun since she got home? Why are they acting so strange now?'

As his footsteps faded, the two women turned back to face each other. The sweet smiles they had worn for Zafron's benefit melted away, replaced by determined expressions.

"Let the games begin," Matilda murmured, her voice low and challenging.

Mara's eyes glinted in response. "May the best woman win," she replied, her tone equally competitive.