Chapter 74: The meeting…

As the morning sun filtered through the windows, Lady Matilda descended the staircase with an air of elegance. Her blonde hair cascaded in soft waves, framing her face perfectly. She wore a form-fitting emerald dress that accentuated her curves, paired with delicate gold jewelry that caught the light with each step. S~eaʀᴄh the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.Zafron's breath caught in his throat as he watched her approach. 'By the gods,' he thought, 'she's stunning.'

"Well?" Matilda asked, a hint of playfulness in her voice. "How do I look?"

Zafron stepped forward, his eyes taking in every detail. "You look... breathtaking," he said softly. He reached out, gently tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Absolutely beautiful."

Matilda's cheeks flushed slightly at his touch. From the corner of his eye, Zafron noticed Mara's jaw tighten, her hands clenching at her sides.

Turning to Mara, Matilda asked, "And what do you think, Mara? Is this suitable for a meeting at the Drakoria Grand Hotel?"

Mara's response was curt, her tone flat. "It's fine, my lady. I'm sure you'll make quite an impression."

If Matilda noticed the edge in Mara's voice, she didn't show it. Instead, she smiled brightly. "Well then, I suppose I should be off. Wish me luck, dears."

As she reached for the door, Zafron caught her hand. "Be careful," he said, his voice low with concern. "We'll be here if you need us."

Matilda squeezed his hand reassuringly. "I will. Don't worry too much." With a final smile, she stepped out into the bustling streets of Drakoria.

The moment the door closed, Zafron turned to find Mara storming towards the kitchen, her posture rigid with barely contained anger. He sighed, knowing he needed to address this tension. 'This isn't going to be easy,' he thought, following her.

Meanwhile, outside, Matilda made her way through the crowded streets, her eyes scanning for a suitable transport. She soon spotted one of Drakoria's unique vehicles – a sleek, hovering carriage powered by arcane energy.

As she settled into the plush seat, her thoughts drifted to Zafron. 'He's become such an integral part of my life so quickly,' she mused. A fond smile played on her lips as she recalled his gentle touch, the way his eyes had widened at the sight of her.

'It's almost amusing,' she thought, 'how Mara seems to view me as competition. My own maid, vying for Zafron's attention.' Matilda couldn't blame her, though. Zafron was undeniably attractive, his charm only enhanced by the air of mystery that surrounded him.

'He's changed since his brush with death,' she reflected. 'There's a new intensity about him, a depth that wasn't there before. It's... intriguing.'

As the carriage glided smoothly through the city, Matilda's thoughts shifted to the task at hand. Malachi Vex. The name alone sent a chill down her spine.

'I haven't told Zafron everything about Malachi,' she admitted to herself. 'But how could I? The truth is too dangerous, too complicated.' She knew Malachi was not a man to be trifled with. His power and influence ran deep in Drakoria's underbelly.

'If he's reached out personally, requesting a discreet meeting, I can't afford to refuse,' she reasoned. 'Some men don't take no for an answer, and Malachi Vex is certainly one of them.'

Back at the house, Zafron found Mara aggressively chopping vegetables in the kitchen, each slice of the knife punctuating her frustration.

"Mara," he began cautiously, "can we talk?"

She didn't look up from her task. "About what? How wonderful Lady Matilda looked? How you couldn't take your eyes off her?"

Zafron sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Mara, please. This situation... it's complicated."

Mara set down the knife, finally meeting his gaze. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "Complicated? Is that what you call it when you're in love with two women?"

Her words hit Zafron like a physical blow. 'In love with two women,' he thought. 'Is that what this is?'

"Mara, I care about you both," he said softly. "I never meant to hurt either of you."

Mara's laugh was bitter. "And yet, here we are. Tell me, Zafron, how do you think this ends? With all of us living happily ever after?"

Zafron stepped closer, his heart aching at the pain in her voice. "I don't know how it ends. But I do know that right now, we need to trust each other. Matilda included."

Mara's shoulders sagged, the fight seeming to drain out of her. "I just... I can't bear the thought of losing you to her."

Zafron gently cupped her face, his thumb wiping away a tear that had escaped. "You're not losing me, Mara. I promise."

As they stood there, the air heavy with unspoken emotions, Zafron couldn't help but wonder how they would navigate this complex web of feelings and loyalties.

Meanwhile, Matilda's carriage pulled up to the grand facade of the Drakoria Grand Hotel. As she stepped out, she took a deep breath, steeling herself for whatever lay ahead.

'Whatever Malachi knows,' she thought, her resolve strengthening, 'I'll find out. For Zafron's sake, for all our sakes.'

With a final glance back at the bustling street, Matilda strode into the hotel, her head held high. The ornate key felt heavy in her hand, a tangible reminder of the secrets and dangers that awaited her.

As she approached the front desk, a well-dressed concierge looked up, his eyes widening slightly in recognition. "Lady Matilda," he said, his voice low and respectful. "We've been expecting you. Please, allow me to escort you to your... appointment."

Matilda nodded, following the man to a discrete elevator at the back of the lobby. As the doors closed and they began to ascend, she couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding.

'Whatever happens,' she thought, her hand unconsciously reaching for the pendant Zafron had given her, 'I'll protect them. Both of them. No matter the cost.'

The elevator chimed softly as it reached its destination. As the doors slid open, Matilda took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders. She stepped out into a dimly lit corridor, her heart pounding in her chest.

At the end of the hallway, a single door stood slightly ajar. From within, she could hear the soft strains of classical music. Matilda approached slowly, her every sense on high alert.

As she reached for the door handle, a familiar voice called out from inside. "Come in, my dear. We have much to discuss."

Matilda pushed the door open, her eyes adjusting to the low light within. There, seated in a high-backed chair, a glass of wine in hand, was Malachi Vex. His violet eyes gleamed with an unreadable emotion as he regarded her.

"Welcome, Lady Matilda," he said, gesturing to the seat across from him. "I trust you're ready to learn the truth about your young friend... and the storm that's about to break over all our heads."