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

Chapter 22: Gustavo

The sun had long since set by the time Mara bid farewell to Zafron. The journey back to the mansion was shrouded in darkness, the moon hidden behind a veil of clouds. Mara's steps were quick and light as she made her way through the silent grounds, her heart still light from the day's adventures.

As she approached the servants' entrance, Mara paused, listening intently for any sign of movement within. Hearing nothing, she carefully eased the door open and slipped inside. The familiar corridors of the mansion stretched before her, shadows dancing in the flickering light of the wall sconces.

Mara's room was on the far side of the servants' quarters. She would need to traverse nearly the entire length of the mansion to reach it. Taking a deep breath, she began to make her way through the darkened halls, her footsteps muffled by the plush carpets.

She had almost made it to her room when it happened. A strong hand grasped her shoulder, spinning her around. Mara's heart leapt into her throat, a scream threatening to escape her lips.

"And where might you be coming from at this hour?" a deep, gravelly voice asked.

Mara found herself face to face with Gustavo, the man who had accompanied Lord Blackthorn on his travels. He was the only male worker in the entire mansion, a fact that had always struck Mara as odd. In the dim light, his features seemed even more severe than usual, his dark eyes glinting with suspicion.

"I... I was just..." Mara stuttered, her earlier confidence evaporating under Gustavo's intense gaze. She could feel herself trembling, her hands growing clammy with fear.

Gustavo's grip on her shoulder tightened. "Just what?" he pressed, leaning in closer. "Sneaking about in the dead of night?"

Mara swallowed hard, desperately trying to find her voice. Everyone in the mansion knew Gustavo, and everyone avoided him like the plague. He was a intimidating presence, always lurking in the shadows, his loyalty seemingly split between Madame Matilda and Lord Blackthorn himself.

"I was... checking on the grounds," Mara managed to say, the lie tasting bitter on her tongue. "Madame Matilda asked me to... to make sure everything was secure."

Gustavo's eyes narrowed, clearly not believing her story. "Is that so?" he said, his voice low and dangerous. "And why would Madame Matilda send a mere maid to do such an important task?"

Mara felt her knees grow weak. She had never been this close to Gustavo before, had never had to interact with him directly. Now she understood why the other servants went out of their way to avoid him. There was something deeply unsettling about the man, an aura of menace that seemed to radiate from him.

"I... I don't know," Mara whispered, her voice barely audible. "She just asked me to do it."

For a long moment, Gustavo said nothing, simply staring at her with those piercing eyes. Mara felt as though he could see right through her, could read every secret thought in her mind.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Gustavo released his grip on her shoulder. "Very well," he said, his tone making it clear that he didn't believe her for a second. "But know this, girl. The night holds many dangers, especially for those who wander where they shouldn't. It would be... unfortunate if anything were to happen to you."

The threat in his words was unmistakable. Mara nodded quickly, not trusting herself to speak.

"Run along now," Gustavo said, gesturing dismissively.

Mara didn't need to be told twice. She turned and hurried down the corridor, her heart pounding in her chest. She could feel Gustavo's eyes on her back until she turned the corner and was out of sight.

Once safely in her room, Mara leaned against the door, her legs finally giving out as she slid to the floor. Her encounter with Gustavo replayed in her mind, each detail more terrifying than the last.

What had she gotten herself into? The day with Zafron seemed like a distant dream now.

The events of the day weighed heavily on her mind, but as she began to undress, her thoughts drifted to Zafron.

A small smile played on her lips as she remembered their time together. She bit her lower lip gently, savoring each memory like a precious jewel. The warmth of his touch, the intensity of his gaze, the sound of his laughter - every moment replayed in her mind with vivid clarity.

Slowly, she slipped off her dress, letting it pool at her feet. As she made her way to the bathroom, her smile grew wider. The cool air on her skin reminded her of Zafron's gentle caress, sending a pleasant shiver down her spine.

Mara turned on the tap, watching as steaming water began to fill the tub. 'What have I gotten myself into?' she wondered, her smile fading slightly. The day with Zafron now seemed like a distant dream, overshadowed by the reality of her situation.

As she lowered herself into the warm water, Mara's mind raced. The mystery surrounding Zafron's exile was clearly deeper and more dangerous than she had ever imagined. And now, it seemed, she was caught right in the middle of it.

Closing her eyes, Mara tried to relax in the soothing warmth of the bath. Tomorrow was yet another day of hard work, and she needed to be prepared. But as she lay there, surrounded by the gentle lapping of water, she couldn't help but wonder what new challenges - and perhaps opportunities - the new day might bring.