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

As Zafron stumbled through the doorway, Mara and Matilda quickly moved to support him, each taking an arm to help him inside.

They guided him carefully, noting with concern that while his wounds were still open, the bleeding had mysteriously stopped.

They gently lowered him onto the couch in the living room. Zafron winced as he settled back, his body protesting every movement. Matilda, her face etched with worry, turned to her sister. "Mara, go get the treatment kits from my room. Hurry!"

Mara nodded and dashed off, her footsteps echoing through the house. Matilda knelt beside Zafron, her eyes scanning his injuries. "What happened?" she asked softly, trying to keep her voice calm despite her growing alarm.

Zafron's voice was weak and raspy as he managed to reply, "I... I was robbed."

He attempted to sit up, but Matilda gently pressed him back. "No, don't move," she instructed firmly. "Just rest. We'll get you treated."

Moments later, Mara reappeared, breathless, clutching the medicine kit. Matilda took it from her with a grateful nod and began sorting through its contents. Her hands moved with the assurance of someone with medical knowledge knowing fully well she didn't have an ounce of knowledge.

But right now getting an alchemist at this hour would be like finding a 2024 micheal Jackson album, it simply didn't exist. She got to work, quickly finding what she needed.

She pulled out a small pill and offered it to Zafron. "Here, take this," she said. "It'll help with your mental state."

Zafron accepted the pill without question, trusting his partners implicitly. As he swallowed it, he could already feel a wave of weakness washing over him. His eyelids grew heavy, and the room began to blur around the edges.

He realized dimly that the medicine was designed to sedate him, likely to ease his pain and allow them to treat his wounds without resistance.

As he fought to stay conscious, Zafron watched the women working over him. Even as they looked worried and scared, there was a concentration about them as they cleaned and dressed his injuries.

***

The next morning at Beaumont's mansion, Cassandra was seen walking through the walls of the mansion, her elegance matching the grandeur of her surroundings. She was a vision in gold, her gown shimmering with each step.

The bodice, embroidered with several handmade golden threads, hugged her figure before flowing into a cascading skirt that whispered against the marble floors. Delicate golden leaves adorned her upswept hair, and a matching necklace graced her slender neck.

Despite her regal appearance, worry creased Cassandra's brow as her eyes darted from window to window, searching for any sign of Zafron.

Her mind raced with possibilities. 'Where could he be?' she thought, her heart quickening. 'He's never late. Not for something like this.'

An uneasy feeling settled in the pit of her stomach. Something wasn't right. Zafron's punctuality was legendary, and his absence spoke volumes. A nagging voice in the back of her mind whispered that something terrible might have befallen him.

'I think I need to go check up on him.' she thought.

As Cassandra's anxiety mounted, the sound of heavy footsteps drew her attention. Her uncle descended the grand staircase, his own attire equally resplendent. His eyes lit up as he caught sight of his niece.

Her Uncle looked at her with approval, his eyes taking in her readiness. "My dear Cassandra, look at you, all set on time. That's a pleasant surprise," he said with a hint of a smirk. "I believe it's time for us to leave for the ceremony."

Cassandra hesitated, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her dress. A flicker of uncertainty crossed her face. "Uncle, I... I think you should go ahead without me."

His brow furrowed. "What's wrong? Is everything okay?"

She avoided his gaze. "Everything's fine. I just have something I need to check out. It won't take long."

Her Uncle's posture stiffened, concern evident in his voice. "I'll come with you. You seem rather troubled. I'm sure whatever it is my presence might prove more useful than you might imagine,"

"No," Cassandra said firmly, finally meeting his eyes. "I appreciate it, but I'll be fine on my own. Trust me on this."

He studied her face for a moment, clearly torn between concern and respecting her wishes.

Finally, he let out a small sigh. "Alright. But Cassandra, make sure you're back on time. You remember our discussion last night, right? It's important you are at the ceremony," Uncle Harold pressed.

Cassandra's shoulders slumped slightly as she nodded. "Of course,I remember. Don't worry, I'll be there."

Her Uncle reached out and squeezed her hand gently. "Be careful, okay?"

With a quick nod, Cassandra made her way out of the mansion. She walked past the ornate cart prepared for their journey to the party.

Instead, she made her way to a simpler vehicle parked nearby. As she climbed in, her mind was already racing, focused on her destination; where else? Zafron's house.

As the cart Cassandra entered flew through the streets of Drakoria, her mind raced with worry.

'Where could he be?' she thought, her brow furrowing. 'Did he simply get lost? As adorable as he is, he is pretty dense...and...and adorable...and sweet...and funny....and handsome...and...and... focus Cassie. You should be worried about him not drooling over what a fine specimen your guard is. Oh please be fine, Zafron,' she thought as she grabbed the hem of her gown in anxious wait.

She glanced up at the sky, noting the sun's position. It was already fully above the horizon, its golden rays bathing the city in warm light. He was supposed to have arrived before dawn, yet there was still no sign of him.

Cassandra's eyes darted from alley to alley, scanning the faces of passersby. Perhaps she'd catch a glimpse of him making his way to their mansion, but each unfamiliar face only deepened her concern.

As the cart approached Zafron's house, her heart began to pound harder. She practically leapt from the vehicle before it came to a full stop, rushing to the door with urgency in her steps in as much as she tried to keep the last of her dignity.

Her knuckles rapped against the solid wood once, twice, three times. Silence greeted her.

"Hello?" she called out, her voice tinged with desperation. "Is anyone home?"

As the seconds ticked by with no response, a new worry began to creep into her mind. What if they weren't home?

As Cassandra's fist met the door once again, it suddenly swung open. Mara stood in the doorway, her expression morphing from annoyance to surprise when she saw Cassandra.

A moment of silence hung between them before Cassandra spoke. "Good morning."

"Good morning, how may I help you?" Mara asked, her tone guarded.

Cassandra tried to peer past her into the house. "Is Zafron around?"

Instead of answering, Mara's eyes narrowed slightly. "Who are you exactly?"

Cassandra straightened, realizing her oversight. "I'm Cassandra, Zafron's employer. I came to check on him because he didn't show up for work today."

Mara's shoulders slumped as she let out a heavy sigh. Her eyes, tinged with worry, met Cassandra's. "Something happened last night. Zafron isn't awake yet, but..."

She paused, then stepped aside, opening the door wider. "You'd better come in. I'll tell you everything."