Zafron observed the interaction closely, his protective instincts on high alert. He could see the discomfort in Matilda's posture, the slight stiffness in her smile. 'What's the story here? He's looking at her like a cat eyeing a particularly juicy canary.'
Instinctively, Zafron moved closer to Matilda, ready to intervene if necessary. However, he felt a sharp pinch on his arm. Glancing down, he saw Matilda's hand quickly retreating. Her eyes met his briefly, conveying a clear message: 'I've got this.'
Zafron relaxed slightly, but remained vigilant. 'Alright, Matilda. I'll let you handle this, but if he tries anything, I'm not going to spare testing my improved stats on his sorry ass .'
Matilda maintained her composure, engaging in polite conversation with Malachi despite her evident discomfort. Mara, sensing the tension, attempted to steer the conversation towards lighter topics.
