As the hovering carriage glided to a stop outside the rented townhouse, Matilda took a deep breath, composing herself. The encounter with Malachi Vex had left her unsettled, but she pushed those thoughts aside. Right now, she needed to focus on the present.
Stepping out of the carriage with practiced grace, she made her way to the front door.
"I'm back!" she called out, her voice carrying through the house.
Mara appeared first, her dark hair neatly braided and her eyes wary. "Welcome back, my lady," she said, her tone carefully neutral. "How was your... meeting?"
Matilda offered a reassuring smile. "It went well enough, Mara. Thank you for asking." She paused, an idea forming. "Actually, I was hoping you could do me a favor. We're running low on some essentials. Would you mind making a trip to the market?"
Mara's brow furrowed in confusion. "But my lady, we just stocked yesterday. The pantry is full, and—"
