Chapter 34: A promise kiss

As the tension dissipated, Matilda's smile brightened the garden more than any flower could. She gently tugged on Zafron's hand, leading him deeper into the lush paradise.

"Come, let me show you my favorite part of the garden," she said, her earlier grace returning to her steps.

They walked hand in hand, their fingers intertwined comfortably. Zafron marveled at how natural it felt, despite the difference in their stations.

"Do you see those vibrant blue flowers?" Matilda pointed to a cluster of delicate blooms. "Those are delphiniums. They symbolize an open heart and ardent attachment."

Zafron nodded, drinking in both the beauty of the flowers and Matilda's words. 'An open heart,' he thought. 'How fitting for this moment.'

As they wandered, Matilda's knowledge of flowers seemed to impresse Zafron even more than their first time.

'She really does love flowers, huh?' Zafron thought.

She spoke of each plant with such passion, it was as if she were introducing old friends.

"And here," she said, gesturing to a bush covered in pale pink roses, "is the 'Maiden's Blush' rose. It represents innocence and purity."

Zafron couldn't help but draw a parallel between the rose and Matilda herself. 'Innocence and purity indeed,' he mused, stealing a glance at her radiant face.

Their path led them to a small pond, its surface a mirror reflecting the azure sky. Matilda's eyes lit up. "Oh, the water lilies are in bloom! We must get a closer look."

She took a step forward, not noticing the muddy bank. Her foot sank slightly, and she let out a small gasp of surprise.

Without hesitation, Zafron sprang into action. "Careful, Mistress!" he said, moving to her side. "Allow me to assist you."

Before Matilda could protest, Zafron had crouched down in front of her. "Climb on my back," he offered. "I'll carry you across."

Matilda hesitated for a moment, a blush creeping up her cheeks. "Oh, Zafron, that's not necessary. I can manage—"

"I insist," Zafron said firmly. "Nothing's touching my mistress, not on my watch!"

A soft laugh escaped Matilda's lips, a sound that made Zafron's heart soar. "Well, if you insist," she conceded, carefully positioning herself on his back. She leaned against his back and wrapped her hand around his neck as she waited for Zafron to secure her.

He grabbed her by the thigh to firmly secure her on himself. While her breast pressed against his back. With the material he wore it could be as well said that her breast was pressed against his skin.

'It's so soft,' Zafron thought for a second, allowing himself to get distracted by her boobs momentarily. 'Such squishy Melons,' he mused to himself as he felt her pressed fully against him. Matilda on the other hand struggled to contain a smile on her face.

Zafron stood, adjusting to her weight. She was lighter than he expected, her arms draped loosely around his neck. He could feel the warmth of her body against his back, smell the faint lavender scent of her hair.

'Focus, Zafron,' he chided himself, carefully navigating the muddy patch. 'Don't get distracted.'

As they reached the other side, Zafron gently set Matilda down. She smoothed her dress, her cheeks still tinged pink.

"My hero," she said with a playful smile. "Whatever would I do without you?"

Zafron bowed dramatically. "Just doing my duty, Mistress. Protecting you from the perils of mud and muck."

They both laughed, the sound of their mirth echoing across the pond. For a moment, all the complications of their world faded away, leaving just the two of them in this secluded paradise.

As their laughter subsided, Matilda's expression softened. "Thank you, Zafron. Not just for this, but for... everything."

The sincerity in her voice touched Zafron deeply. "It's my pleasure, Mistress. Truly."

They stood there for a moment, gazing at each other, an unspoken understanding passing between them. Then, as if remembering herself, Matilda cleared her throat.

"Well, shall we continue our tour? There's a lovely rose arbor just ahead."

As they walked, Zafron noticed a ladybug crawling on Matilda's shoulder. Without thinking, he reached out to brush it away.

"Oh!" Matilda exclaimed, turning to see what had touched her. When she spotted the ladybug now perched on Zafron's finger, her face lit up with childlike wonder.

"A ladybug! Did you know they're considered good luck?" She leaned in close to examine the tiny creature. "Make a wish, Zafron!"

Caught up in her enthusiasm, Zafron closed his eyes for a moment. 'I wish... I wish for more moments like this,' he thought before gently blowing on his finger, sending the ladybug fluttering away.

They watched it disappear into the foliage, a comfortable silence settling between them.

As they approached the rose arbor, a light breeze picked up, carrying rose petals through the air. One landed in Matilda's hair, a splash of pink against her golden locks.

Without thinking, Zafron reached out to pluck it from her hair. His fingers brushed against her cheek as he did so, sending a jolt of electricity through him.

"Oh," Matilda said softly, her eyes meeting his. "Thank you."

Zafron held up the petal between them. "It seems the garden is trying to adorn you, Mistress. Though I daresay even its beauty pales in comparison to yours."

The words left his mouth before he could stop them. For a moment, he feared he'd overstepped, but Matilda's smile only grew wider.

"You're quite the charmer, Zafron," she said, a hint of something unidentifiable in her tone. "We'll have to be careful, or you'll have every lady in the village swooning at your feet."

Zafron felt his own cheeks warm. "I assure you, Mistress, that's not my intention at all."

Matilda laughed, the sound like music to his ears. "I should hope not. After all, what would I do if I lost my gallant protector to some village maiden?"

Zafron's heart skipped a beat at Matilda's words. Without thinking, he responded, his voice low and earnest, "You need not worry about that, Mistress. My loyalty and devotion are yours alone."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Zafron realized the weight of what he'd said. He held his breath, watching Matilda's expression carefully.

Matilda's eyes widened slightly, a mix of surprise and something deeper flickering across her face. She studied him for a moment, her gaze searching his.

"Zafron," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper, "was that a statement... or a promise?"

The air between them seemed to crackle with tension. Zafron swallowed hard, knowing his next words could change everything. He took a deep breath, gathering his courage.

"If you wish it to be, Mistress," he said, his voice steady despite the pounding of his heart, "it's both. A statement of fact and a promise for the future."

He held her gaze, allowing her to see the sincerity in his eyes. In that moment, surrounded by the beauty of the rose arbor, Zafron felt as though he was standing on the edge of a precipice, waiting to see if Matilda would pull him back or invite him to jump.

Matilda's eyes softened, a gentle smile playing on her lips. She stepped closer to Zafron, close enough that he could feel the warmth radiating from her body.

"In that case," she murmured, her voice tender and tinged with a hint of mischief, "perhaps we should seal this promise in a more... tangible way."

Before Zafron could process her words, Matilda rose on her tiptoes and pressed a soft, quick kiss to the corner of his mouth. It was over in an instant, but the sensation lingered, sending a shiver down his spine.

As she pulled back, her cheeks flushed a delicate pink, Matilda's eyes sparkled with a mix of affection and playfulness. "There," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Now it's not just your promise, but ours."

Zafron stood frozen, his mind reeling from the unexpected turn of events. His face burned, and he could feel his heart racing in his chest. The simple gesture had shattered the carefully maintained boundary between mistress and servant, leaving him both exhilarated and uncertain.

Matilda took a small step back, giving him space to breathe. "I hope I haven't overstepped, Zafron," she said, a note of vulnerability creeping into her voice. "But I believe that some promises are too important to be bound by mere words, yes?"

Her words hung in the air between them, laden with implications that Zafron could barely begin to unpack. Was she suggesting what he thought she was? Could there be more between them than he had dared to hope?

Still somewhat dazed, Zafron managed to find his voice. "Mistress, I... that was..."

Matilda held up a hand, her smile gentle but with a hint of something more. "You don't need to say anything now, Zafron. Let's just enjoy our walk, shall we? And perhaps... consider the possibilities that lie ahead." She said with a knowing smile.

With that, she turned and continued down the path, leaving Zafron to follow, his mind buzzing with questions and his heart full of newfound hope. As he fell into step beside her, he couldn't help but wonder: what did this mean for their future? And more importantly, was he ready for whatever changes it might bring?

As they continued their stroll through the arbor, surrounded by the heady scent of roses, Zafron found himself wishing this moment could last forever. Here, in this secluded corner of the garden with Matilda, all felt right with the world.

But even as he basked in the joy of the moment, a small part of him couldn't help but wonder about the future. What challenges lay ahead? And most importantly, how would his growing feelings for Matilda fit into the complex web of this society?

For now, though, he pushed those thoughts aside, content to lose himself in the beauty of the garden and the company of the remarkable woman beside him.