CHAPTER 4

Lila felt Sarina's piercing gaze upon her, and she instinctively shifted closer to Maro, as if seeking his silent support.

"Not from around here, you say?" Sarina purred, her lips curving into a coy smile. "How intriguing." She turned her attention to Maro, placing a delicate hand on his arm. "Maro, darling, you haven't told me you were entertaining a guest."

Maro cleared his throat, a faint blush coloring his cheeks. "Ah, yes, well, Lila is..." He paused, glancing uncertainly at Lila.

Sarina's gaze narrowed ever so slightly. "Is what, my dear?" she prompted, her tone laced with a hint of possessiveness.

Lila felt a pang of sympathy for Maro, who seemed suddenly flustered in the noblewoman's presence. "I'm just... passing through," she interjected, hoping to alleviate the tension. "Maro has been kind enough to offer me his hospitality."

Sarina's eyes flickered with something akin to amusement. "How thoughtful of him." She turned her attention back to Maro, her fingers trailing along his arm in a gesture that made Lila's skin crawl. "And here I was, hoping to steal you away for a stroll through the market. I was hoping you might accompany me, my dear fiancé."

Lila's eyes widened in surprise, and she glanced at Maro, who suddenly looked deeply uncomfortable. "Fiancé?" she echoed, the word feeling foreign on her tongue.

Sarina's gaze never left Maro's face, her expression radiating a possessive pride. "Why, yes. Maro and I are to be married. Surely he has mentioned it to you."

Maro cleared his throat, his eyes briefly meeting Lila's before darting away. "Sarina, I... I did not realize you would be visiting today."

Sarina's smile widened, and she leaned in closer to Maro, her voice dropping to a sultry murmur. "Well, now you know, my love." She turned her attention back to Lila, her eyes gleaming with a hint of challenge. "I do hope you'll forgive the intrusion. I'm simply eager to spend time with my betrothed."

Lila felt a strange twist in her stomach, an emotion she couldn't quite place. "Of course," she managed, forcing a polite smile. "I wouldn't want to keep you from your... fiancé."

Sarina's gaze lingered on Lila for a moment, and Lila couldn't help but feel as though the noblewoman was sizing her up, searching for some hidden weakness. Then, with a graceful nod, Sarina turned her attention back to Maro.

"Shall we be off, then?" she purred, her fingers trailing down Maro's arm. "I have a few errands to run, and I would so enjoy your company."

Maro hesitated, his eyes briefly flicking towards Lila. "I, uh, I'm not sure that's-"

"Excellent!" Sarina interrupted, her smile widening. She linked her arm through Maro's, effectively cutting off any further protest. "Then let us be on our way. It was a pleasure to meet you, Lila Flores."

With a final, pointed glance in Lila's direction, Sarina led Maro out of the shop, leaving Lila alone with a swirling mix of emotions and a growing sense of unease.

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