"You didn't offend me," Raqiza stated. She sighed once again and tended to Tilda's hair more gently than before. "Look, Tilda, this is a strange world. And it's not very kind to women. Particularly servant women. We're all a product of our environment, and I should be the one apologizing for treating you so harshly for such a very long time."<br/><br/>She released Tilda's hair and then walked around the chair, she pulled Tilda from the chair and then sat down, pulling Tilda onto her lap. This was unusual as Raqiza was usually adamant about servants not touching her elegant clothing, but here she was almost treating Tilda not only like a human being, but something more.<br/><br/>"I have watched over you your entire life. I did my best for you when you were a child and brought you to my home because I knew you would be treated cruelly anywhere else. And, perhaps, you feel I have been cruel to you, but believe me when I say I have saved you from a pack of wolves. I expect better of you Tilda. You cannot serve nobility with trembling hands. You can not look my son in the eyes and have color come to your face. Do you have any idea the sort of rumors that would begin?"<br/><br/>She looked away from Tilda's face.<br/><br/>"Remember, this land is unkind to women. You must be perfect in your pursuit of propriety or you shall be sent to the wolves and I won't be able to save you. This is why it is important for you to remember your place as a servant. It is why I stopped coddling you for so very long. Now, are you going to adjust your behaviors or am I going to have to use the rod and beat sense into you?"