After making sure that Marigay is seated and has both food and drink before her, I am dismissed by Luisa to show Melissa to her room. It strikes me as funny that Melissa was also essentially dismissed by Luisa as well, so that she could talk privately with Marigay.

As Melissa and I make our way up the steps, me a half-step behind, but still directing her, I decide to chat the girl up. "So, um, Melissa is it? Or should I address you as Mistress? What do you suppose those two are talking about?"

Eventually, we make our way to the room where I had earlier stored her pack. I open the door to allow Melissa to enter. "So, ah, will you be needing anything else at the moment?"

I am surprised, and a little saddened, by how quickly I have slipped into the role of a slave.