---
That was enough to make her eyes narrow slightly. Interesting, that look said without words.
Then she let it go.
"For now," Elena said, "you will get dressed, wash your face, and come downstairs."
He looked at the wrecked sheets around him. "And Bat Bat."
"She will be dressed before she is allowed near another corridor." Elena's voice remained dry. "And preferably taught that growing up does not mean climbing onto her master lap and making weird declarations."
"That lesson may take time." Sekhmet replied.
"I am aware." She answered.
Her eyes rested on him one last second, softer now by only the smallest degree.
"You look tired."
"I was."
Elena nodded once. "Then do not make yourself more tired by thinking about this too hard."
That sentence sat in the room more gently than the others.
Sekhmet noticed Elena turned toward the door.
Then, without looking back, she added, "And for what it is worth, young master, the first maid still thinks she saved your honor."
