Xarakas had hoped that Asha would understand what he'd meant and agree to his terms, but as she asked for clarification while almost sulking, he realized he'd need to be very careful and specific with any instructions he gave to her in the future.
"I think you know what I mean, Princess, which is why you're asking for clarification. But if you need me to spell it out for you, I will: you need to change your long standing, unhealthy habits if you wish to continue your training. No more skipping meals and no more not getting enough sleep—minimum eight hours."
He shook his head. "Even if you weren't training, doing those things is unhealthy and I'd urge you to figure out an alternative solution. Lessen your workload, ask for more time to complete tasks, delegate simpler tasks and assignments to others. You're a princess for God's sake, not a secretary."
As Xarakas confirmed exactly what she'd hoped he wouldn't, Asha swore under her breath in Demonease.
The language was archaic and rarely used any longer, but the rough, growled sounds used to form its words punctuated swears in a way that had always felt satisfying to her. And certainly seemed appropriate now. He'd just demanded she cut a significant chunk of time out of her day.
"Of course I'm not a secretary! God, I don't shuffle paperwork all day and pretend I'm important. I've had to work hard to prove I can handle all this."
"Don't be childish, Princess. It's below you and is certainly not a good look."
Xarakas spoke easily in the antiquated language, sitting back in his seat and crossing his arms over his chest as he watched her have her little tantrum.
Asha froze as Xarakas spoke in Demonease, surprised she'd been understood, much less responded to. She was usually careful about this sort of thing, but typically only older demons spoke it.
"To be fair, I didn't know you could understand me," she murmured.
"Be careful what you assume about people—that can often get you in trouble if you're not careful," Xarakas warned as she sort of apologized for her tantrum.
"I usua—"
Asha was cut off as the door opened and Katze appeared, a tray in hand. "I'm late for a meeting, and your training will be over if Shax comes looking for me, so I have to go, but eat," she ordered as she set the tray in Asha's lap. "You too," she added, turning to Xarakas.
He stood and bowed politely as the Queen entered, but before he could offer to take the tray of food from her she was setting it down on her step-daughter's lap and ordering them both to eat.
"As thanks for taking care of and watching this one for me."
Xarakas nodded in understanding at what seemed to be Katze's request to watch over the princess. But as quick as she'd appeared, the queen was gone again, without having ever noticed the nod or the demon's second bow.
Meanwhile, as the smell of Nana's enchiladas wafted up to her, Asha's stomach growled loudly, the hybrid pointedly pretending not to notice as she lifted one of the two plates on the tray in her lap and passed it Xarakas without much more than a smile for the way he'd attempted to adhere to protocol as Katze rushed in and out.
"I'll figure out some way to make your demands work," she said by way of defeat, tugging her own plate closer.