As he professed that Asha had already expressed interest in pursuing a relationship with him, Katze's eyes widened in surprise, but she nodded her understanding. "You shouldn't be so hard on yourself, Xarakas. You lost control of your demon. Whatever you try to argue about how you should have had more control, if you're comparing yourself to Asha, remember that her demon would have found a way to mark you in return if I hadn't helped you calm her down and put her to sleep."
She offered him a smile. "And if Asha hasn't changed her mind about you, keep in mind what I showed you today for next time. You'll be able to calm her down fully that way. I only stepped in for the sake of time, given her wounds."
Katze would have preferred a little more time to speak to Xarakas, but at his mention of patron expecting him, she nodded in understanding, staying with Asha while he left to dress, though when he came back in wet pants, clutching an even wetter shirt in his hands, she gave him a baffled look. "Ash didn't dry those for you? It would've taken her all of five seconds," she said, clearly confused, then shook her head as she stood.
"Nonsense. I'll find you clothes right away," she said, standing, though after a moment, added, "A soldiers' clothes would be best. I can't send you out in anything too fine." She sounded almost apologetic, but with a quick reassurance that she'd be right back and a reminder to lock the door behind her and only open it for her, she left to get the clothes he'd need, returning sometime later with a bag full of linens.
"I'm sorry I was away so long. I had to explain Ash's absence to Shax and make it seem as if I were gathering things for her," she explained as she dug out the clothes she'd promised and handed them over. "I can't promise they're the right size, but they should be close enough."
"I threatened to not allow her to continue training if she kept skipping her meals. I suppose I can just keep threatening to do that," Xarakas offered with a little chuckle. "I'll do my best to look after her, your Majesty, no matter how difficult she makes things," he promised, nodding as she advised him that he'd likely have to calm Asha's demon down in the future and to use the same techniques she'd suggested earlier.
He was grateful that she was understanding when he asked for a set of dry clothes, although he was surprised to hear that Asha could have dried the clothes for him in the first place. "She didn't offer," he explained, nodding as she suggested soldier's clothes. "That would work best, I think. No need for anything fancy," he assured her before she left.
While she was gone, he took the time to bathe Asha and get the sheets changed as well, finding something to dress the princess in before he tucked her back into bed, making sure that she was comfortable.
He stood from where he'd sat at her side when Katze returned, shaking his head as she apologized. "I'm just grateful for dry clothes, your Majesty. Thank you," he said with a little smile, taking the clothes from her before stepping into the bathroom to change into the dry clothes she'd brought, grateful that they weren't obviously not his size.