"Duchess, would you like me to show you the process right now?"
"Show you what?"
"Elle will stay with me, but everyone else must leave the room. Rudolf will have to go too, for now."
The Duchess looked puzzled. Elle gave me a wait, what? face. But I could tell she was already thinking the same thing I was.
"You need to explain why first. I can't allow it without knowing the reason."
"Of course. It's a bit difficult to say in front of so many people, so… could you lean in and whisper it to the Duchess, Elle?"
The Duchess tilted her head in confusion. Elle's face went through several stages of panic and suspicion. Yes. That's exactly right.
Elle stepped closer, her perfect white ear right in front of my mouth. A few fine hairs, soft and warm. I want to lick around the entrance… I caught myself before the thought went anywhere.
"Elle, we're going to make the medicine right here. I'll show the Duchess."
