---
Elena stepped forward slightly, voice calm but firm.
"Young miss," Elena began, trying to ground the moment.
Lily snapped her gaze toward Elena, then back to Sekhmet.
Bat Bat watched with the fascination of someone watching a cart crash and being unable to look away.
Mira stood quietly, eyes lowered a fraction, clearly understanding that she had just been dropped into a personal war she did not create.
The twins stood straight, expressions stubborn, refusing to be shamed.
Lily's breath hitched.
Then she turned sharply.
She did not shout.
She did not slap him.
She did something worse.
She ran.
Her heels struck stone as she crossed the courtyard, moving fast enough that the servants startled out of her path. She pushed through the garden gate and vanished into the greenery like a wounded blade.
The courtyard held a stunned silence.
Bat Bat whispered softly.
"Lily heart hurt."
Elena's gaze turned to Sekhmet, quiet understanding in her eyes.
Sekhmet's jaw tightened.
