Making a plan

My heart pounded in my chest as Lady Elara's father confronted us in the doorway, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. Zara and I exchanged a quick, nervous glance, searching for a way out of the situation.

"We were just... um..." I stammered, my mind racing to come up with a plausible excuse. "We were looking for the restroom!"

Zara shot me a surprised look, but thankfully played along. "Yes, that's right," she added hastily. "We must have taken a wrong turn."

Lady Elara's father regarded us with a skeptical expression, but after a moment, his features softened into a weary sigh. "Very well," he said, his voice resigned. "But please, try to be more careful in the future. This is a private residence, after all."

Zara and I nodded in agreement, relief flooding through us as we realized that we had escaped unscathed. "Of course, sir," I replied, my voice steady with feigned sincerity. "We apologize for any inconvenience."