"It's all fine, guys. I'm fine." It takes all the strength I have left in me to reassure Patrick and Joanna, though looking at their still very much scared faces, I have a feeling I might have failed miserably at this mission. "I know what's happening, I'll be fine by tomorrow, I promise." I make an effort to smile but my mouth doesn't seem to remember how to.
"But princess..." Joanna starts and I wave her off. "You can go Joanna, thank you for coming to help me on such short notice." She doesn't seem to react to my dismissal, instead she looks at Patrick for help or some sort of confirmation that it's OK for her to leave. Like Patrick would have more authority than me. Pff, not the time to pull rank, Clara, I scold myself in a brief moment of clarity.
"I'm calling the King, Clara. You a
