For some reason Wulfsen blushed like a schoolboy. "Of course."

Sileas grinned. She of course wanted the bath water for Oscar, it would probably take several hours to scrub the grime and dirt off. She hoped her mother was still in her rooms, she would need help with it. "Thank you."

Oscar's eyes widened. "Will there be soap?"

"Yes, and if you don't cooperate, I'll make certain it has a girl's scent too."

"Soap eats off skin! Honest guv!" Oscar cried.

"Rose petals and rose scented oils it is then." Off course, Sileas had no way of knowing they actually had any. "Then you can smell very pretty," Sileas teased.

Oscar ran from the room.

"Oscar! Get back here right now." She glared at Wulfsen for not helping and took off after him.

Oscar ran, screaming about drowning murder.

"Oscar! If you do not return this instant and cooperate, I will revoke your kitchen privileges. Mama will put everything up far too high for you to reach."

Oscar slowed for a moment, then decided he could just find a box to stand on. He resumed running.

"And the cabinet doors will be locked. Mama will be the only one with a key."

Oscar thought it was time he learned how to pick locks. He kept on running.

"Oscar! Now! Get back here!" Sileas demanded.

Oscar was the sound of distant footsteps on the wind...

Sileas' shoulders slump. "I will be a horrible mother," she whispered, watching him disappear. There was no way she could possibly catch up to him.

Wulfsen was also stunned. "I have never seen anyone move so fast before."

A tear streaked silently down her cheek. "I guess I'll only need one additional bed. For now, I guess I'll return to my room and apologize to Yehudit."

"Don't worry, we'll find him." Wulfsen squeezed Sileas's shoulders.

Sileas nodded slightly but was silent for a moment or two. "I'm going to be a failure as a mother. I did so well with the children in class that I thought I would be a wonderful mother. I suppose it just goes to show." She shrugged lightly before letting her shoulders slump.

"You'll be a great mother." Wulfsen massaged Sileas's shoulders. "Oscar's just... afraid of baths. We'll find him."

It was nice to know he had faith in her. Hopefully enough faith for the both of them. Sileas leaned in against him.

Wulfsen kissed her neck. "Come on."

Sileas stifled a sniffle as she walked beside him. She was still stunned she couldn't reason with the boy.

Lek came into the room, looking unhappy. He slumped in a chair near his parents' bed.