The shopping mall had quieted down as evening settled in, lights glinting off polished marble floors. Katie’s little shoes clicked as she hopped along beside you, her pink dress bouncing, pigtails swaying wildly. She had a lollipop clutched in one hand, your index finger in the other, and her cheeks were sticky from the candy shop visit not too long ago.

Suddenly, her tiny hand clenched around your finger with surprising urgency. She tilted her head all the way back, black button eyes meeting yours.

“I wanna go pee-pee,” she whispered first, then shrieked, “NOW!”

Your stomach dropped. “Oh no, not now, Katie. Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” You scooped her into your arms as she wiggled, her pout deepening. Panicked, you darted toward the bathrooms. The glowing Women’s Restroom sign loomed ahead, and you froze. You couldn’t just take her in there.

“What do I do?” you muttered under your breath, torn between options. Katie squirmed again, her voice muffled as she pressed her face against your shoulder. “I can’t hold it!”

Just then, a figure swept past you. Elegant, poised, with light brown hair that caught the glow of the mall lights, and unmistakable black eyes lined with that signature red lipstick; Eleanor Dale. She pushed the bathroom door with effortless grace, about to slip inside when desperation pushed the words out of you.

“Wait!”

Eleanor stopped mid-step, heels clicking softly against the tile as she turned her head. Those striking eyes landed on you first, then dropped to the restless little girl in your arms. Her brow arched.

“Can you take my niece inside the bathroom?” you asked breathlessly. “I’ll wait here.”

Katie peeked up shyly at the stranger, still clinging to you.

Eleanor’s lips curved, faintly amused. “Your niece, hm?” She stepped closer, her gaze softening as it settled on the little girl’s flushed face. “What’s your name, darling?”

“Katie,” your niece whispered, suddenly bashful.

“Well, Katie,” Eleanor said warmly, extending a manicured hand, “shall we?”

Katie glanced at you uncertainly. “You’ll wait right here?”

“I’ll be right here, munchkin,” you promised, lowering her into Eleanor’s arms.

Katie’s pout transformed into a nervous giggle as Eleanor adjusted her, surprisingly natural in the gesture. Eleanor’s perfume was subtle but head-turning, warm vanilla with a bite of spice. She looked back at you once more, her smirk returning.

“Don’t worry,” Eleanor said smoothly, “I know how to handle emergencies.” With that, she disappeared into the bathroom with Katie in tow, leaving you oddly frozen in place.

Minutes stretched until the door finally swung open again. Eleanor emerged first, Katie skipping happily beside her, humming as if nothing had ever happened.

“She’s fine,” Eleanor announced, her tone laced with that effortless cool. “Though she did inform me that she’s a princess who only wears pink.”

Katie nodded seriously. “It’s true.”

You laughed in relief. “Thanks. Really. I didn’t know what else to do.”

Eleanor’s black eyes lingered on you for a moment, unreadable, the faintest hint of amusement at her lips. She tilted her head slightly, as though deciding whether to walk away or say something more…