Crow kept his gaze fixed on the floor as he stepped into the hallway, his mind reeling from everything his father had just said to him. He was shocked by the type of person Albin seemed to be. After creating the image of a brutal and greedy man in his head, he never expected the king to be so… [i]considerate[/i]. He didn’t know what to think about that. Part of him was still wary because of what his mother had told him long ago, but after speaking face to face with him, it really seemed like his father had changed. Albin had sounded genuinely remorseful over abandoning him and his mother, and he had even offered him the highest title in the kingdom outside of royalty to make up for the past. If he was lying, then why would he do that?

The job offer was something else that Crow didn’t know how to approach. For his whole life, he had believed he was and always would be a peasant. It was the life he had been born into, and even though he’d known his father was a noble, he’d never thought the man would approach him, let alone tell him that he could rise in status to claim his ‘birthright.’ It was completely unexpected. Plus, he still didn’t know if he even wanted to take the position of viceroy. After all, saying ‘yes’ would change the course of everything he had achieved for himself as a thief. Though it was dangerous, he really liked being a fugitive. His life was fun and fulfilling, and he didn’t have to bow down to any man. It was the kind of life in which he thrived.

But on the other hand, if he did say ‘yes,’ Penelope wouldn’t have to give anything up to be with him. He knew she claimed to be content with leaving her life behind to run away with him, but if there was a chance that he could make it so she wouldn’t have to do that, wouldn’t it be selfish not to take it? He’d always been a little insecure about the fact that he couldn’t provide her the same life that a nobleman could anyway. If he took his father’s offer, then it would change everything. Their life together would look much different than what he had pictured for them in Farhill, but he could give her what she deserved. He could make sure she wouldn’t regret being with him.

Crow was so lost in thought that he didn’t hear Penelope’s question. He glanced back over his shoulder as John stepped out of the council room, followed shortly after by his father. The king caught his eye and flashed him one last warm smile, which the thief returned with a faintly upturned lip, before he turned and walked off down the far side of the corridor, leaving the group behind.

Letting out his breath in a conflicted exhale, Crow turned back to Penelope and studied her confused face for a moment before he finally spoke up in a soft voice, “We should go somewhere more private.” His eyes swept guardedly over the passing servants and knights in the castle. “I don’t want to talk here.”