Crow held his breath as Olivia and Gavin stared at him in silence. Their reaction unsettled him. He hadn’t intended to tell them that he was related to the king at all. The only reason why he’d even admitted it was because he knew Gavin wouldn’t let the subject go until it made sense to him. He lowered his gaze uncomfortably, tugging at the hem of his shirt. The last thing he wanted was for them to start acting differently around him just because he was Albin’s son. He much preferred to be thought of as a thief and peasant than a royal’s estranged child.

When Gavin eventually spoke up to ask Penelope how long she’d known about his heritage, Crow glanced up at her to listen to her reply. He felt her venture to take his hand, and he laced his fingers with hers, giving her hand a grateful squeeze for the subtle comfort she offered him. Though he hadn’t planned on telling her friends the truth about why he’d been given the job, he was glad that he had her by his side for support when he did. Her presence made him relax in spite of the tension lingering in the air.

At Olivia’s comment, he rolled his eyes. “I may be his son, but I’m far from royalty,” he said. “My father and I have a complicated history. I doubt he would crown me as a prince even if I wanted to be one.”

“Why wouldn’t you?” Olivia asked curiously. “If you’re his firstborn, then that means you technically have a birthright to the throne.”

“Gods, no,” Crow wrinkled his nose in disgust. “Just being a noble is going to be difficult enough. I want nothing to do with the duties of the royal family or the throne. Besides, he’s already got another son who’s being raised to take over as the next king after my father’s reign ends.”

“If you say so,” Olivia shrugged.

Crow sighed, “Anyway, that’s the real reason why my father chose to make me his viceroy… He was the last man to hold the position, and he said that since I’m his son, he believes I’ll have the same qualities that made him such a talented ambassador to the last king. That, and he said he wants to make up for the past wrongs between us.”