Crow nodded wearily when Penelope reiterated his point that things moved quickly at the castle. Having grown up amongst the leisure of peasant life, he wasn’t used to keeping up with the schedules of anyone beside himself. Until now, he would always do everything on his own time, only rushing on occasion if he needed to get something done in a hurry. If he wanted to be productive, he would; if he wanted to nap, he would just as easily. Now, it seemed like those days were over. He was going to be at his father’s beck and call for as long as he worked for the man.

Beneath the table, he felt someone brush against his leg with their own. At first, he tensed slightly at the motion, still on edge around so many nobles, but after a moment, he relaxed when he realized it was Penelope. A faint smile tugged at his lip, concealed by the hair that had fallen in his face when he’d laid his head down on the table. Though they had to be careful to keep their relationship a secret, he was glad that she was still finding opportunities to get closer to him like this.

As the knights spoke to each other about his titling ceremony, Crow’s smile faded, and he lifted his head again to look up at them. He felt his unease return at Naida’s mention that their father was planning to rush everything. Right now, he didn’t even want to think about it, but he didn’t have much of a choice. In less than a day, he was going to become a nobleman. Just the idea of it made his stomach twist with anxiousness.

So, when Penelope turned to him to ask about his conversation with his father, the thief avoided her gaze with a grimace. “Well… yes,” he admitted in a low voice, toying absently with the sleeve of his tunic. “He wanted to meet with me to go over what the ceremony is going to look like and how he wants me to prepare for it. Although, to be completely honest, I don’t remember much of the conversation.” He gave a sheepish shrug. “He was lucky I managed to stay awake for the whole thing.”

“That’s alright,” Naida grinned. “Ceremonies aren’t that difficult. There are usually just one or two rituals, and then everyone gets to eat.” She leaned forward eagerly. “So, when is it going to be?”

Crow wavered, biting the edge of his lip, before he answered: “Tomorrow afternoon.”

“Whoa, really?” Naida blinked in surprise. “Father really isn’t playing around, huh?”

Crow shook his head, running one hand nervously through his hair. “He said he wants me to start my training as soon as possible, and I have to formally take the title before that can happen,” he said, repeating the same information Albin had told him earlier.

Naida let out a low whistle and then smiled again. “Well, I suppose he did have a whole week to prepare while you were gone,” she reached across the table to nudge him excitedly. “Hey, you’re about to go from Crow, the wanted thief, to Crow, the viceroy of Brerra. How great is that?”

At her words, he flinched slightly, reminded of the last topic his father had discussed with him. “Not exactly…” he muttered, averting his gaze again. Luckily, he didn’t have to explain himself, because in the next moment, Preston and a couple other servants appeared to serve food to their table. Crow quickly turned away from the knights, relieved to have the distraction so his sister wouldn’t press him for information.