Penelope listened as Crow and Naida spoke, finding it interesting that the king had given Crow the same tutor as he had given his other children. It was still a bit surprising how seriously the king was taking Crow's promotion. However, thinking it over again, she supposed if he treated him anything less that the other nobles would catch on and not take the promotion as serious, or rather permanent, as it was. 

Coming out of her thoughts, she looked over at Crow as he stood up to leave, biting back a small sigh. She knew their short meetings were the best they were going to get for a while but the knight couldn't help but wish she'd get a little more time with him, even if it wasn't alone. She gave him a small nod in return. "Good night." she said before turning back to Naida as he left. The two remained there a little longer, speaking about plans for tomorrow before eventually heading off to their rooms as well.

---

The next morning, Penelope was up early and was quick to get ready for the day. While she was still a bit disappointed she wouldn't be seeing Crow for a full day at the least, she was excited to spend the day with her friend and visit her home. It had been quite a while since she had last been to Bellmare, let alone her actual home after all. So, the knight wasted no time in getting ready for the day and heading out to the stables. She had barely made her way out the front door when her gaze fell on Cedric, who was heading inside. The male knight looked a bit tired from his guard shift and blinked in surprise when his gaze fell on her. 

"Penelope? What are you doing out here so early?" he asked stifling a yawn as he approached her. 

"I'm going on a trip to Bellmare today. I was just on my way to get my horse ready." Penelope explained with a shrug. 

"Heading home for the day?" Cedric asked with a small smile. 

Penelope opened her mouth to reply but didn't get the chance to as Naida sounded from behind her. "Hey Penelope!" 

The knight turned to look over at her friend as she hurried to join them and gave a small smile. "Good to see you didn't forget." 

"I would never!" Naida grinned. Her smile faded slightly as her gaze fell upon Cedric, who was eying her with surprise. "Who's this?"

"M-My name's Cedric. I'm a friend of Penelope's." he said with a deep bow. 

"Oh.. Well nice to meet you Cedric!" Naida smiled. 

Cedric rose from his bow and casted a glance at Penelope, still looking surprised by how close she seemed to be with the princess. "I better get going. Have a good trip, Penelope. I'll see you when you get back." he told the knight, offer a warm smile before he dipped his head to Naida and hurried off.Penelope said a word of goodbye and watched him go before turning back to Naida, blinking in surprise as her friend now stood with her arms crossed over her chest and pouting.

"What?" Penelope asked confusedly. 

"What's with you and him? He was sure giving you some 'friendly' looks." Naida sighed disappointedly. 

Penelope cracked a grin and gave a laugh. "Oh gods don't tell me you're on this whole courting business again."

"Well if you were already interested in someone else, I hope you would at least tell me." Naida said, looking a bit confused. 

"First off, I stand by what I said about not looking to court anyone right now. Second off, there's no way in hell I'd ever take him as my suitor." the knight stated with a shake of her head. Feeling Naida eye her confusedly, she let out a sigh and gestured for the princess to follow her as she began to walk on towards the stables. Knowing Naida, she'd likely pester her about what that meant and not feeling the need to keep it a secret, Penelope saw no reason not to explain the story. 

"Before I met you, about three or four years ago, I did...fancy him." Penelope let out a small sigh. "He seemed to reciprocate those feelings so we courted for a short while.. However, he ended up ending the courtship once he realized I didn't have any access to my family's power or wealth due to my half peasant blood. He was trying to use me for that and once he realized I didn't have it, he tossed me aside."

"What a jerk." Naida huffed, glaring over her shoulder. 

Penelope smiled a little, warmed by her friend's support. "Yeah.. Well we haven't exactly been on the best of terms since then. But he's trying to make up for it now so I'm giving him a chance. It was years ago after all. But I'd certainly never go any further than friendship with the likes of him."

"I guess.." Naida gave a sigh then smirked mischievously at her friend. "I bet Collin would never do anything like that."

Penelope rolled her eyes as her friend brought up the viceroy. "I'm sure he wouldn't but that doesn't change my answer from before Naida." she shook her head and offered her friend a small smile. "Come on, let's go get our horses so we can leave.