Crow smiled when Penelope spoke eagerly about meeting with the lieutenants. Until now, he hadn’t been able to do much to help her with her goal of convincing his father to end the war, so he was glad that the information he’d gotten from his half-brother had been useful to her. Until he improved his reputation around the castle, he had a feeling that overhearing conversations like that would be the only way he could do anything to support her, since he couldn’t speak to any of the nobles directly.

“They could be,” Crow assured her when she said she hoped they would be around tomorrow. “If they really are here because their battalion isn’t doing well in the war, then it’ll probably take longer than just a couple days for the king to help them come up with a new strategy.” It was a bit of a bold statement to make for one who knew next to nothing about the complexities of warfare, but he felt like it was reasonable enough. After all, he knew that his father was determined to win the war that the last king had started. Albin wouldn’t rush into anything unless he knew it was going to work.

When they reached the top of the stairs, he noticed Penelope slow her pace slightly. They were probably getting close to the spot she had been assigned to guard. In the next moment, he glanced down at her as she confirmed his suspicions. “Thanks,” he smiled when she wished him luck. Following her gaze, he furtively studied the guard in the corridor, wishing they could be alone so he could give her a proper goodbye. Unfortunately, with the man wasn’t going anywhere, so he had to settle for something more casual.

“Maybe I’ll catch you on your shift tomorrow,” Crow said with a wink. “I’ll see you later, love. And thanks again for the gift.” With a curt wave, he turned and made his way down the corridor, heading back to his bed chamber for his next lesson with Udolf.