Crow shifted his weight when Penelope explained that the baron was only going after him because he’d wanted his son to take the title he currently held. Knowing the reason why the nobleman was trying to have him removed did ease his concerns a bit. If no one else had a personal vendetta against him like that, he supposed it was unlikely for them to side with the baron she had met with. He let out his breath in relief. It seemed like Naida really was right about the protection his father gave him—at least in part.

Still, that didn’t mean he was going to continue walking around the castle unarmed. Starting tonight, he was going to hide one of his daggers underneath his pillow and stow the other blade away in his boot.

As Penelope went on to say that there was a way for him to secure his position, he met her gaze with interest. If there were people after him, he was open to try anything. So, as she explained her idea, he listened thoughtfully, taking the suggestion into consideration. She was right that he wasn’t fond of the idea, but it was certainly something he felt capable of doing. After all, there was a reason why so many people called him a snake. He was quite good at using others to get what he wanted. Even though he didn’t like the idea of getting involved in castle politics, he didn’t seem to have much of a choice anymore.

“Use them, huh?” Crow mused, swallowing the last bite of his supper. “I could do that.” He casted Penelope a mischievous smirk. “I’m sure they all think I’m just a dumb peasant anyway. It won’t be hard to use that against them.”