“Thanks,” Crow let out an exaggerated groan when Penelope wished him luck with his tutor. Knowing Udolf, he was probably going to need it.

He was just about to say goodbye to her when the sound of footsteps echoing on the stone floor caught his attention. He casted a quick glance toward the stairs and then turned back to Penelope, offering her a brief nod before heading down the corridor toward his room. As he made his way through the hall, he was careful to set a casual pace so that anyone who saw him wouldn’t suspect him of being in a hurry. It seemed to work, because when he rounded the corner, none of the guards he passed casted him more than their usual dirty looks.

When he approached the door to his room, he slowed his pace, suddenly hesitant to go inside. Though he doubted Udolf would have waited for him all day, there was still a chance the tutor was in his room. He cringed that the thought of facing the old man right now. Udolf had been angry enough with him when he’d only been [i]late[/i] to his lesson. He dreaded to think what sort of lecture he would get for ditching his studies entirely. Lingering in front of the door, he shifted his weight from his left foot to his right. No matter who was inside, he couldn’t just stay in the hallway until supper. He had to go in.

Reluctantly, the viceroy reached for the handle and opened the door, poking his head around the corner in case Udolf was waiting for him with a wooden cane. To his relief, the room was empty. He stepped inside and closed the door, making his way over to his bed and falling back on the mattress with a sigh. As he laid there, he closed his eyes to listen to the sound of the pouring rain. He’d always found the steady drizzle relaxing whenever he was somewhere warm and dry, so he sank into the sound as he waited for Preston to come and tell him that supper was ready.

It didn’t take long before he heard a knock on the door.

Crow lifted his head to see the attendant step inside. He looked slightly agitated, though the viceroy wasn’t sure why. Brushing it off, he sat up and stretched as if he had been napping for some time. “Time for dinner already?” he asked tiredly.

“Yes,” Preston answered curtly. He glanced over his shoulder and then back at Crow. “But you won’t be eating in the Great Hall today.”

“What?” Crow frowned confusedly. “Why not?”

Preston fidgeted with his shirt sleeve. “His Majesty wishes for you to join him in his private chamber.”

Crow felt a lump form in his throat. Udolf must have gone to his father after all. [i]That bastard.[/i] “Does he?” he mused, trying to act nonchalant about the news.

“Yes,” Preston affirmed. “And he’s expecting you now, so we shouldn’t keep him waiting.”

“Alright,” Crow nodded, hiding the nervous flutter in his stomach. He walked over to the door and gestured for the attendant to step through first. “Lead the way.”