Crow considered himself to be a decent conversationalist, but even he had a hard time talking with Mercia. The noblewoman didn’t seem very fond of talking about herself—or perhaps she didn’t know how. She answered all his questions vaguely with little details, but she also didn’t ask him anything about himself either. He found it difficult to string a conversation along with her when she was barely willing to participate. Still, he tried his best for Wayne’s sake, since the nobleman seemed quite pleased with how things were progressing.

By the time he finished his food, he had come to the conclusion that he and Mercia had absolutely nothing in common. She reminded him of a bird kept in a cage. She seemed happy enough with her restricted life in the castle, but like the bird, she didn’t know the freedom of the world that laid beyond the palace walls. Even if he hadn’t been with Penelope, he couldn’t handle courting someone who was content with sitting in her room, looking out over the kingdom without ever experiencing it for herself. He needed someone whom he could enjoy every part of life with—and hold a normal conversation without so much effort.

At the thought, he smiled to himself, and his eyes flicked back to the table where Penelope was eating with Naida. He had everything he could want in her. Compared to the other women in the castle, she was much more adventurous and fun to be around, and she had proven over and over that she was someone he could trust and rely on. His heart fluttered in his chest as he thought again about just how lucky he was to have won her affection. He couldn’t wait for the day when they could stop hiding their relationship from the rest of the inner kingdom and start courting with the intent for marriage.

“So,” Wayne spoke up. He had a broad smile on his face, seeming to have caught the viceroy’s softened expression and mistaken it for interest in Mercia. “You two seem to be a perfect pair.”

[i]Perhaps if I was half dead and lame,[/i] Crow thought, suppressing the urge to snort.

Wayne continued: “My sister mentioned it before, but our father is offering a handsome dowry to the man who takes her hand in marriage. I know she would be honored if you would be the one to court her.” He glanced pointedly at Mercia, who offered a weak smile to the viceroy.

Crow glanced between the siblings with a puzzled expression, acting as if the proposal had caught him off guard. “Oh,” he said, feigning a sheepish smile. “I’m sorry, but I’m not interested in courting anyone right now.” He turned to Mercia. “You’re a lovely woman—” [i]For a ragdoll.[/i] “—but I’ve only been living at this castle for about a week. I want to focus on settling in more before I even consider something like marriage. I hope I haven’t offended you.”

If anything, the woman looked relieved. Her features relaxed, and she shook her head. “Of course,” she said, smiling at him a little more genuinely. “I understand.”

On the other hand, Wayne’s excited look wavered. He looked between the two before his gaze settled on the viceroy. “Well, when you are ready to start looking for a wife, I hope you’ll keep Mercia in mind,” he said with his usual fake smile.

[i]Not if she was the last woman in Brerra.[/i] “Of course,” Crow nodded, moving to stand up from the table. “Anyway, I should get going.” He flashed one more friendly smile at Mercia. “It was wonderful to meet you, love.”

“You as well,” she dipped her head to him courteously.

“I’ll see you around,” he said to Wayne before turning to head out of the Great Hall at a brisk walk. After spending his supper in the dullest of company, he was eager to meet up with Penelope that evening. He didn’t even bother to wait for Preston as he hurried back to his room to see her.