When Naida disagreed with him, Crow opened his mouth to explain just how bad his training session with John had been. However, before he had a chance to speak, Penelope did first. He glanced at her in mild surprise as she confirmed that her father had been just as harsh with her when she had been his student. John was a strict knight, but it was unexpected to the viceroy that he would have been so ruthless with his own daughter. It seemed the older man didn’t play favorites with anyone.

Naida echoed his thoughts, and Crow nodded before turning to watch the small procession of palace servants whom had arrived to bring them all their suppers. His stomach growled in anticipation. After spending the whole afternoon sparring with John, he’d worked up quite an appetite and was eager to sate it.

He impatiently drummed his fingers against his knee below the table as Preston tested his food. As soon as the boy deemed the meal safe to eat, the viceroy dug into it with the zeal of a starving man. To his pleasure, the kitchen was serving smoked venison that evening. He sighed contentedly as the savory flavor of the meat filled his mouth.

Crow’s attention was drawn back to the two noblewomen when Penelope addressed him. “He certainly did not,” he agreed through a mouthful of food, all etiquette forgotten as he strived to fill his empty stomach. “I’m just glad I don’t have to train with him every day.”

“Don’t let Udolf catch you acting like this or he’ll give you a lecture that’s just as painful,” Naida snickered.

Crow rolled his eyes, “I just can’t catch a break from anyone, can I?”

“That’s nobility for you,” his sister shrugged.

“It will get better when I’m done with all this training though, right?”

“Probably,” she mused. “It definitely won’t be as busy.”

“Thank the gods,” he muttered, popping another bite of venison into his mouth and turning to Penelope with a shake of his head. “I don’t know when you all find time to get done the things you aren’t obligated to do around here.”