As Penelope and Naida discussed the details of the party further, Crow listened along in silence. Having only been to one banquet so far, he didn’t know what went into the extravagant events that nobles put on. He just remembered that there had been good food, plenty to drink, and music performed by minstrels. So, when Penelope said that all he and his sister needed to do was create a guest list, he was relieved. He still didn’t have very many contacts in the castle, but there were plenty of men and women who had been trying to win his attention recently. He sipped at his drink as Edith and Sarah came to mind. Maybe he could use their interest in his power to persuade them to show up.

The thought of speaking to more greedy nobles didn’t sit well with him—especially the women whom he already knew would try to flirt and convince him to court them—but he was willing to try anything if it meant they could stop his father from going through with his plan to ally with Gorm. [i]It’s just until the party happens anyway,[/i] he thought reassuringly. [i]I can handle them until then.[/i]

As Penelope announced that she needed to go to her guard shift, Crow nodded, popping another bite of food from his second plate into his mouth. “Alright. See you later,” he mused, intending to stay and finish the rest of his food before he retired to his chambers for the night. Now that plans were being made, he felt less worried about what was to come and was able to focus on his meal.

Once the knight was gone, he noticed Naida watching him with a wide grin on her face. “What?” he asked, frowning confusedly back at her. Knowing why she usually smiled at him, he wondered if he and Penelope had done anything to give away their closeness, but thinking back over everything they had said and done, he couldn’t think of anything that might have given him away.

“Oh, nothing,” his sister waved her hand dismissively, although the pleased look didn’t leave her face. In the next moment she spoke up again. “Hey, Collin. You don’t know how to dance, do you?”

The viceroy looked up from his plate again and shrugged, “Sort of. I mean, I’m decent enough by peasant standards, but it’s not something I’ve practiced much.” He eyed her with a puzzled look. “Why?”

“Well, if we’re going to be throwing a party, you’re going to have to learn,” the princess smirked. “I can teach you! I’ve been to plenty of dances before, so I know what I’m doing.”

“Do I have to?” he frowned. “I’m content just watching everyone else.”

“No way,” she shook her head and met his gaze with a mischievous smile. “You definitely have to learn. You can’t be a high-ranking nobleman and not know how to dance.”

“I guess,” he raised his shoulders again, still not eager to learn but unable to think of a good excuse to get out of it when he was tired and ready to sleep. Instead, he stood up from the table and stretched, “I need to get some sleep. I’ll see you around.”

“Goodnight, Collin!”

The viceroy turned and headed back to the hallway, yawning as his weariness caught up with him from the heavy meal and the long day. He ambled down the corridor and up the stairs that led to his room, but then froze when he caught sight of the guard stationed in the hall near his room. His heartbeat quickened involuntarily. Normally he wouldn’t have minded having Penelope so close, but after the events of the last three mornings, her presence made him anxious.

“You didn’t tell me you were assigned to this post,” he said as he walked up to her, forcing a wry smile so she wouldn’t notice his nervousness. He paused for a moment before adding, “Are you going to be here all night?”