As he studied Penelope’s face a little closer, Crow was surprised to find that she seemed drowsy. At first, he felt a pang of guilt, jumping to the conclusion that she was tired because she had gotten up early to help him handle his panic attack. However, he pushed the feeling aside when he remembered that she had already been on guard in the hallway near his room. Perhaps her shift had just worn her out? The more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed. She probably just needed to get some rest after staying awake for so long.

“You should be alright now that Eldon’s gone,” he assured her, stepping back over to his bedside to collect the linen shirt he’d left on the mattress. “There aren’t very many people who come through this way aside from the occasional guard, and they shouldn’t find your presence suspicious since you were assigned to be up here last night.”

“They might find her lack of presence suspicious though,” Preston spoke up as he sifted through the open wardrobe for a change of clothes for the viceroy to wear for the day.

Crow turned to him with a frown, “What do you mean?”

“Well,” the attendant went on, draping a dark red tunic over his arm. “Don’t the castle guards usually switch shifts about this time?” When the viceroy didn’t say anything, he turned to Penelope. “Whoever is supposed to relieve you might find it strange if you’re not where you’re supposed to be.”

Finally understanding what the boy was saying, Crow paled slightly. Between the amount of time it had taken him to recover from his panic attack and the delay caused by Eldon’s appearance, Penelope had already been in his bedchamber for quite some time that morning. While he wasn’t sure exactly when the next guard would be replacing her in the corridor, he was certain they had to be arriving soon.

“He’s right,” he casted the knight a wistful look. “As much as I’d love to have you around longer, you should get back to your post before someone realizes you’re gone.”