Try as he might, Crow found it difficult to keep up with Penelope and Naida’s conversation as the two began to speak. He wanted to find out how her meeting with the Lenz’s had gone as well, but between his fatigue and the three glasses of wine he’d been drinking—despite his earlier claim, the alcohol was beginning to hit him a little harder than he’d anticipated—he felt ready to pass out for the night. His eyelids drooped slightly as he leaned more heavily into the table. Perhaps he could take a nap for a little while. If it was short enough, the others wouldn’t notice, right?

It seemed like a good idea to him, but before he got the chance to lay his head down, Penelope drew his attention with a question. Turning back to her, he paused to think before answering, “My day was fine. I had my first lesson in Gorman with father in the afternoon. Not much else happened though.”

“That’s not true,” Naida rolled her eyes. “You forgot to tell her about that woman you mentioned earlier: The one you called an ‘old flame.’”

“That’s because she was there when it happened,” Crow waved his hand.

“Seriously?” Naida’s eyes widened. “So this woman walked up to you while you were with [i]another[/i] woman? That’s bold.”

“Liz has always been like that,” the viceroy sighed. “She’s determined to get what she wants and won’t let anyone stand in her way.”

“But you turned her down, right?” his sister pressed.

“Well… not exactly,” Crow averted his gaze, fidgeting uncomfortably. “Like I said before, I wasn’t in the mood to have that conversation so early, so I didn’t answer her one way or the other.” He quickly held up his hands as the princess opened her mouth to chide him. “I did turn her down when she said she wanted to catch up tonight though.”

“[i]Tonight[/i]?” Naida practically squeaked. “Who on earth suggests meeting in the [i]dark[/i] to catch up? She was obviously planning to—”

“I know, I know,” Crow interrupted her with a shake of his head. “But there’s nothing to worry about. I told her I had made plans with you already, so I couldn’t see her. Nothing’s going to happen, isn’t that right?” He casted Penelope a subtle, pleading look, hoping she would vouch for him so his sister would let the subject go.