Crow had to fight the urge to stare at Elizabeth in shock when the noblewoman commented on Penelope’s scar. The remark was so out of place that he didn’t even know what to think. On one hand, he was astonished that she would be so bold as to openly insult another woman to her face. On the other, he was furious that she thought it was okay to say something like that about the knight in the first place. It wasn’t often that the viceroy felt the urge to strike a woman, but he couldn’t help but think that Liz needed a good slap to the jaw for being so rude.

As the two continued to speak, he averted his gaze again, this time out of the need to remain calm rather than because Elizabeth was making him uncomfortable. He trembled slightly as he restrained himself from lashing out in Penelope’s defense. Having to sit back and watch the noblewoman verbally attack the woman he loved was practically torturous, but he couldn’t do anything to help without giving away his feelings for her. He bit down on his tongue, hating how powerless he was in the situation.

“Really?” Elizabeth gawked at Penelope when she said she didn’t think her scar was awful. “Well, I suppose it’s noble of you to find beauty in yourself despite your flaws.” She shrugged. “But I still think you should take my advice to heart, especially if you want to get married someday.” Her lips curved upward in a foxlike smirk. “No man is going to want to marry a woman with a streak like that on her face.”

Crow ground his teeth, nearly unable to hold back from snapping at the noblewoman. He couldn’t believe she was continuing to say such terrible things to the knight. Of course, none of it was true—he loved her more than anyone else in the Kingdom of Brerra, no matter how many scars she bore—but he was still irate to hear her be torn down in such a brutal manner.

Subtly, he reached to take Penelope’s hand beneath the table, seeking both to comfort her and use her touch to keep him from losing his temper.

If Liz noticed the effect her words were having on him, she didn’t care. “Aren’t I right, Collin?” she asked, casting him a hopeful look, as if she actually expected him to side with her on the matter. The question was just enough to push the viceroy over the edge.

“Of course not,” he snapped, glaring furiously at the noblewoman as he lost the little that remained of his composure. “Not all men are superficial enough to cast a woman aside simply because she bears marks of the trials she’s been through. And if you think otherwise, then you’re the fool.”

Elizabeth blinked, seeming caught off guard by his opinion. “I didn’t mean any offense,” she said innocently. “I was just trying to help.” She shuffled her feet, frowning at the viceroy with a hint of confusion, “I’m surprised you feel so strongly about it though, since I remember that you have a fondness for beautiful women.”

Crow had to bite his tongue again to keep from spitting that Penelope was beautiful with or without her scar. Taking a calming breath, he averted his gaze to glower at the wall as he muttered, “It doesn’t matter what my preferences are. I won’t stand by and let you insult my friend like that.”