The next morning, Crow was caught off guard by the strength of his nightmare. He shot upright on his bed, gasping for breath as the panic set in. After going a night without dealing with it, he completely forgot about the technique Penelope had taught him to calm down. His hands flew to his head, and he squeezed his eyes shut, losing himself to the intensity of the visions that consumed his thoughts.

Suddenly, he felt a hand rest firmly on his arm.

“Collin. Collin, breathe,” Preston’s familiar voice vied for his attention. “Remember what Penelope told you. Breathe in, hold it, and let it out.”

Crow nodded faintly as the memory came back to him. It had worked the last time. He was sure he could do it again. Carefully, he took a shaky breath in and forced himself to hold it without losing control. After a pause, he let it out again and repeated the process until his heartrate began to slow down. He wasn’t sure how long it took, but after a while, he fell back on the bed and exhaled tiredly, worn out from the effort of making himself relax.

Preston frowned down at him, “Feel better?”

Crow nodded wordlessly, resting his forearm across his face to block out the morning sunlight that was filtering in through the window. He stayed like that for a little while longer before he reluctantly got out of bed. Preston handed him a glass of water and stepped aside to give him room, shuffling his feet with a nervous energy that was confusing to the viceroy.

“Something you want to say to me?” he asked offhandedly as he pulled his old shirt over his head and tossed it aside.

“I was just wondering,” Preston said slowly, turning his head to look at something off to the side. “…Whose clothes are those?”

At his words, Crow stiffened and spun around to see that the attendant was gesturing to a dress and a set of women’s undergarments that had been piled by the window. At once, the events of the previous night came back to him, and he ran a hand over his face as his residual frustration with Elizabeth resurfaced.

“Penelope is on a trip, right?” the servant pressed tentatively. “Are… are you two not exclusive?”

“We are,” Crow sighed. He quickly finished changing clothes and stepped over to collect the garments that had been left against the wall. Unsure what to do with them, he moved back over to the wardrobe and stuffed them inside.

“Do you not want me to tell her?” Preston asked softly, seeming even more uncomfortable with the situation after watching the viceroy hide the clothes.

“It’s not what it looks like,” Crow shook his head, turning back to face the boy so he could see the sincerity on his face. “A noblewoman came here last night with the intent to sleep with me, but I turned her away.”

“Naked?” Preston gawked at him.

“No,” the viceroy answered, shifting his weight. “I was flustered, so I just gave her a bedsheet, because I wanted her to leave as soon as possible.”

“Oh no,” Preston’s eyes widened. “Tell me you didn’t actually do that.”

“I know it wasn’t the most respectful thing I could have done,” Crow admitted with a shrug. “But what was I supposed to do? She was completely exposed. I didn’t think it through.”

“I don’t think you understand,” Preston’s expression grew worried. “If the night guards saw a woman leaving your bedchamber in nothing but a sheet, they’re going to think—”

“Oh gods,” Crow blanched as the realization struck him. At the time, he’d been so caught up in his fear of the consequences of actually sleeping with Liz that he hadn’t even thought about what the situation looked like from the outside. He anxiously dragged his fingers through his hair, his heart pounding. This was so much worse. He could already imagine the rumors that would start spreading around the castle. It wouldn’t be long before everyone in the palace thought he’d spent the night with Elizabeth.

“Oh gods, oh gods,” Crow began pacing nervously. He looked up at his attendant worriedly. “How long do you think it will take before the guards start talking?”

“They haven’t even switched shifts yet,” Preston relayed with a concerned look. “I don’t think it will help your case if you tell them to keep their mouths shut though.”

“I know,” Crow groaned. The knights wouldn’t listen to him even if he tried. He ran his hand through his hair again. “There’s nothing I can do to reverse this is there?”

“I don’t think so,” Preston admitted quietly.

The viceroy let out a long exhale. “Well, I suppose there’s no point in fretting when the damage is already done,” he muttered, turning to the door. “I might as well enjoy my breakfast before the gossip starts…”