Tainted by his bitter mood over Cedric’s flirting, the food on Crow’s plate had grown bland. He ate with less enthusiasm than usual, more interested in keeping an eye on the knight in front of him than tasting the red meat and bread he’d been served that evening. He wished he could pull Penelope aside to express his dislike of her former suitor, but he knew that wouldn’t accomplish anything. For one thing, it would draw glaring attention to their closeness, and for another, he knew her well enough to know that she would just dismiss his concerns as overprotectiveness. She was far more trusting of other people than he was and oblivious to the way other men leered at her when she wasn’t looking. The only thing he could do for now was take solace in the fact that Cedric’s interest in her couldn’t develop into anything more than distant admiration, since she was already with him in private.

Feeling a gentle hand on his leg, Crow’s green eyes flicked toward Penelope. Even though she was directing her smile at her former suitor, he felt like the warm expression was meant for him. Either way, her familiar touch drained some of the animosity he felt toward the other man, and he bit the inside of his lip to keep his features from softening involuntarily as she squeezed his thigh.

As always, the viceroy finished his plate long before everyone else, but he stayed at the table while the knights continued to eat. He had no interest in participating in their conversation, but after the remark Cedric had made earlier, he wasn’t about to leave the other man alone with Penelope, even if his sister was around to curb any obvious flirting. While they talked amongst themselves about the party, he sipped slowly at his wine, taking his time so he had an excuse to linger without standing out, until Penelope announced that she needed to leave. Her mention of letters reminded him that he needed to write one back to Hazel. After the busyness of the day, he’d almost forgotten about it. If she was finishing hers tonight, then he supposed he should get his done as well, so she could send them all off at the same time.

“See you tomorrow,” he nodded, returning her smile. He offered Cedric a curt dip of his head out of obligation, but the other man received no cordial look.

When the two knights were out of earshot, Naida turned on her brother with a bemused expression. “So, what happened between you and Cedric?”

Crow blinked, surprised that the oblivious princess had caught on to his hostility so quickly. “Nothing,” he admitted, absently swirling the thin glaze of wine that was still left at the bottom of his glass. “I just don’t trust him. That’s all.”

“Really? Why?” Naida leaned forward with an intrigued smirk.

“I just know a snake when I see one,” the viceroy answered vaguely, tilting his head back as he downed the rest of his drink. As soon as the goblet was empty, he set it down and stood up from the table. “I have something I need to do tonight, so I should go too.”

“[i]Fine[/i],” his sister sighed exaggeratedly. “But you still have to finish learning how to dance before the party, so you’d better make time for another lesson tomorrow!”

“I will,” Crow rolled his eyes.

“You’d better,” she repeated with a teasing smile. “Goodnight, Collin.”

“’Night,” he yawned, turning to head back to his room where he could write to Hazel in peace.