Crow stayed in the Great Hall a little while longer after Penelope disappeared, finishing off the rest of his breakfast along with the portion she’d left behind on her plate. He had only been half-joking when he’d said he had enough of an appetite for both of them, after all. There was no point in wasting the leftovers. While he ate, he spotted Elizabeth eyeing him from where she had been sitting near the center of the room. The noblewoman seemed tempted to approach him now that he was alone for the first time in nearly a week, but thankfully, one warning glare was all it took to dissuade her from pushing her luck.

When he finished off both dishes, the viceroy got up from the table with a satisfied exhale. It felt good to have a full stomach and no responsibilities for most of the day. He was looking forward to being selfish with his time for the first time in weeks. Of course, that meant getting away from all of the people who wanted his attention first. Aside from Liz, he spotted a few other women who had noticed he was by himself and were getting up from their seats, presumably to take advantage of the opportunity to speak with him before he left the Great Hall. Unwilling to let them steal away the precious minutes he could be using for more enjoyable activities, he dodged their eager gazes and fled the room at a brisk walk.

He nearly thought he was going to get away, but a familiar voice stopped him in his tracks as soon as he reached the corridor.

“Collin!” Naida raised her hand to catch his attention, a wide grin on her lips. Normally, the viceroy would have been happy to chat with her, but he had been looking forward to spending time alone. He rocked on the balls of his feet, considering if he should acknowledge her or keep moving. Unfortunately, the latter felt too cruel to justify.

“Did you need something?” he asked as he turned toward get her, getting straight to the point so he could end the conversation quickly if she didn’t have anything important to say.

“Not particularly,” his sister shrugged, stopping a couple paces in front of him. “But I heard from father that you don’t have a lesson today.”

“I don’t,” Crow’s eyes drifted wistfully toward the hall that led out of the castle. “I was just going to take a walk outside until I need to get ready for the party tonight.”

“Why would you do that?” the princess grimaced. “It’s freezing out there!”

“But it’s also quiet,” he pointed out with an amused smirk. “This place is about to be packed with all the people you and the others invited. I just wanted some time to myself before I’m stuck in a room full of faces I don’t know.”

“Or,” Naida leaned toward him with a playful look. “You could come with me! Braden, Willow, and I were going to do the same thing, except we’re staying in my bedchamber where we won’t turn into ice.”

Crow shifted his weight. He didn’t want to stay in the castle, but he also didn’t want to offend his hopeful half-sibling with a blatant rejection. “I don’t know,” he frowned. “Braden and Willow aren’t fond of me. You should just spend your time with the two of them, so my presence doesn’t make them sour.”

“They have to get used to you sooner or later,” she waved her wand uncaringly. “Come on, Collin. Please? You’re much more fun to talk to than they are.” When she saw the lingering hesitation on his face, she added: “We were going to share a bottle of wine before the party, just to make it easier when we have to talk to all those stuffy guests.”

“Alright, fine,” Crow sighed. Even though he wasn’t fond of getting drunk, he had to admit a little wine sounded like a great way to take the edge off before attending the crowded party. He offered his sister a lopsided smile. “Is this what the royal family does every time they invite people over?”

“Without fail,” Naida winked at him. “Let’s go! Braden and Willow are already waiting for us.”