Crow glanced at John when he spoke up and was surprised to see the expression on the older man’s face. He hadn’t made his suggestion with the intention of pandering for the knight’s approval, but seeing that he’d earned it made him sit up a little straighter on the bench. Even though Penelope’s father moved on quickly, the effect he had on the viceroy was lasting. He bit his tongue to stifle the smile that threatened to take over his lips, dropping his gaze to his plate and stuffing his mouth with another bite of food. Today was definitely a good day. Now, if his own father agreed to everything they planned to ask him, it was beginning to look like things were finally going his way. He felt a flutter of excitement in his stomach.

“Ridiculous,” he scoffed jokingly when Penelope brought up her worries about speaking with the king. “No one could resent you.” He casted her an affectionate smile, nudging her playfully with his shoulder. “Even if he isn’t happy, I’m sure I can get him to come around. I’ll just tell him all the things I love about you.” Though he was only teasing, he hoped Albin would be open to the idea of letting him marry a lieutenant. She was the whole reason he had become a nobleman, after all. If his father tried to convince him to settle for someone else, he refused to give up without a fight. He hadn’t come this far just to have the door slammed in his face.

Shoveling down the rest of his breakfast, he chased the meal with water and rose from the table. “This has been great, but I have a lesson with my father soon,” he announced to the Vermillions. “I should probably change clothes before I show up.” He turned to Penelope with a lopsided smirk. “I’ll see you later, love. Save me a spot at supper if you can.”