Albin leaned back in his chair and studied his son with an unreadable expression. Though he said nothing at first, Crow could tell the king was hesitant to keep proffering favors when he had already compromised so much lately. He fidgeted anxiously in his seat as the silence dragged on between them. He would have brought up his desired courtship with Penelope first if there had been an easier way to do it, but it had been a more natural transition to pique his father’s interest with the mention of the guards on his trip. Now, he just hoped the king’s generosity hadn’t been fully spent. “I’ve catered this journey to your liking as much as I reasonably can, Collin,” Albin pinched the bridge of his nose as he ended the stillness. “I’m sorry, but to do this job, you’re going to have to put up with some things you don’t like.” “No, no,” Crow shook his head. “It has nothing to do with the trip.” “Then what is it?” Albin frowned bemusedly. The viceroy took a steeling breath. “There’s a woman—” He didn’t get any farther before his father let out a low chuckle. “Oh, I knew this day would come,” the king said sagely. “You really do take after me in more ways than one.” [i]Not exactly,[/i] Crow thought dryly, though he held his tongue. “Yes, well,” he coughed. “There’s a woman at the castle with whom I’ve been captivated for a long time, and her father recently gave me his blessing to court her.” He spoke carefully, keeping his eyes fixed on Albin’s face to gauge his reaction. “I know you said you want me to put off marriage, but I’ve been working hard on my studies, and I give you my word that I won’t let it affect anything regarding the negotiation with Younis if you allow me to pursue her. I’ll keep my work and my personal life separate, so… can I tell her father that I have your approval?” “Who is this woman that’s made you so smitten?” Albin asked. The viceroy swallowed, “Penelope Vermillion.” The king’s jaw tightened briefly, “John’s daughter?” Crow nodded, “To be completely honest, I’ve been taken with her since she was my guard the first time I went to Younis.” He rubbed the back of his neck bashfully as he made the confession. “She’s also the reason why I accepted your offer to be viceroy… I was hoping that now that I’m a nobleman and now that her father approves of me, we could start courting.” Albin said nothing at first, taken aback by the news that his estranged son had been interested in his friend’s daughter for so long. After a thoughtful pause, though, his lip curved upward in an incredulous smile. “I have to admit, I’m surprised,” he rolled his shoulders in a stretch. “But, you have been improving at an impressive rate, and I suppose your hard work should be rewarded. So, yes, you may tell John that you have my approval.” Crow stared at him in astonishment. That was it. No argument. He’d gotten what he wanted without even a semblance of a fight. He grinned at the king excitedly, “Thank you. You have no idea how much this means to me.” Pushing back his chair, he stood up from the table. “And that was all I wanted to ask you. I’ll see you tomorrow, father.” He dipped his head respectfully and hurried out the door to find Penelope and tell her the good news. In his elation, he didn’t even notice Albin’s cold eyes on his back as he left the room. -- On his way to meet with the knight, Crow only made one stop to fetch his cloak from his bedchamber. He walked at a swift pace through the halls of the castle until he reached the snow-covered courtyard. Following the path by memory, he crossed the open area to the garden and then beyond it to the door that opened at the base of the southern tower. Hoping that she was already there—or that she wouldn’t take long if she wasn’t—he began the climb up to the top, hardly noticing the burn in his legs and lungs as he ascended the spiraling staircase.