Commander Lothian led Henry far enough away that the noise of the banquet was far behind them and they found themselves in a colder empty hallway towards the front of the castle.
It felt obvious to the younger knight that he was taking him somewhere they could talk in private, but Henry felt resistance. After what he had just overheard from the Crown Prince, if there was silence, he would be forced to face his thoughts.
Walking through an empty hallway dimly lit by candles in wall sconces, he faintly wished that he had brought his wine to distract himself.
When Callum eventually stopped and turned into one of the sitting rooms, he turned around and saw Henry's expression. He seemed conflicted about something, yet the commander felt he should press on and say what he wanted to say.
"I'm going to leave the palace and return to your mother," Callum admitted. "Having someone elsewhere has made these types of gatherings all that more unbearable."
