Damen didn't miss Erasmus correcting himself and quietly hid a smile. He wasn't at all surprised that the boy could learn and likely learn well. Palace slaves were carefully picked for a reason and if Erasmus had truly been intended for the rightful future King of Akielos, he was undoubtedly the very best the kingdom had to offer.

'You'll not have that same experience here,' Damen assured him then, all too aware of just what Erasmus had suffered under the Regent's court. 'I'll make sure of it.'

'And you'll stay with me,' he added, knowing Erasmus would not do well on his own just yet. 'At least for a time. But not as a slave in any way, do you understand?'