Laurent smiled, pleased and comforted by Damen's efforts, and leaned his head on Damen's shoulder. "Sleeping in, stealing a few pastries and a jug of tea from the kitchen, and then sneaking off to the library or the woods and spending the day reading. Not so much stealing, either, really. Since I was twelve, there has been a conveniently placed jug of tea and bundle of pastries lying specifically unattended on a certain table in the kitchen."

A grin twitched at one side of Laurent's mouth. He knew that his servants were fond of him, and it was mutual. He missed them already.

"I was mostly left to myself, unless there was some topic that my father wanted me tutored in, or if they required me to appear at court or dinner."