The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0939

I burst out laughing and pick up a plate, my stomach rolling over with hunger as I do as my father suggests, picking out a rather indulgent breakfast.

Breakfast passes quite calmly with all of us scattered around the living room eating off our knees. I mean, there are several dining rooms all over the palace, but when it comes to our personal meals? This always seemed to suit us more. Mom gets Marigold a little tray and sets it up before a pillow so that she has space to work, and Jackson and I sit on either side of Marigold as she digs into the plate of eggs and sausage and toast that Jackson made for her.

My family chats calmly but Jackson mostly watches his girl, and I watch him, pleased and entertained.

"She eats like you," I murmur, reaching out and tucking some of his hair behind his ear.

"What do you mean?" he asks, lifting his eyes to mine.

"Endlessly," I say, dry, nodding down to Marigold's empty plate as my mom brings her over a little bowl of fruit. Marigold reaches for it, eager.

Jackson laughs, full and rich, and nods to Ella, giving his permission for Marigold to have it. She digs in with gusto, her eyes wide, and I realize that she's eating things and experiencing flavors that she may have never had before.

"Yes, I suppose I can take credit for the appetite," Jackson says on a sigh, stroking his hand down over her hair. "Though I wonder..."

leaning closer, dropping my voice, intuiting

turns to me, likewise dropping his voice. "Well, is she just making up for lost time? Or

first time - that

at Marigold's dark

at me

comes over then and we both turn to him with a smile as he stretches out on the floor in front of Marigold, propping himself up on his elbow and

drags her attention away from the fruit bowl for just a moment to meet his eyes. "Mark," she says,

face bursts into a handsome smile.

wordlessly turns her attention back to the fruit but then goes still, her nose working, and then her eyes move

murmur, frowning down at her and then glancing down at

it out to Marigold. "Here, you can have

Jacks says on

to block the

sounding again. My heart clenches at the sound and I'm made aware, quite

have his work laid out for