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..."

ask, leaning closer, dropping my voice, intuiting that

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

shoot up as I consider it for the first time - that Marigold might have

whisper, looking down at Marigold's

just shrugs, shaking his head at me with a

a smile as he stretches out on the floor in front of Marigold, propping himself up

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

bursts into a

goes still, her nose working, and then her eyes move directly for Mark's mug. A little whine sounds in the back

down at her and then glancing down at my own mug next

hot chocolate," Mark says, holding it out to Marigold. "Here, you can

Jacks says on a

to block

My heart clenches at the sound and I'm made aware, quite suddenly, of why it's so hard for my mother to not indulge our every

did have his work laid out for him throughout our