Vlad squeezed Jane’s shoulder to reassure her. “You’ve asked me that pretty much every day, Mom. I can only work from here on days when the trial isn’t going on. They are already being very lenient with me. I can’t risk losing this internship.”

“We are very proud of you, Son.” Kristov Ambrosia stood and the two of them walked toward each other to meet in the middle, right in front of me. His father patted his shoulder lightly. “How was the trial?”

“Tough.” Vlad’s voice dropped to a whisper. “But don’t worry, we’ll find a way.”

“I know you will,” Kristov said.

Naturally, Vlad took the only available seat left at the dining table—directly in front of me—and settled once he took off his coat. One of the younger maids came and offered to hang the coat up for him. She blushed when he thanked her.

With my encounter with the bald guy clouding my mind, I lost my appetite and found myself pushing my food around with my fork and knife. I had had a late lunch with Adrian, just a few hours ago, but that usually wouldn’t have stopped me from eating. I hated how everything that was going on could influence my relationship with food. Augusta had made such a delicious meal and I felt guilty wasting it, but my stomach was not in the mood.

“Are you not fond of the fish, Avery dear?” Jane Ambrosia asked, her cutlery paused above her plate. “Do you perhaps wish to have something else instead?” She nodded at the maid standing behind her, indicating for her to come forward.

“No, Jane, please. I actually had a late lunch before I came here, so I’m not really that hungry.”

“Very well then. Perhaps your appetite will return when the desserts are served.” Jane winked.

I let out a small laugh and nodded. Jane Ambrosia was more of a mother than my own mom. I had had many meals at the Ambrosias’ over the years, and she had paid attention to what my favorite foods and desserts were—something that my own mother didn’t even bother with. Jane was also the only Pure Royal, besides my friends and Kristov, who had told me to call her by her given name and not by her title.