Inhaling and mentally reminding herself she couldn’t throw her wine in Taeral’s face, Vera dropped her hands in her lap, answering coolly. “I guess I just wasn’t expecting it to be my father’s first question since he expressed such uncertainty about my identity.”

The male in question raised a brow, talking slowly like she was a mere child unaware of adult conversations. “I assumed inviting you here was proof enough that I accepted your claim.”

She clenched her jaw, fighting the sudden urge to cry. It was just more mind games. This dinner was just a ruse, no different than the one Emperor Sulian had put her through. They were all the fucking same.

Jaren’s hold loosened, and his thumb moved soothingly back and forth across her thigh. She relaxed, letting his touch ease the tension out of her shoulders.

Don’t let him know how you feel. Don’t give him that power.

Steeling her spine, she asked, “Are you not at all curious what I’ve been doing for the past fifteen years?”

Vesstan didn’t immediately reply, gesturing to a servant across the room to begin bringing in their meals. “I may have planted the seed inside your mother, Veralie, but I did not parent you in any other way. Your mother made sure of that.

“So, I apologize if my order of importance is not what you hoped for. We can discuss your life on Aleron if it would bring you comfort, but given I can clearly see you are healthy and back home, I feel it would be a waste of both our time. Wouldn’t you agree?”

Her nose burned with the effort of preventing tears from filling her eyes. She flared her nostrils, staring down at Jaren’s calloused fingers resting against the gray of her dress, and took a deep breath.

She would not shed a tear in front of these two. Swallowing back the lump in her throat, she sat up and took a sip of water, letting it soothe her throat. “You’re right. The past isn’t important.”

Although she refused to look at him, for fear of breaking apart, she could practically hear how hard Jaren was grinding his teeth, fighting to keep his mouth shut. Beside him, Dedryn sat stiff as a board, like he was just waiting for complete and utter chaos to ensue.

“As for Emperor Sulian, I’m afraid I don’t know much at all,” she said. “I was within the capital, but I lived in the armory and rarely left it. I only spent one evening in his presence.”

“He kept you in the armory?” The question came from Taeral, a sneer ruining her mouth.

Vera bristled. It may have been true, but the way she’d worded the question made it sound more like an insult. “Yes. I lived under the guidance of the Weapon’s Master. He…” She darted a look back at Vesstan. “He raised me.”

Taeral scoffed. “You must’ve been quite a pathetic sight for Sulian to believe you were no threat around weaponry.”