Natalia
Andrei and I had dinner privately that night. Since we were all together again, and Max was well enough to sit at the table with us, my father and brother didn’t protest when I told them we wanted to be alone.
We shared a small but delicious meal in my private chambers, watching as Jane continued to chatter away to Max about everything he had missed. Meanwhile, Max picked at his soup.
He couldn’t have solid foods yet, which was a struggle for a six-year-old who wanted to eat pasta and chicken, but he stopped fussing when we promised to have a smorgasbord when we returned to the territories.
After dinner, while Max and Jane played quietly by the fireplace with some toys and books Andrei had brought, Andrei and I sat on the sofa with glasses of wine and watched.
“Jane really mi
