I would guess that many of those nurses, tutors etc. did give their young charges at least some affection; it's hard not to love little kids. So it's tough on Tarvek that none of his did (were allowed to?).

Interesting idea that he may have seen Anevka as a "protecting angel"; not a particularly loving one though. Perhaps that's another reason he worked so hard to save her, protect her.

Agatha will do her best to give him a happy future, not necessarily the one he most desires with her; but she has real affection for him and she would be a mama bear to protect him from harm. Plus, the Foglios *like* their characters and have created an optimistic world, I think he will have a good future, they just don't want to give anything away yet. I will continue to trust them.