When I returned to the bedroom, Elva was missing from the bed. I nearly screamed, were it not for both of maids, who quickly approached me.

“W–where’s Elva?” I asked them, panic quaking my voice.

“You caused a right commotion, running around,” the talkative maid said. “It was enough to catch the

attention of Prince Nicholas.”

Nicholas? “He’s still at the banquet…?”

I remembered looking back at him as I was leaving. He’d been smiling at an eager girl desperate for his

attention.

“The banquet is still occurring,” the maid said. “He must have excused himself early.”

Why would he do such a thing? Surely he hadn’t overheard what Susie said about Elva? Even if he had, he w

wouldn’t have cared… would he?

“Prince Nicholas.came in here,” the quieter maid said. “He felt Elva’s fever, and then carried her out of

this room himself.”

and worries. I struggled to think straight. I only knew that

I had to be near

palace, would he? She

I was certain of that. Especially when I thought of how

would he take

was off–limits to

That was a grave offense. Nathan had made clear that it could

strong for Elva.

to think I wanted to scream

I

someone knacked on the door, I glanced, and a

told

much less troubled now, looking fully at me. “Miss Piper, you are to

me. I’ll show you

went the guard. Sensing my urgency, he maintained a fast pace as he led me

places was surely allowed if I’d been summoned, right?

it brought me

and a wall of bookcases. Several tables were

equipment and microscopes.

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