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.”

was a spiral of fear and worries. I struggled to think

I had to be

leave the palace, would he? She was

he wouldn’t hurt Elva. I was certain of that. Especially when I thought of how gently he had

where would he take

in the palace was off–limits to him.

go to his room. That was a grave offense. Nathan had made clear that

Elva. I needed to

trying to think I wanted to

I

someone knacked on the door, I glanced, and

told

fully at me.

with me. I’ll show

my urgency, he maintained a fast pace as he led me through the

allowed if I’d been summoned, right? I didn’t have time to worry.

beheading if it

a wall of bookcases. Several tables

equipment and microscopes.

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