The guards grabbed me by the arms and yanked me to my feet. Once I was standing, they continued to

grip, as if I might try to run away.

I’m not surprised,” Lena said, turning up her nose at me. “It was only a matter of time before this one

started some trouble.”

I struggled to maintain my calm. “She wished harm onto my daughter.”

Kirsten rolled her eyes. “Please. No one believes that. I am of the highest breeding. My word carries so

much more weight than yours, or that of your spawn.”

“But-

off

“Save your excuses for the head of the royal guard.” Lena cut me off. “He’ll be the one deciding a

punishment that will fit this show of disrespect.”

The head of the royal guard? Not the King or Queen or the princes?

must have seen the confusion on my face. “Arguments between candidates are too trivial

royal family about. These matters can

my stomach. What punishment could the head of the royal guard dish

to be ejected from the competition without the royal family’s consent. As a publicity

drop me flat before the first elimination. But expulsion

ΠΕ

to a smaller, windowless room. Or take away some of my freedom of movement through the grounds.

punishments I could handle. None of them were what

fear was that they would take away Elva’s

me silent and complacent,

were you hoping Prince Nicholas would save you again? You should know by now, Piper, that

breathe the same air as the

chooses whom he can speak to,”

not speak to anyone

regarding our shared past, not because of my

revealing the truth of

Nicholas only talks to you because he is a good

chance in this competition? Someone

here. I knew I was allowed to

the royal family

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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