Nicholas didn’t say a word. He simply turned and left.

“Bye, Nick–lass!” Elva called, before happily returning to her waffles.

Deflated, I corrected my chair and flopped down onto it. None of the girls spoke to me during the rest of

breakfast.

Susie might have, but she was still too embarrassed from her own comment. Her gaze never lifted to

mine.

The longer I sat there in silence, with the girls chattering amongst themselves, the more suffocated I

began to feel in the palace.

The girls‘ conversations had more or less returned to the same topics as before, as if I had not spoken

up at all. I hated being surrounded by so much vanity and selfishness. It made me worry that I was

becoming that way too.

By the time Elva and I had finished breakfast and were on our way back to our room, I felt like I might

vibrate straight out of my skin. I was uncomfortable and unhappy.

The looming threat of my punishment weighed on my mind too.

Mark was still waiting outside of our room, talking to the new guards. I stopped in front of him and tried

to gather my thoughts.

“Something wrong, Piper?” he asked.

“Not wrong, exactly. But I do have a question.”

He nodded, encouraging me.

7f1 wanted to go somewhere during my off–time, would I be allowed? Somewhere off the palace

grounds. With Elva, of course.”

Of course! Elva chimed in

be able to arrange something.” Mark said. “But where would you want to go?

omewhere I could center myself, and maybe do some good? I don’t know. Maybe I’m overthinking

ything I rubbed my forehead.

looked at me curquely, like i was a puzzle yet to be completed.

“Somewhere like an orphanage, perhaps?” I suggested. “I could help serve lunch later, and Elva could play with the kids.”

Elva gasped. “Yay! Let’s go there! I want to play!”

Mark’s eyes went a little wide. Had I surprised him? Maybe he spent too much time in the palace too, if he was thinking the worst of everyone like I was.

should be okay, but…”

“But?” I prompted.

shook his head, then smiled at me. “Never mind. I’ll take you myself. Meet me out

minutes.”

this time I joined

went running

other kids.

the head caretaker, an older woman who was exceptionally sweet.

hand many times in a row.

so pleased to have another helping hand,” she said. “So many generous spirits in

words took a moment to sink in. Another helping

I cannot escape

entryway where Nicholas was standing.

gaze slid

Royal Highness! You didn’t tell me

narrowed

Mark as well. He hadn’t mentioned that Nicholas might

too. “He comes here sometimes

today, or I wouldn’t have brought

the palace

nearby, where she could help out. Of

A coincidence? I asked.

crossed his heart with

Nicholas, but he

truly a good man.” She patted

hard shell he wears. It’s the inside

too, but I

having you both here is a blessing. Sometimes the kids

handle.”

word. He

Elva called, before

chair and flopped down onto it. None of the girls spoke to

breakfast.

but she was still too embarrassed from her own comment. Her gaze never

mine.

with the girls chattering amongst themselves, the

to feel in

girls‘ conversations had more or less returned to the same topics

being surrounded by so much vanity

becoming that way too.

had finished breakfast and were on our way back to

out of my skin. I was uncomfortable

threat of my punishment weighed

waiting outside of our room, talking to the new guards. I stopped in

to gather my thoughts.

Piper?” he

I do

He nodded, encouraging me.

to go somewhere during my off–time,

With Elva,

Elva

Mark said. “But

center myself, and maybe do some good? I don’t know. Maybe I’m

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