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.

It should be okay,

“But?” I prompted.

mind. I’ll take you myself. Meet me out front in

minutes.”

and this time

as we arrived at the orphanage, Elva went running to the playground to meet and play

other kids.

caretaker, an older woman who was exceptionally

times

helping hand,” she said. “So many generous

took a moment to sink

cannot escape from being

entryway where Nicholas

gaze slid to

tell me you were coming here!” Mark said,

eyes narrowed marginally, in

hadn’t mentioned that Nicholas might be

comes here

or

“She wanted to get out of the palace for a while. She asked if there was

nearby, where she could help out. Of course, I would

A coincidence? I asked.

heart

to Nicholas, but he was already heading

truly a good man.” She patted my arm consolingly. “Don’t be

he wears.

I

both here is a blessing. Sometimes the kids

handle.”

word. He simply

before happily returning to

I corrected my chair and flopped down onto it. None of the

breakfast.

have, but she was still too embarrassed from her own comment.

mine.

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

to feel in

the same topics as before, as if

hated being surrounded by so much vanity and selfishness. It made me worry

becoming that way too.

and I had finished breakfast and were on our way back to our room, I felt

straight out of my skin. I

punishment weighed on my mind

talking to the new

to gather my thoughts.

wrong, Piper?” he

But I do

He nodded, encouraging me.

during my off–time, would I be allowed? Somewhere

Elva, of

Elva

something.” Mark said. “But where

I could center myself, and maybe do some good?

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