“Things haven’t been easy between you and me,” he said. “But I’m thinking that should change.”

“What do you suggest?”

He glanced back to Elva. Her flower crown stayed together this time. Smiling wide, she placed it on her

head.

“Let’s be friends,” he said. Surprised, I looked at him. He watched me a moment, before adding, “For

Elva’s sake.”

“I’d like that.”

Just then, Elva ran over to us and offered her flower crown–to Nicholas. He dipped his head low to

accept it.

Later that afternoon, the other girls and I were brought into the parlor for an announcement regarding

the next challenge.

I had been in the room for approximately two minutes when the snickering began. It seemed, from what

I could overhear, that the girls had found out about my secret rendezvous with Julian and were most

displeased.

nudged me hard with their

“Hey!” I said.

You really should be more careful where

sore arm. “You could watch where you’re going.”

notice important

another girl. “Apparently she is Prince Julian’s favorite. Though who knows

do to earn it.”

worry,” said a third. “Prince Julian doesn’t take

her aside.

girl chimed in, “Aren’t we

“Can’t expect the girl with the kid

make things worse. I didn’t

own agenda.

a word. Of anyone here, I thought she for sure would want to take

stand before me. The crowd parted for her like she’d already been

Piper, and I suggest

really isn’t necessary,” I said.

actually. If you want to be taken seriously as a contender in this

make you look like a

eyes went wide at such

to her, Piper,” said another girl.

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