In my ear. Julian quickly whispered, “Pretend you don’t care.”

It seemed like sound advice this time, so I tried to take it. I wasn’t a great liar, but then, this lie wasn’t

too far from the truth. Other than being a minor annoyance, this really wasn’t that big of a deal.

“It’s a beautiful dress,” I said. “1 wish even more people could be given the chance to wear it.”

“Charming,” the producer said with a smile. “A woman of the people.” He nudged the cameraman.”

Close in on Lilliana now. Let’s see if she has a response”

Rolling my eyes, I returned my attention to Julian

“Very good,” he said. “One way to win against the drama–seekers is to always feign indifference. With no

drama, they get bored and move on. Wearing the same dress to this banquet could be a front page story.

or something limited to a footnote”

“It doesn’t even deserve to be a footnote,” I said

Julian laughed. “True”

the end of the meal, as the royal family and the girls

the attention of the

one of Lilliana’s hands in his

stomach dropped. This wasn’t anything unexpected. Despite our near–kiss, nothing had

in search of a mate, and Lilliana was his favored.

was wearing a mask so thick no one could see through it, not even

honor of joining me

not reach her eyes. “Yes.

clapped. I did, too, not

who was so fake, but it wasn’t my

mask? He had claimed that he was searching for the perfect

perfect mate.

would be the perfect

be so miserable if he could

no caught up in my own downtrodden feelings, that I didn’t immediately notice the many eyes that had shifted

even slinked up beside me. “What are you

girls joined in

ear my response.

I was pretty sure we weren’t

will excuse us, ladies, Piper and I need to say a few quick words

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