I followed Lilliana further into the gardens to a small rod–iron table with two chairs. Lilliana motioned for

me to sit and then sat in the opposite chair.

“I’m glad we could finally have a chance to talk like this,” Lilliana said. She rested both hands on top of

the table.

I’mirrored her for a moment, but it felt unnatural having my hands lifted so high. I lowered them into my

lap instead.

“What was it you wanted to

talk to

me about?” Nervousness prickled at my skin. While it wasn’t unusual for the candidates to talk to each other, this still felt like a special event. Lilliana had called me out in front of Nicholas himself. She very nearly broke character to do it.

She gave me a sour kind of look. The way a disappointed principal would make to a rowdy student in. their charge. “Prince Nicholas. I want to ask you to please leave him alone. You are a distraction to him.”

we are friends.”

“I’m not doing anything to bother him, or at least, not trying to. But we

Nicholas had come to my rescue more than once now. And somehow when I needed things or support, Nicholas was always around to help. But that’s what friends did.

Lilliana narrowed her eyes. It was unusual for her to show any emotion. Tiny alarm bells started sounding in my head.

“What is your problem, Piper?” she snapped, voice suddenly much sharper than it had been before. Her narrowed gaze had become a fully blown glare.

moment. I opened and closed my

can’t have both brothers! If you are after Julian, you should

anyone.” I lifted my hands now, palms forward in defense. “I’m not after any of the brothers.”

is supposed to believe that.” She crossed her arms.

“It’s true!”

over both of them. They won’t both pick you in the next elimination, Piper. Focus your efforts on Julian, who I shouldn’t need to remind you that you have been dating, and leave Nicholas

that I wasn’t a threat to her so much as she was a threat to herself. Nicholas might say now that he will marry whoever the King wants, but I refused he would be able

deserved a partner. Not a pawn.

friends with Nicholas. That is all. But because

actually likes and not someone who just agrees

the time.”

threw her head back and laughed. “Piper, you are

What did you think he was going to marry

but she didn’t have to be so blasé about

for love.” She didn’t even look sad about it. She

change, and not just for the

want to save us all, huh? Oh, Piper. You need to just accept this is how

refuse to accept that,

Lilliana

blink of an eye,

even need to look to know that Nicholas had approached us from behind me.

“I’ve never heard you laugh so… boisterously

hand over her mouth and cleared her throat. “She

to be.”

I had said was

at me, and that smile dimmed into an expression of confusion. “I know it was probably a fool’s hope, but I always wanted more of

was kind, to include me in that statement, when everyone

was common.

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