After Nicholas and Julian said my name, many things happened all at once.

My breath was so shaky I felt lightheaded.

The King and Queen both jumped to their feet in outrage.

Many of the remaining girls descended from their standing places to complain aggressively to the

producers and Nathan and anyone who would listen.

“We were cheated!” one of them shouted.

“How can Piper be chosen twice?” cried another.

“This is rigged!” said a third.

One of the producers weaved through the angry crowd to whisper in my ear. “Go on, Piper. Go get your

prince.”

I started forward but immediately hesitated. The problem, of course, was that two princes had chosen

  1. me. Now I had to choose one of them.

If I was true to my heart, I would go for Nicholas. But he already had so many prospects. I’d be shooting

myself in the foot by going to him. Julian was the safer choice, by numbers alone, though his

unpredictability, like his recent disappearance, kept him from being the obvious one.

I was torn, but in the end, I decided to go with my heart. I walked up the stairs to Nicholas. I held out my

hand to thank him and he took mine in both of his.

“Thank you,” I said. His gaze was steady on mine. It lacked the heat from that night, but not the intensity.

Td never leave you behind,” he said softly, so only I could hear it.

Behind us, the King’s ravings were growing louder.

“End the show,” Nathan said at once, threatening a producer. He waved to the cameramen, and the

shut off

in time as the King rushed up

brother have directly

orders father Nicholas said, standing

mine and he looked at me like he wan

said from the floor by the stairs. Her sharp gaze sliced back and forth around them.

should discuss this in

tomato. “Yes. Correct as ever, dearest.” He

behind. When the royal family exited the room, the

out a deep breath.

and Olivia turned their attention to me.

“It’s quite the accomplishment for someone like you to reach this

even imagine it in your wildest

compliment, meant

Lilliana chimed in. She

it inspires the commoners. Of course, you must know that he has no intention

to be here,” I said, attempting to be the bigger person, even though I kind

both off

“Others have enough talents and skills that

depend on luck.”

Lilliana offered me a

your continued presence. I’m sure they

selected

of Lilliana, Olivia, or any of the girls here, and I’d

of Lilliana to at least let

than before, but I wasn’t going

been planning on going home.

feel like I was in a dream. I was

threats of these girls would not ruin this

all knew they

but I’m sure I will

would be rude for me

I would rather they think they hadn’t affected me at all

Nathan called, claiming our attention. “If you will follow me

unchosen girls had been escorted from the room. I still couldn’t truly believe that

among them.

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