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 at once.

time as the

have directly disobeyed my orders”

father Nicholas said,

he

the stairs. Her sharp gaze sliced

should discuss this in private.”

though his face remained red as a cherry tomato. “Yes. Correct

did too, trailing behind. When the royal family exited the room, the tension in the room seemed to

out a

Olivia turned their attention

quite the accomplishment for

couldn’t even imagine it in

meant primarily to insult

chimed in. She spoke in her

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

here,” I said, attempting to be the bigger person,

both off the

on luck,” Olivia said. “Others have

depend on luck.”

enjoy what time you have left, Piper.” Lilliana offered me

won’t be happy with your continued presence. I’m sure they might even work together to

not selected this time.”

afraid of Lilliana, Olivia, or any of the girls here,

least let me know the target

but I wasn’t going

I’d been planning on going home. That Nicholas and

like I was in a dream. I was so

not ruin

We all knew they weren’t truly

you both for your concern, but I’m sure I will be

truly grateful But it would be rude

they hadn’t affected me at

claiming our attention. “If you will follow me to the

noticed then that the unchosen girls had been escorted from the room. I still couldn’t

wasn’t among

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