Even now, standing as we were with the crowd around us dispersing, I was earning many passing glares.

Gratitude filled my heart for what Nicholas had done. But worry still harbored in the rest of me.

Jane had come here tonight to harm my reputation and she had succeeded in doing so. I didn’t know

what I could do now to repair it.

“Ignore them,” Nicholas said. “They have no idea who you are.” 1

“Does it matter who I am? If they think I am a disgrace, they will have the power to be rid of me.”

“They have no such power,” Nicholas said firmly. “Only the royal family can make those decisions.”

“But surely the nobility has the royal family’s ear.”

“We may listen. We may even consider. But they do not make the decisions for us.”

“Nicholas…” I didn’t know how to tell him that, though I was incredibly thankful for his defending me, I

knew it was only a matter of time until I was removed from the contest. It had always been this way. I

daily walked on the edge of a knife. That I had stayed this long was a miracle. 1

“Don’t give up yet, Piper. Please.”

Above all, I didn’t dare disappoint him. So I nodded. “I’ll keep trying.” 1

“Good.”

far as I was concerned, this evening couldn’t end fast enough. I was ready to go to my room,

curl into bed, and forget everything for a while. Tomorrow, I

and figure out how to

to sleep.

had other plans for

me to the door of

way back to my room. Three feet from the exit, Nathan walked directly into our

with you, Piper.”

not,” Nicholas said at

“You would defy

his teeth

okay, Prince Nicholas. “I

going

what the King requested,” Nathan

going too,” Nicholas added. “My father can tell me to my face to get

alone.”

to the matter, like he had

explain yourself.”

“I’m aware,” Nicholas said.

turned and began to

more firmly. “Whatever he says or commands, I will

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