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.”

fast enough.

bed, and forget everything for

out how to restore my

to sleep. To unwind and

other plans for

had taken my arm and was escorting me to

all the way back to my room. Three

wishes to speak with you, Piper.” Nathan glanced

Nicholas said at

brows. “You would defy

his teeth

Prince Nicholas. “I

aren’t going alone,”

is what the King requested,”

me to my face to get out, but I won’t let

alone.”

to the matter, like he had

explain yourself.”

“I’m aware,” Nicholas said.

to walk. He expected us to

“Whatever he says or

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