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.”

I was concerned, this evening couldn’t end fast enough.

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

together and figure out how to

just wanted to sleep. To unwind and

had other plans

was escorting me to the

me all the way back to my room. Three feet from the

you, Piper.” Nathan glanced at Nicholas. “Alone.”

not,” Nicholas said

lifted both brows. “You would defy the King’s

his teeth

Prince Nicholas. “I will speak with

aren’t going alone,”

is what the King requested,”

tell me to my face to get

alone.”

he had faced this argument in

explain yourself.”

“I’m aware,” Nicholas said.

and began to

my arm more firmly. “Whatever he says or commands, I will not leave

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