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. I was ready to go to

curl into bed, and forget everything for

out how to restore my

just wanted to sleep. To unwind

universe had other plans for

to the

Three feet from the exit, Nathan

King wishes to speak with you, Piper.” Nathan glanced at

not,” Nicholas said at

“You

grit his teeth

okay, Prince Nicholas. “I will speak

going

what the King

added. “My father can tell me to my face to get out, but I

alone.”

the matter, like he had faced this argument in the

explain yourself.”

“I’m aware,” Nicholas said.

and began to walk. He expected

firmly. “Whatever he says or commands, I will not

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