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.”
was concerned, this evening couldn’t end fast enough. I was ready to go to
and forget everything for a while. Tomorrow, I
figure out how to restore my
just wanted to sleep. To unwind and
had other plans
had taken my arm and was escorting me to the door of the ballroom. I
my room. Three feet from the exit, Nathan
to speak with you, Piper.” Nathan glanced
Nicholas said at
both brows. “You would defy the King’s
grit his teeth
Prince Nicholas. “I
aren’t going alone,” Nicholas
is what the
going too,” Nicholas added. “My father can tell me to my face to get
alone.”
to the matter, like he had faced this argument in the past. “You’ll have
explain yourself.”
“I’m aware,” Nicholas said.
began to walk. He expected us to
says or commands, I will not leave
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