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.”

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

bed, and forget everything for a while.

figure out how to restore

wanted to sleep. To

had other plans for

and was escorting me to the door of the ballroom. I

my room. Three feet from the exit, Nathan walked directly

to speak with you, Piper.” Nathan glanced at Nicholas. “Alone.”

Nicholas

lifted both brows. “You would defy

his

Prince Nicholas. “I will speak

going alone,”

what the King requested,”

can tell me to my face to get

alone.”

resigned to the matter, like he had faced this argument in the

explain yourself.”

“I’m aware,” Nicholas said.

Nathan turned and began to

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

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