Chapter 0368

Then, to me, Nicholas spoke again, “Look at me, Piper.”

I hesitated at first, but he didn’t move from his spot in front of me, like he was patiently waiting me out.

So, eventually, I chanced a glance upwards.

Nicholas captured my gaze with his own and held me captive. He held so much emotion in his eyes – blatant affection – it stole my breath away.

“You know who I’d rather be with,” he said.

He meant me.

And the words stole my breath away.

I’d rather be with him too. “Nicholas…”

“Find me,” he said, “before you make a move on Jane…” He sighed. “Or find Julian. Just don’t do anything on your own.

This felt like a pivotal moment, like he was barring his heart; and it was time for me to do the same. I wouldn’t disappoint him. I wanted him to know his

affections were reciprocated, in case there was any question about it.

“I’ll find you,” I said. It was a difficult thing to promise. No one knew when or how Jane would appear. It was likely that Nicholas would be in an entirely different part of the room. But no, I would still make an effort to get to him.

I would try, anyway. Because he wanted me to.

Slowly, he nodded. “Thank you.” But I could see with the flash of uncertainty in his eyes that he didn’t quite believe me.

“I’ll have my necklace,” I said, gesturing to where the full moon pendant rested just above my bosom.

Nicholas frowned deeper at it. “Yes, but…”

making us both jump. This

“I think your fangirls got enough pictures of you

at the overeager group of women who had inched closer to where they now stood. Many looked embarrassed at

Piper quickly accepted, afraid any hesitation would come off poorly on

speaking to him privately again. So I just accepted that he would glare. The girl

rushed me away from Nicholas,

upbeat cantor, but I knew I was being lectured. “Did you forget

“To catch Jane…”

onto the

the other clutching mine as he

sunshine and happiness, to let all the good people at home know how great everything is,” Julian said. His smile was bright and wide,

good

the talent,

was right in this too. I hadn’t forgotten the theme of the night’s event exactly,

me around. I felt light as a feather in his capable hands. “So maybe rather than pretending to have fun… how about

Chapter 0369

and among the candidates

eager to show how much fun we were having all to maintain our standing in the competition, of course.

smiling. Fake laughter sounded all around me, every contestant competing with each other for the royal family’s attention

Susie standing near the edge of it. Her

on the shoulder and motioned toward Susie. “I need

understood and released me. “I’ll make the rounds.”

back among the dancers, with a new partner now. He switched

side instead. Relief covered her face the moment she noticed

“Piper. Thank goodness.”

going on?” I asked her.

worried her hands together. “I

Dance?” I knew she could dance. I’d seen her do the steps

“Pretend,” she said.

dance floor. From this angle, the scrunched up too–much smiling faces seemed extra unnerving.

all, but a prince didn’t really need to. Olivia seemed pleased. She

meanwhile, was laughing so loudly, smile so

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said. “I know we need to try to lift the spirits of

that she sought out my opinion. Only, I didn’t know what answer to give

likely the people would be able to tell this was fake. Hell, even if it wasn’t, what kind of message was it truly

inappropriate.

being optimistic, I could see how the royal family was desperate enough to try. If part of the public unease was distrust in the stability of the royal family, showing that they could still maintain the events of

sighed, then met Susie’s gaze. Neither of us were political players or strategists. We were just two young women caught in a game created by people

he pulled

pretending,” I told Susie now, “We

as if surprised. Did she think we could only pretend?” How?”

we?” I

she said.

let’s start acting like it.”

mine and pulled her with me toward the dance floor.

doing?” she asked, though

moves and the practiced dances. Let me show you some of the dances from my

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