FreeNovel
Chapter 0339
A few days later, all of the candidates were called into the foyer for another of Nathan’s meetings. By
now, Elva was fully recovered, although very angry that I would not let her leave
the room.
“There’s a bad guy on the loose,” I said. “It’s too dangerous for you until that person is caught.”
Elva crossed her arms and pouted. “But you go out.”
“Because I have to. Trust me, I’d rather stay in here with you.”
That, along with a hug, seemed to pacify her for now, and I was able to leave peacefully.
Down in the foyer, I found Susie, Veronica, and Tiffany standing together and went to join them.
“How is Elva?” Susie asked. I had talked to each of them since the incident, down at breakfast and
dinner, but every time Susie asked me the same question. I was glad for it, honestly. It was
nice to feel cared about.
“Better,” I said. “She was so mad I wouldn’t let her join us.”
“It’s safer where she is,” Veronica said, and she would know.
She had placed some talismans of her own around my room, designed to keep the curse at bay. She’d
also given Elva a necklace to wear that carried a talisman as a pendant, but Veronica had said it was
better if she was entirely surrounded by the protections.
“She’s a free spirit,” Susie said fondly.
“Glad she’s better,” Tiffany said. “Most of the girls were really worried.” Most. I wondered which were
the ones who weren’t. I immediately suspected Olivia and Lilliana, though I’d hoped they weren’t so
callous as to actively want Elva harmed.
Being uncaring was different than malice though, so I tried not to dwell on it.
Nathan cleared his throat, drawing all of our gazes.
“Attention, please,” Nathan said. When he had it, he continued, “It has been decided by the royal family
that we are going to attempt to progress the competition.”
A few gasps sounded around the candidates. Most seemed excited. I didn’t know what to think yet so I
stayed quiet. Beside me, Susie looked worried.
“Due to Terry’s betrayal,” Nathan continued, “the scores from his event will be removed from the
standings.”
+15 BONUS
I motioned him closer and he sat on the bed beside me.
Julian yawned. “I’d like to stay too. Not on the bed of course, but that couch over there looks.
comfortable.”
He hadn’t slept either. He’d been so worried about Elva. It seemed unfair to send him away now, when
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtthe matter was mostly resolved. Adrenaline was giving way, and everyone was exhausted.
“It’s okay,” I told him. “You can stay.’
In the end, only Mark saw himself out, but I imagined that was to go see Susie.
Charlotte stayed in the room as well, taking watch on the chair near the sewing machines.
Nicholas wrapped his arms around me, and I felt sleep calling me.
Soft snores already sounded from the other side of the room.
“Sleep,” Nicholas said.
“Only if you do, too.”
“I promise.”
My eyelids were too heavy to keep open much longer. Soon, sleep pulled me over.
I slept a full night without dreaming.
In the morning, I awoke with Nichola s’s strong chest pressed against my back. His arms were wrapped
around me and Elva both. Across the room, Julian snored where he was on the couch. Charlotte’s
head had dipped down onto her shoulder from where she sat on the chair.
Warmth filled my chest. This was my family.
A bittersweet feeling surged at the thought.
I had them now, but for how much longer?
Too soon, we’d be ripped away from each other.
I tried to live in the happy now, but dread lingered, just under the surface.
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This time, I did exhale in relief. So did Susie. No thanks to Terry, we’d both managed a truly terrible
standing. With Terry’s scores dismissed, we stood a much better chance.
“I can now announce that the next event will be another ball.”
Softer, as if speaking to himself, he said, “Since those receive the best ratings and reaction. from the
public.”
Then he raised his voice once more, “The royal family asks that all candidates to wear bright colors in
their outfits and do their best to appear cheerful and exuberant. We want the world to see how much
you enjoy being here.”
The girls looked at each other. Those seemed like rather unusual requests.
“Therefore, the best scores for this event will go to the candidates that seem to be having the best
time.”
A few mouths opened.
I frowned. This couldn’t bode well for what was happening beyond the palace gates. Things were so
bad, our contest was now over who could smile the most.
“The Luna must always wear a bright face,” Nathan said.
I tried to remember but came up short with all the times I could remember the Luna smiling. Did she
ever smile? Not at me, that was for sure.
I decided to keep that opinion to myself.
As Nathan concluded his meeting, Tiffany turned to the rest of us. “Things must be worse than they are
letting on out there, if they are throwing an event as simple as this.”
For her to notice it too, did not bode well at all.
As the girls began to file out, Julian weaved his way in.
“Piper! I’ve been looking for you.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Ready for the limelight?”
I rolled my eyes.
“Veronica. Tiffany. Susie. Nice to see you all too.”
Tiffany curtsied. Veronica just stared.
“Nice to see you, too, Prince Julian.”
Julian held out his arm for me, and I accepted it.
“I’ll see you all later!” I called out behind me, as Julian led me from the room.
Outside the room, we immediately turned to the left, breaking off from the rest of the group.
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“Where do you want to get caught tonight?” Julian asked.
“Julian, you know where. We’ve already planned this. The camera crew knows where to look.”
He sighed. “It’s no fun when they know. Isn’t it supposed to be a game?”
“Maybe to you,” I grumbled good-naturedly. “I’d prefer we stick to the plan.”
He gave a second, more dramatic sigh. “Very well.”
As we continued walking, some more worries began to take hold of my thoughts and heart. Tiffany had
the right of it. For the contest to be so simple, it had to be an ill-omen.
Who would know more about it than Julian?
“How are things outside the palace?” I asked him, straight to the point. I lifted a brow, trying to appear
only vaguely interested.
He saw through me in a second. “You don’t have to put on the act.”
I deflated. “Sorry. It’s just that everyone’s worried. Me, included. You should hear about the
next event.”
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm“Trust me, I know all about it,” Julian said. “My father’s grand scheme to save the monarchy. A lavish
ball. That will win impoverished people’s hearts and minds.”
“You don’t think it will work?”
“Honestly, I have no idea. Nothing else has, so maybe it will. At least, maybe it will distract people long
enough to give us a moments peace. In addition to the potential uprising, we’re also dealing with
tensions along the borders. We’re holding on by a miracle.”
My frown deepened and my shoulders drooped. Were things so bad that even Julian was this
worried?
Julian noticed my wilting demeanor. “But don’t worry!” he said, too brightly. “It will all work out. And
even if it doesn’t, you’ll be safe. The people love you.”
“I’m not worried about me,” I said. “I’m most concerned for you and Nicholas.
}}
“Nicholas, sure,” Julian laughed. “But I can’t imagine you worrying about little ole me.”
“Of course I do,” I said. I stopped in the hallway to face him fully. I wanted him to fully understand my
sincerity. “You are very dear to me, Julian. If anything were to happen to either of you, I… I wouldn’t be
able to stand it.”
“Piper…”
Something crossed over his face. His features softened as if he was moved by my words. He dropped
my arm to lift both hands up to my cheeks. He cupped my face, and traced his thumbs
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“Piper…” he said again, even more gently.
It was natural for friends to worry about friends. I didn’t understand the sudden change that came over
him.
Uniess…
Were the cameras already here? We weren’t even to the spot yet.
Time for my game face then, I realized. I pushed down my confusion and brought forward my
admiration.
Julian wasn’t Nicholas. How I admired him was different, but no less real. I did care for Julian in his
own way. It wasn’t all that hard to bring that forward.
But then Julian leaned forward.
I tried to stay loose. I tried to make it natural.
Julian kissed me.
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