Chapter 0312

“What the hell is going on in here?” Nicholas asked. “Julian?”

I was too stunned to speak, but when I looked over to Julian, I saw that he was smirking.

Nicholas turned his rage on the producers. “Why are you filming this?”

The producer jumped, then bowed much lower than was necessary. “It was approved by the crown, Your Royal Highness. The King himself commanded us!”

“Retract your claws before you hurt someone,” Julian said casually as he rose to his feet. This isn’t their fault.”

Nicholas reared back to him. “Then explain it to me, brother. And while you are giving that explanation, you can explain why you felt it necessary to summon me to witness this.” The way he say this, with such open disgust, made me want to crawl into a hole.

“Our parents thought we should utilize Piper’s popularity for the benefit of the whole,” Julian said. “Because nothing says, we’re worthy of being liked by commoners, than having one of those commoners make out with a prince.”

“A prince,” Nicholas said. “Why did it have to be you?”

I felt like Nicholas too easily accepted Julian’s explanation of why we were being filmed kissing, and jumped straight to why not me?

“Nicholas,” I said.

When he saw me, he seemed to remember the other things too. “Piper shouldn’t need to do this with anyone.”

“Tell that to Dad,” Julian said. “Or better yet, how about those protesters outside? I bet

they’d love to hear from you.”

Nicholas glowered. He frowned so deeply, I thought steam might come out of his ears. He turned to the producers again. “I want to see the footage. Whatever you do, you cannot use

that kiss.”

To Julian, I hissed, “Did you really summon him here?”

so casually, like

that?” I said, my own anger spi

He didn’t have to know

“You think he wouldn’t have seen it on TV? Trust me, Piper. He was always going

way, it’s more fun.”

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unnecessarily cruel,” I

on a harsh edge. “He deserves this and more

again, I half-forgot where I was and what was happening. I so very much wanted to ask him for the truth of what

I could, and I was ashamed and

said. His hands were in tight

because he kept glancing at Elva asleep on the chair. “If someone had come

motioned toward me.

of eyes

true?” Nicholas said. “Were you asked?

answer would hurt him. He didn’t want anyone to force me to do anything, but so few days ago, I had pushed him

reasons, and they were sound. But nothing felt good enough now, facing

I tried to keep my voice steady, so as not

my arms around Nicholas and smother him in my kisses until he knew that he was the only man that I held so dearly in my heart. That

I had to sit very

knees, holding on

Nicholas pressed. “You don’t have to do this, you know. No matter what Julian or my father

people rebel. I wouldn’t let them tear this

Nicholas frowned.

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obvious lie. “We’re getting there. But it really is the best plan to quell all this talk of rebellion. Come on, Nicholas. You know it’s true. Like this,

want to talk to Piper alone,” Nicholas

he looked at me. His lifted

you want?

raised myself to my feet and followed Nicholas to a corner of the room where we could speak privately, while still keeping an eye on everyone

the truth now, Piper,” he said. He dropped his gaze to me. The green flickered dangerously in the golden depths. “Why are

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