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?”

shrugged so casually, like it didn’t

I said, my own anger spi king. “You are trying to stir

Nicholas. He didn’t have to know

lifted a brow. “You think he wouldn’t have seen it on TV? Trust me, Piper. He was always going to find out, but

way, it’s more fun.”

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cruel,”

smirk took on a harsh edge. “He deserves this and

some of my anger. When I opened my mouth again, I half-forgot where I was and what was happening. I so very much wanted to ask him for the truth

I was ashamed and grateful

a terrible plan,” Nicholas said. His hands were in tight fists, but the rage

he kept glancing at Elva asleep

would have disapproved, and we’d be in the same terrible pit as before,” Julian said. He motioned toward me.

of eyes fall on

“Were you asked? And you

anyone to force me to do anything, but so few days ago, I had pushed him away, wanting to shield my heart. Now here I was,

nothing felt good enough now, facing with the reality of his

to keep my voice steady, so as not to betray the quaking emotion

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

I couldn’t move. I had to sit

hands around my knees, holding

to do this, you know. No matter what Julian or

rebel. I wouldn’t let them tear this palace apart. Since I wielded influence, I would leverage it

Nicholas frowned.

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“We’re getting there. But it really is the best plan to quell all this talk of rebellion.

to talk to Piper alone,” Nicholas

sighed as he looked at me. His lifted brow seemed to say, Well? What

you want?

the room where we could speak privately, while still keeping an eye on

tell me the truth now, Piper,” he said. He dropped his gaze to

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