Chapter 0315

Nicholas

After leaving Piper’s room, I knew what I had to do. What I should have done from the start, as soon as I learned of Piper and Julian’s fake relationship.

I went to my father’s rooms and requested an audience. Nathan didn’t seem thrilled about it, but announced me all the same. The King generally had an opened-door policy with his sons, assuming no other matter was pressing, so I was welcomed inside.

The King was at the head of his long table, shuffling through some documents I didn’t recognize. At a glance, they appeared to be reports from our border patrols. More unrest in the North?

My father lowered the documents as I approached. He did not address them. Instead, he kept his gaze on me.

“Something’s bothering you,” he said.

My father appreciated straight-forwardness, so I dove in without preamble. “Piper should not need to be in a relationship with Julian.”

The King sighed. “I knew you would disapprove. But you must understand that their relationship is of vital importance to our public relations.”

“Find a different way to improve it,” I said firmly. “Something that doesn’t involve Piper.”

“Using Piper is the easiest way.

“I don’t care about easy,” I said. “I don’t want her involved in this.”

“She’s already involved, Nicholas. Her entire presence here at the competition has only ever been to improve our image with the common people.” The King rubbed his temple. He seemed bored with this discussion, which irked me to no end.

He didn’t care about Piper. Maybe he didn’t care about any of the commoners. He only seemed invested in optics.

“Piper is a tool in our repertoire. One we need to properly utilize,” he said.

“She is not a tool. She is a person.”

The King sighed. He wasn’t listening, not really. If I didn’t turn this conversation around, he’d likely just dismiss me without a resolution.

was in the thick of

+15 BONUS

I could offer

the one to date her,” I said. “If she has to be

mouth to argue, but he beat me to it. “We all expect that you will be the one to inherit the throne,

won’t be

think for one minute that I have forgotten your antics at the last elimination ceremony. Already there is talk of what is going on between you and Piper. But let me make one

like betrayal and hatred, likely stowed by Terry and simmering since. I knew he didn’t hate me. He didn’t hate Julian either. But his position forced him to see shadows

us, they will go their separate ways. And a public breakup with Julian would be

if you would hear me

on this matter,” the King said. “If you stay, I expect you to speak

I closed my mouth.

this trouble you overmuch, son. When

move forward. I didn’t want to move any

+15 BONUS

Chapter 0316

arguing with my father was useless. Once he set his mind to something, he would not be

I could do.

Julian stumbled away

right away, but I didn’t want father to overhear.

said, waving

is, if it’s the King

not, if you

frown deepened. He

can see you aren’t in

you even know how to have

his heart like I had hurt him. “Honestly, brother,

“What about her?”

within me. I wanted to throttle him

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255