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.

could tell he wasn’t going to change his mind on this. Piper was in the thick of it here, and I wouldn’t be able to

+15 BONUS

could offer a

she has to be

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

won’t be

table. “Do not think for one minute that I have forgotten your antics at the last elimination ceremony. Already there is talk of what

his eyes, something like betrayal and hatred, likely stowed by Terry and simmering since. I knew

reflect badly on us, they will

you would hear

be said on this matter,” the King said.

I closed my mouth.

thought.” The King sighed. “Do not let this trouble you overmuch, son. When the

to move forward. I didn’t want to

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Chapter 0316

was useless. Once he set

I could do. I nodded and saw myself

stumbled away

eavesdropping. I would have called him out right away, but I didn’t want father to overhear. So I stepped out into the hallway and closed the door

slightly,” Julian said, waving one

is, if it’s the King you’re

you are the

He exhaled long

see you aren’t in the

have a conversation

his heart like I had hurt him. “Honestly, brother, it’s not you I’m worried about, anyway.

“What about her?”

Julian cupping Piper’s face, his mouth on hers, made a storm erupt within me. I wanted to throttle him until I felt better, but

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