Chapter 0366

When I looked back up at Nicholas, he was still staring at me. Maybe he would have stared forever, I didn’t know.

But then Olivia appeared near his arm. She touched his forearm and he had to look down at her.

She wore a dress the color of the ocean, fluid, with white trim. Nicholas wore a matching tie.

Like Julian and I, they were a matching pair. It was a bitter reminder of our roles tonight, something I seemed to so easily forget every time I looked Nicholas in the eye.

Olivia tugged on Nicholas’s arm, and he acquiesced to her command, not looking back.

Disappointment surged through me. I hadn’t expected that we would have all walked into together like some kind of royal parade, but it would have been nice to receive some acknowledgement.

“Looks like Nicholas is going to have his hands full tonight,” Julian said.

“Yes,” I agreed, annoyed how quickly and easily he followed Olivia’s summons.

“We shouldn’t assume that we can depend on him,” Julian said. “He’s going to be very busy upholding all of our appearances tonight.”

I looked at Julian sideways. “And us?”

“We should stay together,” Julian said. “To do our part, of course, but also for protection.”

“I don’t need your protection,” I said on instinct. I was so used to doing everything alone. Sometimes it still felt hardwired in me. I regretted it immediately. If things went south, I really might need him. I opened my mouth to take it back, but Julian beat me to it, complete with a cheeky grin.

“I meant, protection for me. I don’t want to be outside of three feet of that cuff.‘ He purposefully dropped his gaze to my bosom.

I went to smack him, but, laughing, he dodged out of the way.

I smiled in return, but it didn’t feel as honest as it had before. Seeing Nicholas and being reminded just how far out of reach he was really felt like it hurt something deep within me. My soul, maybe? Was that possible?

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“Come on, my Queen.” julian held out his hand. “At the very least, we should walk in together.”

appropriate places,” I said, eying his hand with

fingers were crossed, but I still

had no other choice, I placed my hand

Miss Piper.” Some of the guests present became

startled, but Julian ate it all up, waving.

to me. “Let’s not keep them waiting.”

sooner did we reach the bottom stair, than we were swarmed by a group of enthusiastic guests.

sparkling. She had an older man in tow, presumably her long–suffering father if their similar facial features were anything to go by. “I begged and begged my dad until he let me come

Your Royal Highness, and to you,

meet you and

laying on the smolder and it was incredibly affective. The girl’s face went red as a cherry tomato,

his smile into a devilish smirk, and she placed a hand to

my God…”

weaved her

her glasses up the bridge of her nose. “So interesting that you were publically introduced

I

+15 BONOS

Julian said, cutting in. “I believe I’ve made my intentions toward Piper well known

the woman

seemed immune, matching it with a sharp gaze of

also enjoying your other entanglements, Miss Piper.” She said the words while still looking at Julian. It almost felt like an attack. Did this woman not

entanglements,” I said

by looking at me. “No… love triangle? You can’t deny that Prince Nicholas also called your name at the last selection ceremony. And then there is the way he looks at you…”

in the

She asked, “What’s it like to be wanted by two different princes, Piper?”

How did they know? Were they part of the group that Charlotte mentioned, who invested so much time and energy into dissecting all the footage of Nicholas and

a

my throat. “I am dating Prince Julian and no one else. Prince Nicholas and I are friends, but that is all.” The words

they were necessary.

maybe…” someone snickered. I didn’t

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