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.”

I said, eying his hand with suspicion.

None of his fingers

no other choice, I placed my hand in Julian’s.

of the guests

startled, but Julian ate it all

Julian whispered to me. “Let’s not keep them

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

one young woman, her eyes bright and sparkling. She had an older man in tow, presumably her long–suffering father

Highness, and to you, Miss Piper,” the father

a pleasure to meet you and your daughter

affective. The girl’s face went red as a cherry tomato, and she was entirely speechless for

and she placed a hand to her

God…”

another bold woman weaved her way to the

glasses up the bridge of her nose. “So

I

+15 BONOS

I’ve made my intentions toward Piper well known

the woman said.

sharp gaze sliced to her. She seemed immune, matching it

are all also enjoying your other entanglements, Miss Piper.” She said the words while still looking at Julian.

other entanglements,” I said carefully.

she could see all my secrets just by looking at me. “No… love triangle?

the group voiced their

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

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

to get a handle on this.

and I are friends, but that is all.”

they were necessary.

snickered. I

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