Chapter 0435

That night, Nicholas and Julian joined the rest of the candidates and me in the dining room for dinner together. Elva was tired from the day’s events, so I returned her to our room where the nanny was waiting to keep an eye on her. Julian joined me at the door, to walk down to the dining room together.

When we entered, Bridget had taken her usual spot, with Nicholas on her one side. The other side was open, presumably for Julian. She spotted us as we came in, and tried to wave us or, well, Julian – over.

“She wants you to sit next to her,” I whispered to him.

“I need space from her tonight,” he replied.

Nodding, I led him away from Bridget and over to where my usual spot was beside Susie, and across from Tiffany and Veronica. Since Elva was absent, her seat was empty. Julian sat down in that seat now.

Bridget watched us from her spot at the table. Her ever–present smile seemed slightly dimmer than before.

“You should have been the lead, Prince Julian,” Tiffany said. “No offense to Prince Nicholas, but you are a true actor. It’s like you were born to be on stage.

The compliment seemed to puff Julian back up and he returned to life. His grin slid right back on his face very easily.

“Thank you, my dear,” he said.

“I like Bridget,” Tiffany continued, “But I’m not so convinced about her giving the perfect. roles to everyone. Piper, didn’t she try to make you a maid?”

I groaned, and everyone around me chuckled a little. Even Julian.

“God, I forgot about that,” he said.

Maybe he forgot. Or maybe he’d been so blindsided by love that he hadn’t noticed Bridget’s slights against me to start with.

Bottles of champagne came out then, and glasses were filled all around.

Nicholas, holding his glass, stood up. He held it up like he was going to make a toast.

Yet before he could speak, Bridget bounced to her feet and held up her own glass. “Nicholas

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I haven’t been around for the other events, but

a flat look that had me hide my

for a fraction of a second before

theater is how every person is an imperative moving part. It is only through everyone’s great effort that this event will be a success. Yes, Nicholas and I will draw most of the attention, but we will shine because

back over her shoulder. “Is this

gave her a shrug.

notice

glass. “You should all pat yourselves on the back for your accomplishments here. To us!” She drank. The rest of us followed suit, thought with varying degrees of

some of it into my glass under the table when I

at Nicholas. He gave a

cleared his throat.

unimportant parts in this show. Your dedication to this event has been seen and appreciated. Thank

Everyone said, the words absent when Bridget had toasted. Her smile tightened at little, but by the time she had finished drinking,

drink and have a good time. Though, not too long later, Julian kissed me on

he said. “I

at him. “See

you tomorrow.”

on it.” He winked at me. Then he stood

fun,” Tiffany

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Veronica said. “He has been absent from the library these past few

my head a little. “Does

least for

hope I didn’t offend him when

Whether he hung out with the three of us for romantic pursuits or for friendship, those relationships began to wilt the moment she returned to the picture.

noticed he doesn’t smile as much,” Susie said, and we all agreed.

day and would likely

a bit longer, chatting up Jessica

ready to leave,” he said, “I would be honored to walk you back to your room.

seat was empty. Did she slip out? When? I couldn’t remember. After the toasts, I’d had such a good time, I stopped paying

I asked. I couldn’t help

he said. “But I think she left sometime

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