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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been. Granted, I haven’t been around for the other events, but this truly seems like the best one

that had me hide

at me for a fraction of a second before continuing.

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

me now, back over her shoulder. “Is this supposed to be motivating?”

her

didn’t notice this time.

glass. “You should all pat yourselves on the back for your accomplishments here. To us!” She drank. The rest of

glass under the

Bridget turned and smiled at Nicholas. He gave a small smile in return,

cleared his throat.

their hard work. Though some roles are smaller than others, there are no unimportant parts in this show. Your dedication

us!” Everyone said, the words absent when Bridget had toasted. Her smile tightened at little, but by the time she had finished drinking, it was back to

we continued to drink and have a good time.

day,” he said. “I

smiled at him.

you tomorrow.”

Then he stood and left

him having some fun,” Tiffany said. “He hasn’t really been himself

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Veronica said. “He has been absent from

little. “Does he usually visit you

“At least for a

hope I didn’t offend him when I caught him counting.

Though now, his fascination with Bridget felt even sadder. Whether he hung out

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

to yawn. We truly had a long day and would likely have an

herself first, then Veronica. Tiffany stayed a

and offered his arm. “If you are ready to leave,” he said, “I

to myself, Bridget would hate that. Yet when I glanced to where Bridget had been sitting, her seat was empty. Did she slip out? When? I couldn’t remember. After the toasts, I’d had such a good time, I stopped

Bridget?” I asked. I couldn’t

by my question. “I lost track of her,” he said. “But I think she left sometime after

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