Chapter 0047
Nathan waved Eva and I forward close to the edge of the front stai
“Now introducing,” Nathan said. per and her daughter
The polite applause abruptly ceased
eetsed in its place whispers and mas eupted in the room.
Mommy
It’s okay.
ember you an
Elva rodded. She stuck up her little chin, hing the way her bottom lip wobbled,
Holding tightly to each other’s hand
we began down the stancase
There were many
the crowd looked at the royal family instead.
Julian gave me a thumbs up which put me a bit at ea
Then I locked eyes with Nich
Suddenly the rest of the world faded away There was only Elva and I on this stair, and Nicholas, down. below, staring at me.
He watched m
me
entire time gaze never wavering My heart thundered in my chest. I felt like I was in
I
a dream
Only when we reached the bottom stair and a servant directed us where to go, did I finally glance away from handsome face
I moved to stand beside Olivia as the rest of the girls received their introductions.
I kept glancing up at Nicholas Every time I did, he was looking back at me.
After the final introduction, a string orchestra in the corner of the room began to play. The King and Luna owned the first dance
they moved with the land of grace I could only dream about, as if they danced on a cloud. They must have tied quickly though. After only a minute or so, they returned to their seats.
Once they were seated the roles fulled the floor. They were allowed to dance with each other, but not ws. The candidates dances are reserved for the princes alone, unless permission was explicitly given by
The ther of the princes dances was chosen at randon, but by the end, each prince would have danced
Chapter 0047
Nathan waved Elva and I forward, close to the edge of the front stair.
“Now introducing.” Nathan said. “Piper and her daughter Elva.”
The polite applause abruptly ceased. In its place, whispers and murmurs erupted in the room.
“Mommy?
“It’s okay, honey. Just remember, you are a princess.”
Elva nodded. She stuck up her little chin, hiding the way her bottom lip wobbled.
Holding tightly to each other’s hand, we began down the staircase
There were many unfamiliar faces in the crowd. I looked at the royal family instead.
Julian gave me a thumbs up, which put me a bit at ease.
Then I locked eyes with Nicholas.
Suddenly
the rest of the world faded away. There was only Elva and I on this stair, and Nicholas, down
below, staring at me.
gaze
He watched me the entire time, never wavering. My heart thundered in my chest. I felt like I was in
a dream.
Only when we reached the bottom stair and a servant directed us where to go, did I finally glance away
from his handsome face.
I moved to stand beside Olivia as the rest of the girls received their introductions.
I kept glancing up at Nicholas. Every time I did, he was looking back at me.
After the final introduction, a string orchestra in the corner of the room began to play. The King and Luna owned the first dance.
Together they moved with the kind of grace I could only dream about, as if they danced on a cloud. They must have tired quickly, though. After only a minute or so, they returned to their seats.
Once they were seated, the nobles filled the floor. They were allowed to dance with each other, but not us. The candidates‘ dances were reserved for the princes alone, unless permission was explicitly given by the royal family
The order of the princes‘ dances was chosen at random, but by the end, each prince would have danced
The servants weaved through the crowd of us girls searching for the first dancers.
Julian, however, ignored it all by approaching me.
“What do you say, Piper? Care to dance with me?” Julian asked.
I could only imagine the outrage if I said no. Still, I couldn’t help but worry what Nicholas would think. He
had made well known his opinion of Julian and me.
Julian held out his hand. He smirked like he knew I wasn’t in a position to say no.
I looked to Elva, but our nanny was already approaching. It had been previously arranged that the nanny would be on hand to watch Elva during my dances.
Elva waved as she released my hand. “Do good, Mommy!”
I nodded at her. Turning to Julian, I placed my hand in his waiting one.
Julian pulled me out onto the dance floor, and then into his arms. He danced like a professional, with easy movement and a strong lead.
I spend most of my time watching my feet and counting my steps.
“My brother never took you dancing when you were together?” Julian laughed.
We’d gone out, sure. To modern clubs and dancehalls. I could do a two–step, maybe, but these royal
dances were beyond complicated.
None of this I would admit to Julian.
“Don’t interrupt my counting.” I said.
I’m pretty sure you aren’t supposed to order a prince around.”
“Do you want me to embarrass us both?”
He sighed. “You are trying too hard. Look up.”
I did, and nearly tripped over my feet.
“Trust me to lead.”
I wouldn’t trust you to walk an old lady across the street,” I said.
At once, he laughed, loud and hard.
His laughter gave me a chuckle as well. I was proud for having made such a sound from anyone, even a
scoundrel like Julian.
But then, suddenly, Nicholas was beside us.
I realized we’d stopped dancing.
Nicholas scowled at Julian. I’m cutting in
