Chapter 0089
I desperately tried to memorize all that I could from this moment.
Nicholas being sweet with Elva as he lifted her up off of Night. Night licked at her face and she giggled.
event
Julian had been so kind to me, making me laugh even though I had fully intended on sitting here quietly
and alone.
Silver,
so relaxed and protective, head resting in my lap.
Near the end of the night, Elva fell asleep in Nicholas’s arms. Mark took her from him to carry her back
to my room.
Most of the other girls had retired by now. The stars were bright in the sky, and the hour was late.
Nicholas approached me and asked, “May I walk you back to your room?”
He pushed, my chair for me through the palace toward an elevator in the back. It was tucked out of the way, but helpful for situations like these. Nicholas said the servants used it to bring heavy loads up and
down the stairs.
Outside of my room, we hesitated. Now was the time to say goodbye. Neither of us said it.
“The next time we see each other
likely be at the elimination,” he said…
That was true. Though we would be under the same roof, the royal family only interacted with the girls during specific scheduled events, none of which had been arranged for the next couple of days.
“We both know I’m going to be sent home,” I said.
He didn’t reply, basically confirming my assumption. I nodded, expecting it, yet oddly, I still felt a bit sad
inside.
“Elva will miss you,” I said.
I’ll miss her too.”
You could still reach out to her, if you wanted. Even after we’re gone. I’m sure she’d love to hear from
you
Nicholas swallowed hard. His gaze fell to the ground. That wouldn’t be appropriate, I’d be duty bound to both the throne and whichever woman becomes my wife. My own family would require my loyalty.
Another pang of hurt sliced in between my ribs. I understood, of course, Princes belonged more to their
“No.” I said. “T’m just not what you are used to. The novelty of me will wear off eventually.”
He glanced at me sideways Tm not so sure”
Beyond him out in the field, Nicholas glanced in our direction His face immediately hardened and he
glared.
aa
I tried my best to ignore him. I knew Nicholas had warned me about Julian being a playboy, but he wasn’t hitting on me. We were just talking
7 showed Lena your broken bow.” Julian said, snaring my full attention.
“What?”
“She denied any knowledge of the clear sabotage, but I have no doubt she at least knew who did it, il she hadn’t ordered it herself. I made my intentions clear to her, though, so you shouldn’t have too much
more trouble from her for now.
His words sat heavy on me. “What are your intentions, Julian?”
He shrugged, carefree. She may have her plans to sabotage you, Piper, but now she will have to worry.
about my plans to sabotage her.”
His tone was so casual, so flippant, it sent a chill up my spine. He was a little bit terrifying. Who knew
what he would do, all with a smile on his face? I was relieved, in this case, that he was on my side and not
my enemy.
“Oops, I’ve been spotted.” Julian waved to a group of girls who had begun to inch closer. “I better head. them off or they will come over here.” He hopped to his feet. “Always a delight, Piper.”
“Don’t break too many hearts,” I called after him.
“Only the correct amount,” he replied. The scoundrel.
Silver’s fur as!
With Julian gone, I was once again left alone with my thoughts. I continued to stroke Silver’s considered that this might be my true last night of fun. The elimination ceremony was only a few nights away, with not much planned in between.
“No,” I said. “I’m just not what you are used to. The novelty of me will wear off eventually.”
He glanced at me sideways. “I’m not so sure.”
Beyond him,
glared.
out in the field, Nicholas glanced in our direction. His face immediately hardened and he
I tried my best to ignore him. I knew Nicholas had warned me about Julian being a playboy, but he wasn’t
hitting on me. We were just talking.
“I showed Lena your broken bow,” Julian said, snaring my full attention.
“What?”
“She denied any knowledge of the clear sabotage, but I have no doubt she at least knew who did it, if she hadn’t ordered it herself. I made my intentions clear to her, though, so you shouldn’t have too much
more trouble from her for now.”
His words sat heavy on me. “What are your intentions, Julian?”
He shrugged, carefree. “She may have her plans to sabotage you, Piper, but now she will have to worry
about my plans to sabotage her.”
His tone was so casual, so flippant, it sent a chill up my spine. He was a little bit terrifying. Who knew
what he would do, all with a smile on his face? I was relieved, in this case, that he was on my side and not
my enemy.
“Oops, I’ve been spotted.” Julian waved to a group of girls who had begun to inch closer. “I better head
them off or they will come over here.” He hopped to his feet. “Always a delight, Piper.”
“Don’t break too many hearts,” I called after him.
“Only the correct amount,” he replied. The scoundrel.
With Julian gone, I was once again left alone with my thoughts. I continued to stroke Silver’s fur as i considered that this might be my true last night of fun. The elimination ceremony was only a few nights. away, with not much planned in between.
