Chapter 19


    Nichs and I continued to stare at each other, neither of us saying a word. We both nced down at


    the empty chair and back at each other again.


    Every other spot a


    at the table was filled. Unless Nichs were to excuse himself, he would have to sit


    here to eat. But to leave in the middle of his ownpetition would be unbearably rude.


    Weren’t the royal family trying to win the hearts and minds of themon people?


    Nichs must have had the same train of thought, though his face revealed nothing.


    He sat.


    The King cleared his throat. After a pointed look to Nichs, who avoided it by staring hard at the table,


    the King spoke loud enough for the entire table to hear.


    “Once again, we wee all thedies here, chosen by our royal magic at the ceremony.


    Though he was addressing the girls sitting at the table, his eyes were on the cameras on the corners of


    the room, which the cameramen had clicked on. The red lights indicated they were recording.


    “We eagerly look forward to theing days, where you will be asked to showcase your virtues and


    your talents. Both will be needed in excess to be the kind of truly capable Luna that our pack


    deserves.”


    Some of the girls at the table nodded.


    “In addition, of course, you will be able to spend time with my sons, developing friendships that could


    progress into more. A sessful King needs someone at his side that he can trust.”


    Nichs crossed his arms.


    I looked away from him toward the other end of the table, where the Luna – the Queen, sat with perfect


    posture. Her back was t against the dining chair. She held her head tall, her chin lifted, proud and


    dignified.


    She watched the King speak with quiet poise, her attention never wavering from him.


    tried to mimic her posture, but I couldn’t manage it for long. All the other girls seemed to, however.


    All the girls here, even Susie beside me, had trained their entire lives for events like these. Wearing


    gowits and attending formal dinners like this were amon urrence for them,


    with my calloused fingers and the slump in my shoulders, I didn’t belong here, even with the training


    ted to give me the past few days.


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    When I had been at the Academy, I had felt like a bit of an outcast. And when I had been with


    Nichs…


    had known I was on borrowed time, even without knowing he was a prince.


    A noble was a noble. Amoner was amoner. We could interact. We could even try to be


    friends.


    But romantically, what kind of future could we have? No one in his life would have ever approved of


    me.


    N?velDrama.Org is the owner.


    Even now, I was only here because of a publicity stunt. Julian had said so himself.


    Thank you, for letting this old man talk your ears off,” the King said.


    A few softughs sounded around me. Realizing I had missed much of what he’d said, lost in my own


    thoughts, I lowered my head in guilt and shame.


    The King continued, “Now, let us enjoy this meal and each other’spany.


    “A fine speech,” said the girl on the King’s left. Everyone else spoke quickly to agree.


    I still felt like a jerk, for missing most of it.


    The servants brought out the first course, a soup with a side of bread. It smelled heavenly. I had to


    remind myself not to eat too eagerly.


    I hadn’t had a full course meal since the Academy, and had to reorient myself with the cutlery. It had


    only been three years, but it felt like a lifetime ago. So much had happened since then; raising Elva.


    working job to job, stressing over bills and Elva’s health….


    It was difficult to remember such trivial things as formal table manners.


    The trainers had talked me through this, but now, in the moment, my mind waspletely nk.


    Susie nudged me with her elbow, then made a show of lifting the correct spoon. Grateful, I nodded and


    followed her lead.