Chapter 86
The gathered crowd quieted at Nichs and Julian’s deration. The King narrowed his gaze.
“You are saying that Piper did this.”
“Yes,” Nichs said without hesitation,
Around us, the spective gazes of the onlookers were more than enough to tell of their disbelief. Yet
before they could make me nervous, Julian’s easyughter imed everyone’s attention.
“Have you all forgotten how talented Piper is with a bow? She nearly matched me shot for shot during
our archery event.”
No one could deny the truth of that. Soon the spective nces returned more to ones of annoyance
and jealousy.
“Very good, Piper.” The King studied me closely, draped over Nichs’s back as I was. “Though it
seems
you have gotten injured.”
“A twisted ankle,” I said.
“I will have the physician make certain she is well,” Nichs added.
The King moved his probing eyes to Nichs. “Send a servant to do so.”
Nichs tensed beneath me. “Yes, sir.”
Moving from us, the King approached Nathan, “Send some servants to retrieve the boar for the
barbecue
tomorrow.”
“At once, Your Majesty.” Nathan quickly directed others to move.
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“My wolfpanion will guide you to the location.” Nichs looked down. “Night, if you could.”
Night, who had diligently taken position at Nichs’s right, stood and followed hismand.
“You can lower me now,” I said to Nichs. I spotted the camerasing closer. I really didn’t want
them to have close–ups of me hanging all over Nichs.
Slowly, he lowered me down. I could stand on one foot, but i was wobbly Nichs stayed at my side,
ready to catch me. When leaned a bit too far in one direction, he ced his hand under my arm and
held me more firmly.
The gate began to separate into shatter groups to talk. Olivia came over to Nichs and me
“Congrattions, Piper. It must have been an impressive shot you made. How fortunate you were that
two princes were able to find you when you were hurt.”
I wasn’t sure what she was getting at, or why she was being so nice. Likely she was only acting this
way because Nichs was beside me. In private, I highly doubted she would be so kind. Regardless,
for now, I epted her words.
“Thank you, Olivia,” I said.
She nodded, then moved on.
Not to be outdone, Linda quickly moved into the ce Olivia had vacated.
“Yes, congrattions are in order,” Linda said, aneering slightly. “So… nice that you are now the hero
of the event. So.. deserved.” The words came stiffly, like it physically pained her to pay the
“Thank you,” I said, mostly to make this encounter stop.
Linda pressed her lips hard together. “Yes, well. Hopefully you will be more careful next time so as not
to hurt yourself and bother our princes.”
“I had no issue assisting Piper,” Nichs said, voice neutral.
“Most magnanimous of you to say so, Prince Nichs” Linda gave a little bow, then excused herself.
I was happy to see her go.
Meanwhile, nearer the cameras, the King was smiling brightly.
“We are so proud of the young women of our kingdom for providing such a good showing today. Piper,
as hero of the event, has earned a high amount of ranking. But there are many notable persons that we
should highlight…”
I wasn’t hurt that he would so quickly turn attention away from me. I knew I was only here for the
publicity stunt, and that the royal family had no actual wish to have me stay in thepetition.
Thusly, it made sense for the King to try to guide the public into liking the candidates he preferred, like
Olivia and Linda.
Plus, I felt a measure of guilt for having gained such undeserved attention. I had not actually killed the
boar. All I had aplished was nearly getting myself killed.
Granted, if my bow hadn’t been sabotaged, I maybe could have felled the creature on my own. But that
possibility still did not seem like enough to warrant all I was now taking im for