Chapter 131


    I tried to pull my eyes away just to prove him wrong. Too quickly, I was looking again.


    “She’s the King and Queen’s favorite,” Jun said.


    “Your brother’s, too.” I tried to keep the distain from my voice, but I was a poor actor. I was certain that


    it


    shone on through,


    “Maybe.” Julian studied me now, the others apparently forgotten. “I’m not so sure.”


    “He wouldn’t let just anyone hand–feed him.” I crossed my arms.


    Julian tilted his head. “Why, Piper. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were jealous.”


    His words startled me and my eyes went wide.


    Jealous? No, that couldn’t be right. What Nichs and I had was done and over with long ago.


    Except it wasn’t. At least, not for me. My recent fantasies of Nichs as my husband and father to Elva


    proved it.


    But to be jealous here, now, in the midst of thispetition? I had not recognized the churn in my


    stomach and tightness in my chest for what it truly was.


    Yes, I was jealous.


    Not that I wanted Julian, or anyone else, to know about it.


    I cleared my throat, trying to collect myself.


    “Be serious, Prince Julian. I would have to be terribly foolish to feel jealous over a man in a dating


    “Mhm,” Julian hummed. “More or less, that’s true. Yes.”


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    I shot him an annoyed sideways nce. He just smiled at me.


    “Are you saying you aren’t up for the challenge?” he asked. Voice lower, for my ears only, he added,


    Doesn’t he deserve someone who actually loves him?”


    “I don’t love him.” The words burned the entire length of my throat.


    Julian shrugged. “Could have fooled me.”


    Suddenly, Nathan arrived to reim wayward Julian and return him to his family.


    You are supposed to remain as a unit,” Nathan insisted.


    +15 BONUS


    Julian agreed to return, though Nathan didn’t move but a couple feet off, waiting for him. Obviously,


    Nathan didn’t fully trust Julian. That was likely a smart move.


    “If you’ll excuse me, I have to go try Lilliana’s pastries for myself.” Voice low again, he added, “They’re


    bumt on the bottom, by the way. Too long in the oven.”


    Jun Nathan said.


    Julian saluted me, then turned and followed Nathan back to his family. Nichs, I noticed, red at


    him


    the full length of his return trip.


    I felt the weight of two hateful eyes on my own person. I nced to my left and found Linda attempting


    I


    to light me on fire with her gaze.


    Quickly, I faced forward once more, ignoring her.


    The royal family went through two more tables before finally reaching ours. By this time, the sun was


    high overhead, and Linda’s eggs were looking a bit dry.


    The Luna stepped up first to our table, but, upon looking at it, her previously pleasant expression


    slipped


    right off her face.


    “What is this?” she demanded.


    Linda spoke before I could. “I made deviled eggs and


    –


    “I don’t mean the food,” the Queen said. She motioned toward the King, who joined her in frowning. He


    waved Nathan forward and whispered in his ear.


    Nathan nodded, then addressed us. “Did you not understand the assignment?”


    Since Linda had volunteered herself to be the speaker among us, I looked at her, waiting to see what


    she would say.


    “We have created the two appetizers and the drinks.” Linda waved at the table.


    “This disy is split in half,” the Queen said. “This event was to be about cooperation amongst


    adversaries. How do you ever hope to survive meticulous diplomatic rtions if you cannot even


    cooperate with your fellow candidates in thepetition?”


    1… Well…” Linda was sputtering, losing her usual confidence.


    The Luna looked at her with something like pity in her eyes. As her gaze shifted to me, she hardened.