Chapter 132


    Forgive me, Your Majesty, but we had given consideration to the spirit of the event,” I said.


    It wasn’t totally a lie. I had given some thought about how our divided disy could still indicate some


    measure of cooperation, even if Linda hadn’t.


    “Exin yourself,” the Queen said.


    I motioned toward our disy. “At first nce, our table is divided, which could reflect the deep


    disagreements between us and our adversaries. Yet if you look closer, you will notice that our


    selections actuallyplement each other.”


    The Luna and King pressed in closer to the disy, peering at where I suggested. Behind them,


    Nichs. and Julian gave me supportive looks – a full smile from Julian, a partial from Nichs. Joyce


    continued


    to look off into the distance, disinterested.


    “Linda’s cold selection and my warm one offer an exploration of taste. The drinks in between act as a


    pte cleanser, when needed. Individually, we could stand alone fine, but when presented together, we


    are better.”


    I lifted one of the stuffed mushrooms and handed it to the King.


    “Much like diplomatic rtions, we bring two different individualities together in a united front.”


    He nodded, thoughtful. Then he bit into the stuffed mushroom. He hummed, then motioned to his


    sons.”


    This is very good. Try one.”


    I provided each of the princes their own appetizer. Nichs touched my hand a moment longer than


    needed as he epted his. Pride shone bright in his eyes, which warmed me up from the inside out.


    When I offered one to the Queen, however, she simply looked at me nkly, and made no motion to


    ept it.


    I slowly lowered it back to the table. “Whenever you are ready.”


    “That is outrageous,” Linda said suddenly, iming everyone’s attention. “Piper’s talking out of her


    backside. We didn’t discuss any of this.”


    Standing up straighter, I tried to catch her eye, to ask her what she thought she was doing, but she


    didn’t


    once bother ncing my way.


    “Our foods are divided because I didn’t want her inferior selection to be anywhere near my own. I


    understand this isn’t in the spirit of the event.” Linda huffed. “But what kind of diplomatic rtions would


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    She picked up one of her dried–out deviled eggs and handed it to the Queen, who eagerly epted it.


    Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    “Commoners should stay within their own boundaries and do as they are told,” Linda said. “That is why


    our disy is the way it is. Had I been partnered with someone on my own level, I would have been


    happy to advocate for cooperation.”


    The King and Queen nodded critically, as if they agreed with what Linda was saying!


    “You don’t often get to select who you must work with,” Nichs said, face stern. “Oftentimes those we


    must findmon grounds with are not the kind we would normally associate with.”


    “Yes,” Linda said solemnly. “But they wouldn’t bemon. I had to divide the table. Don’t you see? If I


    allowed her to infiltrate my side, she would only steal the benefits of my station, without providing any


    good qualities of her own.”


    “Piper’s stuffed mushrooms were quite delicious,” Julian said. He pointed at Linda’s eggs. “Have you


    been keeping those on ice? You know they need to be kept chilled, or they will go bad.”


    The Luna shushed him. “Don’t be rude, Julian.”


    Julian looked at her. His smile took on an edge. “Rude is how everyone else is acting, mother.”


    “To assume themon people want to ‘steal the benefits of your station‘ is a dangerous opinion to


    have,” Nichs said. Themon people, after all, are what keep this kingdom running.”


    Behind him the producers whisper–yelled, “That’s good. The people will love that. Get a close up of the


    prince.”


    Nichs glowered. Clearly he hadn’t just said that for the cameras, and having been caught out made


    him ufortable.