Chapter 181
The morning of the second elimination ceremony, I awoke with a big pit growing in my stomach.
I still hadn’t been able to speak to Julian about his potentially saving me today. I had talked more with
Joyce, but he remained apathetic about the whole thing. Nichs was avoiding me. Granted, I was
also
avoiding him.
Elva, at least, was feeling much like herself again. Even now, she bounced out of bed, ready to face
the
day, while I moved much slower.
I had already exined to her that today was another day to pack and be ready to potentially leave, but
after the stress ofst time, she never seemed to take it too seriously again, no matter what I said.
After Elva and I had dressed in our day clothes, I stepped out into the hallway to speak with one of the
guards. Fortunately Mark had not arrived yet. I knew he would eventually hear of my request, but I
hoped
to put it off for as long as possible.
For Mark to know meant Nichs would know. I wanted to dy that.
“May I help you with something, Miss Piper?” one of the guards asked me.
“Yes.” I was still embarrassed to ask. But, no, I shouldn’t be embarrassed. What I wanted was entirely
innocent, despite what Nichs thought. “Could you keep an eye out and let me know the moment
Julian arrives today.” I swallowed down my growing nerves. “If he arrives.”
The guard watched me curiously, but nodded all the same. “I’m sure he will be here for the ceremony,
miss.”
I prayed to whatever higher power would listen, that would be true.
Back in the room, Elva yed with her toys as Charlotte and I went through the gowns hanging in the
closet. There were still many I hadn’t worn yet, and tonight, I needed something new that would wow
the
television audience.
It already felt toote to wow the princes.
I wore a green velvetst time, so this time, I chose a ssic magenta gown with ruffles along the hem
and across the top of the bodice. For my hair, we brushed it up and away from my face into a tight updo
that curled in the back.
Charlotte was still inserting bobby pins when the guard I had spoken with appeared in the room. I
waved
him closer.
“Miss, I have heard that Julian has been seen on the premises,” he said.
Relief surged through my body with such force that I sagged in my chair. I exhaled long and slow.
“Thank goodness,” I said. “I will need to speak with him at once.”
“Unfortunately, miss, that isn’t possible at present. The moment he arrived, he was called into the
King’s chambers. It’s likely he will not reemerge until it is time for the ceremony to begin.”
The worry that had just left me came rushing back. “That long?”
The guard nodded. His face was soft with apology. “The King often gives Julian very long lectures after
his… rebellious streaks. If it weren’t for the ceremony, my guess is he wouldn’t emerge from the King’s
audience for the rest of the day.”
That certainly did not bode well for me speaking with him. But I supposed knowing he was present in
the building was enough of afort for now. I had better odds of being selected with him around,
even if we didn’t get to n it ahead of time.
“Thank you,” I told the guard. He gave a small bow and then saw himself out.
Charlotte added a few more bobby pins into my hair. Then she hit it with the hairspray.
“You’re ready,” she said when she’d finished, but I didn’t move from the chair.
She came around to look at my face. I wasn’t sure what kind of expression I offered her. I was a
nervous wreck.
She ced her hand on my shoulder. “One of them will pick you. I’m certain.”
I thanked her, but I wasn’t so sure. Nics surely had a full card already, with so many admirers. And
Joyce didn’t know me well enough. Julian was my only potential savior, but he was a wild card on all
his own. Who knew what he would decide to do in the end?? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.