Chapter 196


    “Everyone knows you are capable, especially Prince Nichs. But wanting and needing are different,”


    Susie said. “You are allowed to want things, Piper, even if you don’t need them. You are allowed to


    want


    to be taken care of once in a while. No one should have to stand alone all the time.”


    “I do,” I said, though listening to her words, I wondered what it would be like to let myself depend on


    others, even just a little bit.


    I had friends here and at home. Anna, Susie, Nichs, Julian, and Mark. They were each dependable,


    in


    their own ways. If I needed them, they would likely answer my call.


    But that was just the problem. I couldn’t need them. I could let myself be weak enough to even want


    their help.


    I had to be able to stand on my own, as I always had.


    “There has to be some way that I can prove to Nichs that I can defend myself,” I said. “I’d feel better


    then, I think, even if he still wants to protect me after. I don’t want him to think that he has to.”


    Susie hummed as she considered it.


    Meanwhile, Elva turned away from her stuffed animals to look at me. “Do you need more tea,


    Mommy?”


    “That would be lovely, Elva. Thank you.” I held up my teacup for her. She lifted the pot and made a


    pouring motion.


    It’s hot,” Elva said.


    I nodded with understanding, and so I gently blew over the cup before I pretended to drink the


    Imaginary tea. “Delicious,” I said.


    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    Elva smiled.


    When I looked back at Susle, she was sneaking nces toward Mark standing at the door. He was


    ancing too. Every once in a while, they would lock eyes and smile at each other. Susie would blush


    dorable, watching the two of them.


    dave me an idea


    “Mark,” I said.


    me the way ne


    ed Mark.


    He jumped, not having expected me to address him. A bit of red dusted his cheeks. Did he think I was


    going to call him out for looking at Susie? Never.


    “Yes, Miss Piper?”


    “Do you know many self–defense techniques?” I asked.


    “I do.”


    you thinking Pino


    “What are you thinking, Piper?” Susie asked.


    I looked at her, but then I asked Mark, “Do you think you could teach me?”


    Mark seemed surprised. Susie did too.


    “If I can learn some self–defense moves, then maybe I can prove to Nichs that he doesn’t have to


    worry about me. I can prove that I can handle my own problems, and anything else thates along.”


    Susie frowned at me, but she didn’t argue. “I guess…”


    “If you want to learn, I can show you a few moves,” he said. When I started to stand up, he quickly


    stopped me. “Not here. Not now. Let’s meet tomorrow morning in the gym.”


    I blinked. “There’s a gym in the pce?”


    Mark nodded. “It’s by the barracks for the guards.”


    “Okay,” I said. I would do whatever it took to prove myself. And learning a few moves certainly wouldn’t


    hurt.


    The following morning, I searched for the gym and eventually found it where Mark had said. I went into


    therge brick building and found a gymnasium with a half–basketball court to one side, and a series of


    work out equipment on the other.


    been expecting Mark


    d into the room, it was Nichs who greeted me.