Chapter 235


    Chapter 0235


    Although perhaps Julian’s initial n to hold a contest event at Terry’s mansion would bear fruit. At this


    point, I felt so directionless, I wasn’t sure what was even possible anymore.


    “Leave it to Julian and me for now,” Nichs whispered. “We’ll give it more thought.” When I started to


    say something, he quickly amended, “We won’t keep you out of the loop.”


    I nodded. Truthfully, I wanted some distance from it all, if only to catch my breath. But I couldn’t just do


    nothing


    “I have to do something.”


    “Focus on thepetition,” Nichs said. “If you continue to inspire the public, you might have a


    chance at winning, no matter what the King and Queen say.


    Winning? There was no way.


    “You have to stay as long as you can.” Nichs dropped his voice even lower. “I can only protect you.


    and Elva while you are here.”


    His voice was so earnest, his concern so clear, I could only agree.


    “I’ll try,” I said, a quiet promise in the dim morning light.


    Later that morning, after Nichs had sneaked out and Elva had awoken, Charlotte walked into the room


    carrying bolts of a new fabric. It wasn’t the shimmering purple that Elva and I had loved, and Jane.


    had stolen, but was a beautiful glittery gold instead.


    “I like this better,” Elva said, nodding seriously in approval. Holding some of the fabric in her hands, she


    lifted it up and down rabidly to watch it sparkle. “It’s bright and sparkly.”


    I considered her words. “Yes, the other one was too dark, wasn’t it? We could use some brightness in


    our lives.”


    “It’s definitely better than the old fabric. Sturdier, too. It will be much easier to work with,” Charlotte said.


    “In fact, I bet I can have the base of the dress started by this afternoon. After you try it on, we can see


    what adjournments we want to add.”


    True to her word, Charlotte whipped up the dresses in a sh. She moved so quickly and expertly, she


    barely even needed my help/I mainly stitched hemlines while she molded the fabrics into gowns


    themselves.


    When the dresses were finished, Elva tried hers own first.


    “I’m like a Queen!” she giggled, then went to hold court with her stuffed animals and dolls.


    Trying on my own dress, I had to agree. By now, Charlotte new my dimensions perfectly, and the dress


    reflected that. It hugged my curves. The bodice dipped tastefully low, enough to show just a hint of my


    cleavage. It was sleeveless. With my hair down around my shoulders, I felt absolutely beautiful.


    “Perhaps a golden shawl,” Charlotte said, tapping her chin. She lifted the bolt of fabric and brought it


    closer to my shoulders.


    I couldn’t tell what would look best, so I left it to her judgement. The shawl didn’t seem to satisfy her,


    however.


    Suddenly, a knock sounded on the door.


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    “Who is it?” I called.


    “Prince Julian to see you, miss,” Mark replied through the door.


    I checked myself again. Perhaps I should spare the sight of my dress. After all, many girls were still


    looking to copy me. But no, Julian wouldn’t share my secrets.


    “Let him in.”


    The door opened and Julian swaggered in.


    “Piper, I was thinking that we… should…”


    His gaze fell onto me, then trailed slowly down from my face to the floor. As he looked, his words totally


    fell off.


    “Julian?”


    He didn’t say anything right away. He just looked and looked, and looked some more.


    Looking at me, he’d gone totally speechless. A feat I never would have thought possible from him.


    I spread my arms and swayed back and forth, showing off how the dress sparkled. He continued to stare


    so muc so much, I started to feel self–conscious.


    “Do you like it?” I asked.


    He swallowed hard. “Yeah… uh, you look…


    He trailed off again.


    “Julian?”