Chapter 253


    Even now, standing as we were with the crowd around us dispersing, I was earning many passing


    res.


    Gratitude filled my heart for what Nichs had done. But worry still harbored in the rest of me.


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    Jane hade here tonight to harm my reputation and she had seeded in doing so. I didn’t know


    what I could do now to repair it.


    “Ignore them,” Nichs said. “They have no idea who you are.” 1


    “Does it matter who I am? If they think I am a disgrace, they will have the power to be rid of me.”


    “They have no such power,” Nichs said firmly. “Only the royal family can make those decisions.”


    “But surely the nobility has the royal family’s ear.”


    “We may listen. We may even consider. But they do not make the decisions for us.”


    “Nichs…” I didn’t know how to tell him that, though I was incredibly thankful for his defending me, I


    knew it was only a matter of time until I was removed from the contest. It had always been this way. I


    daily walked on the edge of a knife. That I had stayed this long was a miracle. 1


    “Don’t give up yet, Piper. Please.”


    Above all, I didn’t dare disappoint him. So I nodded. “I’ll keep trying.” 1


    “Good.”


    As far as I was concerned, this evening couldn’t end fast enough. I was ready to go to my room, put on


    myfortable pajamas, curl into bed, and forget everything for a while. Tomorrow, I could pull myself


    back together and figure out how to restore my reputation.


    Tonight, I just wanted to sleep. To unwind and forget.


    The universe had other ns for me.


    Nichs had taken my arm and was escorting me to the door of the ballroom. I assumed he intended to


    walk me all the way back to my room. Three feet from the exit, Nathan walked directly into our path.


    “The King wishes to speak with you, Piper.” Nathan nced at Nichs. “Alone.” 1


    “Absolutely not,” Nichs said at once.


    Nathan lifted both brows. “You would defy the King’s orders.”


    Nichs grit his teeth together


    “It’s okay, Prince Nichs. “I will speak with the King.”


    “You aren’t going alone,” Nichs said.


    “That is what the King requested,” Nathan said.


    “I’m going too,” Nichs added. “My father can tell me to my face to get out, but I won’t let you face him


    alone.”


    Nathan seemed resigned to the matter, like he had faced this argument in the past. “You’ll have to


    exin yourself.”


    “I’m aware,” Nichs said.


    “Very well.” Nathan turned and began to walk. He expected us to follow.


    Nichs gripped my arm more firmly. “Whatever he says ormands, I will not leave you alone to face


    him.”


    “He might try to kick me out for my behavior tonight.”


    “Jane’s behavior,” Nichs corrected. “I won’t let him.” 2


    I trusted Nichs, but I doubted that when push came to shove, he would be able to overturn the


    decision of the King himself.


    It seemed very likely that tonight, I would be headed back to my small apartment.


    How long would it take before Elva got sick again? How long until I was desperate enough to seek out


    help to save her?


    How long until I ended up in front of Terry’s door?


    I cold shiver ran up my spine.


    Nichs squeezed me a little, in support. “I’ll stay by your side. Don’t be afraid.”


    But he couldn’t stay with me forever. He couldn’t protect me from what I truly feared.


    Maybe we could face his father together. But sooner orter, I would have to face the rest of the world


    on my own.