Chapter 0537 Whether I was in danger or not, I was still likely to be eliminated at the next elimination ceremony. Being more popr than Bridget was not something I ever expected to happen, but now that it had, and now that Selma was confirming it had caused me to draw ire from the King and Queen, I knew the end was near for me in thispetition.


    Julian finished his conversation with Selma by trying to lift her spirits somewhat. He patted her arm and gave her soft encouragement. Even though I had been the one wronged, I also couldn’t help but feel for her a little.


    She was simply trying to obey her king and queen. When they gave her morally questionable orders, she had no choice but to follow them, whether or not she agreed with them.


    I wasn’t angry. The most she had done to me so far was to sabotage me into making a poor impression in front


    of the merfolk. Well, my ruined suitcase might have also been her.


    But she wasn’t the one who had dug that pit on the ind. She wasn’t the reason I had nearly died out in the rain.


    I was mad for Charlotte, but she was being fed.


    Selma wasn’t a saint, but she didn’t deserve my hatred.


    “If they ask you to do anything else that makes you ufortable, pleasee to me,” Julian said. “I swear I won’t let you get in trouble. I might be able to find a way out of it for you.” “Okay,” Selma said, her voice was low and sad. “I will. Thank you.” They said their goodbyes. Julian didn’t move as Selma walked away.


    When her footsteps disappeared down the hall, Julian turned toward the closet door, opened it, and I surged out of the small space so quickly, I very i nearly walked right into Julian’s chest.


    He caught me around the waist and held me steady.


    “Careful,” he said and offered me a nted grin.


    “I don’t like small spaces,” I said by way of an exnation. My cheeks heated up.


    Julian nodded. He understood. Slowly, he lowered his arm and I stepped backwards.


    “Let’s get away from this spot,” he said, and I was relieved for it.


    We went out onto the deck. A servant asked our drink order. After we gave it, he disappeared inside while we found a more private corner of the deck. We dropped down ontofortable floral chairs. Julian slouched, rxing. I continued to sit on the edge, tense and nervous.


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    “So...” Julian said, watching me.


    You’re the most popr candidate again. Congrats.” 9 7


    “It’s nothing to be happy about. It puts me right back in the aim of the king and queen.” “Like hell you shouldn’t be happy about it!” Julian leaned forward. He bumped his shoulder against mine. “ Don’t forget, my folks wanted you out at the first elimination ceremony. It was your poprity with the public that saved you. It could do so again.” “I''was lucky then,” I said.


    “You''re lucky now,” Julian said. “ Trust me. We can spin this for sure.” I shook my head. I didn’t want to be a pessimist, but if the royal family really thought I was in the way, they could simply have me removed, one way or another. - I didn’t know if they were responsible for the pit and my falling into it. I wasn’t sure how they would even n that. But, if anyone could have managed it, it was the royal family.


    “Don’t give up, Piper,” Julian said. 4


    I nced over at him, surprised. He gave me an earnest, caring look in return.


    “Nichs needs you. Hell, the whole kingdom does,” Julian said. “T don’t want to see someone like Bridget be the Luna. She only cares about herself. She’d never put the good of the kingdom above herself. Not like you would.”