Chapter l136

Chapter 0136

Love has no place in royalty.” Nicholas tilted his head down and lowered his gaze. “I will be forced to

marry the best Luna candidate in the Choosing Game. I can only hope that, at the very least, perhaps a

sense of friendship will blossom later.”

“And Lilliana is the best?” I asked.

He sighed. “She is the one my father has chosen for now. It could change over the course of the

competition. His whims can be fickle. But what would it matter? They are more or less all the same.”

My heart broke at his words. Hearing this usually confident man so… complacent – so accepting of such

an unwelcomed fate – tugged at my emotions.

1 want children,” he continued. “I believe that my life will be fulfilled enough with family, even if I can’t be

with a partner I would have truly wished for.”

I shook my head, refusing to accept it. “No one should turn away from their heart so fully.”

“I don’t have any choice, Piper.”

I took him by the arm and shook him. He was well–muscled, he only wobbled a bit and likely only to

appease me.

“You do. When you are King, you can –”

“I need to be married to be King.”

Oh. Right. I had forgotten about that and deflated a bit. But it still couldn’t be hopeless. There had to be some way for Nicholas to appease his family while still marrying the person he wanted – whoever that

may be.

As for my jealousy, surely I would be able to contain it if I knew Nicholas was with someone who he

loved, who was his match in both generosity, spirit, and heart.

Though no one here truly seemed to fit those qualifications. Except perhaps Susie, but she was happy

enough with her own choices.

“I truly don’t have any choice,” Nicholas said.

“I’m sorry,” I told him. “I just can’t accept that.”

He sighed. “You’ve always been stubborn.”

Maybe, but… “Especially when it comes to you. I care about you too much to see you throw your life

+15 BONUS

His gaze lifted to me. Under the bright sunlight, the green flecks in his eyes seemed to sparkle. He was unbelievably handsome. I could easily stare at him forever.

Til help you find someone,” I said. One of these girls had to be alright, somewhere under the surface. If 1 really looked closely, gave them more chances…

He gave me a tight–l*pped smile. It was sad, and didn’t last more than a second or two.

It has to be Lilliana,” he said.

My brow pulled together. “Because the King chose her? Surely anyone here would suit, if we

“Not just anyone would suit him, I’m afraid.” His gaze lingered on me a beat longer in silence, before he

dropped it away.

“There you are,” said a voice too near us. I glanced up to see Lilliana approach.

I had been staring at Nicholas so intently that I had not noticed her drawing near.

“I was looking for you, Prince Nicholas. I didn’t see the two of you sit down.” Her face was blank, with a

dull smile on her face.

I wondered briefly if I should stand so she could sit, but then pushed that thought away. We were equals

here.

Nicholas, however, did not feel the same. He quickly rose to greet her. “Hello, Lilliana. I’m sorry to have

disappeared on you.”

“I have found you now. You need not apologize.” She did not look at me once.

As the only one sitting, I felt awkward and stood as well, to join them..

Finally Lilliana glanced at me, but only for a moment.

“You were so brave back there, Nicholas.”

“Thank you. Linda has a tendency to push too far, I’ve noticed.”

“I’ve noticed that too,” Lilliana said. “She pushes too far.”