Chapter l138

Chapter 0138

+15 BOHUS

Joseph’s smile was twisted with cruelty. It deeply unnerved me. This man was not a noble himself, simply employed by them. He must have been like Lena, a traditionalist. Someone who wanted to uphold the way things had always been, rather than accepting necessary changes.

I hated that such ideals constantly placed me in danger. I was merely a girl caught up in it all. I had been chosen by the selection. It wasn’t like any of this was my direct choice.

Glancing across the room, I noticed Nicholas locked in conversation with Lilliana. He seemed entirely bored but dutifully gave her his attention anyway. He hadn’t noticed the intimidating way Joseph was

clutching my arm. I couldn’t expect a rescue this time.

I cleared my throat, attempting to gather my courage. Joseph was making threats. I couldn’t simply

cower under them, or he would know how much they affected me.

“Don’t I have to do something wrong to be sent to the dungeons?” I asked.

His eyes narrowed. “It’s only a matter of time.”

“No, I’m fairly certain that Piper is right,” Julian said, suddenly appearing beside me. “Unless they

changed the rules in the past few minutes while I was in the bathroom?” Brow raised high, he looked at

me and then at Joseph. “No? Didn’t think so.”

“Prince Julian, perhaps you misheard me,” Joseph began.

Julian shut him down straight away. “No, I don’t think I did.” He pointed to where Joseph gripped my

arm. “No, maybe you’d like to release Piper and move a few feet away. Or more.”

Joseph’s face scrunched up like he wanted to argue, but what could he say to one of the princes he was

charged with protecting?

I somehow manage to hide my own smirk as Joseph complied. He dropped my arm like it had burned

him and backed away exactly three feet. He continued to glare daggers at me.

“I don’t think he likes me,” I whispered to Julian, who laughed, bright and boisterous.

I

“No, it doesn’t seem like he does. I had better stay near you, then, to help fend him off, as it seems my brother is otherwise occupied.”

I glanced at Nicholas again. He was rubbing his forehead now.

“I feel bad for him,” I said.

→ +15 BONUS

“Ah. So you’ve spoken with Lilliana then.”

That remark wasn’t kind to Lilliana, though it was absolutely the truth. Still, I decided it better not to

agree or disagree.

Julian just looked at me and then laughed again.

Nathan signaled it was time for Linda to begin, and she moved at once, collecting her supplies. She set

the stove to boil the eggs.

“Nothing quite like watching water boil,” Julian whispered to me. “Except perhaps watching grass grow.”

“You aren’t a chef then,” I said, looking at him.

He pressed a hand to his heart. “If I made a meal, it really would be poison.”

Nicholas, I remembered, had worked hard more than once to prepare meals for me, when we had been together. I wondered if he maintained his skills after all this time. It wasn’t like he had much need to

prepare his own meals nowadays.

“Your stuffed mushrooms were delicious though, Piper,” Julian said.

‘Thank you, but my cooking skills are also lacking. I do what I can, with what few ingredients we have at home. A lot of the time though, my roommate Anna makes the meals for Elva and I, since I work so

much.”

“That’s kind of her.”

“It is.” I missed Anna so much. I wondered all the time if she was watching the televised portions of the competition. What she must think of everything! Sometimes I could almost hear her voice, chiding me for not chasing Nicholas.

“The man needs love, and you have love to give!” she would say, as if anything was that easy. Love wasn’t the only thing keeping Nicholas and I apart