Chapter l181

Chapter 0181

The morning of the second elimination ceremony, I awoke with a big pit growing in my stomach.

I still hadn’t been able to speak to Julian about his potentially saving me today. I had talked more with

Joyce, but he remained apathetic about the whole thing. Nicholas was avoiding me. Granted, I was also

avoiding him.

Elva, at least, was feeling much like herself again. Even now, she bounced out of bed, ready to face the

day, while I moved much slower.

I had already explained to her that today was another day to pack and be ready to potentially leave, but after the stress of last time, she never seemed to take it too seriously again, no matter what I said.

After Elva and I had dressed in our day clothes, I stepped out into the hallway to speak with one of the guards. Fortunately Mark had not arrived yet. I knew he would eventually hear of my request, but I hoped

to put it off for as long as possible.

For Mark to know meant Nicholas would know. I wanted to delay that.

“May I help you with something, Miss Piper?” one of the guards asked me.

“Yes.” I was still embarrassed to ask. But, no, I shouldn’t be embarrassed. What I wanted was entirely innocent, despite what Nicholas thought. “Could you keep an eye out and let me know the moment Julian arrives today.” I swallowed down my growing nerves. “If he arrives.”

The guard watched me curiously, but nodded all the same. “I’m sure he will be here for the ceremony,

miss.”

I prayed to whatever higher power would listen, that would be true.

Back in the room, Elva played with her toys as Charlotte and I went through the gowns hanging in the closet. There were still many I hadn’t worn yet, and tonight, I needed something new that would wow the

television audience.

It already felt too late to wow the princes.

I wore a green velvet last time, so this time, I chose a classic magenta gown with ruffles along the hem and across the top of the bodice. For my hair, we brushed it up and away from my face into a tight updo

that curled in the back.

Charlotte was still inserting bobby pins when the guard I had spoken with appeared in the room. I waved

him closer.

“Miss, I have heard that Julian has been seen on the premises,” he said.

Relief surged through my b*dy with such force that I sagged in my chair. I exhaled long and slow.

“Thank goodness,” I said. “I will need to speak with him at once.”

“Unfortunately, miss, that isn’t possible at present. The moment he arrived, he was called into the King’s chambers. It’s likely he will not reemerge until it is time for the ceremony to begin.”

The worry that had just left me came rushing back. “That long?”

The guard nodded. His face was soft with apology. “The King often gives Julian very long lectures after his… rebellious streaks. If it weren’t for the ceremony, my guess is he wouldn’t emerge from the King’s

audience for the rest of the day.”

That certainly did not bode well for me speaking with him. But I supposed knowing he was present in the building was enough of a comfort for now. I had better odds of being selected with him around, even if we didn’t get to plan it ahead of time.

“Thank you,” I told the guard. He gave a small bow and then saw himself out.

Charlotte added a few more bobby pins into my hair. Then she hit it with the hairspray.

“You’re ready,” she said when she’d finished, but I didn’t move from the chair.

She came around to look at my face. I wasn’t sure what kind of expression I offered her. I was a

nervous wreck.

She placed her hand on my shoulder. “One of them will pick you. I’m certain.”

I thanked her, but I wasn’t so sure. Nicolas surely had a full card already, with so many admirers. And Joyce didn’t know me well enough. Julian was my only potential savior, but he was a wild card on all his own. Who knew what he would decide to do in the end?