Chapter l196

Chapter 0196

dare

“Everyone knows you are capable, especially Prince Nicholas. But wanting and needing are different,”

Susie said. “You are allowed to want things, Piper, even if you don’t need them. You are allowed to want

to be taken care of once in a while. No one should have to stand alone all the time.”

“I do,” I said, though listening to her words, I wondered what it would be like to let myself depend on

others, even just a little bit.

I had friends here and at home. Anna, Susie, Nicholas, Julian, and Mark. They were each dependable, in

their own ways. If I needed them, they would likely answer my call.

But that was just the problem. I couldn’t need them. I could let myself be weak enough to even want

their help.

I had to be able to stand on my own, as I always had.

“There has to be some way that I can prove to Nicholas that I can defend myself,” I said. “I’d feel better

then, I think, even if he still wants to protect me after. I don’t want him to think that he has to.”

Susie hummed as she considered it.

Meanwhile, Elva turned away from her stuffed animals to look at me. “Do you need more tea, Mommy?”

“That would be lovely, Elva. Thank you.” I held up my teacup for her. She lifted the pot and made a

pouring motion.

It’s hot,” Elva said.

I nodded with understanding, and so I gently blew over the cup before I pretended to drink the

Imaginary tea. “Delicious,” I said.

Elva smiled.

When I looked back at Susle, she was sneaking glances toward Mark standing at the door. He was

ancing too. Every once in a while, they would lock eyes and smile at each other. Susie would blush

dorable, watching the two of them.

dave me an idea

“Mark,” I said.

me the way ne

ed Mark.

He jumped, not having expected me to address him. A bit of red dusted his cheeks. Did he think I was

going to call him out for looking at Susie? Never.

“Yes, Miss Piper?”

“Do you know many self–defense techniques?” I asked.

“I do.”

you thinking Pino

“What are you thinking, Piper?” Susie asked.

I looked at her, but then I asked Mark, “Do you think you could teach me?”

Mark seemed surprised. Susie did too.

“If I can learn some self–defense moves, then maybe I can prove to Nicholas that he doesn’t have to

worry about me. I can prove that I can handle my own problems, and anything else that comes along.”

Susie frowned at me, but she didn’t argue. “I guess…”

“If you want to learn, I can show you a few moves,” he said. When I started to stand up, he quickly

stopped me. “Not here. Not now. Let’s meet tomorrow morning in the gym.”

I blinked. “There’s a gym in the palace?”

Mark nodded. “It’s by the barracks for the guards.”

“Okay,” I said. I would do whatever it took to prove myself. And learning a few moves certainly wouldn’t

hurt.

The following morning, I searched for the gym and eventually found it where Mark had said. I went into the large brick building and found a gymnasium with a half–basketball court to one side, and a series of

work out equipment on the other.

been expecting Mark

d into the room, it was Nicholas who greeted me.

Chapter 0197