Chapter l253

Chapter 0253

Even now, standing as we were with the crowd around us dispersing, I was earning many passing glares.

Gratitude filled my heart for what Nicholas had done. But worry still harbored in the rest of me.

Jane had come here tonight to harm my reputation and she had succeeded in doing so. I didn’t know

what I could do now to repair it.

“Ignore them,” Nicholas said. “They have no idea who you are.” 1

“Does it matter who I am? If they think I am a disgrace, they will have the power to be rid of me.”

“They have no such power,” Nicholas said firmly. “Only the royal family can make those decisions.”

“But surely the nobility has the royal family’s ear.”

“We may listen. We may even consider. But they do not make the decisions for us.”

“Nicholas…” I didn’t know how to tell him that, though I was incredibly thankful for his defending me, I

knew it was only a matter of time until I was removed from the contest. It had always been this way. I

daily walked on the edge of a knife. That I had stayed this long was a miracle. 1

“Don’t give up yet, Piper. Please.”

Above all, I didn’t dare disappoint him. So I nodded. “I’ll keep trying.” 1

“Good.”

As far as I was concerned, this evening couldn’t end fast enough. I was ready to go to my room, put on

my comfortable pajamas, curl into bed, and forget everything for a while. Tomorrow, I could pull myself

back together and figure out how to restore my reputation.

Tonight, I just wanted to sleep. To unwind and forget.

The universe had other plans for me.

Nicholas had taken my arm and was escorting me to the door of the ballroom. I assumed he intended to

walk me all the way back to my room. Three feet from the exit, Nathan walked directly into our path.

“The King wishes to speak with you, Piper.” Nathan glanced at Nicholas. “Alone.” 1

“Absolutely not,” Nicholas said at once.

Nathan lifted both brows. “You would defy the King’s orders.”

Nicholas grit his teeth together

“It’s okay, Prince Nicholas. “I will speak with the King.”

“You aren’t going alone,” Nicholas said.

“That is what the King requested,” Nathan said.

“I’m going too,” Nicholas added. “My father can tell me to my face to get out, but I won’t let you face him

alone.”

Nathan seemed resigned to the matter, like he had faced this argument in the past. “You’ll have to

explain yourself.”

“I’m aware,” Nicholas said.

“Very well.” Nathan turned and began to walk. He expected us to follow.

Nicholas gripped my arm more firmly. “Whatever he says or commands, I will not leave you alone to face

him.”

“He might try to kick me out for my behavior tonight.”

“Jane’s behavior,” Nicholas corrected. “I won’t let him.” 2

I trusted Nicholas, but I doubted that when push came to shove, he would be able to overturn the

decision of the King himself.

It seemed very likely that tonight, I would be headed back to my small apartment.

How long would it take before Elva got sick again? How long until I was desperate enough to seek out

help to save her?

How long until I ended up in front of Terry’s door?

I cold shiver ran up my spine.

Nicholas squeezed me a little, in support. “I’ll stay by your side. Don’t be afraid.”

But he couldn’t stay with me forever. He couldn’t protect me from what I truly feared.

Maybe we could face his father together. But sooner or later, I would have to face the rest of the world

on my own.