Chapter l268

hapter 0268

Together, Julian, Nicholas, and I walked out into the hallway. We made it down to the main hallway before Terry himself saw us and stepped into our path.

Julian, Nicholas, and I stopped in our tracks.

“There you are, Piper. And I see you’ve run into my errant nephews.”

“Don’t worry, uncle,

lost.”

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Julian said smoothly. “We found Piper before she became hopelessly

Terry tilted his head. He was smiling, but its edges were sharp and dangerous. “And why would Piper need to be found? Last I saw her, she was with the tour group. I turn my back for one moment to correct an ignorant girl, and in that single moment, Piper vanished.”

“I went looking for a bathroom and got lost,” I said, falling back on my initial planned excuse.

“You were gone for an hour.” Terry’s eyes narrowed.

“I got very lost.”

“She’s lucky we found her,” Julian said. “Who knows how long she would have been wandering. Sometimes I think you forget how big your mansion is.”

“I have not forgotten,” Terry said. His gaze never left me.

Nicholas was still holding my hand. He squeezed it, as if saying, I am here. I’m not going anywhere. The notion gave me comfort.

“I’m sorry to have worried you,” I said, hoping to end the discussion. “I’m back now so everything should be fine.”

Terry watched me for several long seconds, too long to feel like a natural pause. He wanted me to squirm, to feel uncomfortable, or maybe even apologize? I tried my best not to have any

outward reaction other than to vaguely smile.

Inside, I wanted to scream.

Eventually, he relented. “Very well. I’m glad you have been returned to us. Now, we should

make haste. Dinner is about to be served.”

I nodded. Without another word, he turned away from us. We fell into step behind him. I traded looks with both Nicholas and Julian. Nicholas’s face was stern and rigid. Julian winked

at me.

Neither helped me settle the growing unease in my gut.

As we entered the dining room, the other guests and candidates were already finding the

+25 BONUS

table.

“You are beside me, Piper,” Terry said, as he found his seat at the center of the table. I was to sit on his right.

Nicholas seemed reluctant to let go of my hand. In my ear, he whispered, “I’ll trade seats with whoever is beside me.”

Neither of us seemed to have any misconceptions that Terry would place Julian or Nicholas beside me. Their right as princes would let them have the right to claim any seat they wanted.

Except when we moved to my seat, we saw the name on the placard belonging to the post

next to me.

It read Joyce.

A prince could had the right to claim any seat they wanted at the table- unless it was already occupied by another member of the royal family. With Joyce sitting here, there was little Nicholas could do.

“I’ll speak with him,” Nicholas said. He released my hand and walked away.

Julian, meanwhile, switched seats with the person directly across from me. They were forced to move down to the other end of the table. I imagined Terry had intentionally placed Julian and Nicholas as far from me as possible.

Terry glared at Julian now. Julian just smiled at him, all faux innocence.

When most of the group had found their places at the table, we began to sit down. I reluctantly sat beside Terry, with Julian across the table from me.

Oddly, Susie had been placed on the other side of Terry. I would have thought we would want someone with more standing nearer to him, like Olivia. Susie seemed nervous as she accepted

her seat.

I waited for Nicholas, but was surprised when Joyce arrived to claim his seat. Nicholas, it

seemed, had been unsuccessful at convincing Joyce to move. That seemed strange to me. I couldn’t have imagined that Joyce would care so much. Perhaps it was because Jessica was

seated on his other side?

Instead, Nicholas claimed the seat beside Julian and directly across from Terry. His frown was deep with displeasure. Whatever the conversation had been between him and Joyce, Nicholas seemed rather irritated about it.