The Rejected True Heiress (Liora and Callum) novel Chapter 139

My cheeks warmed, but I managed a smile and another curtsy. When I turned and began making my way toward Callum, I noticed students whispering amongst themselves. Although, to my relief, they were smiling at me.

The girl with freckles rushed over to me. “What did you talk about just now?” she whispered.

“The new dress he had sent to my room.” I grinned and gestured to my gown, moving a little so the skirt flared around my legs. “Isn’t it lovely?”

Her eyes widened. “He gave you a new dress and everything? He must love you dearly; we were all worried that he was disappointed earlier.”

“Of course not. My father is simply a stern type, that’s all. As soon as I left the room, he mindlinked me to check on me. He was very worried.”

She sighed dreamily, but then frowned. “I wonder why he made Callum dance with Liora, then.”

The reminder made my stomach twist painfully, but I waved my hand. “The show must go on. He just wanted to keep the evening moving along.”

She nodded and trotted along beside me as I continued walking. I caught sight of Callum and made my way over to him.

“Callum,” I said, kissing his cheek, “I heard you had to dance with Liora. I’m sorry about that.”

“The King’s orders,” he said curtly.

The King’s orders, indeed. I studied his face, but his expression betrayed nothing. Maybe the dance was a disaster.

Forcing a smile onto my face, I said demurely, “Well, I assume that means that you and I have been disqualified. I think I’ll vote for Ella and Adam.”

“And as for Liora?” freckles asked. I looked up toward where Liora was standing with Mia and Zane. She had her back turned to me. I refused to look at her in her fucking gown for longer than half a second.

I flicked a strand of hair over my shoulder. “Oh, she’s just a poor wolfless; she should never have been falsely accused, and I feel for her. I really do. Her life is already so pathetic that it must have been a real blow to have such rumors started against her, but hey—at least she got her five minutes of fame tonight.”

Callum, having returned just now, stiffened at that. Something flashed across his face, although it was gone very quickly.

“Are you alright?” I asked.

He nodded. “Just need to use the restroom,” he said, then turned on his heel and quickly strode away in the opposite direction of the bathrooms.