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
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