My gaze was fixed to the television screen as I tried to soak in every possible detail of my ex-boyfriend.
In the three years since I’d seen him last, Nicholas had matured, filling out his previously lanky teenage figure. Skinny arms had widened with muscle. His broad torso tapered into a narrow waist.
He’d lost the boyish width to his face. His cheekbones had always been high, but now his jawline was sharp enough to cut glass.
He had been handsome when we’d dated.
But looking at him now, at the man he became..
He was jaw-droppingly gorgeous.
And apparently… a prince?
I’d known he was nobility, but I had no idea he was that high in the royal succession.
“Turn it up,” I said.
Anna increased the volume, until we could hear the newscaster’s voice.
“With the borders unstable and the economy in decline, the public has expressed fear for both their future and the future of the dwindling next generation. Through this choosing game, the royal family hopes to inspire the public…”
“It’s a good distraction,” I said. Everyone I’d encountered today had been talking about it, instead of their usual woes and worries. “
Anna said. “I’m inspired.” When I gave her a disbelieving look, she shrugged. “It shows the royal family is actually trying, instead of sitting up in their high towers, ignoring us. That gives me hope.”
The voice on the television continued, “In addition to providing entertainment and comfort to the everyday populace, the selection offers a unique opportunity for the princes, who have yet to find their mates. As per law, a prince needs a partner to inherit the throne.”
Logically, upon seeing Nicholas in the lineup for the selection, I knew he didn’t have a mate, yet still my brain struggled to make sense of it.
When we’d dated, Nicholas had been kind and generous, talented, handsome. How could someone like that have failed to find their match?
“Can you believe this?” Anna asked me. “They are all so handsome!”
The footage of the three princes played on a loop. This time, I was able to see more than just Nicholas. Like the person beside him. One of his brothers.
Julian?
Nicholas and Julian had both been classmates of mine at the Royal Academy, but they had hated each other. Everyone saw them as arch-enemies. They were actually brothers?
“The royal family requires all unmarried women aged 18 to 22 to apply,” the newscaster continued. “The deadline is in two days.”
The news segment ended, and another story began. Anna lowered the volume again.
Anna shifted on the couch, lifting one leg onto the cushion so that she could face me. “When are you submitting your application?”
I shook my head. “I’m a single mother, Anna. I don’t think that meets the criteria.”
“Elva is your sister’s baby, not yours. How long are you going to let yourself suffer for it?”
“Elva isn’t a burden.”
“I didn’t mean it like that. What I’m trying to say is that you are holding yourself back. You shouldn’t be stuck here as a waitress in a dead-end job with a handsy boss. You deserve more. You don’t belong here.”
Elva was more important to me than anything in the whole world. I had no intention of leaving her behind so that I could blindly chase a crown.
“What about you?” I deflected. “You don’t belong here either.”
Anna gave me a sad smile. “I’m too old to apply.” She shrugged. “Come on, Piper. There’s no harm in applying. You should submit the form. I’ll look after Elva if you’re selected. Plus, you won’t have to worry about your boss at the restaurant anymore.”
“Only if I’m selected, and that’s a big if.”
I couldn’t deny the temptation. My time with Nicholas had been… special. To be offered the chance to see him again sent my heart racing. But that was a problem in itself.
What Nicholas and I had ended a long time ago.
“I’m a single mother, I’d never get chosen. And even if I am, I would never leave Elva for anything, not even to become Luna.”
Anna sighed, long and slow. “If I were you, I’d never pass up this opportunity.”
Before I could reply, the news displayed the princes’ video again. Anna immediately unmuted the television.
Nicholas, where are you? Save me. Please! Save me!
No!
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