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.”
})
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.
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