Chapter 380

That night, despite the worries and the fears and the dark murmurs all around us, I was able to sleep soundly, feeling well and thoroughly loved.

I was also likely happy to be back in a familiar bed, surrounded by familiar faces.

And not everything was so dire. Elva was healthy for the first time in maybe her entire life. And we were reunited with Charlotte, who wanted a full report of everything that had happened after she had gone.

I had promised her that I would deliver a full account in the morning, but now that the morning was upon us, we were interrupted before we fully began by a messenger at the door.

“The candidates are to attend a meeting,” the messenger said. “In the usual place, as soon as possible.”

Charlotte and I looked at each other. I gave her an apologetic glance.

“Later, then,” Charlotte said.

“I promise,” I told her.

The nanny had arrived to watch Elva, so I gave Elva a quick hug and then followed the messenger out into the hallway.

Down in the usual room, I spotted Susie, Veronica, and Tiffany speaking with each other off to one side of the stage, while Lilliana and Olivia and… Bridget were having a conversation on the other side. Jessica was reading a book. Joyce’s other choice was nowhere to be seen.

I bid farewell to the messenger, and thanked him for escorting me. Then I walked toward my friends.

I pointedly avoided looking at Bridget. I had known, from what Nicholas had said, that she would be returned to the competition without further fuss. But it was still uncomfortable to see her again after all that she had done and all that had happened.

My friends seemed to agree, especially Veronica, who openly glared at Bridget.

When I asked about Joyce’s missing candidate, Tiffany said, “Her family called her back home. Last I heard, she became engaged to a duke. Prince Joyce’s unrefined actions, I guessed, were so irreparable that her family called her back. Especially when she didn’t get included on the island trip.”

In a way, I was glad for her escape. She’d be even worse off now, with Joyce’s actual disappearance and not just removal from the public eye. I only hoped that she cared for this duke in some measure.

I still felt bad for Jessica, however, who was kept waiting. She seemed okay for now, reading. I remembered how dedicated she was to Prince Joyce. I had hoped that with Veronica’s help, Joyce would become well enough to see the good in the world and find affection for Jessica.

But God knew where he was now, or how he would be if and when he was found.

Soon, Nathan appeared and took to the stage. He was alone this time. Usually a prince or two might join him. I reasoned Julian and Nicholas were likely busy putting out all the metaphorical fires that seemed to have sprung up in their absence.

“Attention, please,” Nathan said. He didn’t use a microphone this time. He just spoke loudly enough for us all to hear. “Thank you,” he said when we’d quieted to listen. “Let me offer a warm welcome back to those that had gone on the trip to the island. And a thank you for the patience of those who stayed behind.”

Everyone murmured some kind of acknowledgement. Mine was, “Thank you.”

“As you likely all know by now,” Nathan continued, “the kingdom’s relationship with the Bear People in the north has become strained.”

That felt like an understatement, knowing I what I knew.

Nathan said, “There is much fear and tension among all the people of our kingdom. As such, we must perform our best to try to keep the people calm and happy. As such, many things are going to happen here in quick succession.”

I held my breath. An elimination ceremony was bad enough. What else could there be?

“The King and Queen decided that, in a matter of fairness for those that did not have a chance to attend the island getaway, one more event will be held before the next elimination ceremony. This will ensure that all candidates will have a chance to showcase their merits before we must send more candidates home.”

My stomach twisted uncomfortably. I wasn’t afraid of another event. It was everything after that had me concerned.

“This event will actually be a homecoming of sorts,” Nathan continued. “We will send you each back to your homes with a camera crew to follow you. This will give an insight to our people on the day-to-day of your usual lives.”

Dread crept over me. I had some excitement, mostly to see Anna again, but they were secondary. My life before wasn’t exactly glamorous.

Sure, the populace had some idea of me coming from nothing, but would the reality of how little I had help me in their eyes or hurt me? An idea could be romanticized. The truth was much harder. I wasn’t certain I wouldn’t be harshly judged.

Especially when compared, as I’m sure I would be, to Bridget. She was a movie star, with undoubtedly a sparkling, enviable lifestyle – or at least, I was certain that was how it would be portrayed. I couldn’t blame the public’s curiosity, either. I too kind of wanted to know more about the life celebrities led.

Compared to the bright-light spotlight and mega-million dollar mansion Bridget lived in, my apartment would look like absolute squalor.

I didn’t want to be paranoid, but this felt intentional. With everything else going on, it didn’t seem so farfetched to believe the King and Queen would purposefully arrange an event to cast Bridget in the best light, while showing me in the worst.

I wasn’t ashamed of my past, exactly. But compared to everyone else’s… I knew mine wouldn’t be judged so favorably.

Beside me, Susie curled her fingers nervously together. She frowned, but lowered her face low as if in an attempt to hide it.

“Are you okay?” I whispered to her.

She gave me a worried look. “If my parents find out that I’m…” She didn’t say ‘pregnant’, but I knew that was what she meant. “It could ruin everything for me.”

“You aren’t…” I pitched my voice lower. “Showing yet. It should be fine.”

We both knew at some point, she would be unable to hide it, and the truth would come out. I couldn’t disparage her for wanting to keep the secret as long as she could, however.

At the end of the meeting, Nicholas appeared at the back of the room. He rushed closer to me and then motioned for me to join him for a private conversation at the side of the room.

He looked worried, so I hurried to join him.

What could possibly be so urgent?

“Piper, I –”

“Excuse me, Your Highness. Miss Piper.” A servant, decorated in the colors of the King’s personal attendants, interrupted us. He bowed low in apology, but it was clear that whatever message he brought was important. Important enough even to interrupt a prince.

“Forgive me,” he continued, “but the King requests an audience with Miss Piper immediately.”

I looked at Nicholas. He had closed his mouth into a hard-pressed line.

Had he been about to warn me of this meeting?

What could the King possibly want to speak with me about? I couldn’t imagine he wanted to apologize for the way I’d been treated.

“I’m coming as well,” Nicholas said.

The servant straightened. “Forgive me, Your Highness, but the King said –”

“I will face the wrath of the King myself. You will not be blamed,” Nicholas said. “But I will eat hot coals before I let Piper face him alone.”

The servant reluctantly nodded.

My stomach curled into knots.