Chapter 384

“Why would they want us to know they stole the princess?” I asked.

“It’s the location that matters,” Veronica explained.

“If it was the rebels who kidnapped her,” Julian added, “It was likely they intended to start a war, even then.” He looked back to the list. “I wonder how my parents were able to smooth tensions over back then, and why they can’t use the same tactics now.”

“This has been festering for over twenty years,” Veronica told him. “Whatever tactics they used might be wearing thin.”

Julian hummed in acknowledgement.

I walked closer to peer down at the list from over his shoulder. The princess was named by title only, but was marked to be escorted by an older couple. A ruse, most likely. A kindly elder couple would be less likely to arouse suspicion of wrongdoing. They were marked as servants of the bear crown.

It’s the line after the couples’ names that gives me pause. A second infant marked only as ‘Baby’ crossed the border at the same time. The next person listed didn’t cross until a full five-minutes later.

“Julian,” I said.

He spotted this discrepancy at the same time as me. “I see it.”

“Why would they bring two babies?” I asked.

“Two babies?” Tiffany gasped. She stepped closer to Julian on the other side to look at the list too. “Holy guacamole. Two babies.”

“A double perhaps?” Veronica offered. “To help protect the true princess?”

Julian’s brow lowered and he appeared lost in thought. “If they were caught, this would allow them to make a switch. Likely the true princess wasn’t the one labeled as such but this unnamed infant instead. I’m not certain, and I’m not sure we’ll know for sure until we have other answers.”

He looked at Veronica, and his softened. “Good job, Veronica.”

Her lip twitched in return, an almost smile, and she curtly nodded.

“What we have now is a lead,” Julian said. “It’s been twenty years, but we can hopefully track down this couple. Even if time has been unkind and they have passed, we should be able to follow their course and find someone who knows them.”

He waved the paper around. “We need more leads like this. In these old documents, we might find what we are looking for.”

We all agreed and separated to begin our work.

For two full hours, we silently searched through the allotted paperwork. My stack was mostly old phone records. I kept an eye out for the couples’ name and anything that looked like it could be coming in or out of the palace.

In the end, I just didn’t have enough information to make anything of what I’d been given.

Frustration began to set in. I hated that I couldn’t find enough information to crack the case.

The entire war could be avoided if we found the information that we needed. And if the war could be avoided, then my choice would be unnecessary.

I sighed, too loudly I supposed, because Julian noticed and came over to me. He sat on the edge of my desk.

“Take five?” he asked.

God knew I needed a break. I nodded and stood.

“The servants set out fresh coffee over here,” he said and escorted me to a small table near the entrance of the room, where a pot of coffee set among some teacups.

Julian righted one of the cups and poured me some coffee. He handed it to me.

“Do you want to talk about what’s really bothering you?” he asked.

“This is important work,” I said and took a sip. The coffee was bitter, but I continued to drink it. I needed the caffeine boost to help keep my mind sharp.

“It is,” Julian said. He tilted his head. “But it’s not the only thing bothering you.”

Curse him and his peak observational skills.

“You worried about going home?” Julian asked.

“A little,” I admitted. “I’m not sure what the people will think when they see where I come from.”

Julian shrugged nonchalantly. “They like you in part because of your humble origins, Piper. You have nothing to worry about.”

If only it was that simple. “Not everyone likes me.”

He continued to smile but it did not meet his eyes, which sharpened as they peered at me. I was being observed, like a bug under a microscope. I was afraid of what he might see.

I decided to just tell the truth before Julian could start making more observations. I wanted to keep some secrets to myself, thank you very much. Julian had a way of seeing straight through me.

“The King says Bridget and I have split the popular vote 50/50,” I said.

“You spoke with my father?”

“He summoned me.”

Julian sighed and his smile finally faded. I immediately missed the comfort it brought. “Let me guess. He wants you to back out of the competition.”

I wasn’t shocked anymore, when Julian made the correct assumptions. “Yes. And to give Bridget my full support, to help unify the nation in case of war.”

Julian laughed once, bitterly. “No pressure though, right?” He shook his head as he poured a second cup of coffee for himself. “My parents really need to learn to butt out.”

“The King made some good points…” It pained me to admit that, but if he hadn’t, I wouldn’t still be considering his suggestion.

“Piper.” Julian looked at me flatly. “Do you really believe that Bridget would be a good Luna?”

Nicholas had asked me something similar. My answer was the same.

“No.”

“Then stop worrying about what my parents think is right, and do what you want.”

He downed half of his coffee in one go. Then he set it aside. With his hands free, he placed them on my shoulders.

“Go back to your home and remember what everyday life is like. This place… this power… it’s so easy to get caught up in it all and forget who you really are, and what you bring to this competition.”

“But I was only brought here in the first place for a PR stunt.”

“You stayed because you are you. You bring something no other candidate has, Piper. Certainly not Bridget. But only you can make the decision. Do you fight for people like you to have their voices heard? Or do you hand it all over to Bridget?”

I didn’t like the sound of handing it over to Bridget.

“But is it the right thing to want to stay?” I asked him. “Or am I being selfish?”

Julian smiled, honestly this time. It twinkled in his eyes. “Piper. That you even ask that proves how very unselfish you are.”

Julian was so sweet to me, so caring and supportive. I very nearly hugged him. I had my arms half-raised between us, in fact.

I stopped abruptly, when my gaze slid to the doorway and saw Nicholas standing there, watching. His face was a blank slate. I couldn’t read him at all.

I couldn’t imagine he would be angry with me for hugging Julian, as we were friends. But knowing how Julian felt about me changed things. I didn’t want to lead him on, as Bridget had. I wanted to be better than her.

So I kept my hands to myself.

“Nicholas is here, isn’t he?” Julian asked. His smile turned sly, though I could see just the tiniest flash of hurt deep within his eyes.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered.

“Don’t,” Julian said. He shrugged. “You can’t help who you love.”

He stepped aside and cleared a path from me to Nicholas.

With a touch of regret in my heart, I began walking that path.