Chapter 99

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 body 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 audience for the rest of the day.”

That certainly did not bode well for me speaking with him. But I supposed knowing he was present in the building was enough of a comfort for now. I had better odds of being selected with him around, even if we didn’t get to plan it ahead of time.

“Thank you,” I told the guard. He gave a small bow and then saw himself out.

Charlotte added a few more bobby pins into my hair. Then she hit it with the hairspray.

“You’re ready,” she said when she’d finished, but I didn’t move from the chair.

She came around to look at my face. I wasn’t sure what kind of expression I offered her. I was a nervous wreck.

She placed her hand on my shoulder. “One of them will pick you. I’m certain.”

I thanked her, but I wasn’t so sure. Nicolas surely had a full card already, with so many admirers. And Joyce didn’t know me well enough. Julian was my only potential savior, but he was a wild card on all his own. Who knew what he would decide to do in the end?

I wondered where he had been these past few days. I hoped he was okay. I wished more than anything that I could ask him what was going on. Did his absence have to do with the investigation? Or was he truly just being reckless?

Thoughts and worries swirling in my head, I walked over to Elva for a good luck hug. Her thin arms went round my neck in an instant and she held on tight.

“Don’t worry, Mommy,” she said, and simple as they were, the words did seem to calm me a bit.

With my good luck hug, I left the room and ventured down into the parlor room where the girls had been told to meet. I saw Susie at once and quickly went to join her. The worry line between her brows matched my own, and a hint of sadness touched her eyes.

“Did something happen?” I asked her at once.

She shook her head. “Nothing new. I…” She looked down to where she clasped her hands together. “I’m not ready to go home.”

I knew how she felt. But if we both fell into misery, we’d be in trouble. We needed to stay positive, if only so we didn’t break down before the ceremony even began. “Who says you are going home?”

She gave me a glance that said she didn’t want to play games. But I wasn’t playing.

“You are closer with Joyce than anyone else,” I said. “He might pick you.”

She sighed. “And what if he does? Wouldn’t that be a lie, then? We both know the person I want may be here in the palace but he is no prince.”

I moved closer to her so that we could speak in softer tones, especially as Nathan entered the room and moved toward the stage.

“I’m doomed, Piper,” Susie sniffled. “I’ve fallen for a man I can’t have, no matter what I do.”

I wanted to encourage her. Surely, we could think of some way for her and Mark to be together. But, on the surface, yes, it did seem impossible. Mark, as a Beta, had pledged his live in service to his prince. Betas, traditionally, didn’t seek or find happiness of their own.

Still, I had seen the way Mark looked at Susie. It was clear he was in love with her too. If I could speak with Nicholas, maybe he would allow their romance to blossom. But that couldn’t happen if he and I weren’t speaking, or if Susie was eliminated today.

I didn’t know what to say so instead, I took one of her hands in mine and squeezed.

Nathan began speaking, reminding us of the proper etiquette for the elimination ceremony and that if we were not selected, we were to quietly leave the room, collect our things, and find the cars out front to drive us home.

None of what he said was new information, but after those rules had been blatantly disregarded by the eliminated girls at the last ceremony, I supposed he felt the need to reiterate them.

I looked once more to Susie.

“Whatever happens, we’ll face it together,” I said softly, so as not to draw any attention away from Nathan’s, except for that of Susie. “And if the worst should happen, we will always be friends.”

She squeezed my hand in return.

Our friendship affirmed gave me the courage I needed to face this ceremony.

If I was eliminated, I didn’t know how but I would find a way to save Elva. No matter what I had to do, or who would help me, I’d never let that underground organization lay their hands on her.

Even if I had to bring the whole thing down myself.