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.”
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Julian said smoothly. “We found Piper before she became hopelessly
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtTerry 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
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmat 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.