With the Second Ball only a few short days away, the dressmaking was underway and took up most of my time. My room had become something of a command center, with Charlotte, Elva, the nanny, Mark, and I as regulars. Susie visited quite often, sometimes with a maid or two in tow. Her gown, leopard-t

Nicholas I wanted to talk to my father about the state of the people that I had seen when I had taken Piper shopping, but the King was too busy to see me for several days. When I was finally allowed audience inside of his chambers, he had his war map stretched out over the dining table. My mothe

I sat in a sitting room at a table for two, having tea and pastries with Julian. I wasn’t surprised when Julian asked me on another date. We had plenty left to investigate, after all. But I was confused when he led me here, to what seemed like a legitimate date. I was startled that Nicholas and Li

On the night of the Second Ball, Charlotte helped me add the finishing touches to my costume. My sheer butterfly wings hung close to my shoulders, not extending too far, just enough to show. My hair was up and mostly hidden under a sea of brightly colored flowers. My mask covered most of my face,

Tonight at the Second Ball felt like a night where anything could happen. As Nicholas pulled back from our kiss, I immediately wanted him to return for another. I had butterflies in my stomach, remembering the way he said my name. He said it again now. “Piper.” “How did you know it was me?”