**Piper**

After the events at the royal court, the king and queen didn't invite us to dine with them again - not that I was complaining. I wasn't sure I'd be able to hold my tongue if the king said something I disagreed with, and if I did that, I'd have to listen to Peyton lecture me.

Prince Gregory continued to cycle through us for various dates, but at this point, we were all just going through the motions. Not even the prince seemed as excited as he had been ...