#Chapter 264: A Toast To Us

That night, Nicholas and Julian joined the rest of the candidates and me in the dining room for dinner together. Elva was tired from the day’s events, so I returned her to our room where the nanny was waiting to keep an eye on her. Julian joined me at the door, to walk down to the dining room together. When we entered, Bridget had taken her usual spot, with Nicholas on her one side. The other side was open, presumably for Julian. She spotted us as we came in, and tried to wave us – or, well, Julian – over. “She wants you to sit next to her,” I whispered to him. “I need space from her tonight,” he replied. Nodding, I led him away from Bridget and over to where my usual spot was beside Susie, and across from Tiffany and Veronica. Since Elva was absent, her seat was empty. Julian sat down in that seat now. Bridget watched us from her spot at the table. Her ever-present smile seemed slightly dimmer than before. “You should have been the lead, Prince Julian,” Tiffany said. “No offense