I Was The Perfect Queen But He Forgot My Name Chapter 22
I took the red plum branch.
Celeste was waiting for me to give it to Adrian. Adrian’s eyes were full of confidence. Iris looked at the flower with open envy, while Tessa mourned the fact that the entire precious plant had not ended up in our hands.
While no one was looking, Stella stole the last pastry from my plate and shot me a smug wink.
Everyone was waiting for my choice.
In the corner, Julian had returned at some point, snowflakes clinging to his dark hair. He was staring blankly at the harp, one hand pressed to his temple.
Then he looked up, and our gazes met.
I looked away at once.
“The most beautiful flower should, of course, go to the most beautiful person.”
Smiling, I said, “In my eyes, that would have been my mother. But since she isn’t here today, I’ll give it to myself.”
I tucked the red plum into my hair.
The looks around me were full of admiration.
Only Julian stood there with a hand over his forehead, his eyes full of confusion. Iris called his name several times, but he didn’t respond.
I felt very little at the sight.
After the gala, my name returned to the social lists of packs across every territory. More and more inquiries came—some political, some personal.
My mother laid out dossiers of young men she and my father had already screened.
“Your twenty-first independence oath ceremony is this spring. It’s time to start thinking about the future again.”