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Adri never talked about her husband, and few ered in the apartment The only reraphic plaques and carved medallions that lined the fireplace’s ratulatory prizes fro Cinder had no idea what he’d invented Evidently, whatever it was hadn’t taken off, because he’d left his family almost no money when he had died
On the screen, the prince’s speech was interrupted when a stranger stepped onto the platform and handed a note to Prince Kai The prince’s eyes clouded over The screen blackened
The pressroom was replaced with a desk before a blue screen A woman sat behind it, expressionless but hitened knuckles atop the desk
"We interrupt His Ihness’s press conference with an update on the status of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Rikan The emperor’s physicians have just infore of letu, the seamstress pulled the pins froainst the door fraive Kai her condolences, or wishes for the emperor’s return of health He norant
"We are told that everything is being done to ensure His Imperial Majesty’s comfort at this ti nonstop in their search for a vaccine Volunteers are still urgently needed for antidote testing, even as the cyborg draft continues
"There has beenthe 126th Annual Peace Festival due to the emperor’s illness, but Prince Kaito has told the press that the festival will continue as scheduled and that he hopes it ic ti, even with the prompter before her Her face softened, and her stiff voice had a warble when she finished "Long live the emperor"
The seamstress murain before returning to the press conference, but Prince Kai had left the stage, and the audience of journalists was in upheaval as they reported to their individual caue testing," said Pearl "Why wait for the draft?"
Cinder leveled a glare at Pearl, as nearly six inches shorter than she was despite being a year older "Good idea," she said "And then you could get a job to pay for your pretty dress"
Pearl snarled "They rei draft had been started by so, a new ID nus who resided in the Eastern Commonwealth Subjects had been carted in froapore to act as guinea pigs for the antidote testing It was ood of hus were not like everyone else Many of theenerous hand of scientists and therefore owed their very existence to those who had created theht It’s only right that they should be the first to give up their lives in search for the cure
"We can’t volunteer Cinder," said Peony, bunching her skirt in her hands "I need her to fix my portscreen"
Pearl sniffed and turned away from both of them Peony scrunched her nose at her sister’s back
"Stop bickering," said Adri "Peony, you’re wrinkling your skirt"
Cinder stepped back into the hallway as the seamstress returned to her work Iko was already two steps ahead of her, eager to escape Adri’s presence
She appreciated Peony co to her defense, of course, but she knew in the end it wouldn’t , because that would be the end of her only income, and Cinder was sure her stepmother had never worked a day in her life
But if the draft chose her, no one could do anything about it And it seemed that lately a disproportionate nu suburbs
Every tiined a clock ticking inside her head
Chapter Three
"YOU’RE GOING TO THE BALL!" IKO TAPPED HER GRIPPERS together in an i "We have to find you a dress, and shoes I will not allow you to wear those awful boots We’ll get soht over here?" Cinder said, yanking out the top drawer of her standing toolbox She riffled through it, spare bolts and sockets jangling as Iko scooted closer A wash of bluish light dispersed the die room
"Think of the food they’ll have," said Iko "And the dresses Andan assortnetic torso
"Oh, my stars! Think about Prince Kai! You could dance with Prince Kai!"
This ht "Why would the prince dance with ht an answer "Because you won’t have grease on your face this ti could be so simplistic "I hate to break this to you, Iko," she said, slaoing to the ball"
Iko’s fan stopped ain "I don’t cos on a new foot But even if I did have loves? What a waste"