The Luna Choosing Game

I took another step. “I don’t want anyone to get in trouble.”

Mark’s eyes went wide again. He looked to Nicholas.

Nicholas’s jaw was clenched, a hard line. He stared at me like he wanted me to take back my words.

When I didn’t, he said, “No one will get in trouble.”

“Thank you,” I said.

He seemed even more annoyed by my thanks, eyes hard.

Mark quickly excused himself.

Nicholas also backed to the door. “If there is anything else you need…”

“Wait,” I said. I glanced over my shoulder, at Elva’s legs kicking out from the comforter.

Nicholas followed the length of my gaze but didn’t otherwise move an inch.

I approached him. Voice soft, I said, “Elva has a few health issues. Lately, she’s been suffering from

recurrent pneumonia..

acquiring a doctor for Elva would be a simple

and his dour expression, I felt nervousness

a

have one.” His reply came with no

he was still

three years,

Thank you,” I said.

then left

Nicholas and the soldiers had gone, I returned to Elva and found her fast asleep in her blanket Jon. It had been a long, tiring day, and she was still recovering. She needed all the sleep she could

the chair and carried her toward the king–sized bed. She stirred some while Blowered her down, but the minute her little body touched the plush mattress,

sat on the edge of the bed and watched her

she could get a regular doctor to check her

a chance at actually winning the selection. If the royal family only wanted me

generosity?

a

a few stray hairs away from Elva’s face, I remembered that I hadn’t told Nicholas or Mark about Elva’s

and sleeping soundly, I crossed the room and stuck my

One sounded like Nicholas,

the sound of his voice to a servant’s room

cater to

recognized that voice as Lena, the head

we are allowing illegitimate children, born in sin,