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..

made it seem like acquiring a doctor for Elva would be

and his dour expression, I felt nervousness bubble

a doctor

one.” His reply came with

was still a good

over the past three years, then. The thought gave me

Thank you,” I said.

nodded, then

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

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

edge of the bed and watched

regular doctor to check her over, and without the burden of

chance at actually winning the selection. If the royal family only wanted me here for good publicity, was there really any harm

generosity?

a fair

hadn’t told Nicholas or Mark about Elva’s many allergies. I needed to let them know, so

I crossed the room

like Nicholas, though I couldn’t

a servant’s room at the end of the hallway. The door

outrageous! You can’t ask me to cater to the whims of a

voice as Lena, the head

anger, “Now we are allowing illegitimate