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..

it seem like acquiring a doctor for Elva would be a simple

I felt nervousness bubble

a doctor

one.” His reply came

was still

over the past three years,

Thank you,” I said.

then left

returned to Elva and found her fast asleep in her blanket Jon. It had been a long, tiring day, and she was

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

of the bed and

set on staying here, but… if she could get a regular doctor to check her over, and without the burden of medical

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

generosity?

a fair

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

Elva safe and sleeping soundly, I crossed the room and stuck my head out the door. I heard

of some voices. One sounded like Nicholas, though I

the sound of his voice to a servant’s room at the

ask me to cater to the whims of a woman with such loose

that voice as Lena, the head

continued, voice sharp with anger, “Now we are allowing illegitimate children, born in sin,