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..

for Elva would

expression, I felt nervousness bubble within

needs a doctor

one.” His reply came with no

differences, he was still a good

past three years, then. The

Thank you,” I said.

nodded, then left

Elva and found her fast asleep in her blanket Jon. It had been a long, tiring

her toward the king–sized bed. She stirred some while

edge of the bed and watched her for a

get a regular doctor to check her over, and without the burden of medical bills… how could I deny

had been right. I didn’t have a chance at actually winning the selection. If the royal family only wanted me here for good publicity, was there really any harm in me staying and benefiting

generosity?

a

face, I remembered that I hadn’t told Nicholas or Mark about Elva’s many allergies. I

the room

voices. One sounded like Nicholas, though I couldn’t tell what he was

room at the end of the hallway.

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

as Lena, the head

sharp with anger, “Now we